Overall these Mavs are bloody hard to beat. After a slow start they have really hit thier straps. Currently on a streak of 10 strait and they put up 12 strait earlier in the year. The most important thing about both those runs, is that they beat good teams during thier streaks SA, LAC LAL and PHX (freshly off a streak of thier own).Everyone forgets about them year after year. That might be a product of thier years of great seasons followed by playoff failures. (Anything but a chip is considered a failure by a team that has so much regular season success). This Is a different team. Avery took them to the finals last year and there is no reason to think they wont be back. Only an incredible all time performance by DWade denied them the chip. The old saying "gotta lose one to win one" might apply to this bunch. I cant really see them not making the finals again, and I think with the experience of last year under thier belt they will be taking home the hardware.I think these the following guys are the important peices in thier quest (Yes every player is important, but IMO they need these guys) Eric Dampier. Starting Centre. 8.9ppg 8.3rpg 1.25bpg .659 fg%Big Strong guy who is quite productive despite only 26.1mmpg. Really one of the underrated Big guys getting around. Not exactly what you'd call silky smooth but has a way of getting it done. His role in thier success is underrated. His size really helps the Mavs D as he clogs up the lane, and also blocks a shot or 2.DeSagana Diop -Backup Centre 2.3ppg 4.9 rpg 1.5bpg 17.3mpgBackup to Dampier, Well not exactly backup, more like partner. Theyshare the majority of the minutes. Not as productive as Eric but a good blocker and able to clog up the middle nicely. Both are a bit prone to fouls but between them they are one most solid centre combo's in the L. (Solid, not flashy or stars but solid)Dirk Nowitski -Power forward (more like finesse Forward ) 23.2ppg 9.4rpg 3.2ApgWhere it starts and ends for Dallas (IMO). Dirk Is pretty much impossible to stop, his size and shooting touch make him a nightmare matchup. He has improved his defense and the wrap of being soft is finally being layed to rest. He was driving alot more and being more aggressive during thier run through the playoffs last season and this year. He can hit shoot from pretty much aywhere. Dirk is a Bonafide MVP cadidate.Josh Howard - Forward/Gaurd 19.2ppg 6.3 rpg 1.3bpg .433 3pt%Versitile young guy. The playoff and finals experience have proved the making of this kid. He is getting 4ppg more this year and shooting at a better clip. His defense is one thing that I really like. He seems commited to playing good D, which I think is a really a testament to Avery's coaching style. I think it is only a matter of time until he is playing in the allstar game. Great % from downtown helps alot.Jason Terry - Gaurd 16.3ppg 4.8apg .430 3pt%Great gaurd, I really think he is the Dallas Mavricks personified, underrated, unnoticed but just keeps winning.Terry has a knack of having massive games when needded most. Distributes the ball well and plays great defense, actually plays alot like his coach did, high energy and has good commitment on defense. Can score in bunches if required. Jerry Stackhouse -Forward/gaurd 11.3ppg .839 ftTo have this guy coming off the bench is a luxary most teams would kill to have - hell most team would love to have him starting for them. Jerry jsut like Terry can change the game with his offense, he can put up points in a flash if he's hot. He can also have poor shot selection and his defense is not a strong point. Stack has accepted his role in Dallas and is a vital cog in thier run at the chip.Avery Johnson Head CoachGotta Love this guy, made the transition from player to coach flawlessly. His focus on defense has been one of the major factors in transforming the Mavs from good team to the team to beat. Avery Recently became the fastest coach ever to record 100wins. Expect alot more wins in the future from this little general.Well that's my opinion....whats yours? :winkglasses:
You put a lot of work in that post but how is Harris not on that list and Stackhouse is? Anyways I have a feeling the suns will be the toughest matchup for the mavs this year. They are loaded with talent and got Amare back.
