Mavericks: Ian Mahinmi
Title Mavs tracker: JET comes up big for Boston
May, 2, 2013
May 2
9:30
AM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
The Mavericks aren’t in the playoffs for the first time since 2000, so we have to find something to fill the time this spring. Might as well keep up with the players from the Mavs’ title team who are scattered throughout the postseason. We’ll have daily updates as long as Mavs championship alums are still alive in the playoffs.
Jason Terry: JET’s best work since signing with Boston has come since the Celtics’ backs were pinned against the wall.
Terry followed up his Game 4 overtime heroics with a 17-point, four-rebound, three-assist, no-turnover, multi-wing performance in the Celtics’ win over the Knicks that forced the series back to Boston. Terry’s 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range was critical to the Celtics building a double-digit lead that was too large for the Knicks to overcome.
"I'm a 14-year veteran," Terry said on TNT moments after the win. "If you don't know who I am by now, you will after this series."
That was apparently in response to Knicks sixth man J.R. Smith, who was suspended for Game 4 because of an elbow that connected with Terry’s head and stunk it up in Game 5, claiming that he didn’t know who Terry was.
Of course, JET has always been one of the league’s best at jawing. Case in point: He repeatedly referenced the Red Sox’s comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series, quoting “the great Kevin Millar” about the pressure shifting with a Game 5 win.
Jason Kidd: Mouthy sixth man Smith’s miserable performance got a lot of attention, but Kidd didn’t exactly bring much off the bench, either.
In fact, this ranked among the worst playoff performances of Kidd’s Hall of Fame career.
The 40-year-old went scoreless in 21 minutes, missing all four shot attempts. His only other stats: two rebounds, one block, one turnover and one foul. No assists. His plus-minus was a team-worst minus-14.
Tyson Chandler: Having chipped off rust and worked his way back into shape after a neck injury caused him to miss 16 of 20 games entering the playoffs, Chandler came up with a typical Chandler outing.
The big man had eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, 11 rebounds and three steals in 34 minutes. The Knicks were plus-8 with the 7-footer on the floor.
"I felt great," he said. "This game is probably the best I've felt. I felt lively, my legs felt good."
DeShawn Stevenson: Stevenson played a grand total of 16 seconds in the Hawks’ tie-breaking Game 5 loss to the Pacers. He did manage to get up a shot that he missed.
Ian Mahinmi: Mahinmi played only 9:27 in the Pacers’ win. He probably would have seen more minutes if he didn’t pick up five fouls. He finished with two points, two rebounds and a block.
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Terry followed up his Game 4 overtime heroics with a 17-point, four-rebound, three-assist, no-turnover, multi-wing performance in the Celtics’ win over the Knicks that forced the series back to Boston. Terry’s 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range was critical to the Celtics building a double-digit lead that was too large for the Knicks to overcome.
"I'm a 14-year veteran," Terry said on TNT moments after the win. "If you don't know who I am by now, you will after this series."
That was apparently in response to Knicks sixth man J.R. Smith, who was suspended for Game 4 because of an elbow that connected with Terry’s head and stunk it up in Game 5, claiming that he didn’t know who Terry was.
Of course, JET has always been one of the league’s best at jawing. Case in point: He repeatedly referenced the Red Sox’s comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series, quoting “the great Kevin Millar” about the pressure shifting with a Game 5 win.
Jason Kidd: Mouthy sixth man Smith’s miserable performance got a lot of attention, but Kidd didn’t exactly bring much off the bench, either.
In fact, this ranked among the worst playoff performances of Kidd’s Hall of Fame career.
The 40-year-old went scoreless in 21 minutes, missing all four shot attempts. His only other stats: two rebounds, one block, one turnover and one foul. No assists. His plus-minus was a team-worst minus-14.
Tyson Chandler: Having chipped off rust and worked his way back into shape after a neck injury caused him to miss 16 of 20 games entering the playoffs, Chandler came up with a typical Chandler outing.
The big man had eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, 11 rebounds and three steals in 34 minutes. The Knicks were plus-8 with the 7-footer on the floor.
"I felt great," he said. "This game is probably the best I've felt. I felt lively, my legs felt good."
DeShawn Stevenson: Stevenson played a grand total of 16 seconds in the Hawks’ tie-breaking Game 5 loss to the Pacers. He did manage to get up a shot that he missed.
Ian Mahinmi: Mahinmi played only 9:27 in the Pacers’ win. He probably would have seen more minutes if he didn’t pick up five fouls. He finished with two points, two rebounds and a block.
ESPNDallas.com will estimate the market value for each of the Mavericks' eight free agents and examine their worth to the Mavs in a once-per-day series.
Brandan Wright would like to be back with the Mavericks.
The Mavs would like to keep Wright, a young, athletic center/forward who took advantage of his return to the rotation in the final month and a half, averaging 11.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a 24-minute-per-night part-time starter in the final 23 games. Wright was a major reason why the Mavs went 15-8 during that stretch and probably earned millions in the process.
“The truth is Brandan is a very unique player. He fits in with us. He fits in with our personnel,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “There’s some teams that he really plays great against. That’s been consistent for both years. There’s other teams where it’s tougher for him because of the physical strength, some of the bruising type teams. But we like him. He has continued to get better.
“We met with him (the day after the season ended) and told him that we definitely wanted him back here. These decisions are going to come down to the money and the market and so on and so forth, but he’s a guy that we like.”
It could be more complicated than just the money. Timing of negotiations with Wright could be tricky, too.
Wright feels a sense of loyalty to the franchise that picked him up off the scrap heap after the lockout, but he’s facing the first major business decision of his career. He understands, however, that he won’t be the Mavs’ top priority this summer.
What if Wright gets an offer he likes while the Mavs are pursuing Dwight Howard or Chris Paul or whoever their Plan C, D, E, etc. might be? Wright might not have the luxury of waiting to see whether the Mavs would be able or willing to match.
There is strong mutual interest in Wright returning to the Mavs. Now, it’s a matter of whether the business of basketball gets in the way.
2012-13 stats: Averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting 59.7 percent from the floor in 18.0 minutes per game. His player efficiency rating (PER) of 21.03 ranked 20th in the league.
Age: 25
Comps:
Brandon Bass – Averaged 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor in 27.6 minutes per game. Signed three-year, $19.4 million deal in 2012.
Ed Davis – Averaged 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 53.9 percent in 20.1 minutes per game. Has one season remaining on rookie contract.
Amir Johnson – Averaged 10.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor in 28.7 minutes per game. Signed five-year, $30 million deal in 2010.
Estimated contract: Bass got $18 million over four years after his two-season stint with the Mavs. Ian Mahinmi, another two-year Mavs project, got $16 million over four years. The bidding for Wright figures to start in that range.
Brandan Wright
Brandan Wright would like to be back with the Mavericks.
The Mavs would like to keep Wright, a young, athletic center/forward who took advantage of his return to the rotation in the final month and a half, averaging 11.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a 24-minute-per-night part-time starter in the final 23 games. Wright was a major reason why the Mavs went 15-8 during that stretch and probably earned millions in the process.
“The truth is Brandan is a very unique player. He fits in with us. He fits in with our personnel,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “There’s some teams that he really plays great against. That’s been consistent for both years. There’s other teams where it’s tougher for him because of the physical strength, some of the bruising type teams. But we like him. He has continued to get better.
“We met with him (the day after the season ended) and told him that we definitely wanted him back here. These decisions are going to come down to the money and the market and so on and so forth, but he’s a guy that we like.”
It could be more complicated than just the money. Timing of negotiations with Wright could be tricky, too.
Wright feels a sense of loyalty to the franchise that picked him up off the scrap heap after the lockout, but he’s facing the first major business decision of his career. He understands, however, that he won’t be the Mavs’ top priority this summer.
There is strong mutual interest in Wright returning to the Mavs. Now, it’s a matter of whether the business of basketball gets in the way.
2012-13 stats: Averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting 59.7 percent from the floor in 18.0 minutes per game. His player efficiency rating (PER) of 21.03 ranked 20th in the league.
Age: 25
Comps:
Brandon Bass – Averaged 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor in 27.6 minutes per game. Signed three-year, $19.4 million deal in 2012.
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Ed Davis – Averaged 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 53.9 percent in 20.1 minutes per game. Has one season remaining on rookie contract.
Amir Johnson – Averaged 10.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor in 28.7 minutes per game. Signed five-year, $30 million deal in 2010.
Estimated contract: Bass got $18 million over four years after his two-season stint with the Mavs. Ian Mahinmi, another two-year Mavs project, got $16 million over four years. The bidding for Wright figures to start in that range.
Title Mavs tracker: Stevenson out of rotation
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
10:27
AM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
The Mavericks aren’t in the playoffs for the first time since 2000, so we have to find something to fill the time this spring. Might as well keep up with the players from the Mavs’ title team who are scattered throughout the postseason. We’ll have daily updates as long as Mavs championship alums are still alive in the playoffs.
