Dallas Mavericks Roundtable: Week Nine

Sorry about the delays, Mavericks faithful, but fear not. Today you will get both weeks nine and ten in one convenient package!

Well not really, but they will go up together.

Week nine's scores:

12/23: Grizzles 82, Mavs 100
12/25: Mavs 102, Blazers 96
12/26: Mavs 88, Jazz 97
12/28: Mavs 98, Clippers 76

1. How did the Mavericks look to you this week?

Janet Kessler: Their confidence is growing. By showing they can win without their main guys, it is giving me a lot of hope for the Mavs. I'm starting to look forward to the February run after the All-Star break.

Waleed Ershad: How did they lose to Utah without Boozer, Okur, and Millsap?  That was pathetic. I mean...Koufos with 18 points and 8 rebounds? The other wins were impressive though.  C+

Alex McVeigh: Good win against Portland—against a great home crowd. I'd take a win (or even a close loss) over a team like that over a blowout over the Grizz or the Clips. Utah was a tough loss, but I think we can beat them in a series if need be.  B

2. What was a personal highlight for you?

Janet: J-Ho's 29 against the Clips. Eight boards for JJ against Portland. Dirk connecting with Harpring's face.

Waleed: Josh Howard's line:  29 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists.  Can you believe the seven assists were a career high?  Anyways, maybe this will get Josh started and see ball movement and some smooth offense.

Alex: Seeing the Mavs come from behind on the road to beat a good shooting team like the Blazers. It's a step up, and could lead to bigger things. AK-47's flop pissed me off, but in retrospect it is hilarious.

3. What is the most immediate issue that needs to be fixed?

Janet: Awful officiating. We know our guys are going to pickup fouls—all we ask as fans—is for it to be called on both ends of the floor. Dirk shouldn't have to bleed to get a call his way.

Waleed: Defense! When the Mavericks hold the other team to below 45 percent shooting they win. The numbers don't lie. We have enough offense, just no defensive mentality.

Alex: Defense against the pick and roll. The Mavs are letting too many mediocre jump shooters rip them apart.

4. While not legit contenders, Toronto and Portland represent a step above the Grizzlies and Clippers of the league. Are wins against those two teams a sign that the Mavs might be pulling it together?

Janet: We hope so, or we have no chance this season. They have some time together now. Last night's win—against the T-Wolves—was a good example. To come back 29 down is absurd, but you saw the game, they did it. And to do so without Carlisle on the bench too.

Waleed: The Mavs are definitely improving since the beginning of the season. No doubt about that. They just need to be more consistent defensively and play for 48 minutes.

Alex: Toronto seems like less of a contender every day, but a win in Portland is a good thing. If the Mavs can get some confidence and start blowing out some bad teams (which they've done so far), they could easily rise to fourth or fifth in the West.

5. When do you think the Mavs (if ever) will be able to take on the next level of contenders, e.g. the full-strength Spurs and Rockets, the Hornets, and the Jazz?

Janet: How about Jan. 9, when they play in Phoenix?

Waleed: When they develop a consistent defensive mentality, play for 48 minutes, and get the bench (not counting Terry) to contribute consistently. The Mavs have an easy stretch coming up. Hopefully, they can gain momentum, gain confidence, and figure some things out. They could be ready for the elite after that.

Alex: Baby steps. They are on the right track, beating Portland, but they need to start beating the Nuggets, Jazz, and Hornets before the All-Star break if they are to make me believe that they can make any kind of deep run.

Player of the week:

Janet: Jason Terry.

Waleed: James Singleton played well.

Alex: James Singleton is impressing me with his shooting and low-post presence. Hopefully he can get meaningful minutes.

Player of the month - December:

Janet: Jose Juan Barea. He was such a big part of the nine wins—when J-Ho was out.  His spark in the fourth at Portland, secured the win. He's at least a foot shorter than most of guys on the floor, and he took eight boards. He's learning from J-Kidd and it shows.

Waleed: Dirk and the Jet played well December—the whole season for that matter.

Alex: Jason Terry. As much as a revelation as J.J. has been, Terry is singlehandedly bringing points and energy off of the bench, and is a big part in the Mavericks' bench success.

Games for this week:

12/30: T-Wolves @ Mavs (NOTE: The Roundtable wasn't sent out until after this game)

1/2: 76ers @ Mavs:

Janet: Starting the new year with home cooking and a win.

Waleed: Mavs should win and will win.

Alex: If Elton Bran was playing, they would worry me, but he's not, so they don't. Mavs win.

1/4: Mavs @ Grizzlies:

Janet: Griz are playing tough now, Mavs will get the W.

Waleed:  Mavs should win and will win.

Alex: Mavs have finally been blowing out bad teams. 30+ point win.

Picks as of 1/1:

Janet: 13-4 (2-2 this week)
Waleed: 13-4 (4-0 this week)
Alex: 12-5 (2-2 this week)