Tim MacMahon

  (3:02 PM)

Thanks for joining me for this edition of ESPNDallas.com's weekly Mavs chat. Hopefully this will go better than the last few games for the Mavs.Fire away ...

TheMavsFanatic (Mavs Nation)

What's up Tim? Wondering what you think. Which version of the Mavs is more accurate? The 4-1 team that started or the 0-3 team since? Very hard to gauge due to injuries.

Tim MacMahon

  (3:03 PM)

Without Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion, this is a lottery team. Fortunately for them, the schedule this month is loaded with lotto teams, so they should be able to keep their heads above water while waiting for their two best players to get healthy. Marion should be back relatively soon. Sounds like it could be a few more weeks for Dirk. It is telling that the Mavs are 3-1 with Marion and 1-3 without him.

Kirk (Washington DC)

What do you make of Kemba Walker and Luke Ridnour having BIG games statistically against Dallas? Does it say anything about Collison?

Tim MacMahon

  (3:06 PM)

I wouldn't describe Ridnour's 15-point, eight-assist performance as a BIG game, but your point is well taken. There's a reason Rick Carlisle is saying "dribble penetration" more often that Tony Romo says "football." It's too easy for opponents to get in the lane against the Mavs right now. As Collison admits, that starts with him.

Brandon (Ft. Worth)

I thought Crowder came here with the reputation of being a high energy player? It seems to me that he fell in love with being a 3-pt shooter and has forgotten to play defense or rebound. He has to start getting after it in those areas.

Tim MacMahon

  (3:07 PM)

Crowder has definitely been a disappointment as the fill-in starter with Shawn Marion sidelined. Opposing small forwards are averaging 24 points and nine rebounds during the Mavs' three-game losing streak. My hunch is we'll see Dahntay Jones in the starting lineup tomorrow night.

Jason (Dallas)

What's with Carlisle's insistence on playing Troy Murphy? I know he's supposed to help space the floor but the days of him being a good shooter are long done.

Tim MacMahon

  (3:08 PM)

Carlisle says that Murphy is one of their most active pick-and-roll defenders and rebounders, and they like the way he's stepping into shots. Of course, it'd help if those shots actually went in more than 28.6 percent of the time.

Mark (Dallas)

Can Darren Collison be a competent halfcourt PG? I know he's good in transition but I'm starting to see why teams have been unwilling to commit to him as their starting PG.

Tim MacMahon

  (3:09 PM)

That's a legitimate question. We know he can penetrate and create his own shot. Can he create for teammates? I will point out that he'll be a much better halfcourt point guard when Dirk Nowitzki gets back and into his normal form.

Kelly (Ft. Worth)

Did the Mavs take rebounding into account at all when they put together this roster? It seems like they forgot to consider that no one on this roster is an above average rebounder except maybe Marion at SF.

Tim MacMahon

  (3:11 PM)

Elton Brand has been an above-average rebounder over the course of his career. They need him to be better. Same with Chris Kaman. There's no question they miss Shawn Marion on the glass, but this was a poor rebounding team with he was healthy.

jason (new london tx)

will this team get it together and compete for a 4th or 5th seed or lotto city

Tim MacMahon

  (3:12 PM)

My expectations of this team are in the middle of your two scenarios. I see a 42-40 season that ends with the Mavs as the eighth seed.

todd (new london tx)

is elton brand going to hit his stride this season, will jae's minuets go up are roddy and dom jones on the trading block?

Tim MacMahon

  (3:15 PM)

We'll see about Elton Brand. He thinks he needs more minutes to get into a groove. See my blog post from this morning for more. At this point, I wouldn't count on Crowder's minutes increasing. And I'm sure the Mavs would be more than willing to listen to offers for Roddy or DoJo. If the Mavs make a significant deal, it's likely that one or both of them would be included. They're relatively inexpensive expiring contracts, so they're value is mainly to help the trade math work.

gnosys (Seattle)

T-Mac, do you see Troy Murphy getting waived later in the season when Dirk and Matrix return? I'm not overly impressed, even though he can rebound which many Mavs apparently can't right now. The team is just not complete as constructed. Your thoughts?

Tim MacMahon

  (3:15 PM)

I don't think it's as simple as saying they'll waive Murphy when Dirk and Trix get healthy. But I could see him being expendable if they need a roster spot.

Brad (Arlington)

Carlisle hinted at making some changes to the line-up? You mentioned Dahntay Jones but do you see changes at PF & C too?

Tim MacMahon

  (3:17 PM)

Other than the guards, it sounds like all starting jobs are up for grabs. Carlisle mentioned in preseason that he had concerns about playing Kaman and Brand together. I presume that's because of their lack of quickness, but Carlisle declined to elaborate when I asked today. As far as Kaman starting, Carlisle also wants to be very careful about monitoring the big man's minutes for now. That's a lot easier to do when Kaman comes off the bench, but the Mavs can't afford to keep getting off to awful starts.

Juan Carlos (Santiago, Chile)

Will Kaman eventually become a starter? The 4-1 start was triggered by big first quarters and Kaman is clearly their best offensive big man.

Tim MacMahon

  (3:18 PM)

Just touched on that. I do think Kaman will eventually be a starter. Don't know if it will happen immediately, but I wouldn't count it out.

Brian (Lewisville)

Has Carlisle soured on Brandan Wright lately? It seems like his minutes have gone to Murphy. Are they down on Wright's defense and rebounding?

Tim MacMahon

  (3:19 PM)

You've nailed the concerns about Wright. He has to be at least a mediocre rebounder to get minutes on a consistent basis. Carlisle was very quick with the hook on Wright last night.

Ryan (Colleyville)

Do you think Dirk will be back by December 1 or could it possibly be longer?

Tim MacMahon

  (3:20 PM)

Nothing is certain, but December 1 would be a little more than six weeks from his knee scope. Barring a setback, he should be back by then.

Tim MacMahon

  (3:20 PM)

Appreciate all the questions. Gotta run now, but feel free to hit me up on Twitter @espn_macmahon if there's any other Mavs questions on your mind.