Miscellaneous Mavs News and Postings

[dude1394]

A place for miscellaneous stuff. Mavs reviews, new trade analysis, etc.

benjamin hochman
Hochman: Mavericks clearly mean business

By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post
Posted: 03/07/2010 01:00:00 AM MST

Brendan Haywood has helped the Mavericks rebound from a slow start with an 11-game winning streak, including Saturday's victory over Chicago. (Glenn James, NBAE via Getty Images )
John Ross Ewing Jr., the Dallas businessman with the devilish grin, famous- ly said that "anything worth having is worth going for all the way," which brings us to another Dallas businessman with a devilish grin, who, yes indeed, is going for it all the way, thanks to a Texas-sized trade and 10-gallon gall.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, the basketball baron, is making a run not only at the Nuggets' seemingly predestined No. 2 seed in the West, but also at those high-and- mighty Lakers. No, Cuban's Mavericks probably won't catch L.A. in the regular season, but the way the post- trade Mavericks are playing, one wonders if they could knock off the Lakers when it matters. Since acquiring Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson, Dallas has won 11 straight games and this week has daunting matchups against Minnesota, New Jersey and New York.

"They think the trade has made them a better team, and they're hoping to prove they moved up a level that they weren't at last year," said Denver coach George Karl, whose Nuggets beat Dallas in the playoffs' second round last year. "And I think most people think they have."

Butler is the bigger name, but Haywood might be the bigger difference-maker — the big provides big "D" in the Big D.

"Haywood is a legitimate starting big," said Indiana coach Jim O'Brien, who watched Haywood snatch 20 rebounds against the Pacers in a Feb. 20 Dallas win. "We've seen him in the East for a long time, and I think he's one of the most underrated big guys in the league. That was a tremendous pickup."

Butler might bring similar production as did Josh Howard, sent to Washington in the big trade, but Butler brings more grit on both ends of the court.
[b]"I think Howard's time ran out in Dallas," Karl said, "but they replaced him with just as good a player, if not a better player."[b]

The trade resuscitated the Mavericks, who had lost four of five by Feb. 5 — including one to Minnesota at home — and led to Cuban saying the team "(stinks) right now" in the Feb. 6 edition of The Dallas Morning News, under the headline: "Results aren't changing; perhaps the roster will."

Now, after the roster change (and resulting change in results), the Mavericks have the look of a champion — the star (Dirk Nowitzki); the veteran, pass-first leader (Jason Kidd); the complementing scorers (Butler and Jason Terry); the hawking, long- armed defender (Shawn Marion); the hustling pest (J.J. Barea); and the size (Haywood and — if he gets healthy — Erick Dampier too).

"It remains to be seen how they do in the playoffs," O'Brien said, "but they're certainly a much-improved team. . . . That was a huge trade — changed their team around."

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/...#ixzz0hbmpSWnD

[dirno2000]

They think the trade has made them a better team, and they're hoping to prove they moved up a level that they weren't at last year," said Denver coach George Karl, whose Nuggets beat Dallas in the playoffs' second round last year. "And I think most people think they have.

The way Karl worded this is interesting. Does he really not think we're better or is that just not the message he wants to send to his team.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

The way Karl worded this is interesting. Does he really not think we're better or is that just not the message he wants to send to his team.

I think it means the entire Nuggets organization believes that were at a level we weren't at last year. He's scared, they're all scared.

[Skywalker]

Nice thread, I was just reading an article and was wondering where I could post it.

Shawn Marion lives!
By Sekou Smith • March 8, 2010 • 11:02 AM

The former Suns' All-Star was delcared finished by some when he departed Phoenix and was no longer on the receiving end of all those flashy Steve Nash passes. But guess what, Shawn Marion has plenty left in the tank. And if things break right for he and the Mavericks, he could be competing for that title that they never did in Phoenix.

HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS -- Shawn Marion was supposed to be finished.

The moment he left Steve Nash's side in Phoenix, his critics came out of nowhere to proclaim him career over.

There was no way he would put up All-Star numbers away from that fun-and-gun system Mike D'Antoni employed there, a system that seemed to boost the stock of any and every player lucky enough to play in it.

