Dallas Mavericks Roundtable: Week Seven

And we're back with you live (not really) with this week's addition of the Dallas Mavericks roundtable.

This week saw the Mavs lose in a double OT thriller, as well as some difficulty putting away inferior competition, although they did come away with two wins.

This week's scores:

Spurs 133, Mavs 126 (2OT)
Bobcats 90, Mavs 95
Thunder 99, Mavs 103

One game left on the season's longest homestand, before an East Coast Road trip.

As usual, the first three questions will be the same every week: an analysis of this week's games. For the last two, we'll discuss issues on a larger scale, different questions every week.

This week also marks the introduction of the Player of the Week.

Without further ado:

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

Blake Gibbs: I love the way the Mavs are looking. Dirk is the focal point of our offense, and it is showing with Ws.

Janet Kessler: Heart breaker against Spurs. We were evenly matched going in, but the stupid turnovers ate us up. Bowen is still a punk! Stack or Josh would have taken care of him.

Slow starts against Charlotte and OKC, we lacked energy. We ended up playing catch-up all night. Dirk ended up playing a lot of heavy minutes. They showed why we need Josh back. But they won two out of three (barely), I say C-.

Waleed Ershad: Losing to the Spurs was a tough one to swallow. But the Spurs had all their players and we're still without Josh Howard.  

The games against the Bobcats and Thunder were a lot tougher than they should have been. I was hoping for quality wins, and valuable trash time for Gerald Green...but it didn't happen.

Dallas can't take these lowly teams lightly because they're desperate for a win.  C.

Alex McVeigh: C. The Spurs game was excusable, because it was a great game, and you can't always win those.

The lack of defense against a shorthanded Bobcats and an awful Thunder team is inexcusable. They're not going anywhere unless they start blowing out teams and sitting their stars (especially Kidd) in the fourth quarter.

2. What was a personal highlight for you?

Blake: My personal highlight was seeing Dirk score 46, because I was on the third row from the floor that game, and Dirk and I had a moment.

Janet: That reverse dunk by Bass against Charlotte. Wow!!! Never saw anything like that. And of course, Dirk going off on everybody.

Waleed: Brandon Bass' power dunk against Charlotte! He's a great finisher and you always expect a thunderous slam when he gets the ball around the rim. Also, Jason Terry has some nice assists. He's not just a scorer.

Alex: Dirk's dagger three against the Thunder. He was on fire most of the week, but it was great to see him hit a big shot (especially a three-pointer) in crunch time.

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

Blake: The most immediate issue that needs to be fixed is finding a legitimate center.

Janet: Turnovers killed us against SA. Lack of energy against Charlotte & OKC almost bested us. If they're going to feed to Dampier on the inside, he needs to make the free throws. Get Dirk, Terry, and Kidd as much rest as possible before Monday.

Waleed: Josh Howard's foot. He was a game-time decision but now he's got a boot on?

Also, some more balanced scoring. Nowitzki and Terry have been scoring but I'd like to see more guys in double digits.

Maybe some of the young guys; Brandon Bass, Gerald Green, and Antoine Wright?

Alex: DE-FENSE! They let a miserable offensive team like the Thunder almost get to the century mark, and Tim Duncan shredded anyone and everyone in the OT.

The offense has looked much better this year, but they seem to have sacrificed the defensive toughness that Avery pushed.

4. If the current lineup stays the same, how far do you see the Mavs going this year?

Blake: Second round.

Janet: They will slowly slip. I hate saying that, but I'm afraid its true. 

Its fun to watch the 3-G lineup. But its not going to give us wins against contending teams like the Lakers or Denver.

Besides Terry, who comes off the bench, we don't have anyone else who can play defense and score like J-Ho. JJ can shoot, but creates matchup problems because he lacks size.

Bass matches up well with the smaller, more athletic centers. But what about Garnett, Yao, and other big centers? Dampier is strong enough, but is slow. This lineup won't get them in the playoffs.

I want to be wrong on this one.

Waleed: The starting lineup? I don't like Barea as a 2-guard. I'd rather have him as a backup point guard.  

I don't think they'd get very far. But it's hard to argue against the results. I'd rather see a more conventional lineup like Kidd/Wright/Howard/Nowitzki/Dampier.  

Or what about Kidd/Howard/George/Nowitzki/Dampier?  I like Devean George. He can play defense, knows his role, and makes open shots.

Alex: This is looking like a worse version of last year. At least after the Kidd trade they were dominating bad teams and losing close ones to good teams.

Now they are squeaking them out against bad teams, and losing close ones to good teams.

They are getting the Ws against the dregs of the league, which should get them into the playoffs, but I see no reason right now that they will advance beyond the first round again.

