Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Silence surpasses speech. duncan228's Avatar
    My Team
    San Antonio Spurs
    Post Count
    27,693
    Balanced Mavs' hopes likely rest on shoulders of one man
    By Tony Mejia
    Pro Basketball News

    Editor's note: This is the fifth of PBN's 2009-10 season previews, in which we analyze all 30 teams in 30 days.

    DALLAS MAVERICKS (50-32)

    How it ended: Dallas felt its way through March before really finding a groove under first-year coach Rick Carlisle, winding up with a No. 6 seed after closing the season with wins in five of six. The injury-plagued Spurs fell victim to the Mavs' hot play, but Denver was more fortunate, dispatching Mark Cuban's squad in six thanks in part to some help from the zebras.

    Coach: Carlisle got plenty accomplished in his first season in Dallas, completing the primary objective of coaxing improvement out of a veteran squad while getting them comfortable with his sets and philosophies. As desired, the Mavs got stronger as the season progressed and got hot at the right time. Carlisle won 50 games with his third different team, doing so for the first time since his debut season in Indiana ('03-'04).

    Arrivals: F Shawn Marion, F/C Drew Gooden, F Tim Thomas, F Kris Humphries, C Nathan Jawai, G Quinton Ross, G Roddy Beaubois

    Departures: G Antoine Wright, G Jerry Stackhouse, F Devean George

    Projected starters: F Shawn Marion, F Dirk Nowitzki, C Erick Dampier, G Jason Kidd, G/F Josh Howard.

    Position battles: With Marion on board and Jason Terry ticketed for big minutes off the bench, Howard could see the bulk of his minutes trying to stay with two guards, likely sliding over to fill Wright's vacancy in the starting five. J.J. Barea will have to hold off Beaubois' charge once the French rookie gets acclimated to the NBA game. Specialists Ross and Matt Carroll will compete for scrap minutes, likely depending on the situation.

    Chemistry experiment: Kidd and Nowitzki wound up understanding one another quite nicely, so now it's time to see how Marion fits into the mix. Getting him and Howard to complement one another will be a major objective for Carlisle, as will balancing their minutes to ensure both remain content while he also making room for Terry's contributions. Gooden is expected to see a lot of time playing at center, which isn't his natural position.

    Best case: Kidd and Nowitzki continue their prosperous union, Marion proves to have been storing energy the past few seasons and reclaims his spot as one of the NBA's most versatile defenders, joining Howard in making life miserable for opposing wings. Dampier and his advantageous contract is moved for another high-caliber piece, giving the Mavs the necessary firepower to challenge L.A.

    Worst case: Age catches up to the Mavericks, who prove a step slow and a little too far past their prime to be taken seriously as anything other than first-round fodder. The Marion experiment, which Dallas is on the hook for the next few years, fails miserably.

    Prediction: The key to Dallas' fortunes is Howard, no surprise given how much prosperity his team has seen when he performs well. If Carlisle finds a way to get the most out of him, a Southwest Division le and top-three seed is possible. If the Mavs are forced to move him or if he struggles, their streak of consecutive 50-win seasons won't reach 10, though the run of playoff appearances will.

  2. #2
    The Dude minds DPG21920's Avatar
    My Team
    San Antonio Spurs
    Post Count
    77,863
    If the Mavs can move Dampier and get a big time player, they could be scary good. I was really surprised they did not try and get in on the Okafor trade.

    Damp's contract is a very good asset.

  3. #3
    Banned
    My Team
    Los Angeles Lakers
    Post Count
    3,977
    they are going to bench damiper so his contract doesnt continue. he cant complain cause he sucks so its legitimate

  4. #4
    #FreeGiuseppe BlackSwordsMan's Avatar
    My Team
    San Antonio Spurs
    Post Count
    14,648
    lol mavs

  5. #5
    We'll Be Back Spursfan092120's Avatar
    My Team
    San Antonio Spurs
    Post Count
    20,390
    Wow..if their hopes rest on Howard...just wow..




  6. #6
    GRANT HILL!
    My Team
    Detroit Pistons
    Post Count
    1,732
    dampier for Chandler sounds good and makes sense for both teams

  7. #7
    adolis is altuve’s father monosylab1k's Avatar
    My Team
    Dallas Mavericks
    Post Count
    15,826

  8. #8
    Veteran
    My Team
    Dallas Mavericks
    Post Count
    14,577
    Regarding Okafor, I don't blame our FO that the Bobcats' are dumbasses. We surely could have made a better offer than TC, who is nothing but damaged good at this points. a Buck package would be better as it would have saved more $.

    Anywho, Damp for Chandler? that, damaged goods like I said also the FO seems to be banking on Damp turning into a high caliber player next offseason. It's a gamble, but our boys don't have anything to lose.


    I just hope we can at the veyr least add one more rotational player with the Buck shot/other contracts.

    Also, our hopes resting on Howard isn't a bad thing. He showed flashes of his 05-07 form to close the season and I believe he is playing for a contract this year. I trust J-Ho .

  9. #9
    Long, Dark Blues redzero's Avatar
    My Team
    New Orleans Hornets
    Post Count
    14,531
    Regarding Okafor, I don't blame our FO that the Bobcats' are dumbasses. We surely could have made a better offer than TC, who is nothing but damaged good at this points. a Buck package would be better as it would have saved more $.

    Anywho, Damp for Chandler? that, damaged goods like I said also the FO seems to be banking on Damp turning into a high caliber player next offseason. It's a gamble, but our boys don't have anything to lose.


    I just hope we can at the veyr least add one more rotational player with the Buck shot/other contracts.

    Also, our hopes resting on Howard isn't a bad thing. He showed flashes of his 05-07 form to close the season and I believe he is playing for a contract this year. I trust J-Ho .
    So, Ghazi, now that Okafor is a Hornet, will you find some inane reason to hate him, too?

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •