Nelson: Belly Up, Mavs
So much for the honeymoon. So much for the assumptions that this would be an easy ride. Don Nelson rolled in here with his sandbags and stole the pot in Game 1 using textbook Nellie Ball, but also a cast of very interesting, exciting players. The Mavericks had little to say after that thrashing, and already they find themselves needing a win on Wednesday – just a few days into their playoff march. Random observations from Game 1 follow:
• Baron Davis was off the charts last night. I have always liked his game but there have been times where his attitude and his fat have kept him from getting “all world” consideration. Well, I would suggest that Nelson has obviously moved him past those two problems as he is clearly more slender, and played as a warrior last night. Clearly, he isn’t going to hit every shot he takes every game – like he did in the second half last night. But, he is a very tough match-up and when a guy gets 10 rebounds early in the 2nd quarter, you know his head is right for the playoffs. Honestly, I had far greater fears about Jason Richardson, partly because all you hear is that Baron’s knee isn’t right, but it looks good to me, and now I think all game plans must revolve around what to do with Baron.
• The Mavericks on offense were a confused and clueless bunch from the opening tip on. Why do they look like they have never seen Dirk double-teamed before? Why did it turn quickly chaotic? They looked out of rhythm and confused. They looked reluctant to pound the ball when they had a match-up in their favor. And of course, the shooting was miserable. I am not as worried about guarding Golden State. I think the real issue with the Mavericks is on offense. If Jason Terry shoots 6-14, Dirk shoots 4-16, and Stackhouse 0-6, then this is going to be a short playoff campaign.
• Josh Howard was so good last night. His game has developed to such a level that it is now not a shock to say he was your best player. I thought his hands on defense were lightning quick, and he attacks on offense like nobody else. Things weren’t good last night, but Howard was clearly not the issue.
• Many, many emails about the refusal of the Mavericks to maintain their normal lineup. Avery is getting ripped for changing his game because of Nellie Ball. But remember, that is the beauty of small ball. If you don’t adapt, you have a match-up issue at pretty much every spot. Let’s say the Mavericks started with the normal 5 of Dampier, Dirk, Howard, Devin, and Terry:
Dampier guards Harrington (he can’t),
Dirk guards Jackson (he can’t for long),
Howard guards Richardson,
Terry tries to guard Baron Davis because Baron would pound Devin physically,
And Devin chases Ellis around.
I really think the only advantage is what you do on offense, but since Dampier doesn’t do anything on offense besides pound the glass and set screens (Diop, too), then you have quicker defenders swarming Dirk even worse. So in this case, I think Avery had to adapt to that lineup. This series may be all about Devin Harris taking the ball to the hoop like he did last night, but he needs to convert more bunnies. And, we have to hope his shoulder is not too damaged from the collision.
• Why is Mark Cuban looking so mad entertaining television?
• This is one of those times when you wish Dirk wasn’t so bad at posting up the smaller players. If he would just be determined to do this, many of these offensive issues would go away. But, this reminds me of Houston ’05 and Phoenix ’05 and ’06. Dirk is going to be guarded by smaller and quicker, and it is up to him to figure it out. What that means to us is that he will continue to launch shots from 18-23 feet. It works most the time. But, since we all enjoy our Larry Bird comparisons, I am reasonably sure Larry would have his dude down on the block.
• Yes, I do wonder if Jason Terry can be as good as he was last spring. His play all season has me wondering if we should expect last spring’s clutch performances. I have my worries.
• So who guards Baron Davis? And what game does Jason Richardson go for 35? And why does Stephen Jackson annoy me – because he reminds me of the ’03 Spurs series?
• Dick Stockton is amazingly consistent. He seems lost during his own broadcast whether it is football or basketball. One time he had Baron Davis with the foul when Baron wasn’t even in the picture. His observations are pretty much inane, and his call of the game has errors everywhere. If you weren’t sure, I think Dick Stockton has been bad for years, now. Of course, he was awesome 15 years ago.
• Did you think this was going to be easy? Did you forget the ice cream headaches, the knee jerk reactions, and the day after games pondering whether the Mavs were done? Look, bro, this isn’t for the faint of heart. Dig in and realize this thing isn’t decided in Game 1 of Round 1. Your boys did not when 67 games by getting lucky. They didn’t get to Game 6 of the NBA Finals by getting lucky. They got there because they are really good, and they know how to win a chess game. But, they get 7 games to win 4. So, knee jerking after 1 is jumping the gun. Let’s see what Wednesday brings.
