Dirk: Tyson Chandler is Mavs' MVP so far
Which means that the window is open to talk MVPs for the first quarter of the season.
The obvious choice, as always, is Dirk Nowitzki, who at 32 is shooting the ball better than he ever has (55.3 percent from the field) and averaging his usual 25-and-8.
Nowitzki’s choice, though, is Tyson Chandler.
“For sure,” Dirk says. “He’s been The Man.”
Such has been Chandler’s impact, especially at the defensive end and most recently displayed in Saturday night’s fourth-quarter comeback at Sacramento, that guys like Nowitzki and Mavs owner Mark Cuban can’t stop talking up the 7-footer. Chandler might only be averaging a modest 8.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in 26.6 minutes, but the level of energy and emotion he has infused this team with have become huge triggers for a team that’s started 16-4.
So why argue with Dirk? Everyone knows he’ll be the team’s MVP by season’s end anyway. No harm letting Chandler have some first-quarter glory given how well he’s played so far.
For more on Chandler and the leadership role he’s taken in Dallas after a successful stint last summer with Team USA, click to the latest Weekend Dime.
Marc Stein | email
Senior Writer, ESPN.comBegan covering the NBA in 1993-94
Has also covered soccer, tennis and the Olympics
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
Marc Stein
Marc Stein began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 as Senior NBA Writer. He also makes regular appearances on "SportsCenter," "NBA Shootaround," "NBA Fastbreak," "NBA Coast To Coast," ESPNEWS, ESPN "First Take" and ESPN Radio.
Jeff "Skin" Wade
Jeff Wade joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of "The Ben & Skin Show," heard weekdays from 9a-12p on 103.3 FM ESPN, and also works as sideline analyst for the TV broadcast of all Maverick home games.
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TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dirk Nowitzki
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.4 | ||||||||||
| Assists | J. Kidd | 5.5 | ||||||||||
| Steals | J. Kidd | 1.7 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | B. Wright | 1.3 | ||||||||||
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