Alan Hahn: NBA Hotshots

CUBAN's '10x50'

Eventually the Mark Cuban/Dirk Nowitzki Era in Dallas might result in a championship, but the remarkable consistency the Mavericks have had over the past 10 years is still quite an accomplishment. Wednesday's win over the Grizzlies was the Mavs' 50th of the season, which clinched the 10th straight season with at least 50 wins. That has been done just four other times in NBA history, by the Spurs (2000-09), Lakers (1980-91) and Celtics (1959-68). But while the other three teams all won multiple titles during those eras, the Mavericks have yet to win one and have made just one NBA Finals appearance (2006).

"I'd trade them all for one championship, but I can't do that," Nowitzki told Dallas reporters. "I think we got a good shot at it this year, so hopefully we can give it a good run."

Cuban, who bought the team as a troubled franchise in 2000 and has been one of the most visible and aggressively hands-on owners in the league, said via Twitter, "My first game as owner, NBA told me not to set fans' expectations too high. I didn't listen. 10x50 later, a lot of people deserve credit."

YAO IN 2010?

Very little has been said about one potentially big addition - literally and figuratively - to this summer's free agency: Yao Ming. The 7-6 center said this week that he will discuss with his advisers whether he will join in the frenzy and opt-out of his contract, which is scheduled to pay $17.7 million next season.

"I have to talk to my agent first before we start to decide where I need to go," Yao told Houston reporters. "If you ask my agent, he will say, 'I have to ask Yao and we will start discussing it.'"

Would the Rockets consider letting the 29-year-old injury-plagued big man go? He has missed the entire season with a fracture in his foot, which has led to concerns that he may not be able to return at full capacity. His age and size are certainly a concern when discussing a long-term extension.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR DEBATE

Tyreke Evans has the potential and Stephen Curry has the numbers, but Brandon Jennings has the wins. The three are unquestionably the leading candidates for the NBA's coveted Rookie of the Year award, which Newsday has a vote on this season. The ballots are not due until the end of the season and this one won't be easy.

Evans is the leading rookie scorer (20.2) but has appeared in 66 games for a team with 24 wins. Curry is averaging 16.5 points per game and 5.7 assists overall, but since the All-star break he's been the best of his class at 20.3 points per game and second in assists at 7.6 per game.

Meanwhile, Jennings had a dynamic start to the season, which includes the 55-point performance against Golden State in November, but since then his stats have tailed off. That, however may be a result of playing on a team with more talent around him. For instance, since the All-Star break, Curry (17.3) and Evans (15.9) are taking far more shots per game than Jennings (12.3). But they are also making more of them too, as Curry is shooting 46.1 percent, Evans is 46.1 and Jennings is at 35.5. Jennings' assists-to-turnover ratio (2.36) is superior to Evans (1.95), who is more of a two-guard, and Curry (1.89), who plays in an up-tempo system.

The knock on Jennings is that you can't attribute too much of the Bucks success this season to him, especially with veteran Luke Ridnour playing so well as his backup. But we still believe that Jennings is a strong contender for the award.

LeBRON COUNTDOWN

88 days July 1, when LeBron James can become a free agent