10 Questions Facing the Mavs

[Bayliss]

<< TEN QUESTIONS FACING THE MAVS

The Mavericks set a franchise record for victories in a season this year with 57. But for the second consecutive season, they were eliminated in five games in the second round of the playoffs.


Staff writer Dwain Price answers 10 important questions facing the Mavericks heading into the off-season, looking at what they need to do to at least advance to next year's Western Conference Finals.




1Losing in the conference semifinals is getting old. What must the Mavericks do to go further next season? First, it's imperative that the Mavericks stop being so dependent on their offense to bail them out of tough situations. When the Chicago Bulls won six NBA titles in an eight-year span, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were always among the league's top defensive players. In short, the Mavericks must start acquiring players who believe the best offense is a strong defense.


2Does Don Nelson think he can win an NBA title with all offense and no defense? Nelson is smart enough to know that a team has to have some semblance of defense to win an NBA title, or else it'll get exposed the way the Mavericks were against the Sacramento Kings. Having said that, if the Kings win the NBA championship this year, it will prove that an offensive-minded team that plays little or no defense can win an NBA title.


3How can the Mavericks improve their defense? When the Mavericks come to training camp next fall, they must make playing defense a priority. There's absolutely, unequivocally no reason for the Mavericks to work on another offensive play, unless it involves working on some low post moves. The players must take some pride in stopping their man, and be totally committed to it. Also, the coaches must teach the players how to play help defense.


4What inside players might be available and how would the Mavs acquire help? Since the Mavericks are over the salary cap, whomever they acquire would be via a blockbuster trade or a sign-and-trade. Center Michael Olowokandi of the Los Angeles Clippers becomes a restricted free agent July 1, and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has expressed an interest in acquiring him. Miami's Alonzo Mourning, Philadelphia's Dikembe Mutombo and Golden State's Danny Fortson may be available for the right price.


5Will the Mavericks be tempted to trade one of the Big Three to get an inside player who can play tough D? Unless the trade involves securing Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd or Tracy McGrady, you can bet that Michael Finley, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki will not be traded as long as Mark Cuban owns the Mavericks. Folks in Finley's hometown of Chicago are dreaming if they think Cuban is foolish enough to trade Finley and Raef LaFrentz to the Bulls for Chinese center Yao Ming. Yao is nothing more than the Chinese version of Shawn Bradley.


6Does Dirk Nowitzki have what it takes to become a better defender or is he more important on the perimeter? Nowitzki is light years better defensively than when he arrived from Germany in 1998. Nowitzki was one of the league's top defensive rebounders this season at 8.4 per game. His defensive footwork has improved, and it will get better when he decides to give it more attention. Then again, Larry Bird managed to play 13 star-studded seasons with Boston without playing a lick of defense.


7What does the future hold for Danny Manning, Evan Eschmeyer and Shawn Bradley? Manning was not pleased he wasn't on the playoff roster. The Mavericks will either trade him this summer or buy out his contract for $900,000. The Mavericks want Eschmeyer to participate in the team's summer league program so he can learn some offensive skills, i.e. the 17-foot jumper. If Bradley averages 4.1 points and 3.3 rebounds again next season, he'll be picking up his mail somewhere else by the time the 2003-04 season starts.


8Will Raef La Frentz and Nick Van Exel return to the Mavericks next year? Although owner Mark Cuban said he wants both LaFrentz and Van Exel back next season, both players are skeptical of that happening. Van Exel would like to stay here but believes he'll be used to lure a big, physical player to the Mavericks. Meanwhile, Cuban said he'll make LaFrentz, a restricted free agent, a fair offer.


9How much room do the Mavs have to maneuver under the salary cap? The new salary cap won't be known until July 16, but the Mavericks, like most teams, will be over it. The Mavericks already have $61.5 million committed to player salaries next season. And that doesn't include restricted free agents Raef LaFrentz, Eduardo Najera and Wang Zhizhi, and unrestricted free agents Greg Buckner and Johnny Newman.


10What is Don Nelson's status as the Mavericks' coach? Under Nelson's current 11-year, $22 million contract, next year will be his last as both Mavericks coach and general manager. After next year, Nelson plans to serve three years as the team's GM and five as a consultant. All of that, of course, is subject to change. >>



Especially liked the part about Dirk and Bird's &quot;D&quot; and the fact that they want Evan to work in the summer on his offense (if he does find a consistent 15 foot jumper then Nellie will get the best of both worlds... a banger, tough SOB and a guy who can hit ffrom outside)....

[grbh]

Bradley still has a little bit of value today, but another season of 4/3 and he will be done.