Dallas Mavericks: 10 Ways To Avoid a Postseason Collapse
What a season it has been for the Dallas Mavericks.
Before the start of the season, Dallas was expected to come into the season as a contender, but not quite at the top of the league in that category. The trend of regular season success did not really face any threat as Dallas’ ability to win games was not questioned.
Then the season started.
Dallas jumped out to one of the best starts in the league and climbed to the top of the league next to San Antonio. The Mavericks quickly got famous for beating hot teams, outplaying championship contenders and showing off one of the most complete rosters in the league.
A few injuries here and there, including a devastating one to Caron Butler, cost the Mavericks some games, but they are back on track now winning 12 out of their last 13 games. Things could not look better for the Mavericks going into their All-Star break.
Or could they?
Here are 10 ways the Mavericks can ensure they avoid a postseason collapse going into the playoffs.
10. Continue To Feed Tyson Chandler
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Tyson Chandler hardly misses a shot nowadays.
Playing alongside an array of shooters and, of course, Dirk Nowitzki helps a lot. The fact that so much attention is paid to the shooters or Dirk Nowitzki will give Chandler more opportunities to score almost every time.
By feeding Chandler more and more, it will free up the shooters. As the shooters make the defense pay, it will free up the lane for Chandler. If Dallas is able to establish a good balance, their offense will be hard to deal with, even more than what it already is.
9. Get Roddy Beaubois Up To Speed
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This is a tough one.
Roddy Beaubois is going to come in behind Jason Kidd, DeShawn Stevenson, J.J. Barea and Jason Terry to play the point guard or shooting guard position. At this point, it is very unclear what the Mavericks are expecting of their young guard.
The last thing Dallas needs to have is a player with so much talent, like Beaubois, to be out there confused with his role on the team. The Mavericks need to ensure they are as clear as possible defining Beaubois’ role on the team and how to play around his strengths.
8. Incorporate Peja Stojakovic Into the Offense
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When the Mavericks signed Stojakovic to their team, many NBA analysts viewed the move as nothing that would significantly make the Mavericks any better.
Wrong.
Stojakovic is a player that could give the Mavericks a whole new level of power.
The Mavericks need to do their best to have Stojakovic at the top of his game. So far, it has been a success. As he has more time in practice and during games, his production will see a boost. The Mavericks will soon see how this boost is a difference-maker.
7. Avoid Playing Time Drama
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When you have a talented roster full of veterans and youngsters, playing time can become an issue. Some veterans may feel under-appreciated, while some young players might feel not trustworthy. The Mavericks need to make sure none of these two are problems they have in their locker room.
The truth is, this is the likeliest problem to happen. Someone like Brendan Haywood might feel he deserves more minutes. J.J. Barea and Roddy Beaubois might find themselves competing for minutes. Caron Butler, Peja Stojakovic and Shawn Marion might find themselves in a logjam at the small forward position.
Thankfully, we are talking about veterans with very good character here, and one should expect only the best behavior. Hopefully, these assumptions are correct.
6. Get Brendan Haywood Back on Track
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It has been a roller coaster season for Haywood. He has gone from signing a massive deal to the starting center to coming off the bench to sitting out entire games while on the active roster. This roller coaster needs to come to an end.
With the play of Tyson Chandler, Haywood’s value tends to be underrated in certain games. Come playoff time, that will certainly change. The Mavericks will need Haywood to play with confidence and to bring 100 percent every night if they hope to survive in the tough Western Conference.
5. Don’t Rush Caron Butler Back
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Caron Butler presents a delicate situation to the Mavericks. He has publicly expressed his intention to come back when the playoffs start. That could be a problem. In a way, the Mavericks have already replaced him.
This does not mean the Mavericks should not use Butler. When he comes back, the Mavericks should definitely welcome him with open arms, but his role with the team needs to be clearly defined. Butler has shown great maturity and poise, it is probably safe to say he will not cause any problems and do his best to fit in and help the team win.
4. Keep Veterans Fresh
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With a loaded roster like the Mavericks have, there is really no need to play your main guys too much. Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki and even Brendan Haywood are 30 years old or older.
As mentioned before, there are plenty of young guns that are able to play very efficient minutes on this team. Limiting the starters and main guys off the bench to about 30 minutes a night would be ideal for the Mavericks going into the playoffs.
3. Keep Offense Multi-Dimensional
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In the past, the Maverick’s offense was a Dirk Nowitzki or Jason Terry jump shot off a pick and roll play. This year, it has been very different. As players have gotten acclimated to the system, Dallas has shown the league’s best multi-dimensional offense so far this season.
They need to keep it that way.
The Mavericks’ roster is loaded with talent and scorers. Almost every player excels in a different way. Taking full advantage of the player’s abilities and strengths offensively can carry them past any defensive schemes thrown at them.
2. Avoid Media and Attention
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As difficult as it may sound, staying away from the press is something that creates plenty of benefits. Focusing the attention somewhere else leads to more focus in the locker room and on the court. Also, staying humble and professional keeps other teams from jumping out with excessive adrenaline.
This is more of a psychological/state-of-mind type of point, but just as important as any other reason.
1. Avoid Blockbuster Trade
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They do not need one.
The Mavericks have one of the deepest rosters in franchise history and in the NBA at the moment. Every position is filled with depth and their 10th man off the bench is as talented as most seventh or eighth men in the league. The team is packed and playing with confidence at every level.
It is a cliché, but the phrase, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” applies here, even if the fix comes in the form of Carmelo Anthony.
Even a player like him wouldn’t warrant a roster blowup.
