Dallas Mavericks Roundtable: Week 19

Back again with another belated Mavericks roundtable!

As the season winds down, the Mavericks are showing signs of life, but it might be too late. With the fourth seed (and playoff elimination) within their grasp, these last few weeks could be the last we see of the current incarnation of the Dallas Mavericks.

Scores for last week:

3/10: Mavs 122, Suns 117
3/11: Mavs 93, Blazers 89
3/13: Mavs 110, Warrios 119
3/15: Mavs 100, Lakers 107

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

Janet Kessler: I predicted 2-2 on this trip, can't say I'm happy about it.
 
Against the Suns & Blazers, the Mavs had a fire of determination that has been rarely seen this season. 
 
At the Warriors, that fire went back in the closet.  It was all Friday the 13th.  Right?

Waleed Ershad: Meh.  The Mavericks are the biggest teasers in the NBA.  They have you believing they can make a move in the West and then break your heart. C+

Alex McVeigh:A win over the Warriors and it would have been an unadulterated success. I guess you could say that about most of the weeks this season...

Robert Allred: I'm disappointed in the letdown after the big wins over Phoenix and Portland. Absolutely no excuse, in my opinion, to lose that Golden State game. I liked the fight they showed against the Lakers, but just wish they would stop putting themselves in those come from behind situations.

2. What was a personal highlight for you?

Janet: Back-back wins, sweet.  Hollins' game against the Suns, after the welcome to the NBA by Shaq.  Singleton playing the three against LA, showed some promise for the future.

Waleed: Pretty much ending the Suns' chances of making the playoffs.  He he he!

Alex: Terry's three at the end of the third quarter against the Lakers. The same shot Golden State used in 2007 to take away momentum at the buzzer.

Robert: I thought the Portland game was pretty huge, and I was really excited that this could spark something for the Mavs. The Trailblazers are very good at home—had only five home losses before the Mavs game—and the Mavs were on the second night of a back to back. The Mavs went in there and won a game they shouldn't have. Unfortunately, two days later they lost a game they shouldn't have.

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

Janet: The inability to string more than two wins together.  That's what it's gonna take, to smack through the roadblock that in front of the Mavs.  They are not winning the games, on the nights that teams ahead of them are losing.

Waleed: Consistent defense.  We need to get wins.  Period.  How can we do it?  Play Mavs' defense!

Also, I didn't really know where else to say this but I really like Ryan Hollins's game.  He really proved to be a tough competitor against Shaq & co.  He can rebound, block shots, and finish.  He didn't show to be that much of a defensive liability that he can't get any minutes behind Damp.  I don't think he can guard Duncan, Gasol, or Yao but I think he can run with Chandler, Nene, etc.  I just want someone that can score points the paint consistently.

Alex: At this point, beating a good team on the road.

Robert: I think the Mavs need to start beating the teams they are supposed to. Good teams beat the teams they are supposed to, lose to the teams they are supposed to, and pull an occasional upset. Yes the Mavs pull an upset every now and again, but they also seem to lose a game they have no business losing almost every week.

4. Who do you have your eye on for the Mavs to draft this year?

Janet:  Sorry...  I promise guys, I'll try to start schooling myself with March Madness.

Waleed: Wow I really don't know a lot about the NBA prospects besides the early picks... :/

Maybe the Mavs can find a steal like how they got Josh Howard.

Alex: Unfortunately, barring a complete meltdown and some luck with the ping-pong balls, I don't know any of the game changers that they could get. Brandon Jennings, point guard from Europe, might be a good pick, but I'm not sure if he will fall very far.

Robert: Honestly, and I hate to admit this, but the only college basketball I really follow is my team—the Baylor Bears. I'd love to have Curtis Jerrells wear a Mavs jersey though!

5. With Devean George and Josh Howard being out for a while, possibly the rest of the season, and Wright as the only tall guard who can play D, how are the Mavs going to match up with someone like Kobe, 'Melo, Ginobili etc, in the playoffs?

Janet: I liked Singleton at the three.  He has size and quickness, good range shooting.  I don't know if his defense can match-up against the bigger 2-guards.  He's young enough to learn for the future.

Waleed: Josh really has no timetable set and that worries me.  Hopefully he can return soon so everyone on the Mavs can develop a groove and know their roles.  If Josh doesn't return then we're doomed.  Offensively and defensively.

Alex:  Singleton should be good at the three, and Wright is pretty sharp on D, so they might be OK size-wise on defense.

But that takes away a lot of offense from the Mavs, and I think that's something the Mavs can ill afford against the teams they will likely play in the playoffs.

Robert: It looks like Josh Howard will probably be back. He will need surgery in the offseason but will most likely finish the year. If we were talking about Devean George of a couple of years ago, I would be concerned. He used to be a nightmare for opposing players on defense, and is still a good defender. But losing him really won't hurt the Mavs much. With both of these players, we have still been lit ip by the likes of the three players mentioned, and I expect more of the same.

Player of the week

Janet: Dirk Nowitzki & Jason Terry

Waleed: Jason Terry.  The Jet has broken the sound barrier.

Alex: JET, for a three-point shooting performance the likes of which I have rarely seen against the Lakers.

Robert: Dirk came up huge in our two wins, so I've got to give it to him. JET gets honorable mention.

Games for this week

Mar. 17: Pistons @ Mavs

Janet: We need three straight wins to move up.  We can't settle for anything less.  I'm calling for a Mavs sweep for the week, with three wins.

Waleed: I love those green uniforms!  I don't think anyone can stop Dirk and the Jet.  Mavs win.

Alex: Mavs should win, after the Lakers game.

Mar. 19: Mavs @ Hawks

Waleed:  Uh-oh.  The Hawks are a great team at home.  But the Mavs beat the Blazers at home.  So they can beat the Hawks.

Alex: The Hawks are the type of team that will give the Mavs problems, while Bibby won't tear them up, Johnson, Smith and Horford should. I'm going to say Hawks, simply because their great at home, and the Mavs struggle on the road.

Robert: My head tells me the Mavs lose this, but my gut says to pick them. I'll go with my gut and pick the Mavs

Mar. 20: Mavs @ Pacers

Waleed:   Mavs win.

Alex: We're past this whole losing to bad teams in the East thing. Mavs win.

Robert: Mavs win in a game that is a lot tougher than it should be.

Picks as of Mar. 17

Janet: 28-18 (2-2 last week)
Waleed: 27-12 (2-2 last weeks)
Alex: 28-15 (2-2 last week)
Robert: 11-5 (2-2 last week)