The Dallas Mavericks: After 18
The Mavericks are 13-5 after 18 games, having just come off an impressive win at Indiana playing without their 2nd and 3rd best players (Josh Howard and Jason Terry). This puts the Mavericks on a pace to win 59 games for the season, which would exceed my (and just about everybody's) expectations. As expected, the offense has been inconsistent, but the defense has kept them in games.
Developments:
In my preseason preview, I expressed doubt how much Doug Christie had left, but I certainly didn't expect him to retire two weeks into the season. This, along with injuries to Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse (who has yet to play this season), has really challenged the Mavericks depth, especially at the shooting guard and small forward positions. The Mavericks picked up free-agent Adrian Griffin (a former Mavericks player) to help address this situation, and fortunately, he has contributed positively in the last few games. However, until Howard and Stackhouse come back, the expected Mavericks depth advantage isn't there.
Eric Dampier has been a disappointment this season. His stats are worse in nearly every category than last year, and he's often not been capable of staying on the court for the expected amount of time due to foul trouble. Fortunately, backup center Desagana Diop has played better than most expected and has probably made more of a contribution that Dampier when he's been on the floor.
Devin Harris has shown some improvement over his rookie season last year, especially with his ability to get to the basket. However, he is very inconsistent and still has a long way to go in his hoped for development into a true point guard (instead of playing like an undersized shooting guard).
Jerry Stackhouse has yet to play this season, due to knee problems, and rumor has it that he might not be the same player as last year when he does come back.
Did I mention the Mavericks are 13-5?
Developments:
In my preseason preview, I expressed doubt how much Doug Christie had left, but I certainly didn't expect him to retire two weeks into the season. This, along with injuries to Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse (who has yet to play this season), has really challenged the Mavericks depth, especially at the shooting guard and small forward positions. The Mavericks picked up free-agent Adrian Griffin (a former Mavericks player) to help address this situation, and fortunately, he has contributed positively in the last few games. However, until Howard and Stackhouse come back, the expected Mavericks depth advantage isn't there.
Eric Dampier has been a disappointment this season. His stats are worse in nearly every category than last year, and he's often not been capable of staying on the court for the expected amount of time due to foul trouble. Fortunately, backup center Desagana Diop has played better than most expected and has probably made more of a contribution that Dampier when he's been on the floor.
Devin Harris has shown some improvement over his rookie season last year, especially with his ability to get to the basket. However, he is very inconsistent and still has a long way to go in his hoped for development into a true point guard (instead of playing like an undersized shooting guard).
Jerry Stackhouse has yet to play this season, due to knee problems, and rumor has it that he might not be the same player as last year when he does come back.
Did I mention the Mavericks are 13-5?
posted by Freethinker at 9:52:00 AM
2 Comments:
We really need to get Tim McKelvey posting here b/c he is the biggest Mav's fan (beside you now) I know.
Anyhow, the little Mav's are making a statement. The points you make are all right on. The thing I am most impressed with in regards to the record is WHO THEY HAVE BEAT. They haven't had a soft schedule so far and yet they have done really well.
I think we are way too early to tell but if they can gel as a team, get some guys healthy and possibly make a trade down the road for that elusive BIG man then this could be a team that makes alot of people in D-town very happy!
I can see them winning the West if those things happen, can't you?
That's true, they've beaten some good teams.
I think the can be dangerous in the playoffs, but they still have a lot of improving to do if they're going to beat San Antonio in a seven game series.
And the type of big men who would be an upgrade for the Mavericks normally aren't available during the season.
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