For a while (namely his time in Toronto and Miami), those early assessments seemed legitimate. Marion wasn't the same without Nash.

But it didn't last long. Marion has had a career rebirth, of sorts, in Dallas, where he's once again playing alongside a Hall of Fame point guard (Jason Kidd) and in an ensemble cast capable of winning a championship.

The mighty Mavs have won 11 straight games and go for No. 12 tonight at Minnesota.

And what Marion might have lacked in humility in Phoenix (remember he always fought against stereotype with the Suns, insisting that his production was the same before Nash and D'Antoni as it was after) he has made up for in understanding with the Mavericks.

Sure, Marion is no longer the double-double machine he was earlier in his career. But he's become an even more valuable, defensive-stalwart for Rick Carlisle's team than he was every given credit for being in Phoenix.

As Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News explains, Marion has wisely sacrificed individual glory for the ultimate prize:

"A lot of what Marion is doing this season is under-appreciated because it's at the defensive end. He often gets asked to guard the opposition's primary scorer. That he's not called on very often offensively is tough, he said.

"Especially if somebody's really going at you, and you don't get the chance to do the same," he said.

"I'm a competitor. I want to go back at them, too. And sometimes you don't get the chance to do that. But that's what you sacrifice. And you got to deal with it. When you get that W, all the other stuff means nothing."

That keeps him going. The Mavericks are growing in stature among the Western Conference elite. "We do have a chance," Marion said.

Jason Kidd is the leader of this team. And he knows how much Marion has given up. But Kidd and his teammates expect nothing else.

"You look at all championship teams, they had guys who sacrificed," Kidd said. "There's always guys who could do more stat-wise. But at a certain age, stats become secondary. Wins become the main factor in the equation. "Dirk [Nowitzki] could come out and shoot 30 times a night and just worry about his stats. But he accepts the double-team and makes the pass. If your best player is willing to sacrifice, everybody else has to.

"It can be tough. But there are going to be nights or a week or two that you're going to have to carry the team because you get on a roll, and we have to play through you. And so we all can say, 'Hey, we know you can do that. Thanks for carrying us for the week, and it may be somebody else's turn to go.' "

With Jason Terry out, the Mavericks need more from Marion. And it looks like he still has the ability to get it done."

He might not be the highlight machine he once was, but Shawn Marion lives!

http://my.nba.com/cms/112238/shawn_m...s=iref:nbahpt1

[Murphy3]

So, why don't we call it the official miscellaneous thread?

[CadBane]

Similar article to the above on Marion. I wouldn't read too much into it. But you can sense a little latent frustration there with Marion. Hope he doesn't start to escalate it to whining. He definitely got his points in tonight.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...e.333af12.html

[mavErika]

They think the trade has made them a better team, and they're hoping to prove they moved up a level that they weren't at last year," said Denver coach George Karl, whose Nuggets beat Dallas in the playoffs' second round last year. "And I think most people think they have.

Originally Posted by dirno2000

The way Karl worded this is interesting. Does he really not think we're better or is that just not the message he wants to send to his team.

subtext: "We got it, you're way better than before. But now can you please stop winning all these games? We kinda liked that #2 seat and all the glory that comes with it."

Seriously though, he worded it in a way that enables him to tell his players that he still thinks they are the better team, I think nobody can tell what he really thinks from what he says in interviews.

[Usually Lurkin]

hmm, a discussion on Marion's role and whether he's happy. THat might be thread worthy.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

So, why don't we call it the official miscellaneous thread?

Okay...

the Official Miscellaneous Mavs News and Postings thread.

[ReDirkulous Tyme]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/tn...s=iref:nbahpt2

Chuck actually giving the Mavs some credit. Haven't seen him speak this highly of the Mavs in a long, long, long, long time. I think Chuck's analysis is pretty much right on, Chris Webber doesn't know what he's talking about, nobody is going to want to go small on us, you cant stop us if you go small...

[SMC0007]

The Official Miscellaneous Mavs News and Postings thread.

