Many people thought when Dallas got Jason Kidd for the cluster of draft picks and bench players that it would skyrocket them atop the West. Then they would take that head of steam into the playoffs and become champions of the NBA.
Well those people were wrong. I don't want to say I told you so, but just as I predicted, the Dallas Mavericks are struggling and have made a mistake after acquiring Jason Kidd.
Only Phoenix has seen a bigger downslide since they traded for Shaq, as they two were picked by some to be the favorites out of the West, but they have fallen into the 6th spot. In comparison, the Mavs have a 8-6 record since the Kidd deal so technically they don't have a losing record, but they have dropped in the Western Conference. They are in the seventh seed, only up two games in front of lifetime nemesis, Golden State.
Jason Kidd's effectiveness has seem to vanish. He hasn't had a triple double in the 14 games he's played with his new ball club. Kidd is stuck, still sitting on 99, behind Magic Johnson. In New Jersey triple-doubles used to be a everyday thing, just like taking the subway.
His teammates have been bad too. Josh Howard was shooting frigid FG percentage such as 18.2, 27.8, and 33.3 percent, but has since found his shot has improved. Jason Terry's production has slipped as well as he has posted two-, five-, and seven-point games since the Kidd deal. He's getting plenty of touches and opportunities with Kidd at the head of things.
So why aren't things working out? I think its the intimidation factor of Jason Kidd, or it could be that Avery Johnson is misusing Kidd, or it could be that fact that Kidd is just getting older.
Crazy enough as this sounds, a team with Dirk Nowitiziki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, and Jason Kidd are in danger of failing to make the playoffs.
However, Dirk has continued his steady stride down the stretch for the Mavericks, but unfortunately, he is not Kobe Bryant, and cannot grab his team by the reins and lead them into the playoffs.
Perhaps he is used to a big name PG (Steve Nash). With a team with that much talent, how could that be true?
There are many theories and fingers to point at over their uncanny performance but a team like this can't get completely down on themselves. With games fast approaching against Utah, Boston, Phoenix, San Antonio, New Orleans and the Lakers, a pep talk needs to be given and adjustments need to be made quickly.
The Mavericks must regroup and show the NBA what they are made of.
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6 months ago
You must have written this before their last four games.
6 months ago
No you must not have read it correctly. I used words like as of late and when Kidd arrived. Also as of today, their in the 7th seed so I think I wrote this in the present.
6 months ago
As I've said before, I enjoy seeing a team that was once a dominating force, struggle. It just excites me for some reason.
Next up on the struggle list: Los Angeles.
6 months ago
I think it would be awesome if the Mavericks didn't make the playoffs. It would be the ultimate fall from glory. First, they blow a 2 game lead on the Heat in the Finals. Second, they blow having the 1 seed and get worked by the 8 seed warriors, and then they miss the playoffs altogether. That would be awesome
6 months ago
Ok, i dont know where to start.
1. the mavs are 8-5 since kidd was aquired not 8-6, get your facts straight.
2. 3 of those losses where against San Antonio, LA, and Utah on the opposing teams floor, all by less than 6 points, and also right on the heel of the trade. Getting acclamated to a new PG is tough, it takes time. Also the mavs have had a difficult time on the road all year, so those three games are actually a plus for them, they learned some stuff about them selves in those games.
3. The first loss against New Orleans was figured to be a loss anyway because it was kidd's first game.
4. The only bad loss was against the Streaking Houston Rockets, and btw, no Dirk Nowitzki.
5. The triple-double thing, duh!!! He isnt going to get triple-doubles as easy in Dallas as he did in New Jersey, Dallas is one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA, kidd isn't going to come in here and steal rebounds from Dampier, Dirk, Bass, and Howard, it's just not going to happen. He is averaging a double-double, that's all that is needed.
6. His teamates aren't playing as well? Have you not seen Dirk play since kidd has arrived? He is playing with a new found passion and love for the game that has been lost for some time and is averaging around 28 points per game.. Josh Howard had a hard time getting used to the new PG's style of play at first, but has since got back into his groove. Ever since the Utah game he is averaging about 20 points per game, and shooting a lot better FG percentage. For Jason Terry; he has always been a streaky shooter, so you only being able to point out 3 games where he didnt score much is actually a good thing. Terry has been shooting 3-pointers better now with kidd then ever before this year.
