Mavs Back on Track
It's always interesting to see how a team responds after getting, for lack of better phrase, f'd up. Good to see the Dallas Mavericks bounce back last night, even if it was against the Golden State Warriors and their suspect defense.
The Mavs looked terrific last night, getting contributions from all over the place. We know that Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry can be counted on nightly, but it was everybody else that impressed me: Josh Howard looking all-star caliber again; Erick Dampier making us remember why he's one of the highest paid centers in the league; Brandon Bass showing why he deserves at least 20-25 minutes a game. Even James Singleton shot lights out.
On the other side of the coin, I've never seen a team more indifferent to defense than the Warriors. With the exception of Ronny Turiaf and maybe Andris Biedrins, everyone on that team is basically consumed with getting shots up. On certain nights, that can cause teams problems, especially when other teams try to get into a pissing contest and try to hang 140 on Golden State. But, at their best when they're fully healthy, the Warriors are no better than a .500 ball club. In order for them to get over the hump, two of their four primary gunslingers--Monta Ellis, Jamal Crawford, Corey Maggette, and Stephen Jackson--need to go. There's simply not enough balls to go around.
I was just thinking to myself that this is probably the only basketball blog in America that would lead with a 24 point blow-out in the middle of the regular season, especially on a night when No.1 played No.4 in college basketball and the game wasn't decided until about eight tenths of a second.
Don't worry, I can talk about that, too.
We're not even halfway through ACC play, but I don't think it's too early to proclaim the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as the league's premier team. The Duke Blue Devils showed a ton of heart getting back into the game late, but the Deacs showed just as much composure not folding under pressure. I know Stephen Curry has gotten more love with the media with his little boy looks and big boy game, but to me Jeff Teague has established himself as the best guard in America. His game is silky smooth, so much so that while players are running up and down the court at break-neck speed he's like Neo or Max Payne, seemingly freezing time as he finds openings into the lane. He didn't even play that well last night, but whenever that team needed a big play he was always available.
As good as Teague is, the Wake forwards were equally impressive last night. Both Aminu and Johnson showed the type of versatility that will help them succeed at the next level. Their ability to grab a rebound and take it coast to coast on defenders is what sets them apart from most bigs in college ball and also what sets them apart as a team from the other two ACC giants.
And with that, I'm off to sports writing class. Catch you on the flip side.
The Mavs looked terrific last night, getting contributions from all over the place. We know that Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry can be counted on nightly, but it was everybody else that impressed me: Josh Howard looking all-star caliber again; Erick Dampier making us remember why he's one of the highest paid centers in the league; Brandon Bass showing why he deserves at least 20-25 minutes a game. Even James Singleton shot lights out.
On the other side of the coin, I've never seen a team more indifferent to defense than the Warriors. With the exception of Ronny Turiaf and maybe Andris Biedrins, everyone on that team is basically consumed with getting shots up. On certain nights, that can cause teams problems, especially when other teams try to get into a pissing contest and try to hang 140 on Golden State. But, at their best when they're fully healthy, the Warriors are no better than a .500 ball club. In order for them to get over the hump, two of their four primary gunslingers--Monta Ellis, Jamal Crawford, Corey Maggette, and Stephen Jackson--need to go. There's simply not enough balls to go around.
I was just thinking to myself that this is probably the only basketball blog in America that would lead with a 24 point blow-out in the middle of the regular season, especially on a night when No.1 played No.4 in college basketball and the game wasn't decided until about eight tenths of a second.
Don't worry, I can talk about that, too.
We're not even halfway through ACC play, but I don't think it's too early to proclaim the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as the league's premier team. The Duke Blue Devils showed a ton of heart getting back into the game late, but the Deacs showed just as much composure not folding under pressure. I know Stephen Curry has gotten more love with the media with his little boy looks and big boy game, but to me Jeff Teague has established himself as the best guard in America. His game is silky smooth, so much so that while players are running up and down the court at break-neck speed he's like Neo or Max Payne, seemingly freezing time as he finds openings into the lane. He didn't even play that well last night, but whenever that team needed a big play he was always available.
As good as Teague is, the Wake forwards were equally impressive last night. Both Aminu and Johnson showed the type of versatility that will help them succeed at the next level. Their ability to grab a rebound and take it coast to coast on defenders is what sets them apart from most bigs in college ball and also what sets them apart as a team from the other two ACC giants.
And with that, I'm off to sports writing class. Catch you on the flip side.
posted by Justin Cherot @ 11:49 AM
2 Comments:
At 1:07 PM ,
Erock said...
Cherot, whats your opinion on what the Mavs should do if they are hovering around the 8 spot and they are offered a trade that would make them younger but better in the long run?
Also, where the hell did the cupcake dunker go?
At 11:54 AM ,
Justin Cherot said...
Lol, cupcake dunker? You'll have to clarify that, sir.
In regards to your question, it depends, mainly on who they give up and who they get to become better. Since the debacle on Jan. 25th, they've won three straight, including last night in Orlando. Yet, I kind of get the feeling that they're running on a hamster wheel. To me, there are only three players on their roster that have significant trade value: Dirk, J-Ho and Jerry Stackhouse because of his salary. Best case would be to trade J-Ho because as much as I like him, I feel there are players who if put in a similar situation could put up similar numbers at a cheaper price.
People keep talking about how this draft is going to be horrible, but I think there will be some appetizing players available in the mid to late first round. Provided they don't trade that pick, I think that player will give them immediate help because the guys up top do have a nose for finding diamonds in the rough (Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard, Brandon Bass, JJ Barea, etc.).
So, to answer your question, it's somewhat incomplete because who would they get in return, but for the most part I would have to say... yes, and hope that talent develops while they still have a star like Dirk in his prime.
By the way, is that Post blog yours?
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