DeShawn Stevenson: He dropped out of the rotation when the series went to Atlanta. After a DNP-CD in Game 3, Stevenson played 45 seconds in Game 4. He did at least manage to avoid a trillionire stat line, grabbing one rebound in the Hawks’ series-tying win.
Ian Mahinmi: Mahinmi got his most playing time of the series, logging 12 minutes in the Pacers’ loss. He had three points, four rebounds, a block, a turnover and four fouls.
DeShawn Stevenson: He dropped out of the rotation when the series went to Atlanta. After a DNP-CD in Game 3, Stevenson played 45 seconds in Game 4. He did at least manage to avoid a trillionire stat line, grabbing one rebound in the Hawks’ series-tying win.
Ian Mahinmi: Mahinmi got his most playing time of the series, logging 12 minutes in the Pacers’ loss. He had three points, four rebounds, a block, a turnover and four fouls.
Title Mavs tracker: Stevenson struggles
April, 25, 2013
Apr 25
11:05
AM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
The Mavericks aren’t in the playoffs for the first time since 2000, so we have to find something to fill the time this spring. Might as well keep up with the players from the Mavs’ title team who are scattered throughout the postseason. We’ll have daily updates as long as Mavs championship alums are still alive in the playoffs.
DeShawn Stevenson: Stevenson hit one of his two 3-point attempts and grabbed five rebounds during 19 minutes off the bench in the Hawks’ lopsided loss to the Pacers. The problem was the defensive stopper couldn’t stop Indiana star Paul George, who torched the Hawks for 27 points.
That’s a two-game trend. According to NBA.com, George has 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting in 53 minutes against Stevenson this series. George has scored 42 points on 14-of-37 shooting in 106 minutes when Stevenson was on the bench.
Ian Mahinmi: Mahinmi made his Pacers playoff debut, checking in with 3:10 remaining and Indiana up by 33. He had a dunk and three rebounds during his garbage-time stint.
DeShawn Stevenson: Stevenson hit one of his two 3-point attempts and grabbed five rebounds during 19 minutes off the bench in the Hawks’ lopsided loss to the Pacers. The problem was the defensive stopper couldn’t stop Indiana star Paul George, who torched the Hawks for 27 points.
That’s a two-game trend. According to NBA.com, George has 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting in 53 minutes against Stevenson this series. George has scored 42 points on 14-of-37 shooting in 106 minutes when Stevenson was on the bench.
Ian Mahinmi: Mahinmi made his Pacers playoff debut, checking in with 3:10 remaining and Indiana up by 33. He had a dunk and three rebounds during his garbage-time stint.
Title Mavs tracker: Mahinmi watches Pacers' win
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
8:21
AM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
The Mavericks aren’t in the playoffs for the first time since 2000, so we have to find something to fill the time this spring. Might as well keep up with the players from the Mavs’ title team who are scattered throughout the postseason. We’ll have daily updates as long as Mavs championship alums are still alive in the playoffs.
DeShawn Stevenson: Stevenson had six points, four rebounds and an assist in 25 minutes off the bench in the Hawks’ loss to the Pacers. He busted out the 3 monocle twice, knocking down both of his shot attempts. His most memorable plays, however, were a couple of hard fouls.
Ian Mahinmi: DNP-CD.
DeShawn Stevenson: Stevenson had six points, four rebounds and an assist in 25 minutes off the bench in the Hawks’ loss to the Pacers. He busted out the 3 monocle twice, knocking down both of his shot attempts. His most memorable plays, however, were a couple of hard fouls.
Ian Mahinmi: DNP-CD.
What's Brandan Wright worth to Mavs?
April, 10, 2013
Apr 10
9:03
AM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
Brandan Wright has proven to be a winning piece for the Mavericks this season.
The proof: The Mavs are 18-10 when Wright plays at least 20 minutes. That includes a 7-4 record in games that Dirk Nowitzki missed.
Wright, who was a fringe rotation player for much of the season because of Rick Carlisle’s concerns about his rebounding, averaged 11.8 points on 61.4 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25 minutes during those 28 games.
Wright’s production and the Mavs’ success with him playing significant minutes raise two questions: 1) Should Carlisle have given him consistent minutes all season? 2) What kind of offer should the Mavs make him as a free agent this summer?
“To me, this is not a time to be analyzing the entire year or the future,” Carlisle told reporters Tuesday. “We need to stay in the now. We need Brandan to do what he does, which is give us activity, give us a slippery body, play above the rim, give us some length defensively with shot blocking and position defense. He’s one important puzzle piece to our collective group.”
We should note our hesitance to criticize Carlisle’s rotation decisions. Call it the Roddy B. effect. Remember when Carlisle was ripped for not playing rookie sensation Rodrigue Beaubois enough? We discovered later that a big part of the reason Beaubois was so successful in a limited role was because Carlisle did a masterful job of picking and choosing the best matchups for him to play.
That very well could be the case as well with the slender Wright, who has struggled recently against the big front lines of the Pacers, Lakers and Jazz. However, there are also examples of Wright playing well against big centers, such as the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, the Rockets’ Omer Asik and Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins.
Carlisle has at least reached the point of playing Wright every night and determining his minutes based on his performance. That’s a significant step for a player who routinely was a DNP-CD or garbage-time guy during the middle of the season. And it's been a major benefit to the Mavs, who are 12-6 since Wright rejoined the rotation on a permanent basis, with him averaging 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game in that span.
Regarding Wright’s worth in free agency, he’s certainly made himself some money in the last month, seizing the opportunity of getting regular minutes again. He’s displayed the athleticism and touch around the basket that made him the eighth overall pick of the 2007 draft. Teams will be concerned about the durability of Wright, whose 59 games played this season are by far a game high, but there tends to be a market for athletic frontcourt players.
Case in point: Ex-Mavs backup center Ian Mahinmi, who signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Pacers last summer. Considering that Wright is a much better scorer and shot blocker and a comparable rebounder, it’s not too difficult to envision him getting that kind of deal.
Would it be worth it to the Mavs to pay Wright that kind of money? It’s not too steep of a price to pay for a winning piece.
The proof: The Mavs are 18-10 when Wright plays at least 20 minutes. That includes a 7-4 record in games that Dirk Nowitzki missed.
Wright, who was a fringe rotation player for much of the season because of Rick Carlisle’s concerns about his rebounding, averaged 11.8 points on 61.4 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25 minutes during those 28 games.
Wright’s production and the Mavs’ success with him playing significant minutes raise two questions: 1) Should Carlisle have given him consistent minutes all season? 2) What kind of offer should the Mavs make him as a free agent this summer?
“To me, this is not a time to be analyzing the entire year or the future,” Carlisle told reporters Tuesday. “We need to stay in the now. We need Brandan to do what he does, which is give us activity, give us a slippery body, play above the rim, give us some length defensively with shot blocking and position defense. He’s one important puzzle piece to our collective group.”
We should note our hesitance to criticize Carlisle’s rotation decisions. Call it the Roddy B. effect. Remember when Carlisle was ripped for not playing rookie sensation Rodrigue Beaubois enough? We discovered later that a big part of the reason Beaubois was so successful in a limited role was because Carlisle did a masterful job of picking and choosing the best matchups for him to play.
That very well could be the case as well with the slender Wright, who has struggled recently against the big front lines of the Pacers, Lakers and Jazz. However, there are also examples of Wright playing well against big centers, such as the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, the Rockets’ Omer Asik and Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins.
Carlisle has at least reached the point of playing Wright every night and determining his minutes based on his performance. That’s a significant step for a player who routinely was a DNP-CD or garbage-time guy during the middle of the season. And it's been a major benefit to the Mavs, who are 12-6 since Wright rejoined the rotation on a permanent basis, with him averaging 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game in that span.
Regarding Wright’s worth in free agency, he’s certainly made himself some money in the last month, seizing the opportunity of getting regular minutes again. He’s displayed the athleticism and touch around the basket that made him the eighth overall pick of the 2007 draft. Teams will be concerned about the durability of Wright, whose 59 games played this season are by far a game high, but there tends to be a market for athletic frontcourt players.
Case in point: Ex-Mavs backup center Ian Mahinmi, who signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Pacers last summer. Considering that Wright is a much better scorer and shot blocker and a comparable rebounder, it’s not too difficult to envision him getting that kind of deal.
Would it be worth it to the Mavs to pay Wright that kind of money? It’s not too steep of a price to pay for a winning piece.
Tim MacMahon and Bryan Gutierrez of ESPN TrueHoop Network's The Two Man Game conducted a Q&A on the state of the Mavericks. Here's their differing perspectives:
Thinking ahead and knowing what we know now, how far should the Mavericks be willing to extend themselves when it comes to trying to keep O.J. Mayo in the mix for years to come?
