Not impressed with Dallas thus far

[Ghazi]

Or the peaking argument. This team can get much better.

[Findog]

Or the peaking argument. This team can get much better.

Yeah, I don't expect us to beat the Lakers in a 7-game series, but it's not going to be because Dirk is 'exhausted' or they played their best ball in November when they had several guys out injured.

[ElNono]

He's averaging 1 more minute per game than last year, on a team that has been hit early by an avalanche of injuries, and he was great in the playoffs last year. Not buying the "Dirk is going to be exhausted at playoff time" argument.

He's a year older too and he plays more as a guard than a big.
Honestly, I still don't see how this Dallas team is any different from last year. I still don't think they can get past the Nuggets/Lakers.. Same mismatches as last year...

[SamoanTD]

13 games, 7 on the road, 3 games b2b

Game 1- no Howard, no Thomas
Game 2- no Howard, no Thomas
Game 3- no Howard, no Thomas
Game 4- no Howard, no Thomas
Game 5- no Howard, no Thomas
Game 6- Marion sits out the second half, no Thomas
Game 7- no Gooden, no Thomas
Game 8- no Gooden, Howard re-injured halfway through, no Thomas
Game 9- no Gooden, no Howard, no Thomas
Game 10- no Gooden, no Howard, no Dampier, no Thomas
Game 11- no Howard, no Dampier, Marion injured early, no Thomas
Game 12- No Howard, no Dampier, no Marion
Game 13- No Howard, no Dampier, no Marion

Yeah, really easy.

Btw Lakers played 9 of 12 games home...

not having thomas is not really a lose hes not that great if you havent noticed lol.

but dallas is doin pretty nice though but a 50+ winning season record is as far as the mavs go I think. Best regular season team ever

[ElNono]

Yeah, I don't expect us to beat the Lakers in a 7-game series, but it's not going to be because Dirk is 'exhausted' or they played their best ball in November when they had several guys out injured.

TBH, I think Dirk is playing the best ball of his career right now. I don't see him playing any better than this. Probably because he had more time with Kidd, or whatever other reason. And still, I don't think this Dallas team has enough to go against the Nugz/Lakers (Mind you, I don't see the Spurs right now there either).
Obviously, this is just my impression right now. Anything can happen from here till May.

[Findog]

He's a year older too and he plays more as a guard than a big.

He's 31 and he's playing as well as he ever has.

Honestly, I still don't see how this Dallas team is any different from last year. I still don't think they can get past the Nuggets/Lakers.. Same mismatches as last year...

Well, on paper anyways, once they get healthy, Gooden gives them post-scoring off the bench, Thomas gives them a guy who when motivated can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, Ross gives them a Bowen-esque perimeter defender, a healthy Howard is another All-Star caliber weapon (he was very limited in the Denver series), and Marion is another All-Star caliber weapon that can guard multiple positions. All on paper, anyways. They haven't been healthy. I think they're clearly better than last year. Doesn't mean they'll beat the Lakers or Nugs, but they upgraded their team for sure. We can argue about whether those upgrades were sufficient or not, but I don't see how you can say they're just the same.

[ElNono]

Ross is weak as . Both Ron Ron and Melo can basically run over the guy. I actually think Beaubois actually might make a better defender over time because he's got crazy reach. He's just making rookie mistakes now. Outside of that, you basically haven't addressed the main concern, which is defense. Gooden will give up as much as he gives you. Marion was touted as a great one on one defender, but I don't think he ever has been that. He just looked great in Phoenix because basically nobody else played any D. I think the only silver lining is going to be on what can Damp can give you protecting the paint in a contract year. I just wouldn't put all my defensive eggs in one Dampier basket.

[SamoanTD]

He's 31 and he's playing as well as he ever has.



Well, on paper anyways, once they get healthy, Gooden gives them post-scoring off the bench, Thomas gives them a guy who when motivated can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, Ross gives them a Bowen-esque perimeter defender, a healthy Howard is another All-Star caliber weapon (he was very limited in the Denver series), and Marion is another All-Star caliber weapon that can guard multiple positions. All on paper, anyways. They haven't been healthy. I think they're clearly better than last year. Doesn't mean they'll beat the Lakers or Nugs, but they upgraded their team for sure. We can argue about whether those upgrades were sufficient or not, but I don't see how you can say they're just the same.

im sorry that you even THINK that piece of is anything close to what bowen was as ah defender even on his decline in the NBA I would still take bowen.

[Findog]

im sorry that you even THINK that piece of is anything close to what bowen was as ah defender even on his decline in the NBA I would still take bowen.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...910300LAL.html

I'll take that line from Kobe every time with Marion and Ross taking turns on him.

[Findog]

Ross is weak as . Both Ron Ron and Melo can basically run over the guy. I actually think Beaubois actually might make a better defender over time because he's got crazy reach. He's just making rookie mistakes now. Outside of that, you basically haven't addressed the main concern, which is defense. Gooden will give up as much as he gives you. Marion was touted as a great one on one defender, but I don't think he ever has been that. He just looked great in Phoenix because basically nobody else played any D. I think the only silver lining is going to be on what can Damp can give you protecting the paint in a contract year. I just wouldn't put all my defensive eggs in one Dampier basket.

Why are the Mavs playing really good defense so far? This team's offense has not been performing well at all. How are they winning games when they put up poor-shooting nights?

