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To my regular readers: It will appear that I am repeating myself from my past couple of articles, so bear with me.
My intentions are to bring together my thoughts as to how the Mavericks need to fix the transition offense.
To fully understand the ills of the Dallas Mavericks' transition game, we need to first understand what it is and how it's supposed to work.
Whether we call it a fast break, run-and-shoot, run-and-gun, or whatever, it's all about transition.
Transition in basketball is when the possession quickly shifts between the two contending teams during the play of the game.
Transition offense first begins with a defensive stop of any kind, with the most common one being a rebound. The rebounder passes to the nearest guard, who then passes it on to the forwards before they pass it on to one of the shooters.
The objective is to get a score before the opponent has a chance to set-up on defense.
This seems like a simple task, right?
To me, this is the most magical part of the game.
The skill at the NBA level is so finely tuned, and there is no scripting to be done here because of time. It's all about action and reaction with the brilliant improvisation of the point guard, and the showcasing of pure individual athletic talent.
It looks so simple on paper, but we watched game after game last season as our Mavericks struggled to execute their offense. There are faults to be corrected at all five positions, but I'm only going to focus on the two main culprits, which are the point guard and the center.
The Point Guard
This is the initiator or quarterback of the offense.
How many times last season, did we see this scenario?
Our point guard would lead a break in transition and be ahead of the wings. He would freely run the lanes, making dribble penetration into the opponents' paint, only to do a run-by under the basket with no layup attempt.
The ending results would be the Mavericks setting up a half court offense, which by then, the opponent is ready with man-to-man coverage.
How about this scenario?
Our point guard makes a dribble penetration and balks on a layup, passing out 17 feet instead to the starting center (oh yeah, Damp can make that "J"). Those of us stuck watching at home are left screaming at the TV, "SHOOT THE BALL KIDD!"
I'm sure you've guessed that I'm talking about Jason Kidd.
As much as I love what Kidd has done for the Mavericks, I still have the right to hate him. His inability to take his own shots creates a nightmare of problems for the Mavericks.
When it comes to statistics, he did make everyone better considering his passing is pure magic.
Just ask yourself this one simple question: Would you cover Kidd on defense?
No, you wouldn't waste your time and energy simply because you're going to help double-up the real shooters, Dirk, Josh, or Terry. Defenders don't see him as a scoring threat, which is why he gets left open at the three-point line.
As a defender, I can live with him bricking up an occasional three-point attempt. If he starts ripping up the paint and making layups, then you will have my attention.
Kidd will be leading the Mavericks offense for the 2009-10 season. He needs attempt around 15 shots a game, and make at least seven of them if the Mavs want to be contenders.
I hope owner Mark Cuban and coach Rick Carlisle make it very clear to him, I mean gun-to-the-head clear.
Just shoot the ball, Kidd!
The Mavericks No. 1 problem with their transition offense is the center
I saved my best bash for last.
As I stated before, transition starts with a rebound. The Mavericks problem is that center Eric Dampier ranked third or fourth on the team's rebounding list.
How is that a problem when you have Dirk, Kidd, and Howard rebounding?
It's not like these guys are on your fantasy team.
In live transition basketball, it's rebounding by committee. The Mavericks had to rebound this way in order to make up for Dampier's shortcomings.
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