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
Aloha everyone,
It is so funny to me that Sun Yue is now our newest, not an NBA player guy. It started with Sasha, he was never going to make it, cut him etc. He grew up a little, got some experience and was a vital part of the team last year. Then it was Andrew, we needed to trade him before people found out he couldn't play etc. He grew up a little got some experience and now he is one of the top 5 centers in the league at 20. Next was Jordan. He would never make it some said. Others wanted us to trade for a PG because Jordan was not going to make it. He grew up, got a little experience and now he is looking like a real up and coming PG who will probably be our starter next year if not sooner.
Don't you think we should give Sun a little time to develope? I mean after all he has Mono. I had mono and it is no fun. I cant even imagine playing ball with mono. He looked real good in the olympics, and we have the time to develope him. Lets give him that time.
MH
Posted by: michael h | October 23, 2008 at 10:05 PM
thanks for including me in the roll call mamba24... it's actually my fault for not posting. I'm from halfway around the world and the differences in timezone makes it a bit difficult to follow the conversations everyone is having.
whenever I post everybody would be asleep and with nobody to approve my post won't be seen. last night was a freak of nature as I slept really late :D
Posted by: grail | October 23, 2008 at 10:33 PM
For all of the attention bloggers were giving Luke (if you call
"flinging your poo" attention), he actually played fairly well
tonight. He played decent defense, scored 10 points on
4 of 8 shooting, had 3 assists and 3 steals. Yes, he made a
couple of mistakes, but some of you seem to ONLY see his
mistakes.
It's funny that none of you were criticizing Fish for taking
quick shots before anybody got under the basket to rebound...
and bricking them (3 for 10 shooting). And Rad's 3-for-9
shooting and Ariza's 2-for-7 shooting weren't exactly
scorching the nets either.
And all you people that were SCREAMING that the Lakers
should dump Coby Karl, did you get a clue tonight? Now
that Giles and Crawford are gone and Karl plays with actual
rotation players, he doesn't look too bad, does he?
Sun Yue's not there yet, but he did look a bit more composed.
He played solid defense, never came close to turning the ball over,
and actually made a few of his free throws when he got hacked.
And he had two three-pointers that were in-and-out. I think
he'll settle down a bit and surprise some people in the last game
tomorrow night.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 23, 2008 at 10:34 PM
This is for the k bros. I read your blog everyday,hugh fan. I've never posted a comment. I love kobe,and have been trying to watch the video of him teasing shasa,thought maybe could help. Thank.s Darleen.
Posted by: Darleen Mccutcheon | October 23, 2008 at 10:58 PM
LTLF,
I noticed that without a decent penetrator to give him open shots, Derek shot really poorly. Because defenses are tuning against him since they don't have to worry since no Kobe, he got more defense on him and took some questionable shots, so yeah I did criticize Fish on that though that's always been the case since he's not a true penetrator and more rather a spot up shooter. Plus he had more responsibility to him since Kobe wasn't around so I'm guessing that running the point and setting up the defense (stuff that he normally helps Kobe with) really took him out somewhat of his game though his defense was still good.
Radman I only felt he was shooting ice cold that night. It happens to all shooters that they don't have their nights. His help defense was solid again in his trapping.
Trevor really looked out of place as the starting SG. He didn't have Jordan to help him get open looks near the basket and when he tried to slash his shots was really bad. Plus his defense didn't look as great as it did when he was with Jordan though it shouldn't be taken as "bad defense".
I never gave up on Coby Karl. I agree that he was too looked bad since he had guys like CJ Giles, Joe Crawford and especially Brandon Heath playing around him plus him playing Small Forward really made his defense look kinda bad but that was really him playing out of position.
Sun finally got some points in preseason and those shots that he took looked good just went in and out. Hey, those things happen to all players and how annoying they are. When he defended Morrison he actually looked solid, simply Morrison just made the shot.
Anyways pre-season is almost over so I'm hoping these turnovers really go down.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | October 23, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I'd like to sneak a first round lottery pick from someone in a trade in the next few years. I mean a near #1 pick, say the first, second or third pick in one of the next few drafts. Here's my plan. We trade Lamar for Gerald Wallace and a lottery protected first round pick. We lottery-protect it for only two years if possible, maybe we go as far as three. If they’re in the lottery in 3 years time, which they may very well be, we cash in big time.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | October 24, 2008 at 04:23 AM
Bob McAdoo was never the 6th man for Lakers, Michael Cooper was.
Posted by: rdlee | October 24, 2008 at 06:54 AM
AK/BK,
Ok first task of the season for u ... please tell the lakers they are being stupid if they dont go get an mri ...
