Bullets Forever - Mavericks vs. Wizards: Washington can't get 2013 started right"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2013-01-02T10:32:55-05:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/35890152013-01-02T10:32:55-05:002013-01-02T10:32:55-05:00Links: Jekyll & Hyde Edition
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<p>Happy Depressing New Same Ol' Same Ol' Year!!</p> <p><i>Kicking off 2013 the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> way! links:</i></p>
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<li>Sustained stretches of good and bad basketball in the same game have been a calling card for the Wizards this season, but nevermore than in last night's 103-94 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>, who had lost six in a row and nine of 10 overall. The Wiz played perhaps their best ball of the season during the first 20-or-so minutes and their worst in the third quarter. The end result was familiar, though. Home recaps: [<a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/1/3826128/washington-wizards-dallas-mavericks-recap-january-1">Us</a> | <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2013/1/1/3826084/washington-wizards-dallas-mavericks-game-recap-final-score">SB Nation DC</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/game-recap-wizards-94-mavericks-103">WashingtonWizards.com</a> | <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mavericks-break-6-game-skid-013216096--nba.html">AP</a> | <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/wizards-vs-mavericks-dallas-is-latest-to-use-washington-to-end-losing-streak/2013/01/01/44981592-5461-11e2-bf3e-76c0a789346f_story.html">Washington Post</a> | <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/1/wizards-cant-sustain-solid-start-fall-mavericks/">Washington Times</a> | Washington Examiner (<a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/new-year-same-result-for-wizards/article/2517338">gamer</a>, <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/mavericks-103-wizards-94-three-thoughts/article/2517339#.UOREsG-5w8o">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wizards-fall-mavericks">CSN Washington</a> | <a href="http://www.truthaboutit.net/2013/01/reax-wizards-94-vs-mavs-103-vinsanity-surfaces-at-the-verizon-center.html">Truth About It</a> | <a href="http://wizofawes.com/2013/01/01/despite-beal-wizards-fall-to-mavs/">Wiz of Awes</a> | <a href="http://www.hoopdata.com/boxscore.aspx?id=330101027">Hoopdata box score</a> <span style="line-height: 9px;">| </span><a href="http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20130101&game=DALWAS">Popcorn Machine</a>]</li>
<li>Road recaps: [Mavs Moneyball (<a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/1/1/3825562/mavericks-vs-wizards-score-2012">recap</a>, <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/1/2/3827192/post-game-quotes-and-poll-mavericks-vs-wizards">postgame quotes</a>) | <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/2013/1/1/3826024/mavericks-vs-wizards-2012-recap-dallas-rolls-in-second-half-103-94">SB Nation Dallas</a> | <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20130101-carter-starts-scores-25-as-mavericks-snap-skid-hold-off-wizards-103-94.ece">Dallas Morning News</a> | Fort Worth Star-Telegram (<a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/01/4517839/mavs-ring-in-2013-by-snapping.html">gamer</a>, <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/01/4517841/dirk-shows-glimpses-of-his-familiar.html">sidebar</a>) | <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4693487/rapid-reaction-mavs-103-wizards-94">ESPN Dallas</a>]</li>
<li>Postgame interviews. [<a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/wittman-presser-1113">Wittman</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/bradley-beal-postgame-010113">Beal</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/nene-postgame-010113">Nene</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/kevin-seraphin-what-happened-2nd-half">Seraphin</a>]</li>
<li>The Wizards will need a quick turnaround in order to collect their first win of 2013 tonight against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a>. [<a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2013/1/2/3827262/wizards-pacers-game-time-tv-schedule-preview">SB Nation DC</a> | <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/wizards-pacers-preview-054056374--nba.html">AP</a>]</li>
<li>Jordan analyzes the Wizards' <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/2/3826562/where-is-the-wizards-transition-defense">horrible transition defense against the Mavs</a>.</li>
<li>The Wizards are still on pace to set some kind of "worst ever" record. [<a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/capital-games/Wizards-On-Pace-To-Challenge-For-Worst-Record-In-NBA-History-185410512.html">NBC4 Washington</a>]</li>
<li>Which Wizard was one of the saddest athletes in 2012? [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/2/3793874/the-saddest-athletes-of-2012">SB Nation</a>]</li>
<li>But hey, at least he and another injured Wizard are starting to get healthier. [<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/randy-wittman-continues-to-juggle-as-wizards-get-closer-to-full-strength/2012/12/31/9785cd96-5392-11e2-89de-76c1c54b1418_story.html">Washington Post</a> | <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/31/wizards-randy-wittman-desires-healthier-team-in-20/">Washington Times</a> | <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/wizards-notebook-ariza-wall-crawford-injury-updates">CSN Washington</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/randy-wittman-interview-123112">Wittman interview</a> | <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/trevor-ariza-interview-123112">Ariza interview</a>]</li>
<li>What should the Wizards' New Year's resolution be? [<a href="http://nba.si.com/2013/01/01/new-years-resolutions-eastern-conference/?sct=uk_t12_a5">The Point Forward</a>]</li>
<li>First it was Nene, and now <span>Emeka Okafor</span> has joined the effort in mentoring <span>Kevin Seraphin</span>. [<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/1/kevin-seraphin-gets-some-tough-love-his-big-brothe/">Washington Times</a>]</li>
<li>Sounds like Derek would like the Wizards to take a shot on <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, assuming the opportunity presented itself. [<a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/1/3818674/are-the-wizards-ready-for-demarcus-cousins">Us</a>]</li>
