PGT: Mavs Try Hard to Choke but Still Win

[b_o_r]

Originally Posted by grndmstr_c

I'm not at all convinced that Booby isn't currently the Mavs' best late-game option at point. He handled the offensive responsibility very well against Utah, he's got defensive chops that neither DC or James can match, and though his shooting has been atrocious, he's at least been careful with the ball.

I'm not sure what Rick's intentions are with Mike yet. Last night could easily have been nothing more than an outlier case where nothing was working and things sort of stabilized when James was out there so Rick stuck with him; that is, as opposed to last night being a reliable indicator of how James, Booby and Darren will be used going forward. One thing that has occurred to me Re: this latest instance of the Mavs' mining for aged veteran point guards is that it could be motivated almost entirely by a realization that if Dallas does end up finding an advantageous trade this season, it's all but certain to cost them DC or Booby, in which case they'd need another point guard for the season's stretch run.

Can't go that route because his offense/lack of aggression on offense would make him a prime target of the defense down the stretch. Just like defenses target Mayo/Collison with traps, teams would leave Roddy open for a shot.

He really has made a lot of inroads with regards to running the team but it looks to have come at the expense of his own offense. He doesn't know when to look for his own offense. Last night was a perfect example. He was content to making the pass to open shooters even though no one was connecting. After the 3rd/4th miss shot, a light has to go off that says' "I'm being guarded by someone who is 6in shorter than me and I am playing one of the worst defenses in the league". His one shot attempt in 7 minutes was very half-hearted even though he made great move to escape a a high trap.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by b_o_r

Can't go that route because his offense/lack of aggression on offense would make him a prime target of the defense down the stretch. Just like defenses target Mayo/Collison with traps, teams would leave Roddy open for a shot.

Not discounting the likelihood that defenses will adopt the strategy of daring Booby to score...I just don't see how that's any worse than Collison repeatedly $#!tting the bed with his turnovers (as SMC so aptly put it), creating fast break opportunities and trips to the line for the other team. And at any rate, with Booby moving better than he has in the last two years, I'd be willing to take the chance that with a slightly longer leash he'd start to rediscover a more aggressive offensive groove.

None of which is to say that I'm opposed to Collison getting more closing opportunities. In the long run it's probably in the Mavs' best interest if he can work his way through those late-game hiccups.

[ShaggyDirk]

The mavs still have a team? Thought they all left. Oh well, they suck.

[dude1394]

They both are benchwarmers at best.

[jthig32]

This team is going nowhere, and Collison is unquestionably the most talented PG on this roster. I just don't understand why you don't let him close every game and see if he can work through his issues. He's still a youngish PG with room to improve.

I swear if Mike James starts playing meaningful minutes regularly I will absolutely lose my mind. Derek Fisher a few weeks ago was justifiable; the Mavs were still in the playoff hunt at that point. That's simply not the case anymore, and the rotation needs to be adjusted accordingly.

[j0Shi]

Originally Posted by jthig32

I just don't understand why you don't let him close every game and see if he can work through his issues. He's still a youngish PG with room to improve.

That basically has been my argument for every young player over the years. Given the history it wouldn't be a surprise to see James out there in crunch time going forward, although I think it's not the most probable scenario. Here's hoping they realize that the season is lost rather sooner than later and start to play the young guys no matter what.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

That basically has been my argument for every young player over the years. Given the history it wouldn't be a surprise to see James out there in crunch time going forward, although I think it's not the most probable scenario. Here's hoping they realize that the season is lost rather sooner than later and start to play the young guys no matter what.

Well, over the years we haven't been in this situation. When you have a contending team, young players have to contribute at a higher level to justify their playing time.

It's interesting to me that Jae Crowder continues to be force fed minutes despite being relatively terrible while we continue to find retirees to take minutes from your young PG's.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Well, over the years we haven't been in this situation. When you have a contending team, young players have to contribute at a higher level to justify their playing time.

It's interesting to me that Jae Crowder continues to be force fed minutes despite being relatively terrible while we continue to find retirees to take minutes from your young PG's.

Carlisle seems to rave about Crowder's work ethic and how he continues to bring the right kind of attitude to work every day.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Carlisle seems to rave about Crowder's work ethic and how he continues to bring the right kind of attitude to work every day.

So are we to assume that Collison doesn't do those things?

It just seems very arbitrary.

[j0Shi]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Well, over the years we haven't been in this situation. When you have a contending team, young players have to contribute at a higher level to justify their playing time.

Absolutely.

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Carlisle seems to rave about Crowder's work ethic and how he continues to bring the right kind of attitude to work every day.

Love the coach but sometimes his authoritarian (at least it seems that way) approach is puzzling. I accept that you reward "attitude" to a certain degree, but absolutely no way you put it over actual performance and/or upside.

And then the Mavs are high on Cousins? That's going to be a lot of fun...

But in my eyes the biggest difference is that the Mavs still assume they can make the playoffs where others (include me here) realize they should think the other direction as soon as possible. The decision between playing 'attitude/veterans' and 'upside/potential' really isn't one once you're a lottery team.

[markus1234]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Carlisle seems to rave about Crowder's work ethic and how he continues to bring the right kind of attitude to work every day.

Sad, isn't it.

Reminds me of Stack & Avery...

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by jthig32

So are we to assume that Collison doesn't do those things?

It just seems very arbitrary.

You can assume whatever you want, lol. I just made a reply to what you said. Even when things were starting to go south, Carlisle made it a note to say Collison was an important piece to what was going on for the rest of the season.

Originally Posted by markus1234

Sad, isn't it.

Reminds me of Stack & Avery...

Actually, Vince and Carlisle seems like a better example to me.

[joebobbill]

For me, the biggest disappointment is the Kaman/Brand center combo. As much as I miss Jet, I can see a future in Mayo and Collison, but the center trade is not working out at all.

[joebobbill]

replace 'trade' with 'deal'

[MavsFTR]

Originally Posted by joebobbill

For me, the biggest disappointment is the Kaman/Brand center combo. As much as I miss Jet, I can see a future in Mayo and Collison, but the center trade is not working out at all.

They're still a step up from Haywood and Ian.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Carlisle seems to rave about Crowder's work ethic and how he continues to bring the right kind of attitude to work every day.

He just throws darts a dart board for minutes outside of dirk