Dallas @ Orlando - Gameday thread

[sike]

Originally posted by: kidd's mavs
we need a dose of kidd! bring him back.

sigh

[kingrex]

3 Things the Mavs did right in this game:

1) Attack of the Zones. When tired legs and one-step-too-slow man-to-man prevailed, Nelson called on the "vaunted" Mavericks zone with Bradley in the middle. This defense worked in spots last year, and it was appropriate to pull it out in this game. Just don't make it our primary defense, please.

2) Laying it on the Line. The Mavs effectively got to the line in this game which is always an effective strategy in getting back in the game. They still need to improve their FT% (except maybe Dirk), but learning to get on the line is a start.

3) Keep up the fight. Effort should never be a surprise for a pro-team, but a given. However, when coming from a back-to-back and having all the excuses tied to it, the Mavs still kept battling until they got Orlando's lead wiittled down. This team could have folded much earlier, but they didn't. So, I give a little credit for that.

Not always easy to find positives from a loss, but the Mavs have to build on something.

[Murphy3]

Oddly enough, Dirk's FGA's a game is lower this season than any season since the 99-00 year. Yes, it's early, but it's not something that I want to see continue.

It's not all about the shots either. He's not consistently getting enough touches. Too many times the Mavs are just clearing out for whichever swingman to do their own thing instead of actually running anything that resembles an offense.

[kingrex]

3 Things the Mavs did wrong in this game:

1) Pass or Fail. As noted by others on this thread, the extra pass is woefully missing in the last 2-3 games. In the first 2 games there seemed to be a greater emphasis on making the extra pass. If this team does not return to the good habit of passing, then they will continue to struggle offensively.

2) Assists to turnovers. In the first 2 games, the assists to turnover ratio was 46:26, and in contrast the last 3 games was inverted to 39:50. As a result, the offense has been struggling. If it weren't for the improved defense, then the Memphis and Golden State games may have resulted in losses like the Orlando game. The bottomline is that this team needs to take care of the ball and generate more offense with the pass. By the way, in this game specifically, the assists to turnover ratio was 10:16.

3) Take advantage of the bunnies! There were a ton of lay-ups missed in this game. I'm not sure if it was a lack of focus or just one of those games, but not taking advantage of those easy shots contributed to a loss in this game.

It is not the end of the world, just the end o what might have beenf a potentially long winning streak. It was just a shame to lose to an inferior team. However, I'll give the Magic credit in creating a gameplan that took advantage of the Mavs coming into the 2nd game of a back-to-back (and from an OT game nonetheless). Let's hope the Mavs don't repeat the mistakes above against the Heat.

[irontoad]

Originally posted by: Murphy3
Oddly enough, Dirk's FGA's a game is lower this season than any season since the 99-00 year. Yes, it's early, but it's not something that I want to see continue.

It's not all about the shots either. He's not consistently getting enough touches. Too many times the Mavs are just clearing out for whichever swingman to do their own thing instead of actually running anything that resembles an offense.

Yeah, this is really turning out to be 'dirk's team' so far... you're right, it's still early, but you'd think Nelson would want it instilled right from the start to run the offense through the best player, and hmmm, maybe give the best offensive player the most FGA's...

As far as Dirk goes, things are going to have to change if he wants to be an elite PF this year...

[mary]

Originally posted by: kidd's mavs
we need a dose of kidd! bring him back.

IF Kidd were healthy, pairing him with Dirk, Fin and Damp would probably make us favorites to win the West. But lets give our offense time to develop before we decide its time to hang that albatross of a contract around our necks. ok?

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: irontoad

Yeah, this is really turning out to be 'dirk's team' so far... you're right, it's still early, but you'd think Nelson would want it instilled right from the start to run the offense through the best player, and hmmm, maybe give the best offensive player the most FGA's...

As far as Dirk goes, things are going to have to change if he wants to be an elite PF this year...

Primarily, it doesn't appear that the Mavs are running the ball through dirk much early in the game the past 2-3 games. Once again, he doesn't have to end up with the shot, but just run the ball through him more. The Mavs offense has clearly been its most consistent when running the ball through Dirk.

[EricaLubarsky]

If Carmello can get 20 shots while shooting 31.3% from the field, Dirk can get more than 16.5. Especially since he's shooting 48.8% from the field.

[nowitzki_prophecy]

We seriously need a passer on this team,Stackhouse leading the assists column with 3 wouldn't do.

[kingrex]

Originally posted by: nowitzki_prophecy
We seriously need a passer on this team,Stackhouse leading the assists column with 3 wouldn't do.

That's just it, this team was doing great in the first 2 games when it came to passing. It wasn't just one person, rather the entire team. If this team can just look at the game film from the first 2 games and repeat what they did, then I feel that their offense will flow much smoother. Let's see if their passing improves in the Miami game.