Dallas Mavericks Roundtable: Week 14

Back once again with your Dallas Mavericks roundtable. Apologies to both contributors and readers of this roundtable, I've picked up my slacking ways again.

Due to a burst pipe in my office, I've been scrambling with deadline all week, but fear not, brave MFFL, we have returned.

Speaking of burst pipes, the Mavericks pipe of glory has burst due to an overflow of said glory (how's that for a terrible segue?), and the Mavs are currently riding a hot streak.

Carlisle has given Kidd the keys, and the Mavs offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

Last week's scores.

1/28: Warriors 93, Mavs 117

1/31: Mavs 111, Heat 96

As usual, the first three questions deal are the same from week to week, with the last two about current issues.

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

Janet Kessler: O.M.G!!!  I can't believe it back-back, against two good teams.  Their foot was on the gas pedal from the tip, and they never looked back. Could things finally be coming together for us.  Hoped for a win in Miami, did not expect such a butt kicking.

Only a two game week, but they got more than the job done. A+ guys.

Waleed Ershad: A+  This is the type of basketball I wanna see.  Hard-nosed defense and efficient of the offensive end

Alex McVeigh: Because I suck at life, I only saw the first half of the Warriors game before falling asleep, and because the NBA sucks at life, the Heat game was blacked out. From what I saw against the Warriors though, they looked like they were finally playing up to their potential, and the opposing teams' scores look as if they're starting to play some D.

Robert Allred: Much better. True, they were not playing world beaters in Golden State and Miami, but they won two games and won them convincingly.

2. What was a personal highlight for you?

Janet: Just watching them play a real balanced game, and win each quarter.  Defense like they meant it.  Great support from the bench players as well.  And seeing other player besides Dirk filling their lines. Seeing WAH-WAH Wade get a T, should have got a second one too

Waleed: Um...Dwayne Wade getting a T. Haha or Singleton's put-back slam

Alex: No specific highlight, but the Mavs beat two of the teams that put them in the funk they've been in for the last two years, so that helps.

Robert: Not pointing to any particular play, the best thing for me is the revenge factor of the week. Those two teams were both part of the Mavs' two most infamous series ever: The Finals "collapse" (*cough* screw-job) in 2006 and the first-round meltdown two years ago.

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

Janet: Defense, win, repeat!

Waleed: Keeping our defensive intensity up!

Alex: Playing the same all the way through June.

Robert: The last three games, they have done much better in what plagues them most. I know that I have said it before, and I am sure I'll say it again. They need to keep winning the first and fourth quarters. They were only outscored on one-of-six first or fourth quarters in the past three games.

That is a remarkable improvement from weeks past. But this is still one of their biggest weaknesses, so they need to continue to make that a priority.

4. In the coming free agent boom, would you rather see the Mavs go after a star point guard who can be a proven leader and spread the ball, or a dominant big man that can hold down the interior?

Janet: We have a star point guard that's a proven leader, and he can spread the ball in ways no one else can. Can't have too many big men, that can plug up the lanes and anchor the defense.

Waleed: Meh. If Kidd doesn't sign back with us I guess we'll have to get both. Point guard is more important in my opinion.

Alex: I think Jason Terry and Barea are good passers, but the Mavs haven't had someone to control the paint ever. I think that could put them over the top.

Robert: I'm going to cheat and say neither.

I think we need a legitimate shooting guard. If they happen to be a leader, then great. But right now, Jason Terry is a great six man, but he is a tweener. The Mavs need a guy that can create his own shot and take it to the rim.

I know that this is not a groundbreaking philosophy, and I certainly won't claim it as my own, but this is the biggest need for the Mavs. A quality big man is second.

5. It seems like the Mavs have the talent to be better than they are, but they are struggling? If this year ends before the playoffs or in the first round, who do you  dump, and you do you keep?

Janet:  That's a harder question to answer, consider they played liked a completely different team. Who I would toss?  Well, Stackhouse is all but gone, that's one. Gerald Green, I'm sorry, I really wanted to see that boy find a home here. Sean Williams, he's been a ghost, too. 
 