MacMahon: We don’t know enough. Never mind what we do and don’t know about Mayo. How will this season play out with Dwight Howard in Los Angeles? Will he be the scapegoat for the Lakers’ failures and looking to leave L.A. this summer? If so, the Mavs will probably be at the top of his list, and they need to make sure they can offer him a max contract. That probably means there won’t be room for Mayo, unless they can find a taker for Shawn Marion without getting anything in return that counts against the cap this summer. Having said all that, I like Mayo a lot. He’s probably not as good as the guy who ranked among the NBA’s top 10 scorers for most of this season, but he’s better than he showed during his Memphis tenure. I think he can be the third-best player on a championship contender. He’s probably a $10 million per year player. If the Mavs aren’t in the big-fish market this summer and can get Mayo at that price, they ought to do it.
Gutierrez: Tim does bring up a good point with Howard and the possibility he could hit the open market. The thing is, I can’t see the Lakers failing, meaning they don’t make noise in the playoffs. The only way I can see that is if Steve Nash makes this the year he breaks down. Even with that, I still think the Lakers would commit to Howard and make Pau Gasol the fall guy. I think the idea of Howard coming to Dallas is still a reach. The way that Mayo has approached this season has been very refreshing to watch. He says and does the right thing, minus the turnovers. To me, it seems like he truly wants to learn and take that next step and develop into a player who can have an impact on a team with championship aspirations. If the Mavericks come away this season with O.J. Mayo as a major piece for the future, one who can continue to be groomed, I see that as a step in the right direction. In regards to the money, I think $8 million is extremely favorable for the team, but somewhere around $10-11 million is more realistic and a number that both sides could be happy with. The Mavericks are very high on Mayo’s upside.
What do the Mavericks do with Darren Collison?
Gutierrez: If the Mavericks needed Derek Fisher to groom Darren Collison, where exactly does that put them now with Fisher gone? Dominique Jones is still extremely raw as a point guard, but he actually does a better job of giving the Mavericks what they need. The Mavericks gave up a piece they didn’t feel they needed in Ian Mahinmi to acquire Collison. In retrospect, the troubling part of that deal is that the throwaway piece in the deal, Dahntay Jones, has been the better acquisition. This is a make or break season for him as he needs to show he can be a starting caliber point guard. At this point in the season, he simply hasn’t gotten it done. There is still a chance for him as Dirk Nowitzki returns. If Collison can mesh well with Dirk in terms of carving teams up with pick-and-pops, then he still has a chance. At this point, he seems like a more developed Roddy Beaubois. If the Mavericks can turn him into a polished J.J. Barea, they’ll take it. The jury is still out on if he can get to that level.
MacMahon: Well, they should start by taking down that billboard off I-35 that declares that Collison isn’t a starting-caliber point guard. Oh, that billboard never actually went up? Might as well have when they recruited Derek Fisher off the rocking chair to “mentor” Collison. What a crock of bull that bit was. Rick Carlisle needed about a fifth of the season to determine that Collison couldn’t do what he demands out of his starting point guards despite being a pretty good scorer. Collison just isn’t a good enough decision maker or defensive player for Carlisle to have any confidence in him. Then again, the other point guards on the roster have even bigger warts. We’ll keep chronicling As the Point Guards Turn this season, but who really cares which point guard starts for the Mavs? It’s a problem position that desperately needs to be addressed this summer. Collison clearly isn’t the answer, so ultimately what the Mavs will do with him is wish him good luck at his next stop, which will be his fourth team in five years.
As January comes and the trade deadline slowly approaches, should the Mavericks be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?
MacMahon: They need to either be sellers or spectators. What assets do the Mavs have that other teams would want? O.J. Mayo is the obvious answer, but he’s the only guy on the roster without a no-trade clause in his $80 million contract who I don’t think the Mavs should shop. That’s because he’s the only dude other than Dirk who I believe can be an impact player on a contender in a couple of years if the Mavs pull off a rebuilding miracle. They should aggressively try to deal Shawn Marion to a contender for expiring contract(s) and perhaps a pick. That’s not a knock at all on Matrix, who will always be a hero in Dallas for his postseason defensive work on Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, and can still help a good team. It’s just that cap space is more valuable for the rebuilding Mavs than a role player who turns 35 in May. I can’t see any deal materializing that would be worth the Mavs sacrificing their beloved financial flexibility.
Gutierrez: With Dirk officially back, this will be something to monitor over the next 2-3 weeks. If the Mavericks are buyers, I would expect them to be opportunistic and find a piece that allows them to remain flexible for the future. Outside of O.J. Mayo, Darren Collison and Chris Kaman, the Mavericks really don’t have a lot in terms of appealing pieces. Shawn Marion is an intriguing piece. It’s hard to imagine seeing him get dealt, but it would give the Mavericks more cap space to work with going forward. I doubt Marion wants a change of scenery, but you can see that he’s been frustrated with how this season has played out. He’s been more of a leader on the floor and also been more vocal. His constant discussion of butts being whooped and guys needing to step up expresses that frustration. A contender might find an interest in him, but the market will be very limited if the Mavericks want to go down that road. Even with their history of being active at the deadline, the odds are looking more likely that they’ll be spectators.
Is the Roddy Beaubois era on its last legs?
Gutierrez: The Free Roddy B. movement created a lot of buzz and hype during the 2009-10 season. Roddy’s rookie shooting percentages from the field (.518), 3-point range (.409) and free throws (.808) are long gone. Roddy has seen setback after setback with injuries. His entire second season, the year the Mavericks won it all, was essentially a wash because he missed a majority of it recovering from foot surgery. He has been such a frustrating player to watch. With all of the injuries piling up, you have to wonder where his confidence level is at. With Roddy being a restricted free agent this offseason, one has to wonder if a change of scenery will do him some good. A fresh start in a new place, likely not a great one, looks like the projected next move. It’s a shame it hasn’t been able to work here.
MacMahon: It’s on his last legs with a broken foot that will require two operations to fix. The Mavs made a serious mistake not selling high on Roddy B. after his flashes-of-brilliance rookie season. In hindsight, it’s hilarious that Mark Cuban labeled Beaubois “untouchable” unless an in-his-prime perennial All-Star was the return. Remember Donnie Nelson bragging that the Mavs turned down an offer of a lottery pick for Roddy B. the night of the next draft? You reckon, oh, say Paul George might help the Mavs these days. Oh, well. It’s painfully obvious that Beaubois needs a change of scenery if he’s ever going to tap into his talent. He’s been unbelievably ineffective in his limited playing time this season. Just look at those shooting percentages (.308 from the floor and .214 from 3-point range). His confidence is obviously shattered. Maybe he can be a poor man’s Jet for someone else, but he’s definitely not going to be Dallas’ point guard of the future. Or present, for that matter.
What can possibly save the Mavericks this season?
MacMahon: Um, is there any way a midseason lockout might wipe away the rest of the season? In all seriousness, the best-case short-term scenario would be the worst-case long-term scenario. In other words, the last thing this franchise needs is to miraculously ride the big German’s back into one of the West’s last playoff seeds. Other than extending the playoff streak, it’d do the Mavs absolutely no good whatsoever to get swept in the first round by the Thunder again. And it’d be even more painful if the Spurs are swinging the broom. Even though this draft supposedly sucks, the Mavs would be best off taking their chance with lottery ping pong balls. That would at least force the front office to come to the harsh realization that this franchise is very much in rebuilding mode.
Gutierrez: The thing that could change the course for the Mavericks is having it all finally click. With Dirk back, this is the first time they’ve had everyone together. Rick Carlisle will have to coach his butt off, even more than he’s done now, to find to make it all fit into place. If the Mavericks figure it out, they would be primed to peak at the right time, heading towards a playoff push. That’s all they’re really shooting for, at this point. If Dirk is healthy, that makes them a threat. It’s funny how sports can work. Outside of the Heat and Thunder last year, no matter the sport, it’s felt like the team that gets hot at the right time ends up winning the championship. We’ll have to see if last year was an aberration or the start of a new trend where regular season excellence is sustained over the long haul. An aberration definitely favors Dallas’ chances. That being said, the organization does need to start preparing to fully rebuild. They’re going to look do so in the hardest way possible: without hitting rock bottom. It’ll be interesting to see what Mark Cuban, Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle can come up with.
Thinking ahead and knowing what we know now, how far should the Mavericks be willing to extend themselves when it comes to trying to keep O.J. Mayo in the mix for years to come?
MacMahon: We don’t know enough. Never mind what we do and don’t know about Mayo. How will this season play out with Dwight Howard in Los Angeles? Will he be the scapegoat for the Lakers’ failures and looking to leave L.A. this summer? If so, the Mavs will probably be at the top of his list, and they need to make sure they can offer him a max contract. That probably means there won’t be room for Mayo, unless they can find a taker for Shawn Marion without getting anything in return that counts against the cap this summer. Having said all that, I like Mayo a lot. He’s probably not as good as the guy who ranked among the NBA’s top 10 scorers for most of this season, but he’s better than he showed during his Memphis tenure. I think he can be the third-best player on a championship contender. He’s probably a $10 million per year player. If the Mavs aren’t in the big-fish market this summer and can get Mayo at that price, they ought to do it.