[Kante]

Barea doubtful against Nets: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/maver...ubtful-vs-nets

[badfish22]

lol I was reading this chat with a Laker columnist and this was asked:

Frank (Dallas): Who is the healthiest team right now at the top of the West/East? It seems like the injury bug has hit almost everyone.

To which the genius replied:

"This coming from the guy whose team is on a 12-game winning streak. I should hope that the Mavericks are the healthiest team if they're winning like that."


lmao. Hope again there, bud. Try actually following basketball.
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/31274

[BGMaverick9]

http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=2706

DONUT 11: The No. 31-wristbands-as-socks tribute DeShawn has been paying to his fallen mate Jason Terry? Sefko reports that the NBA is blocking that because it’s a uniform violation.

C’mon, Chancellor Stern … don’t you have some straw-chewing outlaw to crack down on?

[LetsGoMavs]

Stern is an absolute joke - banning DeShawn from wearing a wristband (wich is basically fully covered by his right sock)? ...That is downright ridiculous.

[Kidd Karma]

Write it on your shoe.

Geez Barea down too. What's left? Carroll will get some meaningful burn.

[DirkFTW]

Maybe he heard about the one around Stevenson's third leg and decided enough is enough.

[badfish22]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nb...s=iref:nbahpt1

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by ReDirkulous Tyme

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/tn...s=iref:nbahpt2

Chuck actually giving the Mavs some credit. Haven't seen him speak this highly of the Mavs in a long, long, long, long time. I think Chuck's analysis is pretty much right on, Chris Webber doesn't know what he's talking about, nobody is going to want to go small on us, you cant stop us if you go small...

The Warriors of 2007 would have to disagree with you. Small but active/athletic defenders and run like crazy and hit a lot of 3's is what they did. Luckily there isn't a team like that now or aren't as good at it as that Warriors team was. But I think Utah whose strongest scorers are at the 1 and 4 and our weakest defensive positions being 1 and 4 could be a problem.

[AO41]

I gotta say I didint have any problem with the straw thing because I can see it bein dangerous, but come onnn the wrist bad is a little ridicules to ban


I would still wear it, but just turn it inside out lol

[LSMF]

If we make it to the finals emperor Stern will never let us win...

[mqywaaah]

I like this thread. Insightful

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

The Warriors of 2007 would have to disagree with you.

WTF does a lineup of Harris/Stackhouse/George/Dirk/Diop have to do with anything? That they wore the same navy blue jerseys? Why the f*ck would you bring that up?

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

WTF does a lineup of Harris/Stackhouse/George/Dirk/Diop have to do with anything? That they wore the same navy blue jerseys? Why the f*ck would you bring that up?

How the hell did that lineup ever win 67 games? It's crazy to think about it in retrospect!

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

How the hell did that lineup ever win 67 games? It's crazy to think about it in retrospect!

Dirk, Howard, Terry, Harris, Diop, and Dampier were all in their primes or close to it. They stayed healthy all year which was amazing.

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

WTF does a lineup of Harris/Stackhouse/George/Dirk/Diop have to do with anything? That they wore the same navy blue jerseys? Why the f*ck would you bring that up?

Maybe so but this teams offense is still geared around Dirk. And Golden State had the answer for Dirk. Our bigs (Haywood and Dampier) would still find it difficult to deal with small ball as well.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

How the hell did that lineup ever win 67 games? It's crazy to think about it in retrospect!

06-07 NBA MVP, Dirk Nowitzki

[Emjo21]

Originally Posted by Underdog

06-07 NBA MVP, Dirk Nowitzki

THIS.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

Maybe so but this teams offense is still geared around Dirk. And Golden State had the answer for Dirk. Our bigs (Haywood and Dampier) would still find it difficult to deal with small ball as well.

Wow. So any team with Dirk on it is susceptible to a GS collapse? Are you a Spurs troll in disguise or something?

As for the rest... the argument was that teams could take our centers out of the game entirely by going small. This argument doesn't appear to hold much water because

1) The opposing team would have to be good enough at small ball to force our centers out of the game. I can't think of anyone who can do that.
2) We have since proven that we can be a very good small ball team.
3) If it was really that simple to force big men out of the game, why hasn't anyone tried it against the Lakers?

