NBA Previews - The Dallas Mavericks
by Phillip Baggett on Oct 7, 2009 9:51 AM CDT
25 comments
This year we decided to be a part of the massive NBA Blogger Team Preview that was set-up by fellow blogger Jeff at Celtics blog. I hope you all enjoy this and please make sure to keep checking back here for the division by division previews.
So without further delay....
Team Name: Dallas Mavericks
Last Year's Record: 50-32
Key Losses: Brandon Bass, DeSegana Diop
Key Additions: Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, Matt Carroll, Tim Thomas, Kris Humphries, Rodrique Beaubois
1. What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?
Last season the Mavericks showed to be lacking heavily in the depth department. So the Mavs spent this off season grabbing up quality back up players with good shooting skills to go along with a defensive edge. The Mavericks were middle of the road defensive team a year ago, and with no one other than Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry to handle the bulk of the scoring it was project #1 Donnie Nelson to go get a top tier offensive player. Nelson accomplished that in a 4 team trade that landed the Mavs Shawn Marion. After that he went out and got a very active and scoring big man in Drew Gooden.
2. What are the team's biggest strengths?
The Dallas Mavericks now have the players to fully integrate Rick Carlisle's offense and at the same time get after people on the defensive end. This team will be extremely difficult to handle if they are able to get out and run. Transition offense is going to be a huge plus for them this season. The Mavericks should also be able to matchup with just about anyone 8 or 9 deep. This should be a very active and athletic team, while they may be a little older team now, the athleticism is there and even more so than the last few years.
3. What are the team's biggest weaknesses?
This team while being more athletic still has their issues; first and foremost defensive rebounding is a big area of concern. If the Mavericks cannot get better at keeping their opponent to one shot, this could singlehandedly crush their hopes of making a deep playoff push. This teams other glaring weakness is their perimeter defense. They must get better defensive guard play from Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry specifically. Both of these guys do great things for this team on the offensive end but they need to step up to the challenge on the defensive end.
4. What are the goals for this team?
The Mavericks front office, coaching staff, and players all feel that they have a team worthy of making a push for that elusive NBA Championship. While I am ecstatic to hear these types of things coming from my favorite team, I must hold back my urges to jump on that same wagon. This team is going to be a very good team this year, they have the components in place to make a lot of waves. While your goal should always be to win a championship, if the Mavericks can somehow push themselves into the Western Conference Finals, then the year would be a huge success!
5. What's the window of opportunity for this veteran team?
This Mavericks team is officially in the final two minutes of the game! With each passing year they become closer and closer to the day when they will have to completely reconstruct this team. The Mavericks have been a perennial contender for many years now and have not been able to accomplish the ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Dallas (Thanks largely in part to the phantom fouls on Dwayne Wade, Damn you David Stern!). The Mavericks have maybe two years to get the job done, the time is now!
Projected Finish: 56-26
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errr
Diop was traded midway last season for carrol and hollins. And he was no loss then!(?)
The Additions of Ross and Jawai(in trade with Marion) seems to be un-key.
The whole Orlando-Saga is apparently insignificant.
Defensive Rebounding was one of the biggest strengths of the mavs in the last years…
They are always near the top of that list… – Offensive Rebounds not so much, but DR, oh yes they are. Watching only the Second Round in the 09 Playoffs may indicate otherwise, but still.
Their testified weakness was their inability to force turnovers though they kept their own number of TO’s relatively low. And they fouled too much without getting their wings to the line often enough.
It is unreasonable to expect Kidd and Terry to play much better perimeter D by themself (at their age and speed). Marion, Howard and Ross as well as short stints of Beaubois are better suited for that.
What you can expect is a better defensive system/help defense scheme from Carlisle.
Like i said: personal insight, opinions, columns, stats-based arguments and hilarious anecdotes on a daily basis
Ah, whatever, enjoyed it, thanks! =)
The Charles Barkley 2009/10 Ancestors Count: 0 Grandmothers , 0 Mother Alltime: Reg. 23-0 Playoffs 7-0
"There were arms coming from everywhere, and I knew they weren’t going for the ball," Miller said. "I was just trying to get [the shot] up before they called some crap like ‘on the ground.’ "
"What do you want me to do?" Wright asked. "Do you want me to Derek Fisher him?"
"Give them some fucking credit, i mean for real." Jackson said.
"I just fell on my face for no reason," Bryant deadpanned. "I'm a klutz."
"Fucking right i'm preachin' it!" Carlisle replied.
