Dallas Mavericks Roundtable: Week 18

It was a roller-coaster week for the Mavs. A loss to the Durant and Green-less Thunder, a win over San Antonio, a loss to the Hornets, and a win over the hapless Wiz.

It seems to be the same old inconsistent Mavs, only we're far too late in the season for this to be happening.

Though it was a tough stretch, four games in five nights, the Mavs need to do better if they're going to win a playoff series.

Scores for last week:

Mar. 2: Mavs 87, Thunder 96
Mar. 4: Spurs 102, Mavs 107
Mar. 5: Mavs 88, Hornets 104
Mar. 7: Wizards 103, Mavs 119

As you can see, the home team clearly has the advantage when the Mavs are involved. For a team that is currently in eighth, it looks like the Mavs won't be able to get home court advantage, so they obviously need to tighten up.

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

Janet Kessler: Like two parallel teams, good Mavs and bad Mavs.
 
If I hadn't seen the starting lineup for the game against Ok, I wouldn't know who was wearing (hint hint "wearing" not "playing" in) the Mavs uni's.  That was OMG awful! 
 
San Antonio was a good win, too bad it was over-shadowed by Cuban's threats.
 
We train-wrecked again against the Hornets. Like we thought Cuban's words were gonna make this team go on any win streak. I heard TNT guys were picking on Dirk; they were right, his defense just stunk.

I watched and saw several plays were all he had to do was just pivot one step to block-out the guy driving the lanes, or block-out the guy and get the board.
 
An okay win against the Wiz. The Wizards were in this game all four quarters.  The Mavs should have had this game decided and put away in the first quarter.

Waleed Ershad: The Mavs tease with the win against San Antonio.  They start showing hope but lose to the Hornets. Almost blew it against the Wiz but got it done.. C-

Alex McVeigh: Same old, same old. They beat a short-handed Spurs team at home, and they had a chance to really make a splash against the Hornets, and they didn't even put up a good fight.

This looks to be the end of this incarnation of the Mavs. I expect nothing less than a first-round ouster in five games, followed by Howard, hopefully Dampier and maybe Bass wearing other jerseys by next season.

Robert Allred: Overall, I am pretty disappointed. The Oklahoma City loss was disgusting, and although I thought we would lose to New Orleans, I was hoping that we would be able to play them a little tougher than we did.

That being said, I was really happy with the San Antonio win and we did what we were supposed to do against a bad Washington team.

So here I am after another week of Mavs basketball and I cannot say that it was a great week, but I also cannot say that it was a horrible week. This is what is wrong with Mavs basketball. Inconsistency.

They refuse to just lay down and die, but they also aren't doing a whole hell of a lot to step up to the challenge and be great. They give us uplifting wins followed by heartbreaking losses, and in between they win the games that they "should win" and lose the games that they "shouldn't."

It is frustrating because here we are, in the final stages of the season, and we still don't know what this team can really become.

2. What was a personal highlight for you?

Janet: Beating the most hated Spurs.  Dirk and JET each going 30+ against the Wiz.

Waleed: Jason "The Jet" Terry is back!

Alex: Kidd's dagger at the end of the Spurs game. 

Robert: It has to be the final minutes of the San Antonio game. We were looking at a situation where the Spurs—er, I mean Los Spurs—were making a push, and the Mavs—Los Mavs—decided not to fold this time, and instead stepped on the Spurs throat with a HUGE Jason Kidd three-ball.

Viva Los Mavs!!

We've seen so many last minute threes go against us this year that killed our chances for a win, and it was nice to get one of our own. Especially against the hated Spurs.

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

Janet: Again J-ho's ankle. He's scheduled to a specialist on Monday. It's getting to the point I don't think this team can be fixed.

Waleed: Inconsistent defense.  We need to play defense like a team fighting for a playoff spot/positioning.  We know individually we aren't that good defensively.  But we gotta play good team defense.

Alex: Help defense. Dirk looked absolutely lost in his rotations, and it showed as the Hornets managed to start a lay-up line.