Gutierrez: Tim does bring up a good point with Howard and the possibility he could hit the open market. The thing is, I can’t see the Lakers failing, meaning they don’t make noise in the playoffs. The only way I can see that is if Steve Nash makes this the year he breaks down. Even with that, I still think the Lakers would commit to Howard and make Pau Gasol the fall guy. I think the idea of Howard coming to Dallas is still a reach. The way that Mayo has approached this season has been very refreshing to watch. He says and does the right thing, minus the turnovers. To me, it seems like he truly wants to learn and take that next step and develop into a player who can have an impact on a team with championship aspirations. If the Mavericks come away this season with O.J. Mayo as a major piece for the future, one who can continue to be groomed, I see that as a step in the right direction. In regards to the money, I think $8 million is extremely favorable for the team, but somewhere around $10-11 million is more realistic and a number that both sides could be happy with. The Mavericks are very high on Mayo’s upside.
What do the Mavericks do with Darren Collison?
Gutierrez: If the Mavericks needed Derek Fisher to groom Darren Collison, where exactly does that put them now with Fisher gone? Dominique Jones is still extremely raw as a point guard, but he actually does a better job of giving the Mavericks what they need. The Mavericks gave up a piece they didn’t feel they needed in Ian Mahinmi to acquire Collison. In retrospect, the troubling part of that deal is that the throwaway piece in the deal, Dahntay Jones, has been the better acquisition. This is a make or break season for him as he needs to show he can be a starting caliber point guard. At this point in the season, he simply hasn’t gotten it done. There is still a chance for him as Dirk Nowitzki returns. If Collison can mesh well with Dirk in terms of carving teams up with pick-and-pops, then he still has a chance. At this point, he seems like a more developed Roddy Beaubois. If the Mavericks can turn him into a polished J.J. Barea, they’ll take it. The jury is still out on if he can get to that level.
MacMahon: Well, they should start by taking down that billboard off I-35 that declares that Collison isn’t a starting-caliber point guard. Oh, that billboard never actually went up? Might as well have when they recruited Derek Fisher off the rocking chair to “mentor” Collison. What a crock of bull that bit was. Rick Carlisle needed about a fifth of the season to determine that Collison couldn’t do what he demands out of his starting point guards despite being a pretty good scorer. Collison just isn’t a good enough decision maker or defensive player for Carlisle to have any confidence in him. Then again, the other point guards on the roster have even bigger warts. We’ll keep chronicling As the Point Guards Turn this season, but who really cares which point guard starts for the Mavs? It’s a problem position that desperately needs to be addressed this summer. Collison clearly isn’t the answer, so ultimately what the Mavs will do with him is wish him good luck at his next stop, which will be his fourth team in five years.
As January comes and the trade deadline slowly approaches, should the Mavericks be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?
MacMahon: They need to either be sellers or spectators. What assets do the Mavs have that other teams would want? O.J. Mayo is the obvious answer, but he’s the only guy on the roster without a no-trade clause in his $80 million contract who I don’t think the Mavs should shop. That’s because he’s the only dude other than Dirk who I believe can be an impact player on a contender in a couple of years if the Mavs pull off a rebuilding miracle. They should aggressively try to deal Shawn Marion to a contender for expiring contract(s) and perhaps a pick. That’s not a knock at all on Matrix, who will always be a hero in Dallas for his postseason defensive work on Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, and can still help a good team. It’s just that cap space is more valuable for the rebuilding Mavs than a role player who turns 35 in May. I can’t see any deal materializing that would be worth the Mavs sacrificing their beloved financial flexibility.
Gutierrez: With Dirk officially back, this will be something to monitor over the next 2-3 weeks. If the Mavericks are buyers, I would expect them to be opportunistic and find a piece that allows them to remain flexible for the future. Outside of O.J. Mayo, Darren Collison and Chris Kaman, the Mavericks really don’t have a lot in terms of appealing pieces. Shawn Marion is an intriguing piece. It’s hard to imagine seeing him get dealt, but it would give the Mavericks more cap space to work with going forward. I doubt Marion wants a change of scenery, but you can see that he’s been frustrated with how this season has played out. He’s been more of a leader on the floor and also been more vocal. His constant discussion of butts being whooped and guys needing to step up expresses that frustration. A contender might find an interest in him, but the market will be very limited if the Mavericks want to go down that road. Even with their history of being active at the deadline, the odds are looking more likely that they’ll be spectators.
Is the Roddy Beaubois era on its last legs?
Gutierrez: The Free Roddy B. movement created a lot of buzz and hype during the 2009-10 season. Roddy’s rookie shooting percentages from the field (.518), 3-point range (.409) and free throws (.808) are long gone. Roddy has seen setback after setback with injuries. His entire second season, the year the Mavericks won it all, was essentially a wash because he missed a majority of it recovering from foot surgery. He has been such a frustrating player to watch. With all of the injuries piling up, you have to wonder where his confidence level is at. With Roddy being a restricted free agent this offseason, one has to wonder if a change of scenery will do him some good. A fresh start in a new place, likely not a great one, looks like the projected next move. It’s a shame it hasn’t been able to work here.
MacMahon: It’s on his last legs with a broken foot that will require two operations to fix. The Mavs made a serious mistake not selling high on Roddy B. after his flashes-of-brilliance rookie season. In hindsight, it’s hilarious that Mark Cuban labeled Beaubois “untouchable” unless an in-his-prime perennial All-Star was the return. Remember Donnie Nelson bragging that the Mavs turned down an offer of a lottery pick for Roddy B. the night of the next draft? You reckon, oh, say Paul George might help the Mavs these days. Oh, well. It’s painfully obvious that Beaubois needs a change of scenery if he’s ever going to tap into his talent. He’s been unbelievably ineffective in his limited playing time this season. Just look at those shooting percentages (.308 from the floor and .214 from 3-point range). His confidence is obviously shattered. Maybe he can be a poor man’s Jet for someone else, but he’s definitely not going to be Dallas’ point guard of the future. Or present, for that matter.
What can possibly save the Mavericks this season?
MacMahon: Um, is there any way a midseason lockout might wipe away the rest of the season? In all seriousness, the best-case short-term scenario would be the worst-case long-term scenario. In other words, the last thing this franchise needs is to miraculously ride the big German’s back into one of the West’s last playoff seeds. Other than extending the playoff streak, it’d do the Mavs absolutely no good whatsoever to get swept in the first round by the Thunder again. And it’d be even more painful if the Spurs are swinging the broom. Even though this draft supposedly sucks, the Mavs would be best off taking their chance with lottery ping pong balls. That would at least force the front office to come to the harsh realization that this franchise is very much in rebuilding mode.
Gutierrez: The thing that could change the course for the Mavericks is having it all finally click. With Dirk back, this is the first time they’ve had everyone together. Rick Carlisle will have to coach his butt off, even more than he’s done now, to find to make it all fit into place. If the Mavericks figure it out, they would be primed to peak at the right time, heading towards a playoff push. That’s all they’re really shooting for, at this point. If Dirk is healthy, that makes them a threat. It’s funny how sports can work. Outside of the Heat and Thunder last year, no matter the sport, it’s felt like the team that gets hot at the right time ends up winning the championship. We’ll have to see if last year was an aberration or the start of a new trend where regular season excellence is sustained over the long haul. An aberration definitely favors Dallas’ chances. That being said, the organization does need to start preparing to fully rebuild. They’re going to look do so in the hardest way possible: without hitting rock bottom. It’ll be interesting to see what Mark Cuban, Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle can come up with.
Where does Brandan Wright fit on revamped roster?
August, 14, 2012
8/14/12
10:09
AM CT
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com
Brandan Wright's frame, 6-foot-10 and 210 pounds, isn't exactly one of a prototypical NBA center. The Dallas Mavericks knew this last season when they moved the career power forward to the middle. Entering an important contract season, is Wright destined to stay there?
The Mavs -- and their fans -- fell in love with Wright's high-flying athleticism. Offensively, he found ways to use his quickness to his advantage against bigger centers, running the floor and rolling to the basket to easily become the team's dunk and alley-oop king. With Wright on the floor last season, Dallas scored 2.5 more points per 100 possessions than with him on the bench, according to advanced stats website 82games.com. However, on the defensive end the numbers flip. The Mavs allowed 2.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with Wright off the floor.
It's why the Los Angeles Lakers, with 7-foot, 285-pound center Andrew Bynum, were not the preferred playoff foe last season, at least among most media and fans. Had the Mavs played L.A., it was feared Wright's energy would be relegated to warming the bench. As it turned out, Dallas faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round and the 24-year-old Wright was overwhelmed either by his first playoff appearance and/or Thunder big men Kendrick Perkins (6-10, 270) and Serge Ibaka (6-10, 235). He played 27 total minutes in the four games (after averaging 16.1 minutes during the regular season) and averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds with one block and three turnovers.
