Know thy enemy: Dallas Mavericks
(Note: I realize these are supposed to go in reverse order of finish from last season, meaning Denver is technically next, but I'm waiting on some feedback from a Nuggets blogger and this one is good to go. So we're going...)
Dallas Mavericks: 51-31 (fourth in the Southwest Division, seventh in the Western Conference)
Key additions: DeSagana Diop (re-signed after being traded away last year), Gerald Green
Key losses: Juwan Howard, Ty Lue, Malik Allen
Last season was not a happy one for the Mark Cuban circus down in big D. Their 51 wins represented the smallest total for the franchise since the 1999-2000 campaign, and 16 fewer than the year before. The Mavs were then waxed by New Orleans, four games to one, in the opening round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, tensions built up among Avery Johnson and, well, just about everyone, from Cuban to the guys in the locker room, and Cuban toward the roster with which he started the season. In mid-February, with the Mavs sitting at 35-18, he dropped the plunger and blew the thing up, sending Devin Harris and a good chunk of the team's future to New Jersey for Jason Kidd.
Fair to say it didn't work in the manner Cuban intended. The Mavs were 16-14 after the trade, and seemed to struggle to find a rhythm with their new PG. A full training camp in Dallas along with a boost from new Coach Rick Carlisle should help matters, but the bottom line is that Dallas is getting old, and pretty quick. But that's just my impression. To get a better handle on the Mavericks, I hit up our blogger inaArms Tim MacMahon from the Dallas Morning News, host of the Mavs Blog (and fellow ban-ee during Cuban's anti-blogger days) with a few Q's:
1) Rick Carlisle for Avery Johnson: Change in coaching personnel, but is it a big change in style? How do you think Carlisle's presence will change the way the Mavs operate?
Tim MacMahon: Based on Carlisle's reputation as a grind-it-out, controlling coach, it's not a big change. Based on everything he's said and done since arriving in Dallas, it's night and day.
Carlisle, who spent a lot of time in Phoenix last season studying Mike D'Antoni's offensive system, has vowed to put Jason Kidd in position to succeed by making the Mavs a running team that won't use many set plays in the halfcourt. Carlisle says he's never used that style because he's never had a point guard like Kidd. He's putting in a system to suit his players instead of trying to make the players fit his system. Defensively, the Mavs are trying to build on the foundation Avery left.
Maybe the biggest change is that the lines of communication are open again. Avery was a dictator, to borrow Dirk's description of his former coach, and players tuned him out by the middle of last season. He totally lost the team when he benched Kidd in a tight loss to the Spurs, which was the first clutch situation after the trade. Carlisle went out of his way to visit his key players this summer and has won them over with his willingness to listen.
2) How close is Mark Cuban to reaching a breaking point with Josh Howard, and how could that impact this season?
TM: You always have to take Cuban's public comments with a grain of salt, but he has never wavered in his support of Howard.
During the Mavs' media day, Howard delivered what came across as a heartfelt apology for five months of acting like an "idiot." I'll give the guy, who went through personal hell last year that included the deaths of his college coach and two women who played major roles in raising him, the benefit of the doubt. Cuban certainly did, never seriously entertaining offers for Howard this summer, including the Kings' proposal of a Ron Artest-for-Howard trade.
Maybe I'm being naïve, but I think Howard has his head on straight again, and his off-court antics won't be an issue this season.
3) The J-Kidd thing didn't really pan out the way (I assume) Cuban had expected last season. With a full training camp under his belt and a chance to better mesh with his teammates, should people expect more from the Kidd-led Mavs?
TM: Kidd absolutely should fit better with this team after a full training camp and with a system suited to fit his skills.
However, I'm not sure that means more should be expected out of the Mavs. It's tough to see them gaining ground on any of the West's top-tier teams. Portland should be significantly improved and in the playoff mix.
It's reasonable to expect Kidd to put up much better numbers than he did after the trade last season, but the Mavs were probably be fighting for a playoff spot again.
4) Age is clearly becoming a factor for this group. Is there a sense that if the team doesn't win now, drastic measures are on the horizon?
TM: I don't see Dirk being traded. Anything else is a possibility if the Mavs aren't title contenders.
The biggest decision Cuban and Co. will have to make is whether to give Kidd, who is in the final season of his max contract, an extension. Neither side wants to negotiate right now, but it could become a sticky issue this winter.
Even if Kidd doesn't come back, I wouldn't expect the Mavs to go into rebuilding mode. Dirk has three seasons remaining on his contract, and Cuban will try to do everything possible to win a title in that span, as unlikely as that may be.
5) Last season they won 51 games. Over or under that figure this season?
