I preface this article by admitting I am a huge Dallas Mavericks fan, but don’t think I let it influence my writing.
That being the case, by any measure the Mavs are shaping as one of the most improved teams in the coming 2014/15 season, aside from that mob from Ohio.
Last season, teamwork and shrewd coaching brought the Mavs within a game of upsetting the champion San Antonio Spurs before class took over in a Game 7 blowout. The reaction to this loss was swift, with the Mavs trading starters Samuel Dalembert and Jose Calderon (plus a few players and draft picks) for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.
There are some nice names involved in this trade but make no mistake, while Dalembert was a guy who played a handful of decent games a year he had trouble setting his alarm clock. He was a problem child and disruptive teammate.
However Chandler is a significant upgrade at centre and the success (or otherwise) of this trade depends entirely on him.
When dialled in, he a dominant defensive player capable of shaping his teams fortune on that end of the floor. Dallas will be hoping he can recapture his form from the Mavs 2010/11 championship run.
15 July 2014 was a significant day for the Mavs, who resigned franchise player and the all-time greatest Maverick Dirk Nowitzki to a three-year, $30million contract. Despite being 36 years of age, Nowitzki remains an efficiently elite offensive player, but would want to redeem himself after a below-par series against the Spurs in last season’s playoffs.
In addition to signing Dirk, the Mavs signed free-agent Chandler Parsons on a three-year, $45million contract. A dynamic swingman from the cross-state Houston Rockets, Parsons comes with a cocky attitude and has leveraged from one outstanding NBA season. Defence has never been a priority for Parsons, a fact that is sure to change under Carlisle zone-heavy defensive structure.
Free-agents Jameer Nelson, Al-Farouq Aminu and Richard Jefferson figure to play a role for the Mavs this season, who may well go 10 players deep and have as much offensive firepower as anyone in the league.
Dallas will start top 10 players at four of the five starting positions (Ellis, Parsons, Nowitzki and Chandler) with Jameer Nelson, Devin Harris and Felton fighting for the starting point guard spot.
While Felton could start, he could just as easily slip to third-choice point guard if he doesn’t embrace the Dallas culture. He has a history of struggling with fitness and condition, and has had his fair of off-court distractions. The Mavericks organisation won’t accept that behaviour, so Felton will be walking a fine line from the first day of training camp.
Jae Crowder, Aminu, Jefferson and Brandon Wright will come off the bench in the other positions, rounding out a top quality offensive roster. But as is the issue every year, Dallas will rely on the brilliance of Carlisle and Chandler to play the kind of defence that will enable them to progress past the first round.
The losses of Shawn Marion to Cleveland and Vince Carter to Memphis are telling blows, robbing the Mavericks of their most explosive offensive player and one of the league’s best defenders.
Marion has been as underrated a player as the NBA has known in the last decade or so, and will be a massive loss while Carter’s ability to come off the bench and change a game immediately will be sorely missed.
So having said all that, where do the Mavs sit in the Western Conference? The Spurs remain the class of the West until proven otherwise, and the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers figure to remain on the level below them. Beyond that, the fourth seed is there for the taking and I see the Mavs taking that spot ahead of the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trailblazers.
Agree or disagree? Let me know!
Sam Rigney
Expert
As we all know the west is going to be strong and deep again this season, but I do like the Mavs to improve. Their starters (Chandler, Nowitzki, Ellis, Parsons and Felton/Nelson) could be the fourth best squad on paper, but what about their depth? Where are those other crucial 20 or so points going to come from? Losing Marion could be crucial on the defensive end, but Parsons should be the perfect fit between Ellis' penetrating and Nowitzki's post-ups.
Steven Paice
Roar Guru
Tyler, I am not sure how that logic works? If Parsons was 'free' at $15m/year, why not pay $5m more and sign a superstar to a max contract? I am also not sure on what basis you would choose Aminu and Jefferson over Carter, who is a likely Hall of Famer and still a starter-quality player. Keen to hear back on how you measure that
mushi
Guest
That don't think of chandler parson contract as bad move for the contract size, think of it as a free contract given dirk took the pay cut to create the cap space. Whislt he isn't a plus defender he wasn't a complete liability on defence
astro
Guest
Yeah, Carlisle is the big factor in all this. He's done amazing things with Carter, Ellis and Calderon, as you mention, so maybe he gets Felton fit and playing to his potential again.
astro
Guest
Yeah, trade the guy who just took a 65% pay cut and saved your club $72 million with his new contract.