For the one millionth time, the REASON the Mavs looked lost on offense and the REASON Dirk looked like he'd never seen a double team before is because their spacing was terrible because they're used to playing a center.
ReplyDeletePeriod.
Play damp and play an f-ing zone if you have to, but make no mistake, no center was the reason the Mavs looked so lost on offense.
Hell, Dirk was a -20, and Diop was a +8.
Play a freaking center.
UN-SHUN!!
ReplyDeleteOkay Mavs, you could have kept this team OUT of the effing playoffs with one stupid win last week, or at least attempted to do so. But instead of giving any thought that you might not want to mess with the hottest team in the freaking NBA, you rested all your starters and invited a first round match-up with them. Want a do-over on that now? Get ready for more of the same.
RE-SHUN!!!
I was highly frustrated by last night's game, but I don't doubt for a second that Avery's got them figuring out what went wrong today. Remember the shift to Badger, Badger in the Spurs series last year that was the key? Give Avery a chance.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record, I don't think more big guys is the answer unless their sole purpose is to bang people around. Remember, this Warriors team is not near as deep as our team. I think this would play more to our advantage if the NBA weren't insane in their schedules. For once someone can take a clue from the NHL.
Oh yeah, GO STARS!
Sorry Bob, but I have to reach for that panic button that you pulled out after Game 5 in last year's Finals.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why this matchup is the worst in basketball for the Mavs is, the Mavs do not have a low post scorer.
Like you said, put Damp and Diop out there and maybe you'll see more offensive tipouts and 3 or 4 putback dunks but that's it offensively. On defense, you'll see smaller players drive past them or shoot open 3's because Damp refuses to come out pasr 15 feet.
If you play the two bigs early, instead of the game being tight throughout, the Mavs will be down by 15+ by half. Check the second game played against GS this season.
This is a nightmare matchup and I hate that we have to play a disgruntled employee, one who will seek and receive sympathy from the media (see Norm and Galloway). Screw you Nellie and Nash.
Right, because Diop was just terrible when he played, right.
ReplyDeleteOh wait, his coming into the game coincided with two 7-0 runs, the second of which happening with Dirk on the bench?
Hmmm. Maybe there's something to this whole "playing your normal lineup when you're an f-ing 67 win team".
the ONLY reason I tuned into the last 5 minutes last night, was to see Mark twist off. funny, entertaining TV.
ReplyDeleteI fear the mavs may be done in round 1.
Go Stars!
It's likely that this will still turn out alright, but boy what a feeling this would be in the days of the 5-game series.
ReplyDeleteAs for Cro Cop, UFC 70 was the first UFC event I've ever watched. And I must say I think I'm a little bit hooked. When Gonzaga connected with that kick, I was more adrenalized than I've been watching a sporting event in a long, long time.
It's not the Mavs defense I'm worried about, so stop fretting about mismatches. Its the fact that the Mavs small-ball lineup only managed 85 points in a home playoff game.
ReplyDeleteCan we at least hope for some Champions League coverage on Wed-Thurs?
We can't beat the LA eff-ing Warriors??
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to say that I am in the camp that says Game 1 at least we shouldn't be playing their style of ball, it's a concession that we have to adjust to their style of play and appears to be a sign of weakness right off the bat.
First of all, we might not be knee-jerk reacting today if the Mavs could hit some jumpers and make a FREAKING layup??!!
I think the quick hands of the LA warriors frustrate the little mavs. I notice that they play much more in your face defense than other teams I've watched play the Mavs.
Second let's have at least Diop out there. Yes we'll give up some shots on D, but we'll get infinity rebounds and even more easy baskets on offense. Damp isn't an offensivce superstar but he can turn around and dunk over a 6-8 dude guarding him--come on!
The LA warriors are maybe the poor man's Suns and even the Suns who are bigger and more physical get out-rebounded all the time.
I think Baron Davis could be a real problem. Mavs may need to work some zone in. I think an offensive team like LA will get in trouble if we did zone and had a big man in there bc if the shots don't fall we get every rebound. Maybe they're too good of shooters for that but I think certainly the Mavs need to double up Baron and force the ball into somebody else's hands.
I haven't given up yet, I think Avery will make some good adjustments. I'm very interested to seel if Mavs start small ball on Weds.