Comparing and Contrasting Dallas Mavericks-Phoenix Suns

These are two teams that were part of the “Big Three” in the West slightly more than a year ago.

Both teams were extremely exciting and featured old buddies.

It's not a secret the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns aren't what they used to be. The Mavericks are fighting for the playoffs and are seemingly glued to the No. 8 seed. 

Meanwhile, the Suns appear to be headed to their first directly awarded lottery pick since Steve Nash returned to the desert.

Let’s break down each player in both starting lineups right now, along with their coaching and bench.


Coaching

Rick Carlisle has done a fine job with the Mavericks, considering the injuries (Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse) he has had to put up with.  When Antoine Wright is forced to start every game, it is impressive that the team can still be 43-30.

Carlisle’s player rotations are much more logical than Avery Johnson's. Needless to say, the defense is suspect. Johnson was much better in that category.

Former Suns head coach Terry Porter is an idiot. I'm sorry; there's nothing else to say. Alvin Gentry has brought the Suns back where they need to be. I mean, they lead the league in scoring for the season, even with Porter at the helm for a while.

Winner: Tie


Point Guard

Jason Kidd has done a fine job this year with the Mavs. Yes, his passing is magnificent, but his 41 percent three-point shooting is what stands out the most.

Kidd is a great point man for Dirk Nowitzki. What this team really needs is a shooting guard.

Steve Nash is Steve Nash though. I think we know who wins here.

Winner: Steve Nash


Shooting Guard

Antoine Wright or Jason Richardson? Yawn.

Winner: Jason Richardson


Small Forward

Josh Howard or Grant Hill? Well, Howard has only played 45 games this year. Hill has played every game. People would think it would be opposite considering Hill is injury prone. Phoenix has clearly had the edge at this position as well.

Winner: Grant Hill


Power Forward

Nowitzki has had arguably the best season of his career, and it's a shame it has to come with a supporting cast like this one. The Mavericks have a better record than the Suns, and they are missing out at every other position. Do the math.

Winner: Dirk Nowitzki


Center

Shaq > Erick Dampier.  Shaq currently has a free-throw percentage of 61 percent. That being said, I've appreciated Dampier's effort this season. He's had moments of brilliance.

Winner: Shaq


Bench

The Mavericks are not made up of just Nowitzki. When you have Jason Terry, Brandon Bass, James Singleton, and JJ Barea coming off the bench, it definitely helps your team out. 

Arguably, if the team wanted to put its best five players in the starting lineup, they would throw Kidd, Terry, Bass, Howard, and Nowitzki.  In reality, only two of those players get to start.

The Suns do not have a better bench. If they did, then they wouldn't be out of the playoff race.

Winner: Dallas Mavericks