I disagree with a couple things on Howard and Terry. Such as Howard's commitment on d. He gets passive and worries about the other end at times, rather then the defensive end. Also, he still picks up cheap fouls.On Terry, he's not a good defender but I do give him credit for trying. The winning comment to me seems off as he wasn't winning in Atlanta.Other then that, nice writeup, though I don't like the topic title. I don't want a jinx.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Jan 2 2007, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You put a lot of work in that post but how is Harris not on that list and Stackhouse is? Anyways I have a feeling the suns will be the toughest matchup for the mavs this year. They are loaded with talent and got Amare back.</div>Yeah your right about me leaving Harris off - but I had Stack there cos he can be bad for the team as well as good! Plus I dont get to see many Dallas games and bould only go on the ones I have seen. Harris is really good though I guess I just overlooked him :S
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clangus @ Jan 1 2007, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No comments? No angry suns fans calling me an idiot?</div>Nope, I think the Suns have a great chance to get it but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mavs there again....or the Spurs, or Nuggets either. Very nice post.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Jan 1 2007, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You put a lot of work in that post but how is Harris not on that list and Stackhouse is? Anyways I have a feeling the suns will be the toughest matchup for the mavs this year. They are loaded with talent and got Amare back.</div>Gee...who'd have thought you'd have that gripe, lolBTW, he said all the players on the team are important...but these are the MOST important to HIM...that's it. Stackhouse will be needed this year in the playoffs once again, and so will Harris...so let's just go ahead and say both are important for this team to win a title and not have massive debates about it agian this year okay?<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Jan 2 2007, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nope, I think the Suns have a great chance to get it but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mavs there again....or the Spurs, or Nuggets either. Very nice post.</div>The Nuggets don't have a chance...AI/Melo or not. They aren't even the 4th best team in their Conference...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Marvinmartian @ Jan 2 2007, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Gee...who'd have thought you'd have that gripe, lolBTW, he said all the players on the team are important...but these are the MOST important to HIM...that's it. Stackhouse will be needed this year in the playoffs once again, and so will Harris...so let's just go ahead and say both are important for this team to win a title and not have massive debates about it agian this year okay?</div>Stackhouse isn't needed as badly as you think. Buckner and George are equally capable of taking Stackhouse's minutes without an overall team dropoff. Both aren't as good as Terry or Howard but they are respectable. Anthony Johnson though I would say is a big dropoff. Definitely not impressed with him this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Marvinmartian @ Jan 2 2007, 12:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Nuggets don't have a chance...AI/Melo or not. They aren't even the 4th best team in their Conference...</div>I think they are. They have a great duo right there, if they can work together then they will be very good. I wouldn't be surprised if they upset you guys in the first or 2nd round. :winkglasses:I forgot the Jazz though so lets add them too if they stay healthy and Boozer keeps playing like this.
The Nuggets are still a second tier team. For crying out loud, we havent even seen Iverson play with Melo. Who knows if it'll work. All I heard from people when Webber got traded to the Sixers was that the Sixers were a threat in the East. We all see how that ended. Denver still doesn't play defense and cant just start playing when it comes to the playoffs. They are an intersting team, but a greatly flawed team as well. Mavs and Spurs arent flawed on any aspects of the game. They have great EVERYTHING. They can run and gun or grind it out and everything in between. Whatever they choose, thats how the game goes. They dictate the flow of the game better than every other team in the league except Phoenix. Remember guys, the Nuggets are STILL behind the Jazz in the standings and arent showing any signs of slowing down. This gives the Nuggets a 5th seed or lower most likely. They'll have to play a top tier team in the 1st round and hope that they dont get matched up with Dallas or SA. Not the Nuggets year. Not until they show signs of defense. Oh, also, great write up Clangus. Like it when fans of other teams give the Mavs credit. :dribble:
thanks for the comments guys. This is the first time that I have attepted such a long post. I will endevour to improve in the future. I do agree that I am off a little in some areas, that is mostly due to the fact I dont get to see alot of Mavs games. I had to base it on the limited ones I have seen.