7. They don't play Utah, Pheonix, or New Orleans for over a month and a half, but they do have games coming up against Boston, LA, and San Antonio, but guess what, these games are all at home, where the mavs are 29-4 this year, and will have plenty of games with kidd under their belt, so these games will be a little different this time around.
If you are going to write a column, get your stats right and actually have a reason to type it, not just cause you are a mavs basher and want to see them lose.
from 6 months ago
You didn't read it write, I said Dirk has continued his usual stride down the stretch for the Mavs, which is not putting down his play. All the losses you stated are still losses correct? For the triple double thing, Boone and Jefferson were solid rebounders, and nonetheless they still play the teams that I mentioned above.
6 months ago
The Mavs aren't desperate and the only reason their in danger of missing the playoffs is because the West is ridiculously good. The way it stands right now any team that has a guy miss significant time due to injury or suspension is gonna slide down in the standings. After the Miami game tomorrow the Mavs have a huge 3 game strech against LA, Boston, and San Antonio. Wait til after that before you judge the trade.
6 months ago
i think this is the Mavs gr8est problem: Avery Johnson is overcoaching them. While overcoaching might work with a season veteran team like Spurs(Popovich), it doesn't work with a team with no heart like the Mavs. i just think Avery needs to loosen things up a bit b/c the players will tune him out, that's what soft-hearted players do.
6 months ago
I'm not being biased because of a Mavericks fan, but they are in good shape to make to playoffs, and I don't see much danger other than the two matchups with the Warriors. Surely it's possible being in the West, but every team is in danger of missing the playoffs. Here are things you've failed to mention:
-The Mavs are dominant at home at 29-4
-Spurs have lost 5 of 6, most recently to the 76ers
-Pau Gasol is injured with the Lakers, who is listed day-to-day and will not play against the Rockets
-David West is injured and Chris Paul isnt 100% for the Hornets
-Suns are only 7-6 with Shaq, but they have a 4 game winning streak
-The Mavs are 3.5 games ahead of the Nuggets, who have an equally difficult schedule and 10 road games where they are terrible on the road
-The Rockets are on a 21 game winning streak, but have a brutal five game streak against 5 elite teams, and could easily drop all five games, although very unlikely
You need to do some actual research than write an article based on pure theories.
from 6 months ago
I need to do some research huh? Well if those are the things I failed to realize than here is one thing you failed to realize :
All the teams you mentioned except for Denver, have a better record then Dallas and that makes your point irrelavent.
from 6 months ago
Yes, obviously, congratulations for seeing that. But my arguments are based off that the Mavericks are in equal or better shape than other teams, and I doubt the Nuggets, despite the 168 point explosion against one of the worst teams in the league, will push Dallas, or any top 8 team in the playoffs.
The Hornets missed David West and Chris Paul is not at full speed, while Gasol's presence was sorely missed during the Rockets game, which could indicate difficult times ahead, and the Spurs haven't snapped out of their slump, with a big game tonight against the Celtics.
I already mentioned that it's possible for the Mavs to fall out of the playoffs, but it is the same for every other team in the west. But the Mavs have won 4 straight and picked up Tyronn Lue, a solid speedy PG, and although they have another tough stretch of games, pretty much every team in the west has the same schedule.
And spell "Nowitzki" correctly before writing such an article.
from 6 months ago
Difficult times ahead for L.A.? Gasol is only out for 3 games and Andrew Bynum will be returning to their team shortly. And you call that tough times? New Orleans has enough of a lead in the West to rest David West and Paul for half of a game and ease them back into the rotation. Also Tyronn Lue is not Devin Harris, their original backup guard. The only outright point that you have is that I misspelled Dirk's last name.
6 months ago
Crazy things are going on the West, that's for sure. Whether or not each detail was considered, I have to agree that the Mavs do not look great since the trade, and they should for giving up their PG of the future, their best big defender, and 2 first round picks. They should at least be worried.
6 months ago
"Only Phoenix has seen a bigger downslide since they traded for Shaq."
Really? Are you John Hollinger from ESPN? Are you one of those sheep that still think the Shaq trade was bad?
As for the Mavs - good luck w/ Dampier in the middle. Talk about a cream puff...
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