[dude1394]

any team with an idiot for a head coach and players around him who cannot step up are susceptible to a collapse if the other team sells out to stop them.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

How the hell did that lineup ever win 67 games? It's crazy to think about it in retrospect!

One word:

Avery Johnson!

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Wow. So any team with Dirk on it is susceptible to a GS collapse? Are you a Spurs troll in disguise or something?

As for the rest... the argument was that teams could take our centers out of the game entirely by going small. This argument doesn't appear to hold much water because

1) The opposing team would have to be good enough at small ball to force our centers out of the game. I can't think of anyone who can do that.
2) We have since proven that we can be a very good small ball team.
3) If it was really that simple to force big men out of the game, why hasn't anyone tried it against the Lakers?

I wouldn't call it a collapse as GS had our number all season. And the way to stop small ball is to have a post player. We don't have one. Utah did it with Boozer along with Okur being more active on the perimeter than our centers. As for your points.
1. I just said this if you paid attention.
2. Oh yeah beating some of the worst teams (Chicago without Noah) in the league really proved we can have success in the playoffs with that lineup.
3. Lakers bigs are more active similar to Utah. Especially when Odom is in the game. And Gasol and/or Bynum is their low post player.
Dirk is a great player but his inability to back his way to the basket like a low post player makes us vulnerable if a small ball lineup appeared.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

I wouldn't call it a collapse as GS had our number all season. And the way to stop small ball is to have a post player. We don't have one. Utah did it with Boozer along with Okur being more active on the perimeter than our centers. As for your points.
1. I just said this if you paid attention.
2. Oh yeah beating some of the worst teams (Chicago without Noah) in the league really proved we can have success in the playoffs with that lineup.
3. Lakers bigs are more active similar to Utah. Especially when Odom is in the game. And Gasol and/or Bynum is their low post player.
Dirk is a great player but his inability to back his way to the basket like a low post player makes us vulnerable if a small ball lineup appeared.

Here we go, round and round.

1) GS is #14 in the West? Again, I don't see a team that would do this.
2) If you want to throw in Noah, throw in Damp/Haywood and we kill 'em while playing big.
3) Dirk has some serious post moves. Troll.

Who is going to FORCE playing small ball on us? The first time we played it, it was our own idea as a gimmick in Atlanta and it worked. Now we're doing out of necessity due to injuries. I can't think of any playoff team that's just going to rip their own centers out of the game, force our centers out because of it, then beat us to death with midget ball anyway.

Oh wait, we have Dirk. Ah crap, then I guess it's GS all over again.

[dude1394]

The mavs lost the GS series imo because they tried to slow it down versus running it back at them. You don't allow a running team with a bad defense to set up and walk the ball up the court. Avery wasn't smart enough to see this. He thought he had to control the tempo. Wrong.. you have to push back and get easy baskets, not allow them to setup everytime.

Utah in the second round ran it at them, not walk it up and use boozer. Also UTAH obviously had a point guard (and a coach) who could get the ball to their big man closer than the 3pt line.

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Here we go, round and round.

1) GS is #14 in the West? Again, I don't see a team that would do this.
2) If you want to throw in Noah, throw in Damp/Haywood and we kill 'em while playing big.
3) Dirk has some serious post moves. Troll.

Who is going to FORCE playing small ball on us? The first time we played it, it was our own idea as a gimmick in Atlanta and it worked. Now we're doing out of necessity due to injuries. I can't think of any playoff team that's just going to rip their own centers out of the game, force our centers out because of it, then beat us to death with midget ball anyway.

Oh wait, we have Dirk. Ah crap, then I guess it's GS all over again.