"Rough life, isn't it. It's tough all over, isn't it." Smith chuckled.
by DOH on Oct 7, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just giving my
opinion on what I see with this team. You know the saying “opinions are like A-holes, everyone has one”!
bags030404
www.dallascowboysnation.com
by Phillip Baggett on Oct 7, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
there’s no way Diop is a key loss, or Matt Carroll a key addition. For one thing, they both suck. But more importantly, that trade didn’t even happen this offseason…
by MeanMr.Mustard on Oct 9, 2009 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exclamation points
are stupid!
That's why they call them business sox
by egriffey on Oct 7, 2009 10:30 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I would have to agree with the comment above that not getting a better second/first center was a big loss or at least problem of the offseason
They wouldn’t have let Bass go if they had expected Orlando to match, precisely the team he went to. Even letting Hollins go might turn out to be a mistake given the little depth we have now at center.
Ross to me is a significant addition, since he will help precisely with what was criticized above: Perimeter defense. He is a completely underrated defender, who doesn’t do much on offense but at least almost never turns the ball over and doesn’t take bad shots. Unlike, say, The George.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know - Gooden is an upgrade over Bass
so I’m not too worried
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Oct 8, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way that Gooden is an upgrade over Bass. What are you smoking, I want some.
by JaySo on Oct 13, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Delusional
I think you must have Bass WAY overrated. For two years in a row now he’s averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds. That’s not very good. Average.
Gooden averaged more than 10 points and 8 rebounds every year he’s been in the league. 13 points and 9 rebounds last year in 31 games with Chicago.
And not only is Gooden an upgrade over Bass based on stats, but he can also effectively play both positions (PF and C) whereas Bass was a PF who was WAY undersized to play center. Bass was a defensive liability at C and a rebounding liability at C. Gooden is an asset at C which is what this team needs. Better player, better fit with Gooden.
Humphries is looking good in preseason with his inside physical play and strength. I think he’ll also out-perform Bass.
by Jeff in Dallas on Oct 14, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aha...
my young padawan, the force is not strong with this one. You will soon realize that Gooden is overrated, no BB IQ, which I’m sure you’ve heard before. No sense of urgency in a game, gets his points and boards in meaningless in the second quarter, not literal here.
The guy always seems to fade when you really need him, Bass on the hand is good tough nosed defender who doesn’t shy away in the final minutes.
Trust me after the season when he goes to his 10th team, you won’t miss him.
by JaySo on Oct 15, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But we'll miss Bass?
It’s not a stretch at all to say Gooden is better than Bass.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 17, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's agreeable.
But I’d also probably believe that Gooden’s BB IQ isn’t very good, otherwise I’d be guessing he wouldn’t have been to about eight teams.
Remember to retire Fin's number, Mark.
by jonthefon on Oct 17, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well OK
He can have a low BB IQ but still be a better player.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 18, 2009 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are overrating Bass
by a longshot
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 19, 2009 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone think Terry has the mentioned the play at 46 seconds to Marion yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPj0p3HiE9M
S-St. Louis, R-Rams, D-Dallas, M-Mavericks, A-Arizona, D-Diamondbacks.
by srdmad on Oct 8, 2009 1:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Here's my short term analysis of the West, tell me what you think:
The only elite team in the West is the Lakers…without Yao and with Artest gone, and T-Mac always hurting, count the Rockets out; with the Blazers still being young and their 0-fer against the 2008-9 Mavs, count them out; with the Hornets trading away the chemistry for CP3 at Center, count them out; please don’t mention the Suns.
That leaves the Lakers trying to fend off the Spurs (who did get better but are they as improved compared to the Mavs improvements as they need to be to overcome last year’s 1st round exit?); the Nuggets; the Utah Jazz; and the Mavs. So your 3 team race from the 2006 season becomes a virtual 4 team race this year (I think 1 of the 5 teams will bow out due to injury), and there are a lot more question marks for each of the 4 teams than there were previously:
LA: can Artest stay out of trouble for another year? Will he mesh with Kobe or bring in some bad chemistry? Can Bynum stay healthy? Will they ever find a PG or do they even need one with Kobe running the show?
San Antonio: is Duncan’s age ever going to start showing? Can Tony Parker carve up the Mavs’ defense this year like he did last year? Will Manu stay healthy? How will the loss of Bowen impact the team if at all? Can Jefferson and McDyess shore up the starting roster?
Utah: can Boozer and Deron Williams stay healthy? How does this roster work with everybody healthy and trying to find playing time? I consider a healthy Jazz team the toughest outside of the Lakers, but they are horrible on the road.