Wright, who comes cheaply again this season at under $1 million, started the season as the third-string center and about a month into the season he started earning regular minutes. At times he played more than disappointing starter Brendan Haywood (amnestied last month and acquired by Charlotte) and improving, but still raw backup Ian Mahinmi (now with Indiana in a sign-and-trade).
Wright would seem hard-pressed to find more minutes than the two centers ahead of him this coming season.
Chris Kaman, a 7-foot, high-intensity, back-to-the-basket center, takes over the starting job and seems a lock, assuming good health, to log more than the 21.2 minutes Haywood averaged last season. Veteran Elton Brand enters the equation as the backup to Dirk Nowitzki at power forward as well as at center, where his sturdy 254-pound frame and long arms allow him to stand his ground despite being an inch shorter and obviously less agile than Wright. The Mavs might also try to squeeze time for 27-year-old rookie center Bernard James.
At power forward, Nowitzki and Brand likely won't yield many minutes for a third participant, and coach Rick Carlisle was hesitant to use Wright at the 4 last season even when starting small forward Shawn Marion served as the lone backup behind Dirk. Carlisle stated then that Wright's offensive capabilities did not fit at power forward in the Mavs' offense. He simply does not shoot well enough to help spread the floor.
Wright finished last season with a team-best 61.8 field goal percentage bolstered by 59.1 percent of his shot attempts coming at the rim, according to hoopdata.com. He made 105-of-138 of those shots (76.1 percent) from inside 3 feet. From 3 to 15 feet he was 34-of-85 (40.0) and 27-of-68 (39.7) from 3 to 9 feet, areas in need of obvious improvement.
For the former lottery pick whose short career has been stunted by injury, the 2011-12 season was something of a breakthrough. He played in 49 games, 10 more than in any of his previous three seasons, and provided his team with a useful, energetic lift.
With the additions of Kaman and Brand in the frontcourt, will Carlisle still find room for Wright?
The Mavs -- and their fans -- fell in love with Wright's high-flying athleticism. Offensively, he found ways to use his quickness to his advantage against bigger centers, running the floor and rolling to the basket to easily become the team's dunk and alley-oop king. With Wright on the floor last season, Dallas scored 2.5 more points per 100 possessions than with him on the bench, according to advanced stats website 82games.com. However, on the defensive end the numbers flip. The Mavs allowed 2.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with Wright off the floor.
It's why the Los Angeles Lakers, with 7-foot, 285-pound center Andrew Bynum, were not the preferred playoff foe last season, at least among most media and fans. Had the Mavs played L.A., it was feared Wright's energy would be relegated to warming the bench. As it turned out, Dallas faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round and the 24-year-old Wright was overwhelmed either by his first playoff appearance and/or Thunder big men Kendrick Perkins (6-10, 270) and Serge Ibaka (6-10, 235). He played 27 total minutes in the four games (after averaging 16.1 minutes during the regular season) and averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds with one block and three turnovers.
Wright, who comes cheaply again this season at under $1 million, started the season as the third-string center and about a month into the season he started earning regular minutes. At times he played more than disappointing starter Brendan Haywood (amnestied last month and acquired by Charlotte) and improving, but still raw backup Ian Mahinmi (now with Indiana in a sign-and-trade).
Wright would seem hard-pressed to find more minutes than the two centers ahead of him this coming season.
Chris Kaman, a 7-foot, high-intensity, back-to-the-basket center, takes over the starting job and seems a lock, assuming good health, to log more than the 21.2 minutes Haywood averaged last season. Veteran Elton Brand enters the equation as the backup to Dirk Nowitzki at power forward as well as at center, where his sturdy 254-pound frame and long arms allow him to stand his ground despite being an inch shorter and obviously less agile than Wright. The Mavs might also try to squeeze time for 27-year-old rookie center Bernard James.
At power forward, Nowitzki and Brand likely won't yield many minutes for a third participant, and coach Rick Carlisle was hesitant to use Wright at the 4 last season even when starting small forward Shawn Marion served as the lone backup behind Dirk. Carlisle stated then that Wright's offensive capabilities did not fit at power forward in the Mavs' offense. He simply does not shoot well enough to help spread the floor.
Wright finished last season with a team-best 61.8 field goal percentage bolstered by 59.1 percent of his shot attempts coming at the rim, according to hoopdata.com. He made 105-of-138 of those shots (76.1 percent) from inside 3 feet. From 3 to 15 feet he was 34-of-85 (40.0) and 27-of-68 (39.7) from 3 to 9 feet, areas in need of obvious improvement.
For the former lottery pick whose short career has been stunted by injury, the 2011-12 season was something of a breakthrough. He played in 49 games, 10 more than in any of his previous three seasons, and provided his team with a useful, energetic lift.
With the additions of Kaman and Brand in the frontcourt, will Carlisle still find room for Wright?
How do you grade Mark Cuban, Donnie Nelson?
July, 31, 2012
7/31/12
4:00
PM CT
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com
The Dallas Mavericks entered the offseason knowing major roster changes were coming, yet every move would have to wait for and hinge on Deron Williams' decision.
When Williams tweeted on the night of July 3 that he would remain with the Brooklyn Nets, Mavs owner Mark Cuban and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson were forced to take a step back, reorganize and reach for those filed-away contingency plans.
Then they watched the Los Angeles Lakers bulk up by bringing in Steve Nash, Dallas' top choice after Williams.
Jason Terry agreed to terms with the Boston Celtics. Brendan Haywood was amnestied. Jason Kidd, well, no matter what he was headed back to Dallas to finish his career where it started and where he won that elusive championship.
Oops.
So here we are at the end of a long and wild month. The Mavs started it with just seven players under contract. Now they have a complete 15-man roster. It's not the one they set out to build for the long haul, but with eight of their 12 players under contract (excluding the three rookies) on one-year contracts or on the final year of their deals it is flexible and under the luxury tax for the first time in Cuban's ownership.
How did Cuban and Nelson do? Did whiffing on Williams automatically sink the summer? Or did their rebound efforts save it?
Let's take a look at how things unfolded:
CARLISLE RETURNS: This was a no-brainer, although inking Rick Carlisle to a new four-year contract in mid-May took longer than most expected. It led to speculation of perhaps a gulf in salary expectations between the two sides, or that Carlisle might be interested in looking into other opportunities, including the still-open Portland Trail Blazers job for which Dallas assistant Terry Stotts is reportedly in the running.
THREE-FOR-ONE DRAFT: Dallas made a big deal about getting a solid rotation player with the No. 17 pick, its highest draft position in a decade. So it came as a surprise when the Mavs traded down to No. 24 and even then seemed willing to unload that pick. Ultimately, they took combo guard Jared Cunningham at No. 24, but it might be the two second-rounders, Bernard James (No. 33) and Jae Crowder (No. 34), who contribute sooner.
D-WILL REJECTION: The Mavs' triumvirate of Carlisle, Nelson and Michael Finley met with Williams in Manhattan on July 2, prior to the Nets' brass getting their shot. As the Mavs met with him, Brooklyn was busy completing a trade to acquire handsomely paid shooting guard Joe Johnson from the Hawks. While some in these parts ridiculed the move because of the $89 million left on Johnson's contract and the potential roster inflexibility that will come with it under the new CBA, Williams later said the move was key in keeping him.
JET TAKES OFF/KIDD MAKES U-TURN: After eight seasons, Terry never wanted to leave Dallas, but the Mavs made it clear to the soon-to-be 35-year-old that he was not in their long-range plans so he signed a three-year deal for $15 million with the Boston Celtics. The length of the contract more than the money was the key deterrent for Dallas. Still, they were prepared to hand a three-year, $9-million deal to 39-year-old point guard Jason Kidd (and thought they had), who at the last minute turned it down for a similar deal with the Knicks.
Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireIf he avoids injury, Chris Kaman will give the Mavs a dangerous low-post presence.KAMAN SIGNS/HAYWOOD AMNESTIED: Kaman, the 7-foot center who teamed with Dirk Nowitzki on the German national team for the 2008 Olympics agreed to a one-year deal for $8 million to start at center. The move signaled the end of the line for Brendan Haywood, who was officially waived the next day via the amnesty clause.
GUARD COMBO VIA S&T: On the same day the Mavs signed Kaman, they pulled off a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers, netting 24-year-old point guard Darren Collison and veteran shooting guard Dahntay Jones for backup center Ian Mahinmi, who was headed out the door anyway. Considering the Pacers could have signed Mahinmi outright, for the Mavs to pull out a starting-caliber point guard and a defensive-minded shooting guard was quite the coup.
BRAND LANDS: The Mavs won the amnesty bid for 33-year-old power forward Elton Brand after talking up how "aggressive" they planned to bid. At $2.1 million for next season (his overall salary is $18 million with the balance paid by Philadelphia), the Mavs got a steal for a high-character player off the bench and can play power forward and center.
