Best Fit #4: allas Mavericks
DeAndre Ayton: Dallas Mavericks
Rick Carlisle’s squad has had an up-and-down season to say the least.
Their 18-40 record may not show it, but Dallas actually has a bright future. While they did start the season a putrid 3-15, and it took them until the 35th game of the NBA season to get just their 10th win, there’s more than meets the eye with this young squad.
At the time of this writing the allas Mavericks rank 19th in defensive rating as a team, which (obviously) isn’t the worst spot to be in considering their best player is Harrison Barnes (not a shot at Barnes, just stating facts); but put differently – they are only a spot removed from being in the bottom third of the league in defensive rating.
Swarm and Sting
On the other side of the ball, the Mavericks rank 21st in offensive rating as a team, which puts them in the bottom third of teams in the NBA, but also just a few spots removed from not being in that category. Put those together, and you have a perfect metaphor for this year’s Mavericks. But fear not Mavs nation! There is hope.
This is the roster the Mavericks won the NBA title with in 2011 (in order according to Basketball Reference):
- Alexis Ajinca
- J.J. Barea
- Rodrigue Beaubois
- Corey Brewer
- Caron Butler
- Brian Cardinal
- Tyson Chandler
- Brendan Haywood
- Dominique Jones
- Jason Kidd
- Ian Mahinmi
- Shawn Marion
- Steve Novak
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Sasha Pavlovic
- DeShawn Stevenson
- Peja Stojakovic
- Jason Terry
I feel that this is a good spot to remind you that this came against the Heatles (albeit in their first season together), but the Mavs won 4-2…. in Miami. Honestly I’m just surprised Rick Carlisle wasn’t put on trial for witchcraft after the series.
How did those Mavs do it? Well, Dirk was younger which, unless the Mavs know where the Fountain of Youth is, can’t be changed – but they can replicate the formula:
Strong guard play: The Mavs had Jason Kidd back then, and the Jet firing on all cylinders, along with fan favorite J.J. Barea. Now? They have DSJ and Wesley Matthews. Check.
A defensive stopper on the wings: The Mavs had Shawn Marion and Caron Butler (kind of). Now? They have Harrison Barnes (kind of) and….. check back with me in the offseason.
A stretch big: The Mavs had Dirk. Now? They still have Dirk; and a pleasant find in Maxi Kleber. Check.
A pick-and-roll partner: The Mavs had Tyson Chandler. Now? They have Nerlens Noel (who Carlisle said he plans on giving more run after the break, which I’m not holding my breath on – but who knows? Maybe DSJ and Noel develop strong chemistry) Let’s say the Mavs don’t give Noel much run. Enter Ayton.
Ayton is a bruiser – and, unlike Bamba or really any of the other big man prospects – physically imposing at 7’1″ and 250 lbs. You can quote me on this – I think that by bringing in a solid post scorer in Ayton will reverse the trend of 3-point shooting, and we will start to see a new era of dominant, back-to-the-basket big men.
Will 3-point shooting be a part of Carlisle’s philosophy? Of course – he’s a genius, and isn’t going to get stuck in the past. But give Carlisle a bruising center he hasn’t had since Tyson Chandler? Don’t be surprised if the Mavs take a serious leap next season.