If we don't re-sign Kidd this summer we will be in a big mess, with no starting point guard.

Waleed: I don't really wanna think about that...But who knows?  I don't think we'll be bad enough to trade Dirk and totally start over.  Maybe J-Ho, Bass, Stack, etc. for someone to play alongside Dirk.

Alex: Dump Kidd unless he comes back on the cheap. Get something good for Howard. Dump Stack, keep Bass unless an unbelievable offer comes. Keep Green, Terry. Dump George.

Robert: I think that all depends on who you can get in the draft. If the Mavs somehow get a high lottery pick and are able to pick up a guy that can help them win now, then I say keep Jason Kidd and try and win this thing now.

Otherwise, I think he needs to go. I am thankful that he came in and exceeded my expectations, but he is getting older and I don't see him being worth his salary for much longer.

I also think that it is just about time to see Stackhouse go. I love the guy, but he just doesn't have it anymore.

Player of the week

Janet: Josh Howard. For quietly playing second to Dirk, and for completing an entire week without getting hurt. Seriously, his presence on the floor is vital to our success.

Waleed:  Everyone played good but Dirk's 12/14 shooting against Miami was impressive.

Alex: Jason Kidd. Since he's taken over the offense, it's running well, and Kidd is finally able to do what he does best.

Robert: The Dirkster...again.

Player of the month for January

Janet: Eight-time All-Star, Dirk Nowitzki.

Waleed: It's hard enough choosing a player of the week. I guess I better play it safe and choose Dirk.

Alex: Can't be anyone else but Dirk.

Robert: Either Dirk or JET, but I'll be safe and go with the big German.

Games for this week

Feb. 2 -  Mavs @ Magic

Janet: Orlando will play in Toronto the night before, maybe they will get snowed in.  They are a real contender.  Dallas will have a day of rest.  If the Mavs play like they did against the heat, maybe a chance.  Oh, I'm gonna make them prove me wrong by saying Orlando over Dallas.

Waleed: The Mavs are in a groove. Orlando gets beat by an incredible performance by Dirk.

Alex: Orlando is hot right now, and I think they will hit 500 threes. Magic win.

Robert: I think the Mavs win this one, 105-95 haha

Feb. 4 - Trailblazers @ Mavs

Janet: We beat these young pups before, on their floor, too. The Mavs have the experience to take care of business at home. Dallas over Portland.

Waleed: The Mavs teach the young studs a lesson and take the win.

Alex: Mavs beat them Blazers again.

Robert: This is a tough pick for me, but I think the Mavs continue their recent little hot streak and win this at home.

Feb. 5 - Mavs @ Jazz

Janet: The Mavs won't be sleeping on the plane this time.  Kirilenko is out, and out of Dirk's face.  Boozer is still out.  The Mavs are gonna eat Sloans dinner this time.  Dallas over Utah.

Waleed: Utah is struggling...let's keep it that way.  Mavs win.

Alex: At Utah, but they're pretty banged up. Mavs win.

Robert: Give me Utah at home on this one. It's the second night of a back to back for the Mavs and  they will have to travel after what I think will be a tough game against Portland.

Add to that that Utah is a pretty darn good team themselves, specifically at home, and I just can't see a win for the Mavs here.

Feb. 7 - Bulls @ Mavs

Janet: In Chicago,  I think the Mavs are at a level they SHOULD get this one done.  Dallas over Chicago.

Waleed: Dirk and Bass punish them in the inside while our guards do a good job of containing their guards.  Mavs take it.

Alex: Ben Gordon had a great night last time they played, but I think the Mavs should beat them. 

Robert: This game doesn't worry me. The Mavs win by double digits.

Picks as of Jan. 27:

Janet: 20-12 (1-1 last week)
Waleed: 20-8 (2-0 last week)
Alex: 23-9 (2-0 last week)
Robert: 3-3 (1-1 last week)