A quarter of the way through this
2012-2013 season, it’s safe to say these Mavs reflect their record: pretty
average. With a 10-10 record, this team has had its fair share of quality wins
and embarrassing losses. Granted, when the Big German comes back, the Mavs will
be a much more dynamic team. If they can stay at or slightly above the .500
mark by the time Dirk gets back, they have a shot at the playoffs. However,
with Nowitzki’s injury seeming as if it will take longer time to recover than
expected, the pressure is high on this team of mostly role players. On top of that, it's unrealistic for fans to expect Nowitzki to be in the form of a top ten player once he gets back, and the Mavericks have already faced arguably the easiest part of their schedule. Coach
Carlisle has been scrambling to find the most efficient lineups, and so far has
done about as good a job as expected from a coach in charge of team without its
centerpiece. Here’s how the Mavs have fared individually so far this season
while trying to hold their head above water.
OJ Mayo: A- Mayo is definitely shedding his reputation
as an underachiever. He seems to be hitting his stride in his fifth season.
Although his game still has flaws and he has had a few cold shooting streaks in
recent games, Mayo has single handedly kept the Mavs in close games and even
won a few. There was a five game stretch before the Mavs’ most recent road trip
when Mayo was severely struggling to get his shots to fall, and in that stretch
the Mavs went 1-4. But he found his groove and has since then led the team to a
2-1 road trip finish, including a 40 point performance against Houston. His attitude also seems to be much better than
the previous three years. Not that he was a disciplinary problem in the past,
but his determination and desire to improve not only himself but also his
teammates seems as if it’s above and beyond what it has ever been. OJ’s getting
a fresh start in Dallas and he’s been making the most of it.
Vince Carter: B+ Through 20 games, it’s easy to see that
Carter has harnessed his new style of play. The old man once known for his
athletic highlight reel dunks now has almost perfected the half-court,
conservative position of an efficient spot shooter (especially from three point
range, shooting over 40%), and shines as the team’s number one option off the
bench. Even though Carter has lost a couple steps over the years, he is still
fueled by intense competitiveness and has proven to be clutch for the Mavs
numerous times already this year. He could arguably be the Mavs’ most consistent
offensive player, and has picked up the slack when Mayo’s shots aren’t falling.
Chris Kaman: B Kaman gives Mavs fans something they haven’t
experienced in a very, very long time: an effective low post scoring option.
Kaman has shot extremely well from the floor, hitting 53% of his shots, including
many from around the 15 foot range. Injuries have been the only concern, but his
presence on the court will be invaluable in order to spread the floor in a way
the Mavs have never done before, especially when Dirk gets back. The German
Twin Towers will undoubtedly cause their fair share of offensive mismatches.
Shawn Marion: B The Mavs’ best defensive player has not
disappointed this year. Marion has locked down almost every defensive
assignment he’s had so far. Offensively, he’s been very efficient but not
spectacular (9.6 ppg on 50% shooting), but that’s to be expected from an older
veteran exerting so much effort defensively against the league’s most prolific
scorers night in and night out. Like Kaman, Marion’s health is vital to the
team’s success this year and he’s already had a couple injuries over the first
20 games, so that raises concern.
Jae Crowder: C+ The rookie out of Marquette started out
the season as a pleasant surprise for the Mavs. But over the last couple weeks,
Crowder has really struggled, particularly when he is in the starting lineup.
For the first ten games of the season, Crowder averaged 7.3 ppg on 46%
shooting. Over the last ten, his numbers dropped considerably, averaging 4.3
ppg while shooting a miserable 21%, including a game against Golden State where
he didn’t even step on the floor. Despite his offensive struggles, his minutes haven’t
dropped and his defensive versatility has still been strong for the Mavs, so it
appears Rick Carlisle is giving the rook a little slack and hopefully Crowder can
shake off the slump sooner rather than later.