[ElNono]

Why are the Mavs playing really good defense so far? This team's offense has not been performing well at all. How are they winning games when they put up poor-shooting nights?

You think the Mavs are playing good defense? Hmm... Ok!

[badfish22]

You think the Mavs are playing good defense? Hmm... Ok!

such a dumb

[Findog]

You think the Mavs are playing good defense? Hmm... Ok!

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2010.html


Defensive rating: 5th out of 30

And having watched the games, yes I do think they're playing good defense overall, considering how short-handed they've been. I am concerned about perimeter defense, despite the additions of Marion and Ross. Tyreeke Evans lit us up last night.

[ElNono]

Last night was actually the first Mavs game I missed
I'm not really impressed with the D honestly. I don't think it's really different from last year.
I actually think that their biggest problem is interior D. Granted, Dampier has been out, and he's motivated to make a difference. I just don't know if he'll be enough.
But we'll see I guess.

[badfish22]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2010.html


Defensive rating: 5th out of 30

And having watched the games, yes I do think they're playing good defense overall, considering how short-handed they've been. I am concerned about perimeter defense, despite the additions of Marion and Ross. Tyreeke Evans lit us up last night.

Our perimeter defense is suffering mostly because we play JJ, Kidd and Terry at the same time.

For some reason Barea gaurds some of the quick guards (Bynum, Jennings) and has gotten lit up.

[Findog]

Our perimeter defense is suffering mostly because we play JJ, Kidd and Terry at the same time.

For some reason Barea gaurds some of the quick guards (Bynum, Jennings) and has gotten lit up.

Yeah, hopefully in the playoffs, the rotation will limit Barea to spot minutes. Coach Rick doesn't trust Roddy yet with crunch-time minutes, but hopefully he'll be able to earn a spot in the rotation if he keeps it up.

[badfish22]

Not sure if you have seen this, but I'll go ahead and post it here:

In the Milwaukee game, when Barea and Brandon Jennings were on the court at the same time, Jennings was:
FG 6-of-13
FT 2-of-4
PTS 17
REB 5
AST 4
TO 1

In the Milwaukee game, here are Jennings’ numbers when JJB was out of the game:
FG 2-of-9
FT 3-of-4
PTS 8
REB 2
AST 4
TO 1

In the Detroit game, when Barea and Will Bynum were on the court at the same time, Bynum:
PTS 19
REB 2
AST 2

In the Detroit game, here are Bynum’s numbers when JJB was out of the game:
PTS 8
REB 0
AST 1


Here’s the Mavs’ opponent, Barea’s Plus/Minus stat, and the Mavs’ Plus-Minus stat for that game:
GAME JJ’s +/- MAVS’ +/-
1.Wash -12 -11
2.LAL 0 +14
3.LAC -4 +9
4.Utah +1 +11
5.N.O. -3 -7
6.Tor +18 +28
7.Hou +2 +18
8.S.A. -8 -9
9.Minn +1 +12
10.Det -7 +5
11.Milw -15 +2

[Ghazi]

Mavs are way better this year than last year... I think over 100+ starts last year were given to the likes of Singleton, Green, Wright, Hollins, George, etc... even Stack starteda few games i think... gone are those days due to the massive upgrade in depth... Ross is probably our worst starter thus far... and thats cause the Mavs are missing their top two wing players.

Much different team than last year... on paper

[Findog]

Not sure if you have seen this, but I'll go ahead and post it here:

In the Milwaukee game, when Barea and Brandon Jennings were on the court at the same time, Jennings was:
FG 6-of-13
FT 2-of-4
PTS 17
REB 5
AST 4
TO 1

In the Milwaukee game, here are Jennings’ numbers when JJB was out of the game:
FG 2-of-9
FT 3-of-4
PTS 8
REB 2
AST 4
TO 1

In the Detroit game, when Barea and Will Bynum were on the court at the same time, Bynum:
PTS 19
REB 2
AST 2

In the Detroit game, here are Bynum’s numbers when JJB was out of the game:
PTS 8
REB 0
AST 1


Here’s the Mavs’ opponent, Barea’s Plus/Minus stat, and the Mavs’ Plus-Minus stat for that game:
GAME JJ’s +/- MAVS’ +/-
1.Wash -12 -11
2.LAL 0 +14
3.LAC -4 +9
4.Utah +1 +11
5.N.O. -3 -7
6.Tor +18 +28
7.Hou +2 +18
8.S.A. -8 -9
9.Minn +1 +12
10.Det -7 +5
11.Milw -15 +2

Goddamn. Those +/- contrasts between JJB and the entire team for every single game show a very clear pattern.

[SamoanTD]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...910300LAL.html

I'll take that line from Kobe every time with Marion and Ross taking turns on him.

and your point is?..................

[Findog]

and your point is?..................

He shot 6-19. Are you illiterate?

[sefant77]

and your point is?..................

Ross plays really good defense, he played great against Kobe. Just watch the game before u try to diss Ross...

[Sportstudi]

He's averaging 1 more minute per game than last year, on a team that has been hit early by an avalanche of injuries, and he was great in the playoffs last year. Not buying the "Dirk is going to be exhausted at playoff time" argument.

Additionally, he didn't play basketball over the summer but rested instead. I'm sure he'll be fine.

[Brazil]

One team impressed me so far: lakers, they are just above everything else.

[pauls931]

One team impressed me so far: lakers, they are just above everything else.

Me too, and it pisses me off.