The owner of the Dallas Mavericks needs little introduction. We did this Q&A over e-mail and ran it on April 27, 2006. Some of the questions might seem outdated. Some of the answers are timeless:

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made his fortune through
technology and the Internet. He writes a blog
(www.blogmaverick.com) and served up frozen treats for a day after saying the NBA’s director of officials, Ed Rush, wasn’t fit to
manage a Dairy Queen. As Dallas faces Memphis in the playoffs, Cuban is sure to be there courtside, yelling like any other fan. Needless to say Cuban, 47, is not your average owner of a major professional sports team. He recently took some time to explain himself to the Star Tribune.

Q - I enjoy reading your blog, primarily because it is far more frank than a lot of other ones out there done by people “in the spotlight.” What is your motivation for writing it, and do you ever worry about letting the public too far into your thoughts?

A - It’s a chance for me to take a stand on issues, whether in sports, technology, media or entertainment, which I enjoy. It’s also an opportunity for me to throw out ideas and get feedback, which can be very valuable from a business perspective. Finally, it’s a great antidote to media and interviews. Since I do all my interviews by e-mail, it keeps reporters honest knowing I can post an entire e-mail thread.

Q - You seem to have a polarizing personality — I hear equal parts “I wish Mark Cuban would just shut up” and “Mark Cuban is the best.” Why do you think people have such strong reactions toward you?

A - Some people pay attention to content and some people pay attention to sound bites. Usually the sports sound bites aren’t complimentary, but it’s all some people need to form an opinion of me. I’m fine either way.

Q - Earlier this season, you called Phil Jackson your “bucket boy.” Where does that rank on your personal highlight list?

A - It’s not a highlight, but it was fun.

Q - Speaking of poking fun, you have also prodded the commissioner more than a few times — and paid the fines to prove it. How would you describe the relationship between yourself and Mr. Stern?

A - We get along great. He knows that I work harder than any other owner to understand the intricacies of the NBA from a financial and operational standpoint, and that can only lead to positives. I’m not always as patient as he would like, but I also think he realizes that when I uncover things that hadn’t been considered, challenge conventional wisdom or offer new ideas, even if I push hard or publicly, good things happen. All of that is good for the NBA, our customers and fans.

Q - Not counting the Maloof brothers in Sacramento, do you think you have more fun than any other NBA owner?

A - It’s not even close. And Joe and Gavin are in the running only because they own the hottest casino in Vegas and hang out with starlets who drink cosmopolitans by the bucket.

Q - Does it make any sense to you that the Clippers, by virtue of losing to the Grizzlies and finishing with a worse record, were rewarded by having home-court advantage against the Nuggets while Memphis had to go on the road against your Mavs?

A - Of course not. That rule will be changed. You never want the incentive of losing in the NBA. It’s the reason why the draft lottery was changed to a weighted lottery.

Q - You made an impassioned plea for Dirk Nowitzki to win this year’s MVP award. Politicking aside, was this year’s race as wide open as any you’ve seen for a while?

A - Without question. The entire league is as wide open as any season for years. Any number of teams could play Cinderella and win it all.

Q - One of the main criticisms of the NBA from many people, including myself, is that it often feels like players are just going through the motions until the fourth quarter. What are your thoughts on the matter?

A - That’s crazy. If you think Kevin Garnett or Dirk Nowitzki is waiting until the fourth quarter to turn it on, you haven’t seen the things I have at halftime. Guys in pain with tears rolling down their cheeks, getting retaped just to get back in the game, getting sick and throwing up and getting back up and going back in the game. Ninety-nine percent of the players in the league have incredible amounts of pride and competitive spirit. The ones who don’t find themselves bouncing from team to team until they are out of the league. Coaches, owners, fans and GMs won’t tolerate lack of effort.

Q - You were an executive producer of “Good Night, and Good Luck,” a terrific film in this writer’s humble opinion. How did you get involved with that project?

A - George Clooney came to my partner and asked if we would finance it. We brought in Jeff Skoll and the three of us financed and produced the film. It was an amazing project by an amazing guy. George doesn’t get the credit he deserves. We have another great movie coming out called “Akeelah and the Bee.” And we also have “One Last Thing.”

Q - Finally, and I’m sure you get tired of this, but it seems every online biography of you mentions how you worked your way through college by giving disco dancing lessons. I think that would be one of the greatest jobs ever. Was it?

A - Let’s put it this way: I couldn’t find a single thing wrong with getting paid $25 an hour to teach sorority girls how to dance. Bring back disco!

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