Well, after the first nine games of the season, Dallas looked like they had fallen off the mountain...literally. At that time, they were 2-7 and didn't look like they knew how or had any interest in playing defense...especially in the final quarter of those games. They just couldn't keep up the scoring pace simply because they couldn't get the stops needed to get them back in the game. However, since then, the Mavs have gone 7-1 and looks like they have pulled this thing out of the mud. I think this is important because they have done the bulk of this without Josh Howard who has been sidelined the past 6 games with a gimpy ankle. Even though Josh is a knucklehead, he's a decent basketball player the Mavs count on. So for them to turn things around this starkly without him is remarkable.
Last night, Dallas played the Clippers who beat them earlier in the season (during that 2-7 stretch). During the previous game, the Mavs got down big and fought back to even the score in the 4th quarter only to get blown out because they had nothing left in the tank to continue the fight. This looked like the same type of game last night as the Clippers (who are one of the worst teams in the league) pretty much scored at will on Dallas and held a 15 point lead going into the 4th quarter. Zach Randolph had 27 points and 10 rebounds and anyone that says they were glad the Mavs didn't get him because he is a knucklehead really doesn't know what the Mavs need and what they don't. Randolph is a beast and the Mavs made a run to try to trade for him but he went to the Clippers instead. How great would that have been if he was the inside presence vs. Dampier/Diop?
The Mavs started the 4th quarter down 15 pts and so they went from man-to-man to zone and the Clippers had no idea how to score against it. You would have thought that was the first time they had ever seen zone defense at all. Dallas closed out the game on an 18-4 run. In fact, Dallas never led in the game until Jose Barea (Jose Barea?!?!) hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute as the Mavs rallied from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter for a 100-98 win.
Dallas' next few opponents (Phoenix, Atlanta and San Antonio) are a little stiffer competition than the Clippers but I like the turnaround and the fight the team has shown the last few weeks. I still don't think the ending result will be any different than last year (one and done in the playoffs) but at least they are playing well as a team again. Bring on the Suns!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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It warrants considering that perhaps the Mavs have pulled off this run because of Howard's absence. Remember, the Mavs issues were primarily an inability to finish down the stretch, often surrendering big leads in the 4th. Howard, as you know, is notoriously absent in the 4th quarter despite being present on the floor. I don't mean to bag on Howard, he's a fine player. But, I suggest that when he returns, he be utilized heavily in the first half where he typically flourishes; and sparingly in the second, but definitely not at all in the 4th quarter. This trend is simply too prevailent to ignore.
That is a trend and one that goes back to last year unfortunately regarding Josh. I only hope once he comes back he will revert back to the All Star Josh Howard. On another sour note, Devin Harris is averaging 25 pts per game so that Kidd trade has lost a bit of it's luster.
I never liked that trade. Kidd is fine, but Devin Harris is a rising star with a bright future. Furthermore, the trade left us financially cornered and without quality draft picks. The future is bleak. Perhaps the only possibility of rescue is to trade Kidd mid-season to the Cavaliers, or other contender for some other expiring contracts and draft picks. Probably a long-shot.
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