Steve Nash Quote

[ddh33]

I didn't see anyone else talking about this, so I thought I would bring it up. Just found it a little interesting...

From the DMN:
Nash said the winning streak and better execution offensively has him guardedly optimistic about the Mavericks.

"I never was pessimistic, but we have to face it that three of our best players play the same position," Nash said, alluding to Nowitzki, Walker and Jamison, all of whom are at their best at power forward. "But we're having better patches for a longer duration, and we can be pretty formidable when we play defense and play together."


I certainly don't mean to stir up trouble in any way, especially since this team really seems to be coming together right now. But it kind of sounds like Steve isn't completely convinced with his team. He says he isn't pessimistic, but he sure sounds a little skeptical. I wish I could have heard the context of the whole interview, but he seems to be fully aware of the potential problems of having three of your best players all playing the same position.

However, I am glad that this group is finding a way to work together, even though they haven't always been placed in positions where they are most comfortable.

[kingrex]

Not to say that you are, but let's not slam on Steve for just telling it like it is. An athlete finally calls it likes he sees it and now we accuse him of not having any confidence in his team. He didn't say that the Mavs suck, he just pointed out that when you have 3 power forwards as starters (I know Jamison is not starting but he does get starter's minutes) that it will create problems for your team.

I believe despite this observation, Steve has all the confidence in the world for his team, but he is also objective enough to point out a potential weakness.

[ddh33]

I'm sorry if it came across as me slamming Steve. I was actually impressed to heer him say that with such honesty.

The thing that interested me was the idea that Steve was fully aware of this team's potential problems and weaknesses. I just wonder if Steve is thrilled to have a team full of guys who play the same position?

I was simply questioning whether or not this was Steve's way of saying that management had put together a less than ideal team?

[kingrex]

Originally posted by: ddh33
I'm sorry if it came across as me slamming Steve. I was actually impressed to heer him say that with such honesty.

The thing that interested me was the idea that Steve was fully aware of this team's potential problems and weaknesses. I just wonder if Steve is thrilled to have a team full of guys who play the same position?

I was simply questioning whether or not this was Steve's way of saying that management had put together a less than ideal team?

As I said, I know you're not slamming him, but many would for his comments.

I agree with you that there is a slight implication that he (Steve) doesn't quite like how this team has been put together (i.e. not getting a center).

I also agree that he should be applauded for recognizing his team's potential weakness and putting it in a tactful way.

[Chiwas]

Nash has been always very disciplined regarding the team. (Not about politics, certainly)

I think the thread is worth cause an interior very acredited opinion from the Mavs pointing out the origin of the problems of the team in a positive manner, shows us that they are aware and trying to find the best way to make proper use of the excess of personal -and talent- in that spot.

The coaching staff reacted pretty well before, removing Delk from the scheme, and I think it is reacting now to solve the issue pointed by Nash. We have seen better games lately.

Two issues would remain: the excess of regular or good players in the 2-3, Finley, Howard and Daniels, which also makes pressure and shortens the minutes on the 3-4 played by Jamison, Dirk and Walker. The other is the lack of another good center.

[kg_veteran]

I think he's just indicating why, from his point of view, it's taken a while to get roles defined and things figured out offensively and defensively. Particularly on the defensive end.

[MightyToine]

I have absolutely NO problem with what Steve said. He is right in being cautiously optimistic 'cause it could turn real ugly real fast if he is too optimistic. Call it Bad Karma, lousy luck, JINX, whatever...


Just keep winning.

[EricaLubarsky]

I thought Nowitzki was a prototype super Small Forward?
I thought Jamison was a tweener but mostly a Power Forward...

and the Point Forward works best from a 3 position...

all the same we moved from having three incredible guards to 3 incredible forwards. It may not be perfect but I would prefer having too much height than having too many talented short guys and although I hate the idea of playing Dirk as a center- I like the situation we are in better than what we had. Bumping the seven foot Nowitzki up to center is much better for the team than bumping finley up to a role as a forward. The 7'0, 6'9" 6'9" frontcourt is much better than a 6'3", 6'2" backcourt.

[Epitome22]

It's nice to see someone else expressing some frustration with this. Nowitzki is a tweener who can go either way between the 3 or the 4 but past experiments with him at the three have not been successful. However he plays, he's most comfortable guarding other 4s. Jamison is a tweener but he doesen't like to play Power Forward so he's a fine Grant Hill esque Small Forward type. Walker is in the same situation as Dirk, can play both, but really has no business guarding 3s. Throw in new small forward and rising rookie Josh howard and even Najera to an extent and this team has a problem. Last season, we were bogged down with too many swingmen. This season, too many forwards. Not that any one of them can play a lick of defense, but I'd rather play Jamison at the 3 Nowitzki at the 4 and deal Walker in the hopes of aquiring some type of center. Then maybe for once we could have a normal basketball lineup like other teams.