Also, J-Kidd needs to make people respect his jumper. The Hornets didn't even bother rotating to him when he got the ball on the perimeter, and three-ball after three-ball clanked out. He never made them pay, which let them double-team Dirk, leading to no points.

I know he's not a knock down shooter, but you should be able to hit a wide open J.

Robert: In addition to consistency, as I mentioned in my answer to the first question, we have to learn how to win on the road. We are a pretty darn good team at home, but we flat out suck when we play outside the friendly confines of the American Airlines Center.

We are a very pedestrian 14-17 on the road so far this year.

And lets face it; if we manage to make the playoffs, we are not going to have home court advantage. We will have to steal at least one road win in any series that we play in. As things stand right now, I just don't see that happening.

With six of our next seven games being road games, now is the perfect time to find the answers to our road woes. If we can manage to win four of our six road games, I will feel much better about this Mavs team's chances.

4. A hot topic has been whether the Mavs should shoot for the lottery balls, considering that a first round exit seems to be the best-case scenario. Would you be willing to tank the rest of the season for a low shot at a high pick?

Janet: Why not tank the season?  We have our pick this year, next year we don't, we need to get as much as we can with it.  I Think as remote as nailing a high picks is, going anywhere other than the tank with his team is more far fetched.

Waleed: Heck no! Getting the eighth spot against the Lakers would be bad, but there's at least a little hope against anyone else.

Alex: It would be one thing if we were looking at a loaded draft class like 2003 or 2007, but this year, I just don't see it. After Griffin, Thabeet and possibly Rubio, there's a pretty sharp drop off.

I think they Mavs need to keep winning, and who knows? As close as the race in the West is, they could make some headway in the standings, and anything can happen in the playoffs.

Robert: No. Ethically, this would really bother me. The point of every game is to win, and that is what we need to try and do.

That being said, I have stated several times that I would rather not make the playoffs and somehow luck into a high first round pick than to make the playoffs and go one-and-done.

Unfortunately, a high draft pick is not very likely. We will either make the playoffs or barely fall short of the playoffs and get a late first round lottery pick. Between those two options, I'll take the playoffs and then cross my fingers and hope for the best.

5. What should the Mavs do to improve this summer?  Who would you trade?  Who would you cut?  Who would you re-sign?  Who would you shop for?

Janet: Seems to me, Cuban gets too attached to his favorite players.
 
We need a more athletic center that's averages 15+ a game. Dampier just can't handle these younger guys like he use to.
 
As much as I love little JJ, the thought of him being our starting point guard one day scares me.  We need to find a protege' for J-Kidd.  Someone who will be one day be the starting point-guard.
 
We keep Dirk, he's the cornerstone. Jet had a career season, he too is a keeper.  We need Kidd, at least till we get a little kidd that can fill his shoes. Keep Singleton, Hollis and Green, they are so young and too cheep to trade.
 
We actually did better without J-Ho, I know injuries aren't his fault. If we have a chance to get someone that will help in a big way, than go for the trade. Bass could be a starter on another team, he could be a trade piece.
 
Since I don't have time to follow college hoops, I'm not up on names of any one that might be coming out for this draft.

Waleed: Honestly, I'm too lazy to look into who has an expiring contract, who's on the trade block, free agents, etc.  So as always we need a consistent low-post presence, and a taller two-guard who can create his own shot (although I am very much impressed with Antoine Wright)

Alex: I don't care if George comes back. I'd like to see Kidd back, but I hope they don't break the bank for him, and I think a team like Portland could use a veteran on the bench.

We've officially entered the "Erick Dampier's expiring contract" phase, and that is what they need to turn into something. They need a good defensive center, with Dirk, Terry and Howard, they're going to get points, they need someone to lock down the glass (especially the offensive glass) and get some blocks.

I wouldn't be too upset if Howard were to go, and I think the Mavs could get something good for him, especially since he's got a good contract for interested teams. If he could be turned into a good, tall 2-guard, the Mavs have Singleton and possible Green to move to small forward.

Someone like Hedo Turkoglu or Caron Butler would be great.

Someone else that could be interesting is 'Melo. The Nuggets have been floating his name out as something bad happens each season, but they're looking good now. If something goes bad for them in the playoffs, they might look to move him, and Dallas might be able to offer someone like Howard and Bass to make them interested.