1. Did you listen to my point? I just said I didn't see it happening. You need to listen before typing.
2. Yes we would kill Chicago with that lineup but it still doesn't say anything that we could succeed in the playoffs without them if somehow a team was using small ball.
3. Low post moves? When do you see Dirk back his way to the basket? They are all midrange shots. He is best at exploiting slower players or players that fall for the pump fake too easily. Which he can totally dominate that way but putting SF's is not going to make it easier for Dirk due to them usually being more athletic. T-Mac, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Sean Marion, Bruce Bowen, James Posey, and etc. have had success in the playoffs against Dirk. Without Dirk, we are going nowhere. That's what makes us vulnverable to small ball. Pressuring Dirk more and causing matchup problems on the other side is the best way to go. I'm just calling like it is based on history. History can be the biggest troll. lol

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by dude1394

The mavs lost the GS series imo because they tried to slow it down versus running it back at them. You don't allow a running team with a bad defense to set up and walk the ball up the court. Avery wasn't smart enough to see this. He thought he had to control the tempo. Wrong.. you have to push back and get easy baskets, not allow them to setup everytime.

Utah in the second round ran it at them, not walk it up and use boozer. Also UTAH obviously had a point guard (and a coach) who could get the ball to their big man closer than the 3pt line.

Yeah Dallas has troubles scoring when slowing the game down. Thus why they seem to give up leads as they try to use clock and it hurts them. Golden State being able to set up their defense. Their defense wasn't that bad unless you have a low post player. A player that can be physically imposing like a Duncan or Boozer can overcome the quick hands and speed the Warriors had. Deron Williams also did matchup well with Baron Davis as he could match his size and speed. Also you gotta mention that the Warriors were on fire to end the season. Just a perfect disaster waiting to happen.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

3. Low post moves? When do you see Dirk back his way to the basket? They are all midrange shots.

Are you f*cking kidding me? He can get to the damn rim. After backing his defender down, he can spin baseline or to the front of the rim, and finish with either hand. Do you even pay attention?

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Are you f*cking kidding me? He can get to the damn rim. After backing his defender down, he can spin baseline or to the front of the rim, and finish with either hand. Do you even pay attention?

Where was that in the Warriors series? Maybe he can do it but just not effective enough move to use often enough. He was basically on the perimeter which angered me against a small ball lineup. You gotta post up.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

Yeah Dallas has troubles scoring when slowing the game down. Thus why they seem to give up leads as they try to use clock and it hurts them. Golden State being able to set up their defense. Their defense wasn't that bad unless you have a low post player. A player that can be physically imposing like a Duncan or Boozer can overcome the quick hands and speed the Warriors had. Deron Williams also did matchup well with Baron Davis as he could match his size and speed. Also you gotta mention that the Warriors were on fire to end the season. Just a perfect disaster waiting to happen.

If you go back and look at the utah/gsw series you will see they didn't pound the ball down the GSW's throat they ran 'em. Because the GSW's transition D is so horrid they got easy baskets after easy baskets.

We played right into their hands by trying to pretend we were the spurs.. Avery should have been fired the next week.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

Where was that in the Warriors series? Maybe he can do it but just not effective enough move to use often enough. He was basically on the perimeter which angered me against a small ball lineup. You gotta post up.

Argg....this infuriates me. So he's supposed to post up and watch his point guard try in vain to get a pass to him? Are you saying he should just tell the coach FU and go down to the blocks and watch while Jet can't get the ball over the 10 second line and devin can't throw an entry pass.

If Avery wants to get the ball to dirk in the post then he needs to pull out his crayon coloring book and see if someone has left a play for him, showing him how to get the ball to his guy in the post.

Dirk was having to come out to the 3second line half of the time to get the damn thing.

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by dude1394

If you go back and look at the utah/gsw series you will see they didn't pound the ball down the GSW's throat they ran 'em. Because the GSW's transition D is so horrid they got easy baskets after easy baskets.

We played right into their hands by trying to pretend we were the spurs.. Avery should have been fired the next week.

Maybe but Boozer was being a beast in the paint. Saying Dirk is a power player is a flat out lie. He is a finesse player and it's harder to expose small ball with that style. Simple logic. And I agree that Dallas should've pushed the ball but you gotta give Golden State the credit for helping each other out and maybe some animosity with our Mavericks as well. They were definitely driven.