Darren Collison: C+ Similar to Crowder, Darren Collison
started the season on a tear, particularly during the team’s slightly
surprising 4-1 start. But since then, Collison has been very inconsistent. He’s
definitely had his fair share of impressive games and has been a key part to
several Mavs wins this season. But the sloppy turnovers and poor decision
making at times has discouraged coach Rick Carlisle from fully believing the
young point guard can lead a playoff caliber team. Collison has the talent no
doubt, but there are just a few things he can improve on, which is why the team
brought in Derek Fisher to be the new starting point guard. Collison has openly
expressed his dislike of already being benched, but as long as he can swallow
his pride, he will greatly benefit from playing behind a successful veteran in
the long run.
Elton Brand: C+ Brand has slowly grown into his new role
with the Mavs this year after an underwhelming start to the season. It’s
understandable for a player to get adjusted to a new system, and after
expressing slight displeasure with where he fits with this team, Brand has
started to relish with the Mavs. If these grades were taken over the last seven
games, Brand would probably be closer to a B. He’s providing a big, physical
body in the middle which is what this team lacks, and if he can continue his
recent success the Mavs won’t get hammered on the boards and be in a much
better position to win games.
Brandan Wright: C It’s a shame Brandan Wright is so soft
when it comes to rebounding. With a 65% shooting percentage, the guy has been
one of the Mavs’ most efficient offensive players when he finds his way onto
the floor. But that’s rare these days after Rick Carlisle got fed up with
Wright being overpowered on the vast majority of rebounds. Over the last two
games, however, Wright has been called upon due to other players’ injuries and
was a key factor in what turned out to be two much needed wins. But he still
only averaged five rebounds per game in that short span. It’s definitely in
Wright’s best interest to do whatever it takes to improve his rebounding in
some way, because he can really help this team if he can learn how to play like
a true post.
Bernard James: C James is another rookie that has earned
a little bit of Carlisle’s trust. “Sarge” doesn’t receive the amount of minutes
that fellow rook Jae Crowder gets, but when he does get his opportunity, he
makes the most of it. He’s a hustle player who is relentless when it comes to
hauling in second chance rebounds and has earned the respect of his veteran
teammates. His offensive game is somewhat limited, but he takes good shots and
makes 48% of them.
Dahntay Jones: C- Dahntay Jones leads the team in
offensive fouls drawn and has found his way into the starting lineup for a few
games, but his game is very limited. His presence is felt much more on the
defensive end rather than the offensive end (which is almost non-existent), but
he’s a disciplined veteran who is ready to contribute at moment’s notice.
Derek Fisher: C- Fisher has had a small sample size, but
a 3-1 record is nothing to turn your head at. His stats have been subpar, but
he provides a Kiddesque effect as the coach on the floor. His job is to set the
pace and be a game manager which he has done a good job of so far. Signing
Fisher does seem to be a step back for a team that wants to rebuild, but his
experience could more valuable off the court than on.
Dominique Jones: C- I personally don’t understand why
Jones’s minutes outweigh Beaubois’s. He’s physically stronger than Beaubois and
possibly slightly better at defense. But he has a bad case of tunnel vision
when he drives in the lane, which isn’t the best quality for a point guard to
have, and more often than not his layups don’t fall. DoJo has had his moments
of productivity, but he still causes concern at the depth of the point guard
position.
Roddy Beaubois: D+ Roddy must be pretty bad in practice or
a douchebag teammate. I don’t know any other explanation as to why he’s been
mostly glued to the bench since becoming a Maverick. Beaubois is definitely no
five-star talent, but he provides a spark off the bench that Dominique Jones
just doesn’t come close to in my opinion. His shots haven’t been automatic, but
this will always be a mystery to me as to why Roddy has to fight so hard for
minutes.
Jared Cunningham: D+ The first round draft pick earns this
grade only because he’s a rookie trying to find minutes on a team with a
crowded backcourt. It’s highly uncharacteristic for Carlisle to play one
rookie, let alone two or three. Bernard James is getting minutes because of the
lack of depth at the post position, but Cunningham is on the outside looking in
when it comes to playing time. The Mavs drafted him so highly because of his
talent on the defensive end, which is something for the Mavs fans to get excited
about. But we will have to be patient before Carlisle allows Cunningham to see
significant minutes.
Dirk Nowitzki: n/a Get will soon big fella, we need that
sweet fadeaway.
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