Am i the only one that thinks kobe will do just about anything to win a championship. First the pinkie surgery never happens and now he's refusing an mri cuz he figures ah I dont wanna kno cuz I'm gonna play through it anyway ...
This retard doesn't seem to understand we're attempting to build a dynasty ... i just dont want him to make it worse, tell that moron to go see a doctor!!!
ok maybe i'm overreacting but still, what would it hurt for him to get an mri ...
Posted by: Taliq | October 24, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Greatest 6th men of all time:
Kevin McHale
Michael Cooper
John Havlecek
Bobby Jones
Vinnie Johnson
Detlef Schrempf
Toni Kukoc
Posted by: rdlee | October 24, 2008 at 08:11 AM
GAME DAY MORNIING CRUE RISE AND SHINE
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 24, 2008 at 08:20 AM
rdlee,
Bob McAdoo was once sixth man for the Lakers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 24, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Things look a bit better for Coby Karl, which is good.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 24, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Bob McAdoo was never the 6th man for Lakers, Michael Cooper was.
Posted by: rdlee | October 24, 2008 at 06:54 AM
BUT HE WAS THE 6TH MAN IN OUR HEARTS & coop was like 51/2.
Not good ennough to start but to good to be a 6th man. LOL
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 24, 2008 at 08:45 AM
AK / BK,
I saw where Austin Croshere was released by Indiana. Any interest in him by the Lakers? Surely he would be a step up from Mbenga.
Posted by: MOLaker | October 24, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Bumped to the bench by Kurt Rambis, I believe.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 24, 2008 at 08:49 AM
AK & BK:
I know I'm a bit behind on this but I just listened to the Purple, Gold and Blue podcast from Wednesday and I have to say: BEST DISCUSSION EVER! It's not enough to introduce Rocky music, but to discuss Rocky IV as if it's the Citizen Kane of bad boxing movies was a stroke of brilliance. I teach film at a couple of colleges, and only disagree with you on one point: I think there was too much script in Rocky IV. They should have just pulled the plunger, shot the moon and made the whole movie one long montage. Then it could have been the apotheosis of meaninglessness -- and I mean that in the best way possible.
I remember seeing Rocky IV on opening weekend and being in awe of its ability to sidestep traditional storytelling, and even shooting. So many of the montages were based on past movies, I used to call it Rocky's Greatest Hits.
Anyway, kudos. Hey, do you think you guys could run the movie blog for the Times?
Posted by: Marty | October 24, 2008 at 08:51 AM
This retard doesn't seem to understand we're attempting to build a dynasty
tell that moron to go see a doctor!!! ok maybe i'm overreacting but still,
Posted by: Taliq | October 24, 2008 at 08:08 AM
RIGHT ON SHERIFF. Tell that retard he's messing with a dynasty & if he does not
want that Kobe/Beast dynasty to become a Beast/Pau dynasty GET THE DURN SURGERY MORON!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 24, 2008 at 09:03 AM
ATENTION ROLL CALL IN 1/2 HOUR ALL WHO WANT IN SAY SO NOW
OR WAIT TILL TUESDAY TIO BE INCLUDED
Posted by: MAMBA who sits in Vampire girlfriends basement & lives for Roll Call 24(Larry) | October 24, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Charles, Jon K & the rest of the fabulous Laker morning CRUE!!!!!!!!!
IT'S GAME DAY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Nothing like getting geeked for another pre-season game).
That was one butt-ugly game last night. Urgh. Although the 3rd quarter was ok. It was good to see Sun make his first Laker points also. I know he's just getting over mono, but I hope he lives up to at least half the hype about him. So far, I'm not as impressed with him as a Laker than when he was in the Olympics.
I can see why PJ wants Trevor to come off the bench. He looks a lot better with the bench mob than he did starting. It's a good thing this team has the luxury of allowing players to play in their comfort zone! Same with LO - he will prove this year why he should be a Laker for life (said the LO homer with much enthusiasm)!
How's KB24's knee? Why no MRI? Will Faith dump Sasha for someone with better hair? Inquiring minds want to know....
Anyhoo - happy game day, brethren!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 24, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Lets not get carried away with Odom as the best 6th man ever however he can and should be the 6th man of the year. He has played pretty well throughout the preseason although he was inconsistent last night (bad first half, great second half).
It was nice to see Lamar hit two threes and continue his excellent passing. If he can hit the outside shot the Lakers will be unstoppable. I'm also excited with Lamars passing. I've been saying it since summer, Lamar will have a career year in assists, he's too good of a passer with too many weapons (minus Luke) who can finish.