PASS THE MAYO: As stunning as the Collison deal was, the signing of O.J. Mayo at a discount rate took the cake. The Suns had designs on him, but Mayo took a two-year deal with Dallas with the second year being a player option. His addition softens the blow of losing Terry's 3-point shooting and Mayo instantly becomes the most athletic 2-guard since the days of Finley.
So there's the rundown of a busy couple of months. What say you? What grade do you give Cuban and Nelson?
Then they watched the Los Angeles Lakers bulk up by bringing in Steve Nash, Dallas' top choice after Williams.
Jason Terry agreed to terms with the Boston Celtics. Brendan Haywood was amnestied. Jason Kidd, well, no matter what he was headed back to Dallas to finish his career where it started and where he won that elusive championship.
Oops.
So here we are at the end of a long and wild month. The Mavs started it with just seven players under contract. Now they have a complete 15-man roster. It's not the one they set out to build for the long haul, but with eight of their 12 players under contract (excluding the three rookies) on one-year contracts or on the final year of their deals it is flexible and under the luxury tax for the first time in Cuban's ownership.
How did Cuban and Nelson do? Did whiffing on Williams automatically sink the summer? Or did their rebound efforts save it?
Let's take a look at how things unfolded:
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireAfter eventually signing a new four-year contract, Rick Carlisle returns to the Mavs minus two of his key contributors -- Jason Terry and Jason Kidd.
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireAfter eventually signing a new four-year contract, Rick Carlisle returns to the Mavs minus two of his key contributors -- Jason Terry and Jason Kidd.The big question: Did Carlisle ever think he'd be coaching a team with two contributors left from the 2011 title team?
THREE-FOR-ONE DRAFT: Dallas made a big deal about getting a solid rotation player with the No. 17 pick, its highest draft position in a decade. So it came as a surprise when the Mavs traded down to No. 24 and even then seemed willing to unload that pick. Ultimately, they took combo guard Jared Cunningham at No. 24, but it might be the two second-rounders, Bernard James (No. 33) and Jae Crowder (No. 34), who contribute sooner.
The big question: Will Carlisle have the patience to stick through growing pains of James and Crowder to get contributions out of them this season? Will he have a choice?
D-WILL REJECTION: The Mavs' triumvirate of Carlisle, Nelson and Michael Finley met with Williams in Manhattan on July 2, prior to the Nets' brass getting their shot. As the Mavs met with him, Brooklyn was busy completing a trade to acquire handsomely paid shooting guard Joe Johnson from the Hawks. While some in these parts ridiculed the move because of the $89 million left on Johnson's contract and the potential roster inflexibility that will come with it under the new CBA, Williams later said the move was key in keeping him.
The big question: Could the Mavs have done anything more to convince Williams to come home? Did Mark Cuban's inability to leave Los Angeles and the taping of the TV show Shark Tank send the wrong message?
JET TAKES OFF/KIDD MAKES U-TURN: After eight seasons, Terry never wanted to leave Dallas, but the Mavs made it clear to the soon-to-be 35-year-old that he was not in their long-range plans so he signed a three-year deal for $15 million with the Boston Celtics. The length of the contract more than the money was the key deterrent for Dallas. Still, they were prepared to hand a three-year, $9-million deal to 39-year-old point guard Jason Kidd (and thought they had), who at the last minute turned it down for a similar deal with the Knicks.
The big question: Did the Mavs commit to the wrong Jason and will they miss the bench scoring and fourth-quarter prowess of the sixth man who will pad his career 3-point shooting numbers with the Celtics?
Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireIf he avoids injury, Chris Kaman will give the Mavs a dangerous low-post presence.The big question: The former No. 6 pick in 2003 is a one-time All-Star but is known best for his injury history. When healthy, he's a dangerous low-post scorer who can finish with both hands, and a smart defender and rebounder. So, can he stay healthy?
GUARD COMBO VIA S&T: On the same day the Mavs signed Kaman, they pulled off a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers, netting 24-year-old point guard Darren Collison and veteran shooting guard Dahntay Jones for backup center Ian Mahinmi, who was headed out the door anyway. Considering the Pacers could have signed Mahinmi outright, for the Mavs to pull out a starting-caliber point guard and a defensive-minded shooting guard was quite the coup.
The big question: Collison has averaged 5.2 assists during his four NBA seasons, which is about what Jason Kidd averaged last season, an 18-year career low. Nowitzki lobbied hard to acquire Kidd in 2008 because he said he and others had to work too hard to score with low-assist, penetrating point guard Devin Harris running the show. Can Collison, a quick-footed penetrator, make the game easy enough to satisfy a now 34-year-old Nowitzki and company?
BRAND LANDS: The Mavs won the amnesty bid for 33-year-old power forward Elton Brand after talking up how "aggressive" they planned to bid. At $2.1 million for next season (his overall salary is $18 million with the balance paid by Philadelphia), the Mavs got a steal for a high-character player off the bench and can play power forward and center.
The big question: Brand said he wanted to play in Dallas so he knew he'd be splitting time behind Nowitzki and Kaman, his former teammate with the Clippers. But will Brand ultimately be happy coming off the bench and quite possibly playing the fewest minutes of his 13-year career?
PASS THE MAYO: As stunning as the Collison deal was, the signing of O.J. Mayo at a discount rate took the cake. The Suns had designs on him, but Mayo took a two-year deal with Dallas with the second year being a player option. His addition softens the blow of losing Terry's 3-point shooting and Mayo instantly becomes the most athletic 2-guard since the days of Finley.
The big question: The Grizzlies had Mayo on the trade block more than once and some suggest that Mayo was highly overrated as the No. 3 pick in 2008 and that he remains that way. Can Mayo, expected to start at shooting guard, be a team-oriented contributor and become Dallas' trusted second-scoring option?
So there's the rundown of a busy couple of months. What say you? What grade do you give Cuban and Nelson?
Mavs improved despite missing on Deron Williams
July, 17, 2012
7/17/12
12:16
AM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
The Mavericks front office swung and missed on this summer’s superstar mission but still managed to upgrade Dirk Nowitzki’s supporting cast.
Forget for a moment whether the Mavs, with Nowitzki as the lone star, can contend for a championship. Just focus on whether this team is better than the one that the Oklahoma City Thunder swept in the first round.
With O.J. Mayo joining the mix on Monday, a quick comparison of the players the Mavs added and the ones who departed Dallas this month leaves little doubt.
Mayo or Jason Terry? Chris Kaman or Brendan Haywood? Elton Brand or Ian Mahinmi? Darren Collison or Jason Kidd?
The Mayo-Jet comparison is the only one in which the stats don’t favor the new Mav. But Mayo, who didn’t live up to his promise as a third overall pick in Memphis, is a decade younger and two inches taller than Terry.
Kaman can already be called the best offensive center in Mavs history, which is pretty faint praise for the first true low-post complement of Nowitzki’s career. And there shouldn’t be any defensive dropoff. Kaman had significantly better rebounding (7.8 per game) and blocks (1.6) numbers than the amnestied Haywood did last year.
Mahinmi developed into a nice energy-boost backup big man, averaging 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.5 blocks last season. The 33-year-old Brand is past his prime, but the 11.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks he averaged for the Sixers last season look pretty strong in comparison. Plus, Brand can give the Mavs minutes at power forward and center off the bench.
It’s almost blasphemous to call Collison an upgrade over Kidd, who deserves mention among the greatest point guards of all time. But that’s the case based on last season’s numbers. Kidd, 39, had career lows in points (6.2), assists (5.5) and rebounds (4.1). Collison, 24, averaged 10.4 points, 4.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds. The Mavs might miss Kidd’s savvy, but Collison’s ability to create with his quickness will be a welcome wrinkle for an offense that got stagnant far too often in the halfcourt.
Dahntay Jones, who came from Indiana along with Collison in the Mahinmi sign-and-trade deal, is a solid role player. He wouldn’t be an upgrade over the versatile Delonte West, but there’s still a good chance that West will re-sign with the Mavs.
And there’s a good chance the Mavs will be better than last season, if not as good as they hoped.
Forget for a moment whether the Mavs, with Nowitzki as the lone star, can contend for a championship. Just focus on whether this team is better than the one that the Oklahoma City Thunder swept in the first round.
With O.J. Mayo joining the mix on Monday, a quick comparison of the players the Mavs added and the ones who departed Dallas this month leaves little doubt.
Mayo or Jason Terry? Chris Kaman or Brendan Haywood? Elton Brand or Ian Mahinmi? Darren Collison or Jason Kidd?
The Mayo-Jet comparison is the only one in which the stats don’t favor the new Mav. But Mayo, who didn’t live up to his promise as a third overall pick in Memphis, is a decade younger and two inches taller than Terry.
Kaman can already be called the best offensive center in Mavs history, which is pretty faint praise for the first true low-post complement of Nowitzki’s career. And there shouldn’t be any defensive dropoff. Kaman had significantly better rebounding (7.8 per game) and blocks (1.6) numbers than the amnestied Haywood did last year.