5. What would you like to see the Mavs turn J-Kidd's expiring contract into next season?

Janet: I for one was not for the Kidd trade. But he's here; let's make it work. Let's remember he wasn't brought here to be a shooter. He's the best passer in the league. He definitely makes his teammates better.

He's also a pretty good defender, check out his steals count. One of the best rebounding guards in the league. He's still healthy, doesn't have health issues like Stack or J-Ho.

I say Mark, re-sign him.

Waleed: I don't wanna blow the roster up. That being said, if we let go of Kidd we're not gonna get even a half-decent point guard to replace him.

Also, we didn't give up Devin Harris for nothing. Sign Kidd. I'd rather see us focus on a signing or trading for a big guy.

Alex: It depends on the pay cut Kidd would be willing to take. He's not getting any quicker, although he is shooting better than he has in his career, especially from three.

He won't get another max contract, but if the Mavs are keeping their eyes on 2010, then they won't want to put any big money into Kidd. That would leave them with a hole at the one.

I would like to see them do a sign-and-trade for a high draft pick (to get Ricky Rubio, my second favorite man on earth, after Dirk), or they need a dominant inside presence).

Player of the week:

Janet: Western conference player of the week was Dirk, and he's still RED HOT!  But Terry gets my vote for this week. He's long had a reputation as a streaky shooter. He has been so consistent this season. Shooting second to Dirk, and cranking it up if Dirk is a little off.

Waleed:  Dirk Nowitzki. Enough said.

Alex:  Dirk is quietly having an incredible season. Everyone was real quick to point out when his numbers slipped last year, but he is third (3rd) in the league in scoring this year, behind only Wade and LeBron. He's also averaged 33.4 points in the last five games. There's your player of the week/ generation.

This Week's Games:

12/15: Nuggets @ Mavericks:

Blake: The Mavs will continue to play great, and defend their home court. No one has an answer for Dirk right now. Mavs win by 10.

Janet: They ate us up on Billups' debut; he had time now to jell with his team. Nene is too much for Bass to handle. 3-PG lineup won't work. At least we'll have George for defense. I'm going with Nuggets.

Waleed: We gave the Nuggets and Chauncey Billups his home debut win. Dallas giveth, Dallas taketh away. Is Howard gonna be back?  I don't want Carmelo to go off. Mavs win 108-101.

Alex: This is a completely winnable game against a good team. A Dallas win would show us that they can take down a contender. If Bass or Dirk can contain 'Melo, I don't think Martin and Billups will be able to outgun us. Mavs win, 100-95.

12/17: Mavericks @ Toronto:

Blake: The Raptors have no defense, and are not gelling as a team. The Mavs win by double-digits.

Janet: Chris Bosh has been hot, but so has Dirk. Will the Mavs remember how to play on the road? I'm going with Dallas.

Waleed: If we defend the three-point line we'll be good. Mavs win 95-88.

Alex: They should be able to beat Toronto, even if Bosh lights us up. I think the Mavs should be able to beat them on the boards, and they should be able to put up enough points if they don't let the Raps go crazy from three-point land. Mavs win, 95-90.

12/19: Mavericks @ New Jersey:

Blake: The Mavs proved that they can beat Devin Harris. Jason Kidd outplays him down as the Mavs win again.

Janet: Devin Harris might give us a reminder why we should have kept him. Can Kidd match speed with him? Nets play Raptors, Jazz, and Dallas this week. They are not too good at home either. I'm going with Dallas.

Waleed: Devin Harris might rip us up. Hopefully, we can keep Carter in check. Either way, they don't have any bigs. Damp/Diop will keep Lopez in his place, rookie. Dallas wins 103-94.

Alex: Harris is going to beat J-Kidd like a dirty rug, but the Nets don't play defense well enough to keep Dirk, Kidd, maybe even Jo-Ho from having a good game. The matchups favor Dallas, but they probably won't start the road trip 3-0. Nets win, 100-97.

12/21: Mavericks @ Wizards:

Blake: The Wizards are playing very inconsistent right now, which won't bode well against a scorching Mavs team. Mavs win big.

Janet: I'm going with Dallas. 

Waleed: I like Washington, I really do! But they just don't have the "oomph" this year. Hopefully, Arenas can come back and prove his doubters wrong. Anyways, as long as we keep Butler and Jamison under 50, we'll win. Mavs win 104-88.

Alex: Dirk is so inspired by me wearing my German Olympic jersey at the game that he breaks Wilt's record and drops 105. In all seriousness, the Mavs should blow out the Wiz, but I don't think they will. Mavs win, 110-105.

Picks record as of 12/15/08:

Blake: 4-2
Janet: 8-1
Waleed: 7-2
Alex: 7-2