Denver: Carmelo is a star; J.R. Smith and Nene are pretty good players; can Kenyon stay healthy and maintain his support role? Can Chris Anderson stay in the league? This team isn’t too deep…that’s why I don’t think they can maintain a run to the Finals.
Dallas: If the main players – Dirk, Kidd, Howard, Terry and Marion – stay healthy, and the Gooden/Dampier combo works out like the Damp/Diop 2006 version but with a lot more offense (or they acquire another Center) – this team can be a top 3 team in the West and challenge the Lakers. If one or more injuries impact this team, they won’t. Pretty simple – it’s all about health and a bit of chemistry (like it is with every other team).
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Oct 8, 2009 3:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great analysis
a point about the Bowen loss, last year Bowen shut down Jet and I think him being out will hurt them against us, possibly enough to offset Manu being back.
But onto the Mavs, I think the biggest ? for the Mavs is can the successfully become better at defense, Carlisle has been stressing it in TC and will continue to stress it but it takes the players to do it, and if Dirk can get somewhat better at help defense as well as our Center, whoever that is, and we push up into the 10 range we could make it all the way, I think being as deep as we are now, we will be able to have fresher legs throughout the year which will also help in the playoffs and I still have hope that JHO can return to his All-Star form w/ him being fully healthy and if he does we might have a chance of standing up to the Lakers
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Oct 9, 2009 2:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Blazers move past us this year
by tyd3311 on Oct 9, 2009 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have reasons to agree and disagree
on paper, I see the following:
PG: Kidd, Barea, Beaubois vs. Miller, Blake, Mills – Advantage: Draw
SG: Howard, Terry, Carroll vs. Roy, Fernandez, Bayless – Advantage: Blazers
SF: Marion, Ross, Thomas vs. Outlaw, Webster, Batum, Udoka – Advantage: Mavs
PF: Dirk, Singleton, Humphries vs. Aldridge, Howard – Advantage: Mavs
C: Gooden, Dampier, Jawai vs. Oden, Pryzbilla Collins – Advantage: Blazers
I think that even though we have some pretty good depth now (theoretically if we stay healthy) and we’ve gotten more athletic, the Blazers have even more depth. They’re younger, more athletic, and they have one thing that we don’t: a slashing/shooting SG that can get to the foul line at will in Brandon Roy. But Roy doesn’t neutralize our best player – Dirk is simply a more valuable piece to this team than he is to his team. And that could change this year, but I doubt it. As good as the Blazers’ top 4 players are – Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Miller – I think the Mavs top 5 are collectively better – Dirk, Josh, Kidd, Jet, Marion – and I think that when it comes down to it, the Blazers’ depth and youth only keep them ahead of us if we have a significant injury.
Unlike the past few years, this year we actually have a very strong starting 5 (even with giving up size at the C position if Gooden starts). We’ll have to see how well Howard adapts to playing the starting SG role, but I’m guessing he’ll be pretty damn effective, and he won’t have to do it for much of the game – we’ll bring in Terry for 30 mpg anyways moving Josh to the SF slot and Marion to PF, Dirk to C. And who knows if we acquire a C like Kaman or Dalembert at some point in the year…or if Gooden/Damp works out?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Oct 9, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
further
I think you can expect the following ppg given a conservative analysis:
Starters – Kidd: 8; Josh: 17; Marion: 15; Dirk: 24; Gooden: 15 – 79 ppg
Bench – Barea: 8; Terry: 17; Damp: 6; Carroll/Ross/Thomas/Singleton/etc.: 8 – 39 ppg
Totals are 118 ppg – I doubt we reach that figure, but I think we can figure on being one of the top scoring teams in the NBA if we go with a fast-break tempo. If that defense edges up into the top 10 or so, which may not be possible with the pace, we could be a very dangerous team.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Oct 9, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
Lakers and Spurs are clearly the top of the West. After that, the Mavs/Blazers/Nuggets are probably battling for 3-5. Then the Jazz and the Hornets, and I see a team like Golden State or even OKC sneaking in at #8.
Remember to retire Fin's number, Mark.
by jonthefon on Oct 9, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Duh
“San Antonio: is Duncan’s age ever going to start showing?”
News flash: his age has been showing for two consecutive years now and ultimately killed them at the end of last year as he broke down and had nothing left to close the season and in the first round of playoffs. First Round of Playoffs: Mavericks win the series in 5 games. Should tell you everything you need to know about Duncan showing his age.
by Jeff in Dallas on Oct 14, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Close to my prediction
I predict 57-25, which should be good enough for at home court advantage for at least the first round.
2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2009 New York Jets: 11-5
by Grady90 on Oct 9, 2009 8:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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