Joe
Guest
The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook released their NBA season win total odds today.They have the Mavs at over/under 49.5 wins I'll attach some other teams win totals here,always interesting to see how the books perceive a teams chances Cavs 58.5 Spurs 56.5 Clippers 55.5 Warriors 50.5 Grizzlies 48.5 Hornets 45.5 Suns 42.5 Pacers 32.5 Lakers 31.5 Celtics 26.5 Sixers 15.5
Joe
Guest
Hey Tyler i cant even figure out what you're trying to convey in this comment? Are you stoned or just stupid?
Steven Paice
Roar Guru
Agree with that Mushi, I can see Ellis playing a decent amount of pick and roll with Chandler as Monta proved last season that in the last environment he can be an elite NBA guard
Steven Paice
Roar Guru
I think concerns about Chandler's health and durability are valid Astro, and the point guard position is a glaring issue. Carlisle was able to largely cover Calderon's terrible defense last season and will need to do so again this year. While the Mavs have three serviceable point guards, their best on-court combination might be where Ellis handles the ball and Nelson, Harris and Felton ride the pine. The depth of quality Western Conference point guards is enviable, and how Dallas handles this challenge come playoff time will be intriguing. I don't rule out them making a few moves in season to try and shore up a shaky backcourt.
Steven Paice
Roar Guru
Joe I agree on Parsons and think he has been massively overpaid. But Chandler is the difference maker for me. He is not only an elite individual defender, but anchors the team and covers Dirk's weaknesses. I think Dallas will be very confident they can match it with every team outside San Antonio, Oklahoma City and the Clippers.
tyler
Guest
Firk took a pay cut to get him. Dirk makes 8 million per year. Chandler gets 15 million. I would think that 23 million or basically a max contract that dirk could have asked for instead got chandler. So for those of us educated people we think that essentially a free chandler parsons is an excellent deal and job well done. If you want to make the argument that dirk is not worth the max level contract well then I would say you need more schooling. Two teams including the Houston rockets offered dirk the max level deal. So ya we lost Marion in the deal but how long do you keep the older players who are not superstars? I'll take parsons over Marion any day. Oh and aminu or Jefferson over vince Carter any day
mushi
Guest
My issue with chandler is his offensive prowess is as a great roll man - just can't see the felton/nelson/harris trio being the spring board he's going to need
mushi
Guest
can't - no trade clause
Johnno
Guest
Trade Dirk.
astro
Guest
Can't say I see the same level of improvement in Dallas as you, Steven. My concerns are really Tyson Chandler's health, and the PG position. If Chandler stays on the court, the Dallas front line looks great...but if he doesn't, its trouble ahead. He's 32 and coming off a season with injury problems, so that's not a promising start... As for PG...Well, Nelson and Felton are pretty much washed up at this stage. Both are poor shooters, even poorer defenders and on the slow side when it comes to getting around the court. Harris will have to step up, but that's a big call. In a conference where teams start Parker, Westbrook, CP3, Curry, Dragic, Lillard etc at the point, being weak at that position is an issue. I also think both the Pelicans with Asik and Davis forming a beastly front court duo, and the Suns with more experience for Plumlee and Thomas off the bench, will improve and bump Dallas out of the playoff picture. Having said all that, Dirk will still be great, and Carlisle will get the best out of his squad...much could rest on Parsons.
Joe
Guest
Sorry, I left out the Clippers, who again will be in the hunt for a top seed. Houston could be the team that regresses this season i wouldn't be surprised if they missed the playoffs.
Joe
Guest
I don't see much difference from where they finished last regular season. Maybe they can get lucky on the injury front & contend for a 4th seed in West But in all likelihood they'll be fighting for a seed on the lower end,6th 7th or 8th seed. Signing Parsons was a bad move.Not so much that they signed him,but the amount they are paying him.Way too much money for a guy who is a solid scorer but a total liability on defense. Marion is s loss,even at his age he was effective,but Chandler (if healthy) can be a huge upgrade for the Mavs interior defense The West is loaded again & non playoff teams from last season (Suns Pelicans, possibly Kings) will be better & look for them to make a strong push. Barring injuries you have to figure Spurs Warriors Blazers Grizzlies Thunder all make the playoffs. So that leaves 3 spots.I think Dallas gets in,they have talent but it will be in the 7th or 8th spot.