I don't really want to see Bass go, but he is a valuable chip. I just see him going to a bad team, doing really well, and a ton of "Well, look what Mark Cuban gave up" stories.

Robert: Can we finally say goodbye to Devean George? I used to be a fan, but his threes don't fall anymore and he isn't the same defender he used to be.

It is also time to either trade or just let go of Jerry Stackhouse. I have a lot of love for Jerry, and am really glad that we were able to have him here in Dallas for the past several years, but he has gotten older and is not able to offer us what he once was.

I would also be interested in trading Josh Howard and Erick Dampier if we can get something of value for them

Brandon Bass is a tweener for me. Part of me really wants to re-sign him, but if we could sign and trade for a better low post defender, I might be interested. If not, I most definitely want him back He is a good young talent and is fun to watch.

I would also really like to re-sign James Singleton and even Jason Kidd for one or two more years, as he has proven to have a little more left in the tank than I originally thought when we brought him on board.

I do not know who in particular will be available in the offseason for the Mavs, but positions of interest would be a better low post defender and a true shooting guard that can really slash to the bucket.

Player of the week

Janet: Jason Terry; for coming back early, and wasting little time getting back to his old shooting self.

Waleed: Dirk Nowitzki.
Against SAS:  24 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists
Against WAS:  34 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists

Knows when to pass and when to score.  Can grab rebounds too.

Alex: Jason Terry, for bringing the Mavs a lift, and finally getting back into his groove against the Wiz. 

Robert: Dirk Nowitzki was a huge contributor in our two wins, and he was the only one that really showed up in the New Orleans game. He also almost single-handedly brought us back in the OKC game.

No brainer here.

Games for this week

Mar. 10: Mavs @ Suns

Janet: Mavs over the Suns.

Waleed: Who starts in place of Stoudemire?  Amundson?  Barnes?  They won't be able to guard Dirk.  Dampier can do a decent job on Shaq.  DAL wins. 103-94

Alex: Phoenix has their back against the wall after losing four straight, as well as Stoudemire for the season.

That coupled with the Mavs' record against teams missing a superstar, leads me to pick the Suns.

Robert: I can see this game going either way. Phoenix is a lot like the Mavs. They are a pretty good home team and abysmal road team. Because this game is in Phoenix, and the Suns desperately need a win—they are on a four game losing streak and are on the outside looking in for the playoff race—it makes sense to pick them.

However, I am going to go a little bit against my gut, and take the Mavs for the win in a statement game. I would not bet money on this though. It will be a tough game, and I can see either team winning this one.

Mar. 11: Mavs @ T-Blazers

Janet: Second of a back-back, Portand over Dallas.

Waleed:  Big game! I have a feeling Lamarcus Aldridge will have a big game. DAL overcomes it though. 109-102

Alex: After a defeat at the hand of the Suns, the Mavs should get up for this one. Mavs win.

Robert: The Trail Blazers are a very good home team (26-5), and on the second night of a back-to-back, the Mavericks will have to travel to Portland. I think this will be a close game, but the Mavs lose this one in a game that is decided in the fourth quarter.

Mar. 13: Mavs @ Warriors

Janet: Mavs over Warriors.

Waleed:  Psh. Mavs win. 114-92

Alex: Losing is not an option for the Mavs on this one. They don't have enough bottom feeders left to coast into the playoffs, Mavs win big.

Robert: The Mavs win this game going away.

Mar. 15: Mavs @ Lakers

Janet: Lakers over the Mavs.

Waleed: I'm gonna go against the whole world's expectations (including myself!)  Mavs win. 98-94

Alex: I predict a close halftime score, Mavs up by double digits with six minutes left in the third, and then the Lakers win by 8-12 points. As Mike Tirico said, we've seen this movie before.

Robert: The Lakers win this game going away.

Picks as of Mar. 9

Janet: 26-16 (2-1 last week)
Waleed: 25-10 (0-0 last weeks)
Alex: 26-13 (1-2 last week)
Robert: 9-3 (3-0 last week)