NBA Finals 2011: 5 Key Dallas Mavericks Not Named Dirk Nowitzki
We all know about Dirk Nowitzki.
We know that the 7-foot German is unguardable, the best European player ever and steadily climbing the ranks of the all-time greats.
We know about his otherworldly 48 points on 15 shots that nearly broke basketball-reference.com
We know about his automatic free-throw shooting, his clutch daggers, his absurd one-legged fadeaways.
We know that he is a man on a mission; a man hell-bent on vindicating a tarnished legacy; a man who plays with a murderous glint in his pale gray eyes.
We know that Nowitzki is the best player on an unlikely Western Conference champion.
But to assume that he alone is responsible for the Mavericks' ascension to greatness would be foolish; to assume that he can beat the Miami Heat on his own would be even more so.
Even the greatest can't do it alone.
The following five players will be instrumental in deciding if Dirk finally wraps his fingers around the ever-elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy, or if he will once again saunter into the summer as a defeated, dejected man.
Shawn Marion
1 of 5
The man formerly known as The Matrix has resurrected his career in the dark blue Mavericks uniform. Following his heyday in Phoenix, the once electrifying forward was exiled to basketball purgatory in Miami (post-Shaq/pre-Big Three days) and Toronto.
But he has found a home in North Texas.
Marion has drawn the undesirable assignments of covering Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant in these playoffs. He has been effective against all three, most notably frustrating Durant for five games and blocking his game-winning attempt in Game 4.
Now, Marion is tasked with defending LeBron James, an entirely different animal from anyone Marion has faced in the Western Conference. LeBron's unique combination of strength, speed, skill and intelligence provide problems for even the most accomplished of defenders.
Fortunately for Dallas, Marion has been solid against James in recent encounters. As Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh point out, over the past two seasons, James is just 5-20 on field goals with three turnovers when guarded by Marion.
Although expecting that kind of success to repeat itself is a bit unrealistic, it is entirely conceivable that Marion may be able to slow LeBron better than anyone else has thus far.
If he doesn't, it will be a rough series for Dallas.
Jason Kidd
2 of 5
Jason Kidd, at the ripe old age of 38, is nothing short of an anomaly. The effectiveness that he has displayed through three rounds of the playoffs is absolutely amazing.
It's not necessarily his effectiveness that has been astounding, but rather the manner by which he contributes. Once an atrocious three-point shooter, Kidd has now become a reliable threat from deep, even burying several clutch treys in the Mavericks' run to the Finals.
He has essentially transformed himself into a shooting guard, letting J.J. Barea run the point for 20 minutes a game and defending the other team's bigger guard.
He was solid defensively against Kobe Bryant, and even had some notable stops against the much-taller Kevin Durant. Kidd has confounded younger foes with guile and craftiness, dipping into a reservoir of experience that comes only with countless games under your belt.
Against Miami, Kidd will need to pull a few more tricks out of his wristband. He will occasionally find himself matched up with Dwyane Wade, who is as fast and athletic as Kidd is old and slow. But given his mastery of defensive position, ability to get away with fouls that others can't and quick hands, Kidd should be just fine.
If Kidd is able to find open teammates (which you know he will), hit some threes and not get killed by D-Wade, he will be a key factor in the Mavs' success.
Tyson Chandler
3 of 5
Tyson Chandler is the main factor behind the Mavs' uncharacteristic defensive success this year. The 7'1" Chandler has been an absolute monster inside, swatting shots and altering countless more.
Against Miami this season, Chandler has been exceptional. He averaged 11 points and 13 rebounds in two games against the Heat, both of which were Dallas victories.
But more important than his statistical contributions is his presence on the defensive end. The mere sight of Chandler lurking in the paint is enough to deter even the league's best finishers from attacking the rim. When James and Wade beat their defenders off the dribble, Chandler will undoubtedly meet them at the basket.
Chandler also must be diligent in snatching defensive rebounds. Miami rarely sent players to the offensive glass against Boston and Chicago due to those teams' rebounding prowess. However, Dallas is not nearly as strong on the boards as the last two teams the Heat vanquished. Miami will be more aggressive in pursuing offensive rebounds, and it will be Chandler's responsibility to prevent second-chance opportunities.
Chandler will need to be efficient, but not spectacular on the offensive end. As long as he finishes on a few alley-oops and tip-ins, Dallas will be happy.
But his rebounding and defense must be superb if the Mavericks are to have a chance in this series.
Jason Terry
4 of 5
Terry, the Mavericks' second-leading scorer, must pour in points off the bench in a consistent and efficient manner. With 16.9 points per game and 46 percent shooting on threes in the playoffs, Terry has performed his job beautifully thus far.
But he has yet to be defended by a player as accomplished as Dwyane Wade, who will be attached to Terry's hip for the duration of the series. Terry will have to utilize screens to perfection in order to create enough space to release his shot.
Miami knows how dangerous Jason Terry can be. They certainly took note of the shooting clinic he held in Game 4 of the second round, when he hit nine three-pointers, tying an NBA record and burying the Lakers in the process.
He is Nowitzki's biggest help on the offensive end and I'm sure Dirk would appreciate it if Terry can uncork a similar shooting exhibition against the Heat.
Like Kidd, Terry will also occasionally find himself matched up against Wade on the defensive end. As long as he plays average defense on D-Wade and is his usual potent self on the offensive end, Terry can etch his name in the pantheon of great championship sidekicks.
J.J. Barea
5 of 5
Raise your hand if you ever thought J.J. Barea would be a key player in the NBA Finals. If your hand is in the air, either your name is J.J. Barea or you are completely full of it.
Nobody saw this one coming.
The pint-sized Puerto Rican has been unstoppable at times, out of control at others and enigmatic throughout it all. His unexpected scoring off the bench hit the Lakers like a sucker punch, and even provoked L.A. to land a few of their own.
If Barea can baffle Miami's defense like he did the Lakers, the Mavs' chances greatly improve. He must protect the ball as if it was his child and avoid giving in to his occasionally reckless tendencies.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said they will defend Barea in the same manner with which they approached Derrick Rose. That means hard shows on pick-and-roll coverage, and multiple guys keyed in on stopping penetration.
Of course, the Mavericks shooters are far superior to Chicago's, meaning that the Heat will pay severely if they send too much help Barea's way. Barea must be aggressive in attacking the paint while constantly looking to kick it to open teammates on the three-point line.
If Barea—along with the rest of the supporting cast—execute their jobs to perfection, then the legend that is Dirk Nowitzki will finally be able to add "NBA Champion" to his Hall of Fame resumé.