Mahinmi developed into a nice energy-boost backup big man, averaging 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.5 blocks last season. The 33-year-old Brand is past his prime, but the 11.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks he averaged for the Sixers last season look pretty strong in comparison. Plus, Brand can give the Mavs minutes at power forward and center off the bench.
It’s almost blasphemous to call Collison an upgrade over Kidd, who deserves mention among the greatest point guards of all time. But that’s the case based on last season’s numbers. Kidd, 39, had career lows in points (6.2), assists (5.5) and rebounds (4.1). Collison, 24, averaged 10.4 points, 4.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds. The Mavs might miss Kidd’s savvy, but Collison’s ability to create with his quickness will be a welcome wrinkle for an offense that got stagnant far too often in the halfcourt.
Dahntay Jones, who came from Indiana along with Collison in the Mahinmi sign-and-trade deal, is a solid role player. He wouldn’t be an upgrade over the versatile Delonte West, but there’s still a good chance that West will re-sign with the Mavs.
And there’s a good chance the Mavs will be better than last season, if not as good as they hoped.
Mavs make Indiana sign-and-trade official
July, 12, 2012
7/12/12
7:28
PM CT
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com
The Dallas Mavericks made the acquisition of guards Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones official Thursday evening.
They come over via a sign-and-trade completed Wednesday with the Indiana Pacers that sent backup center Ian Mahinmi to the Pacers, who will pay the big man $16 million over the next four years.
Collison, 24, is due $2.3 million next season, the last final year of his rookie contract. He is expected to take over as the team's starting point guard. The defensive-minded Jones, 31, is owed $2.9 million next season and is also entering the final year of his deal.
“We are thrilled to add these two players to our roster,” president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said in the team release. “Darren is a young, explosive point guard with tremendous upside. He has proven that he can lead a playoff team and we are excited about his potential. Dahntay is a rugged veteran who will play the kind of tough defense that will fit perfectly in coach (Rick) Carlisle’s system."
A glance at the newest Mavs:
Collison (6-0, 160): Selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by New Orleans. He spent his rookie year starting for the injured Chris Paul and was named NBA All-Rookie First Team while averaging 12.4 points, 5.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 76 games. In three years, Collison holds averages of 12.1 points, 5.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 215 career games (172 starts) with New Orleans and Indiana. Collison still holds the New Orleans rookie record with 18 assists on Jan. 30, 2010, and tallied his first triple-double on Feb. 19, 2010.
Jones (6-6, 225): A nine-year veteran who holds career averages of 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 16.8 minutes in 511 games (138 starts) with Memphis, Sacramento, Denver and Indiana. Originally the 20th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, Jones had his draft rights traded to Memphis where he spent the first four years of his career. In 2008-09, Jones started 71 games and helped the Denver Nuggets reach the Western Conference Finals. Last season with the Pacers, the swingman saw action in 65 games and averaged 5.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 16.2 minutes per contest.
They come over via a sign-and-trade completed Wednesday with the Indiana Pacers that sent backup center Ian Mahinmi to the Pacers, who will pay the big man $16 million over the next four years.
Collison, 24, is due $2.3 million next season, the last final year of his rookie contract. He is expected to take over as the team's starting point guard. The defensive-minded Jones, 31, is owed $2.9 million next season and is also entering the final year of his deal.
“We are thrilled to add these two players to our roster,” president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said in the team release. “Darren is a young, explosive point guard with tremendous upside. He has proven that he can lead a playoff team and we are excited about his potential. Dahntay is a rugged veteran who will play the kind of tough defense that will fit perfectly in coach (Rick) Carlisle’s system."
A glance at the newest Mavs:
Collison (6-0, 160): Selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by New Orleans. He spent his rookie year starting for the injured Chris Paul and was named NBA All-Rookie First Team while averaging 12.4 points, 5.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 76 games. In three years, Collison holds averages of 12.1 points, 5.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 215 career games (172 starts) with New Orleans and Indiana. Collison still holds the New Orleans rookie record with 18 assists on Jan. 30, 2010, and tallied his first triple-double on Feb. 19, 2010.
Jones (6-6, 225): A nine-year veteran who holds career averages of 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 16.8 minutes in 511 games (138 starts) with Memphis, Sacramento, Denver and Indiana. Originally the 20th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, Jones had his draft rights traded to Memphis where he spent the first four years of his career. In 2008-09, Jones started 71 games and helped the Denver Nuggets reach the Western Conference Finals. Last season with the Pacers, the swingman saw action in 65 games and averaged 5.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 16.2 minutes per contest.
Pacers deliver Christmas in July to Mavs
July, 12, 2012
7/12/12
11:23
AM CT
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com
ESPN.com Insider John Hollinger and I agree on this: What in the world are the Indiana Pacers thinking?
The sign-and-trade completed Wednesday with the Dallas Mavericks is a real head-scratcher. The Mavs sent backup center Ian Mahinmi, who they were prepared to lose anyway to the Pacers. Indiana will pay him $16 million over four years to be a solid backup to Roy Hibbert. Headed to Dallas is young point guard Darren Collison, who Indy believed had regressed a bit, and defensive-minded guard Dahntay Jones. The bonus for Dallas is that both players come cheap and are on the last years of their deals.
The baffling aspect is that Indiana didn't have to send the Mavs anything, yet they handed over an exciting point guard that will start for Dallas and, yes, provide an upgrade over 39-year-old Jason Kidd, who's off to mentor Jeremy Lin in New York. The Pacers didn't even get a draft pick in return.
Here's a thought from Hollinger in today's Insider piece:
When the holidays roll around, Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson have some extra Christmas cards to send out this year. Put the Clippers and Jazz on the list for taking Lamar Odom off the Mavs' hands at no salary-cap cost last month, and now the Pacers for providing a starting point and a solid defensive wing when they didn't have to.
Hmmm ... maybe there really is Christmas in July.
The sign-and-trade completed Wednesday with the Dallas Mavericks is a real head-scratcher. The Mavs sent backup center Ian Mahinmi, who they were prepared to lose anyway to the Pacers. Indiana will pay him $16 million over four years to be a solid backup to Roy Hibbert. Headed to Dallas is young point guard Darren Collison, who Indy believed had regressed a bit, and defensive-minded guard Dahntay Jones. The bonus for Dallas is that both players come cheap and are on the last years of their deals.
The baffling aspect is that Indiana didn't have to send the Mavs anything, yet they handed over an exciting point guard that will start for Dallas and, yes, provide an upgrade over 39-year-old Jason Kidd, who's off to mentor Jeremy Lin in New York. The Pacers didn't even get a draft pick in return.
Here's a thought from Hollinger in today's Insider piece:
"As for Dallas, it's hard to know how the team got through the call (with the Pacers) without laughing hysterically. After being snubbed by Deron Williams and Steve Nash and not getting on the radar for Dwight Howard, the Mavs have been working on the difficult task of building a credible team around one-year deals and plunging back into the market next year.
The Pacers made that task a whole lot easier."
When the holidays roll around, Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson have some extra Christmas cards to send out this year. Put the Clippers and Jazz on the list for taking Lamar Odom off the Mavs' hands at no salary-cap cost last month, and now the Pacers for providing a starting point and a solid defensive wing when they didn't have to.
Hmmm ... maybe there really is Christmas in July.
Brendan Haywood won't leave with same fanfare
July, 11, 2012
7/11/12
7:02
PM CT
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com
When Brendan Haywood first arrived in the big trade that shipped out Josh Howard in February 2010, the big man in the headband was putting up double-doubles and instantly became a favorite among fans starved for aggressive, enthusiastic center play.
At the time of Haywood's arrival (along with Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson), Erick Dampier was injured. Once Dampier returned, Haywood lost his starting gig -- and he wasn't exactly thrilled with it. He would get a promise that summer from coach Rick Carlisle that the starting job would be kept warm for him as they looked to unload Dampier and his fully non-guaranteed final year.
Only they unloaded Dampier and acquired Tyson Chandler, who wasted no time winning the starting job, another decision that didn't sit well with Haywood for much of the championship season.
Haywood's production in Dallas was a roller coaster. The flashes came and went, and so did the duds. His engine didn't run nearly as hot as his fervor for fantasy football, and that was a big issue when the Mavs needed much more out of the position this season.
He was injured for the majority of the NBA Finals and was horrible this past postseason in the sweep to the Oklahoma Thunder, having his playing time basically stripped while averaging 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.3 minutes a game, less than backup Ian Mahinmi.
The writing was on the wall at that point that if the Mavs landed Deron Williams -- therefore forcing the use of the amnesty clause on either Haywood or Shawn Marion to create enough cap space -- the 7-footer would be the one to get it.
Even though the Mavs did not get Williams, Wednesday's one-year agreement with Chris Kaman and the Mavs' desire to pursue amnestied 76ers forward Elton Brand, have made Haywood expendable. If the Mavs get Brand, they'll essentially swap out Haywood and Mahinmi for Brand and Kaman.