TM: I'll cop out and say just about the same. The Mavs have won at least 50 games in eight consecutive seasons. They ought to make it nine, but just barely.
That number sounds about right to me. With Dirk, Howard, Kidd and Jason Terry, the Mavs are too talented to do truly poorly, but from my perspective, they're no longer a legitimate threat to win the Western Conference. A good team, yes. A playoff team? Yes. But the best days of this nucleus are in the rear view mirror.
Thanks again to Tim MacMahon of the Dallas Morning News for the responses.
Projection: Low 50s, low playoff seeding, low-level results in the postseason.
BK
BK,
Great choice for a photo.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Carlisle trying to use D'Antoni's system?
1) Kidd while still the playmaker that had him average 9 assists per game is 35 years old turning 36 in March. Plus he's not the shooter that D'Antoni had with Steve Nash at the PG slot nor the happy shooting Baron Davis Don Nelson had in Golden State. If Kidd was in his prime, this would have been better but Kidd despite being chosen for the Olympic Team is probably not the player that had managed triple doubles as a point guard.
2) Erick Dampier is not a scorer in the post. If Carlisle wants to have the Suns previous offense everyone from the 1 to the 5 really must be able to score well. Dampier does not classify as that.
3) The Mavs roster is more suited for defense. True Dirk is a top 10 PF and Josh Howard when he's not doing the wrong things is a fine SF but still the Mavs are more suited for defense. It's almost trying to fit the round peg into the square hole.
That's my opinion on the Mavericks.
BTW K bros, I really am hoping that Cuban doesn't get crazy and ban the you guys from the American Airlines Center again.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | October 23, 2008 at 06:36 PM
I find it telling that both the Mavs camp and the Kidd camp are willing to cool their jets on money talk. It seems like Cuban is waking up from his mico-management hang over and is starting to regret trading Devin Harris.
I pretty much agree with BK's prediction in that they'll win about 50 - 55 games and probably place in the lower third of the playoff picture. However, i think that they could do some damage in the playoffs, providing that health isn't a major issue for the team. If they face up against an aged San Antonio or a resurgent Phoenix, I like their chances of advancing. If they lock horns with NO or LA, I see them as one and done.
Josh Howard should come out gunning, he'll be looking to prove ownerships faith in him and restoring his bruised rep. I've always thought he was a little over-rated as a player, he seems to always come up a little short in big moments. Which is why they have Dirk and Kidd, I suppose.
3 years and Dirk is available, eh? He'd make a great back up to Bynum. Kidding! I don't think he'd mesh well with Phil because Phil would insist he defend his man and not recquire a help defender, as he does in Dallas. Dirk is definitely NOT a lock down defender.
All in all, it looks like that there are about 6 teams in the WC that, for all intents and purposes, look like they are there to create havoc. Not good enough to dominate, too good to absolutely suck, piling hope upon hope for next year and a miracle draft pick.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 23, 2008 at 06:37 PM
DOES ANYBODY HAVE AN ONLINE LINK 4 TONIGHT'S PRESEASON LINK PLEEZE
Posted by: | October 23, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Xodus,
I thought the same thing. 10-to -1 that's what his driver's license picture looks like, too.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 23, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Blitz,
"Michael Curry to his credit sure knows who is a bust and shouldn't be playing."
Shhh! You may wake Mike T. as he cries himself to sleep.
Remember when he said that Kwame would be starting alongside Rasheed! lol. Just one of many things he's been loud and wrong about.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 06:51 PM
This is the season we find out who's a bigger idiot Steve Kerr or Mark Cuban.
It'll be fun to sit back and watch who won that defenseless battle of wits.
ZING!
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Nameless Poster,
The game is on TNT, so if you have basic cable you should be able to watch it.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Damn. Good seats still available at Honda Center, I'd say.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 23, 2008 at 07:19 PM
LINK
http://es.justin.tv/terminatorr2
Enjoy
Posted by: HugoSpain | October 23, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Pretty fadeaway by Gasol.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Jump shot and the foul! Pau!!!!
Posted by: HugoSpain | October 23, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Mom just left me a voice mail that...
1) She's watching the game right now.
2) She's SO excited for the season.
3) She thinks Phil has "had work done."
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 23, 2008 at 07:22 PM
AK,
"3) She thinks Phil has "had work done."
Well it was only a matter of time before Jeanie got him to give in to the LA lifestyle.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 07:25 PM
maybe we asked the wrong Ks... maybe we should've asked Mom to join our Lakers Blog Fantasy league
Posted by: CBuck | October 23, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Vladdy off the dribble with the jumper. Don't see enough of that.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 23, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Wow, Vlad with the mid range jumper.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Cbuck,
Trust me, you don't want Mom in the fantasy league. That's WAY too much computer work for her limited skill set. It would take her three hours to set a lineup. And she'd feel too sorry for any player to drop him. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 23, 2008 at 07:31 PM
What kind of "work done"??
