Dallas Mavericks Roundtable: Week 4

Welcome to the first edition of the Dallas Mavericks roundtable! Below you will find a collection of brilliant insights from some of the best writers among the Dallas Mavericks community. Interested in joining? Shoot me an e-mail—no Spurs fans need apply.

Scores for Week Four:

11/16: Mavs 124, Knicks 114 (OT)
11/18: Mavs 100, Bobcats 83
11/19: Mavs 96, Rockets 86
11/21: Grizzlies 76, Mavs 91

Dallas saw a resurgence this week, getting their first winning streak of the season. Though only one (maybe two) of the teams are playoff teams, the stretch also included a back-to-back and a road trip.

Here's what the pundits have to say:

How did the Mavs look to you this week?

Blake Gibbs: A-.  The Mavs looked the best they have since last season.  The chemistry looks to be improving.

Janet Kessler: I give the team a C+.  Still shaky at times, definitely going in the right direction.

Waleed Ershad: A.

Alex McVeigh: B. They had trouble widening the gap against both the Bobcats and the Grizz, but they managed to put the game away. But they did take care of business against the Rockets in Houston. The fact that Yao didn't play doesn't worry me, because I have a feeling he won't break the 45-game mark this year.

What was your personal highlight of the week?

Blake: My personal highlight was seeing the Mavericks actually start to improve in their half-court, "Princeton" offense.  There weren't as many forced shots, and they played smarter basketball.

Janet: Dirk's back-to-back 30-point games—and of course, winning 3 in a row.

Waleed: Diop had the dunk of the night off the assist from Barea.  Two bench players who barely contribute do something right for once. I thought that was a great highlight.

Alex: My favorite highlight was Dirk backing down the much-more-physical Luis Scola and draining the fadeaway over him several times. Dirk always gets slammed for being too soft, but he managed to get the better of one of the nastiest players in the league.

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

Blake: The most immediate issue to ME that needs to be fixed is getting more consistent minutes for Gerald Green.  I love that Green is getting the chance to start.  However, his minutes fell off drastically after the first quarter.  I would like to see him play 25 minutes or so a game.  I would also like to see Singleton continue to get minutes.

Janet: Jump-shooting to death in the fourth quarter—they did better, but the tendency was still there).  Centers that look like they know what to do with the ball when they get it outside the paint.

Waleed: That's tough since they won all their games—and I didn't see any of them. So I guess I'll say Stackhouse.  He's been sorta complaining and would like to be traded.  It doesn't seem like a big problem but it might be.  I hope Stack stays...he was so vital in the past Mavs' successes and I would hate to see him go and having to rely on inexperienced youth.

Alex: The most immediate issue is (as usual) settling for too many jumpers. With Howard out, Terry has been the biggest culprit. Terry's jumper has been pretty cold the last few games.  Against good teams like the Lakers, you can't afford to give away possessions on contested elbow jumpers.

As names start to hit the trading block, who should the Mavericks pursue?

Blake: I would most like to see the Mavs go after Chris Kaman.  He could make the Mavs legitimate contenders again right off the bat.

Janet: Chris Kaman.  Can't have too many big men. Plus, he has played with Dirk in the Olympics.

Waleed: I guess Marbury could sorta help the Mavs.  Is anyone else on the block?  Maybe Gerald Wallace, or Jason Richardson, or whoever's on the block in Charlotte!

Alex: Chris Kaman is number one for me. He will provide the Mavs with some interior defense—something Damp only does when he feels like it—and he's far enough under the radar right now that Dallas should be able to get him at a good price.

What are your thoughts on how Carlisle is handling rotations, minutes, lineups, etc.?

Blake:  I think, other than the fact he needs to play Gerald Green more, the rotation has been pretty impressive.  I am very excited to see some of these young players getting bigger roles and more minutes, it needs to continue.

Janet: I like how Carlisle is handling the roster.  It's showing me he cares more about getting a win than playing favorites (I think that's why Stack is upset). He's showing a willingness not let guys struggle too long on the floor.  On the same note, if you're productive, the minutes are yours.

Waleed: Carlisle seems to tweaking with the line-up a little. We've seen Singleton and Williams get a decent amount of playing time this past week. Luckily, they played okay.

I would love to see Green get some more minutes, though.  And Bass needs more minutes, but he is having a weak year.  He looks different from last year.  Maybe because teams have figured him out.  I dunno, but we need last year's hustle-and-energy Brandon Bass.  Maybe more minutes will get him back on track. 

Barea's playing pretty well.  He's making use of the limited minutes he's getting when Kidd rests.  His aggressiveness and success from it has really surprised me!

Alex: I actually like the way Carlisle is toying with the minutes. I like that Singleton is getting some time, and he's responding pretty well. I've also been pretty impressed with Shawne Williams—he's providing a good presence on the board, something that was sorely lacking during the losing streak.

I was the first person to jump on the "Why the hell is J.J. Barea getting more minutes?" bandwagon,  but he's been improving rapidly since getting more of a workload. He's hitting three, driving to the lane, and making good passes. If he cuts down on the turnovers, he could be another Devin Harris-type.

This week's forecast

Pacers @ Mavs:

Blake: Dallas will be too much for the visiting, and starless, Pacers.  Mavs win, 107-91

Janet: I think they can grind out a win at home against Indiana—hopefully.

Waleed:  Hm...the Mavs have momentum and can beat these lowly teams.  10 - 20 point win!  Mavs then are .500

Alex: Danny Granger will tear the Mavs apart, but Jeff Foster and Troy Murphy aren't going to do much to contain Dirk. Mavs win, 98-90.

Mavs @ Lakers:

Blake: Upset!  Mavs continue their impressive play as Dirk goes for 28 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.  Mavs win, 101-98.

Janet: I would love to see them take one in LA, but let's be real here—our boys aren't at that level yet.

Waleed: If Josh comes back he can guard Kobe...but no one really has success guarding Kobe.  Josh will make Kobe work on the defensive end though, and with Josh's new "attack the rim" mentality Kobe will pick up fouls!  No one can stop Dirk though...so I think it'll come down to the defense and bench.  If the Jet, Green, and Bass contribute we win...or else Farmar, Odom, Vujacic, and those guys will eat us.  But Mavs rally in the 4th and win the game!

Alex: I  think the Mavs match up pretty well with the Lakers, with Damp having a good game against Bynum last time, and Kidd/Fisher and Dirk/Pau being pretty close. If Josh Howard plays, i Think it will be a good game, but the Mavs aren't exactly famous for pulling out squeakers. Mavs come within a play or two, but Lakers win, 105-101.

Mavs @ Kings:

Blake: The Kings push the Mavs to the brink as Dallas comes in a little flat after their big win at LA.  However, they come out playing strong the second half, and finish off the Kings as Terry and Dirk prove to be huge matchup problems for the Kings.  Mavs win after an exciting second half, 98-91.

Janet: I would love to see Gerald "Cupcake" Green go off like he did in preseason against the Kings.  29 points in 19 minutes—WOW!

Waleed:  The Kings?  Who do they still have?  Lol.  John Salmons and Kevin Martin?  Haha...Mavs ride their momentum and crush the Kings.  The Mavs increase their win streak to a league-high 7!

Alex: Dirk and company take out their frustration on the hapless Kings. The Kings will stick around through the first half, but the Mavs put them away with their superior talent. Mavs win, 95-80.