Haywood, 32, will now be up for bid among teams with cap space. Portland, which lost out on Roy Hibbert after making a max offer to the restricted free agent and was prepared to make an offer for Brook Lopez, and New Orleans could be bidders. If no team bids on him during the waiver process, Haywood will become a free agent.
That summer of 2010, when Carlisle visited Haywood at his North Carolina home and made the promise, Haywood's next visitor was Heat president Pat Riley. If Haywood gets through the waiver process, he could sign a minimum deal and play for the defending champs for a second consecutive season.
No matter what, Haywood will receive the remaining $27.2 million over the final three years of his contract.
At the time of Haywood's arrival (along with Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson), Erick Dampier was injured. Once Dampier returned, Haywood lost his starting gig -- and he wasn't exactly thrilled with it. He would get a promise that summer from coach Rick Carlisle that the starting job would be kept warm for him as they looked to unload Dampier and his fully non-guaranteed final year.
Only they unloaded Dampier and acquired Tyson Chandler, who wasted no time winning the starting job, another decision that didn't sit well with Haywood for much of the championship season.
Haywood's production in Dallas was a roller coaster. The flashes came and went, and so did the duds. His engine didn't run nearly as hot as his fervor for fantasy football, and that was a big issue when the Mavs needed much more out of the position this season.
He was injured for the majority of the NBA Finals and was horrible this past postseason in the sweep to the Oklahoma Thunder, having his playing time basically stripped while averaging 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.3 minutes a game, less than backup Ian Mahinmi.
The writing was on the wall at that point that if the Mavs landed Deron Williams -- therefore forcing the use of the amnesty clause on either Haywood or Shawn Marion to create enough cap space -- the 7-footer would be the one to get it.
Even though the Mavs did not get Williams, Wednesday's one-year agreement with Chris Kaman and the Mavs' desire to pursue amnestied 76ers forward Elton Brand, have made Haywood expendable. If the Mavs get Brand, they'll essentially swap out Haywood and Mahinmi for Brand and Kaman.
Haywood, 32, will now be up for bid among teams with cap space. Portland, which lost out on Roy Hibbert after making a max offer to the restricted free agent and was prepared to make an offer for Brook Lopez, and New Orleans could be bidders. If no team bids on him during the waiver process, Haywood will become a free agent.
That summer of 2010, when Carlisle visited Haywood at his North Carolina home and made the promise, Haywood's next visitor was Heat president Pat Riley. If Haywood gets through the waiver process, he could sign a minimum deal and play for the defending champs for a second consecutive season.
No matter what, Haywood will receive the remaining $27.2 million over the final three years of his contract.
Where do reeling Mavs go from here?
July, 6, 2012
7/06/12
11:40
AM CT
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com
The offseason plan Dallas Mavericks fans never envisioned has arrived with a thud.
Cuban strategically organized his payroll to create cap space for this summer and beyond, the weapon needed to chase elite-level free agents like Deron Williams.
But what happens when the All-Star free-agent says no?
Mavs fans are finding out, and it isn't pretty. How can you not call the current state rebuilding? Meanwhile, around the league, money is being thrown around as if a bitter lockout never happened. Will the Nets, Knicks and Lakers get caught in an inflexible financial pickle in three or four years while the cautious Mavs have the last laugh?
Maybe. But Plan A was to land that star now to chase another title in the latter portion of Dirk Nowitzki's prime.
| PODCAST |
|---|
| TNT NBA analyst Steve Kerr shares his thoughts on the Mavericks losing out on top free agents. Plus, Kerr says Steve Nash is the hardest-working player he's ever seen. Listen |
Cuban is determined to keep cap space open for next summer when Chris Paul and Dwight Howard potentially hit the market. It's why he refused to engage in a bidding war for a player such as Goran Dragic, who signed a four-year, $34 million deal with Phoenix. Still, there are no guarantees that CP3 and D12 will ever reach free agency in '13. When Cuban decided not to re-sign Tyson Chandler after the 2011 title to pursue a star this summer, Paul and Howard were set to join Williams as free agents now.
Free agency now becomes a pursuit of young talent on the cheap, players the Mavs can sign for one season, maybe two depending on price, with an eye on next summer.
Dallas has interest in point guard Ramon Sessions, shooting guard and Dallas native C.J. Miles and small forward Anthony Randolph, among others. They have four of their own free agents still unsigned in Delonte West, who figures to be a strong candidate to return unless he gets the security of more years elsewhere, backup center Ian Mahinmi, Brian Cardinal and Yi Jianlian.
The Mavs have interest in claiming Philadelphia forward Elton Brand through the amnesty waiver process, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Teams under the salary cap will have first shot to bid for Brand. The Sixers can't officially amnesty him until next Wednesday when the NBA resumes business operations.
It is indeed a new day for the Dallas Mavericks.
Free agents still looking for homes
July, 5, 2012
7/05/12
2:23
PM CT
By Jeff Caplan | ESPNDallas.com
With Jason Kidd unexpectedly agreeing to a multiyear deal with the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks have seven players under contract -- officially contracts can't be signed until Wednesday. The Mavs also have three draft picks that will be given every opportunity to make the team, so add it up and that's 11 players.
Dallas has four free agents still unsigned: Delonte West, Ian Mahinmi, Brian Cardinal and Yi Jianlian.
Teams must have a minimum of 13 players on the 15-man roster, so the Mavs are not done in the free-agent market, and trades also remain in play as the roster overhaul continues.
Kidd's sudden departure leaves a gaping hole at point guard. With Jason Terry headed out, the Mavs have only Vince Carter as a true shooting guard along with combo guards Rodrigue Beaubois, Dominique Jones and rookie Jared Cunningham. More quality choices exist at shooting guard than at point guard.
The Mavs have to decide how much they're willing to pay and how long they're willing to go as they work to maintain flexibility moving forward after striking out with Deron Williams.
Here's a position-by-position look at a handful of free agents still on the market:
POINT GUARD
Aaron Brooks (restricted)
Randy Foye
Kirk Hinrich
Ramon Sessions
Leandro Barbosa
Derek Fisher
Keyon Dooling
Ronnie Price
Gilbert Arenas
Raymond Felton
SHOOTING GUARD
Ray Allen (appears bound for Boston or Miami)
C.J. Miles
O.J. Mayo
Brandon Roy
Josh Howard
Carlos Delfino
Nick Young
Mickael Pietrus
Marco Belinelli
Michael Redd
Tracy McGrady
Courtney Lee
SMALL FORWARD
Anthony Randolph
Anthony Tolliver
Matt Barnes
Steve Novak
Sam Young
Rasual Butler
Devin Ebanks
POWER FORWARD
Kris Humphries
Kenyon Martin
Carl Landry
Ronny Turiaf
Troy Murphy
Louis Amundson
Jordan Hill
CENTER
Chris Kaman
Marcus Camby
Aaron Gray
Joel Przybilla
Kyrylo Fesenko
Tony Battie
Hamed Haddadi
Dallas has four free agents still unsigned: Delonte West, Ian Mahinmi, Brian Cardinal and Yi Jianlian.
Teams must have a minimum of 13 players on the 15-man roster, so the Mavs are not done in the free-agent market, and trades also remain in play as the roster overhaul continues.
Kidd's sudden departure leaves a gaping hole at point guard. With Jason Terry headed out, the Mavs have only Vince Carter as a true shooting guard along with combo guards Rodrigue Beaubois, Dominique Jones and rookie Jared Cunningham. More quality choices exist at shooting guard than at point guard.
The Mavs have to decide how much they're willing to pay and how long they're willing to go as they work to maintain flexibility moving forward after striking out with Deron Williams.
Here's a position-by-position look at a handful of free agents still on the market:
POINT GUARD
Aaron Brooks (restricted)
Randy Foye
Kirk Hinrich
Ramon Sessions
Leandro Barbosa
Derek Fisher
Keyon Dooling
Ronnie Price
Gilbert Arenas
Raymond Felton
SHOOTING GUARD
Ray Allen (appears bound for Boston or Miami)
C.J. Miles
O.J. Mayo
Brandon Roy
Josh Howard
Carlos Delfino
Nick Young
Mickael Pietrus
Marco Belinelli
Michael Redd
Tracy McGrady
Courtney Lee
SMALL FORWARD
Anthony Randolph
Anthony Tolliver
Matt Barnes
Steve Novak
Sam Young
Rasual Butler
Devin Ebanks
POWER FORWARD
Kris Humphries
Kenyon Martin
Carl Landry
Ronny Turiaf
Troy Murphy
Louis Amundson
Jordan Hill
CENTER
Chris Kaman
Marcus Camby
Aaron Gray
Joel Przybilla
Kyrylo Fesenko
Tony Battie
Hamed Haddadi
ABOUT THIS BLOG
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.
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TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dirk Nowitzki
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | D. Collison | 5.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | D. Collison | 1.2 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | E. Brand | 1.3 | ||||||||||