Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) and guard Monta Ellis (11) prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 114-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks
By Mohamed Abdirahman
Record: 50-32
First Round Opponent: Houston Rockets
Season Series: Rockets won 3-1
The Dallas Mavericks are a different team now compared to the first month and a half of the season. Faces have changed, egos have clashed, but nothing has been more different than their offense.
During that month and a half, the Mavs offense was great; historically great in fact. They had the 2nd highest net rating at 8.5, only behind the Warriors, who in their right were also on pace for a historic season. They had an offensive rating of 113.6 through December 18th. Only 21 teams have had an offensive rating higher than that in NBA history.
Then, things changed.
On December 18, 2014, the Celtics traded Rajon Rondo to the Mavs for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and picks. The reasoning for the trade from the Mavs side was to bolster their perimeter defense, and that isn’t happening if Jameer Nelson is playing significant minutes (he was 5th in minutes per game on the Mavs as of Dec 18). It seemed reasonable at the time, and suddenly the Mavs looked like a legit threat for the West crown.
Well, things have changed for the worst.
Since December 20th (Rondo’s first game) the Mavs are 13th in offensive efficiency, a far cry from their dominant start to the season. They are 18th in defensive efficiency and were 20th before the Rondo trade. That’s barely an improvement, and considering how great their offense was before Rondo, it doesn’t balance out.
Rondo has been horrific this season.
Rondo and Monta Ellis, two headcases, seem to get along off the court. But on the court, the pairing isn’t working out so well. Out of the 7 two man lineups for the Mavs that have played at least 900 minutes together this season, Ellis and Rondo have the 2nd worst Net Rating at -2.6, behind only the combination of Rondo and Chandler, which can’t space the floor even if their lives depended on it.
vs The Rockets
Look, the there’s no way the Mavericks can beat the Rockets in the first round. Yes the Rockets have very limited options outside of James Harden, but the fact that they’re going up against harden is just too much. There’s nobody on Dallas that can guard him. His matchup, Monta Ellis, has always been a bad defender, Rondo is too small to do any damage and Parsons is simply an average defender. If Dwight Howard remains healthy, he’s simply too much for an aging Tyson Chandler.
But a key advantage that the Mavericks have is at point guard. If Jason Terry is starting for the Rox at point guard when the playoffs start, Rondo must take advantage of that. Seriously, Terry is 37 years old and can’t guard anybody. Yeah he can shoot, but that’s really where it ends. It would be absolutely inexcusable for Rondo to put up 8 points per game like he’s doing now.
Rondo is the Mavs biggest X factor. If he plays well, I can see the series going 6, maybe 7 tough games. Unfortunately, there’s a good chance they lose.
Next: Be careful what you wish for, AD