[dude1394]

Yes the problem isn't their offensive games, they can outplay 3's or 4's. It's their defensive games and having trouble guarding 3's AND 5's.

[Psychedelic Fuzz]

I read the DMN article, ddh, and that's not really the way I took it.

The lineups seemed awkward at first, but things are falling into place. Nash is not one to come out and say the team is kicking a$$ and is going to bury every other team out there. It's not his style, and I don't take that to mean he doesn't buy into the system.
That said, I don't think the logjam is going to matter in the long run. I love what walker brings to the table, but give me a deal for a 5 that's too good to ignore and I put him on the first plane out of here. That said, the fact is Nellie likes him, and he's probably not going anywhere until at least the off season.

I don't like Dirk playing the 5, but I'd rather have him playing the 5 surrounded by 6'9" forwards than 6'3" guards. Lately, we've seen Nellie giving minutes to Bradley/Fort. No coincidence we started winning.

Honestly, I'm not ready to give up on this experiment. Walker passes, Dirk gets healthy, Nellie plays the big men, and bang...we win, and we've already beaten all the rest of the elite. We have very good records against the WC and the division...stuff that counts at tie-breaker time. We are on pace to win 50, but we only have 1 more against LA and minny, and 2 against the spurs.

[MightyToine]

but I'd rather play Jamison at the 3 Nowitzki at the 4 and deal Walker in the hopes of aquiring some type of center. Then maybe for once we could have a normal basketball lineup like other teams.

Umm...Epitome, did you forget who coaches this team? This IS Normal. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

And uh..I'd rather NOT deal Walker for some big stiff, thank you very much.

[ReDIRKulous]

Originally posted by: ddh33
I'm sorry if it came across as me slamming Steve. I was actually impressed to heer him say that with such honesty.

The thing that interested me was the idea that Steve was fully aware of this team's potential problems and weaknesses. I just wonder if Steve is thrilled to have a team full of guys who play the same position?

I was simply questioning whether or not this was Steve's way of saying that management had put together a less than ideal team?

When was any of this a secret?

I think Nash is simply trying to spell things out for the people that didn't realize it was going to take time to make things work. He is trying to prevent people from blaming nellie and his teammates in case we don't go udefeated for the rest of the season as many people *expect* us to.

[sike]

nash said nothing worth making a deal over....he just pointed out some facts.... not a big deal...no reason for ruffled feathers...

[ddh33]

Originally posted by: sike
nash said nothing worth making a deal over....he just pointed out some facts.... not a big deal...no reason for ruffled feathers...

I didn't think so either. Sorry again if it came across that way.

I just thought it was interesting that Steve had the courage to acknowledge the flaws that this team has, while also fighting through them to be a successful team. This isn't necessarily an ideal mix, but no one is going to complain about it. They just go out and compete. I appreciate that.

I do wonder if some of the guys might prefer a more traditional lineup sometimes?

[V]

ddh33,

I thought this was funny... Kenyon martin wsa quoted last night saying something similar to what Nash said: "the Mavs have too many shooters."

... the cool part?.... that statement was preceded by the comment that the Mavs are unstopable because they create so many matchup problems. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

QUESTION:

How many wins in a row before we (and the rest of the NBA) kneejerks & declares the Mavs roster ideal; it provides a strategic advantage over the Lakers; Nelly is a genious, etc?

I guess 12 wins would do it.... and I guess if Mavs lose three in a row pundits will agree the roster must be remade & Nelly is an idiot...

I LOVE THIS GAME!

[ddh33]

Isn't that the truth, V.

Personally, I like this team and the style that they play. I hope it's enough to win a championship. Best of all, I know that if it did win, everyone in the league would try the same thing. God forbid we get some pretty basketball again...Although, I do like a defensive struggle sometimes.

But until this team wins it all, they're going to be looked down upon. We all know that.

[Psychedelic Fuzz]

So you are beginning to see the light...

The big questions with this team all seem to be "how do we stop (enter elite WC forward/center here)?"

but when it's said and done, the winner and losers in the west will be determined not by who we stop, but by who stops us.

[sike]

very optimistic fuzz......

















I love it! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]