It's not hair.....or a tummy tuck....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 07:33 PM
GREAT DUNK BY BYNUM!!
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Question to the blog - WHAT exactly does Luke do for us in the paint????
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 07:38 PM
BYNUM!
that was an 80 million throw down if ya ask me
and AK, i just love Mom's attention to the most random details ...i'd be interested to see who she'd take with her no. 1 pick, probably somebody like luke ridenour because she thinks that young man is nice and clean
Posted by: CBuck | October 23, 2008 at 07:39 PM
and i still hate morrison's hair
Posted by: CBuck | October 23, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Cbuck,
I don't think she even knows her Ridenour is (and can you really blame her?). haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 23, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Morrison has got to be in the top 5 for ugliest pro athletes.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I hate to pile on Luke but he sure looks in slow motion. Blitz calls it water torture seeing Luke's miscues. Irritating.
Posted by: Lakergurl | October 23, 2008 at 07:46 PM
It looks like Dudley might be able to give Sasha some hair styling tips this season.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 07:50 PM
always nice to hear from Mom K.
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 07:52 PM
okay, these really aren't good turnovers
i can see if the ball slips when you're passing around and trying to find the open dude, but they're not... these are just sloppy one-on-one turnovers
Posted by: CBuck | October 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM
As far as the NICKNAME debate
Everyone keep coming up with possibles.
When the right one comes along, we will know it to be true.
It's the funny ones that keep it intertaining.
Ebony & Ivory?
Posted by: YOU EVER NOTICE | October 23, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Mom just emailed me. She hadn't realized until just now that Phil shaved, thus making her think he had a date with Dr. 90210. Mystery solved.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 23, 2008 at 07:55 PM
BK,
I went to go see the last game in Honda Center. It was empty!
The recession continues.
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Seriously - these TNT announcers are the worst. I really hope there aren't too many games this year that we have to listen to these idiots.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Lakergurl,
water torture? More like baboo sticks on my eye!
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Faith - "in your eye"?? Don't those go under your nails? LOL!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 08:03 PM
TNT announcers are bad? If there was an actual, entertaining game being played im sure they would have more to talk about. This is torture! It's a damn turnover parade.
Posted by: bobie | October 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM
AK,
You should invite your mom to a now live session. That would be fun!
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 08:09 PM
it's so stupid not to get an mri.
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Nah, not even comparable. Not painful enough lol.
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Faith,
'xactly. lol.
Posted by: Lakergurl | October 23, 2008 at 08:12 PM
i agree, faith
do not fear the x-ray! get the MRI
Posted by: CBuck | October 23, 2008 at 08:13 PM
Yes TNT announcers are bad.
I will concede the "turnover parade" point to you though. This is just butt-ugly.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Anybody notice the TNT announcing team call out Lamar Odom for not playing up to snuff either on Tuesday or tonight? 6th man of the year? Not so far.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 23, 2008 at 08:16 PM
justanothermambafan,
You know I'm no Luke fan, but I like having him at 11 on the bench, cause if Vlad or Ariza miss time, he can come in with the second unit and we don't loose too much.
But the first time Phil puts him in before Ariza, I will scream! Maybe one of Jon K.'s "Urgh's"
Posted by: Eric M. | October 23, 2008 at 08:16 PM
"that was a forgettable first half." - kevin harlan
and i agree
maybe we look so disconnected b/c the bench mob was interrupted (ariza in starting lineup)... the whole game just looked like a tuesday evening HS game
Posted by: CBuck | October 23, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Faith - I agree. Why would he not get one? Just because he didn't wake up with pain the next morning? Doesn't make sense....Wouldn't you want to take every precaution with your franchise player?
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Too many TO!!!
Posted by: TinidorS | October 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Someone forgot to tell Cheryl that Kobe said not to call them the "twin towers".....
Just another example of bad TNT announcers....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Yeah -- AK -- I think Phil got plugs. I started watching in the middle of the first quarter and saw tape on the basket --- I won't ask
Posted by: HmrHed | October 23, 2008 at 08:24 PM
I am Sun Yue's big fan (he's cute, ha ha). He needs to get real strong. Phil was questioning him where he was going in one sequence. He is still lost in the nuances of the offense. He'll get there (fingers crossed). Rise, rise, rise Sun! Go my boy.
Posted by: Lakergurl | October 23, 2008 at 08:25 PM