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 24, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Mornin' crew.
Lamar making 3s is troublesome.
Is Friday night, Sasha night? Yes, Faith, we know.
Rest the knee.
Posted by: Vman | October 24, 2008 at 09:20 AM
DUE TO TECHNICALPROBLEMS ROLL CALL CANCELED
Posted by: MAMBA | October 24, 2008 at 09:22 AM
all i have to say about kobe's knee is "crunch" and "pop". those are never good things for an athlete to feel when injuring your knee.
10 reb and 3 blks from Bynum again. And plenty of altered shots. That's what PJ wants. When the perimeter defenders can't stop it, Drew is the key to turning back all that dribble penetration that usually kills the Lakers.
4 days until opening night!
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 24, 2008 at 09:22 AM
rdlee,
Come on, man! Share a little optimism for the Odomator!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 24, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Marty,
Rocky V = Awesome.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 24, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Aww, man I missed a Rockt IV discussion yesterday.
That movie is what I call awesomely bad. I loved it when I was a little kid but seeing it when I was older I was like "man, this movie isn't very good." Yet, I couldn't change the channel. If it were only slightly better it would unwatchable. haha
Posted by: Xodus | October 24, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Mamba no roll call?
Posted by: Charles | October 24, 2008 at 09:48 AM
wes,
>>>We trade Lamar for Gerald Wallace and a lottery
>>>protected first round pick.
Actually, Larry Brown was pushing to trade off Gerald Wallace
in the off-season, and if he could get Lamar, I'll wager he'd
do it. You saw the sorry state of their front court the last two
games.
And I like Gerald Wallace a lot. He still doesn't solve the
starter problem, as he's not a good 3-point shooter, so he's
not going to space the floor any better than Lamar. So
you'd probably still have Rad starting.
But there are a couple of problems with that plan.
First, it leaves the Lakers weaker in the front court. Wallace
isn't really big enough to defend PF's.
Second, the salaries don't match, so Charlotte would
have to include 2 million more in salaries. Maybe they
could pull a Stackhouse and trade someone who the Lakers
immediately cut and they re-sign 60 days later.
Third, Wallace's salary would be as bad a killer as an
extension for Lamar. if you're going to pay that much for
one player, I'd rather it be Lamar than Wallace. An ideal
Lamar trade should either leave you with 1 good player
priced closer to the MLE, or should leave you 2 or 3 players
who make a combined 8 to 10 million.
You want a better chance at a high draft pick?
Try this on for size:
Trade Lamar and DJ MBenga to Memphis for
Darko Milicic, Javaris Crittenton, and a Memphis 1st
round pick.
Memphis wants to get rid of Milicic, his salary only
goes for one more year, and he'd be good insurance
in case Mihm gets offers of more than the Lakers want
to pay. He'd certainly add front court muscle.
Critter is deep on their roster and won't get much PT
for them, but on the Lakers, he could compete with Sun
Yue for who could be the backup PG of the future. Fish
is only under contract for this year and next. Farmar will
be ready to take over as starter by then, but it would be
nice if they had a good backup in place by then as well.
Both Critter and Sun have potential, but I like Critter's
chances better than Sun's.
And with the draft pick, the Lakers would get another
low salaried player with a lot of potential in the pipeline.
Oh, and as a side benefit, the Lakers would save 3 million
in salary and another 3 million in luxury tax THIS year.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 24, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Aloha Michael,
Excellent post regarding Sun Yue. Yue is an investment in the future. Nobody expected him to contribute this year but the Lakers liked the potential they saw which is why they signed him to a 2-year contract. I still think he has as a good chance to be a player. 6-9 point guards with great ball handling and passing skills are a very rare commodity. Yue also has shown a flair for blocking shots, as he showcased in the Olympics by blocking Carmelo twice and Dwight Howard once. Lakers fans need to give the kid a break. He is in over his head right now with mono and all but I think he will settle down and start to show the promise as he gets more chances to play. He is actually a good candidate to send to the D-League, unless the Lakers are winning by so much that there is a lot of garbage time.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 24, 2008 at 10:38 AM
i'm sad that karl is release from this team. the man has not be given a fair playing time to fully show his potential. he is very unselfish player and i will miss him being in laker uniform.
Posted by: apujac | October 27, 2008 at 02:40 PM
i'm sad that karl is release from this team. the man has not be given a fair playing time to fully show his potential. he is very unselfish player and i will miss him being in laker uniform.
Posted by: apujac | October 27, 2008 at 02:48 PM