<li>But David Aldridge wonders whether the Wizards have the kind of institutional structure and locker room culture Cousins would need to thrive [<a href="http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/david_aldridge/12/31/morning-tip-top-10-stories-2012/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6a">NBA.com</a>]</li>
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<span>JaVale McGee</span> made the first 3-pointer of his career last night. He celebrated as only Epic Vale can. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/1/3826546/javale-mcgee-gif-nuggets-clippers">SB Nation</a> | <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21483843/video-nuggets-center-javale-mcgee-hits-first-3pointer-of-his-career">CBS Sports</a>]</li>
<li>Two days into 2013, relive <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/the-year-in-bf">The Year in BF</a> with us.</li>
<li>Roundup of NBA's Tuesday scores. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/2/3827292/nba-scores-2012-los-angeles-clippers-amare-stoudemire">SB Nation</a>]</li>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/2/3827434/links-up-and-down-wizards-lose-again-to-the-mavsJeff Newman2013-01-02T09:00:35-05:002013-01-02T09:00:35-05:00Awful transition defense
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<p>The Wizards' defense turned the Dallas Mavericks into the 2006 Phoenix Suns.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> had a four-point lead at halftime of Tuesday's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>, but thanks to some shoddy transition defense, the Wizards’ lead turned into a 12-point deficit by the end of the third quarter. Let’s take a look at how <span>Darren Collison</span> and the Mavericks were able to take advantage of Washington’s defense.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dallas started their quick strike offense early in the quarter. The Wizards look like they are pretty safe in the clip below, as they have all five defenders in front of the ball, but Collison was able to force the issue anyway. As the defense is still getting set up, <span>Garrett Temple</span> and Nene couldn’t work out how to defend <span>Chris Kaman</span>’s drag screen. This cost Temple his fourth foul, and he was benched for the rest of the quarter.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pzDyB7WkYOo" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1357099727634"></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">With Shelvin Mack replacing Temple, Collison continued his early attacking play. In both of the clips below, the Wizards have all five defenders back on defense, but they are obviously not prepared to defend. In the first clip, <span>Kevin Seraphin</span> isn’t ready to help on a ball screen, and Collison gets into the lane. In the second clip, Mack gets beat 30 feet away from the basket, and there are no help defenders in sight. In both cases, neither Mack nor the help defenders do their jobs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jWNfzuVguIY" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1357099755546"></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">A few possessions later, we see the same thing again. The Wizards have the numbers, but there is nobody actually playing defense. By the time Collison gets to the three point line, the Wizards don’t have anyone in the paint, which is essentially an open invitation for Collison to drive. Although <span>Jan Vesely</span> was initially out of position, this is the kind of instinctual, athletic block I’d like to see him make. Collison isn’t going to wow anybody with his athleticism around the basket, so a block here shouldn’t be too much to ask for.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of Vesely, he had another chance to stop Collison later in the third quarter, but failed. With a running start against a six-footer, it would seem that a chasedown block would be in order.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/64WM1TkHH1A" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1357099814569"></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Combine these pseudo-transition plays with a <a target="_blank" href="http://youtu.be/yHa4kLVHKjo">few other runouts</a>, and it’s easy to see how the Wizards got blown out in the third quarter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The revolving door of free-agent point guards and inexperienced help defenders reared its ugly head, and Collison took advantage of the Wizards transition defense.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/2/3826562/where-is-the-wizards-transition-defensejkahn152013-01-01T20:33:04-05:002013-01-01T20:33:04-05:00Third quarter collapse: Wizards fall to Mavs
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<p>The Washington Wizards got off to a hot start but fell apart in the third quarter as they lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 103-94.</p> <p>WASHINGTON -- For about 22 minutes, it looked like 2013 would be a great year for the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a>. The team got off to an incredible start against the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a>, jumping out to an early 14-point lead on the strength of a hot start from <span>Bradley Beal</span> and an excellent team defensive performance.</p>
<p>As usually happens with this team, though, guys stopped making shots and the wheels came off on offense. Washington fell behind in the third quarter and never really making it a close game the rest of the way, eventually losing 103-94.</p>
<p>The worst thing about tonight's performance is that the team's perimeter defense looked really weak at times, as <span>Vince Carter</span> looked unstoppable while scoring 23 points and <span>O.J. Mayo</span> barely had to break a sweat while chipping in 15.</p>
<p>Oh well. At least Beal had a good game and <span>Jan Vesely</span> showed some signs of life. Here are some game notes.</p>
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<li>Bradley Beal looked awesome early on. He hit a nice floater over Vince Carter in the lane, a three from the corner, and had a brutal rejection on Collison by the time Dallas calls the first timeout of the night with 7:40 left in the first.</li>
<li> <span>Emeka Okafor</span> is so awkward looking when he tries to shoot. Fortunately, he's been finding the net a bit tonight and has 4 early points and a couple of boards.</li>
<li> <span>Martell Webster</span> has been active and effective early on. You could make the case that he's been the team's most reliable and consistent player this year.</li>
<li>Nasty dunk by Jan late in the first quarter. He's slowly but surely seeming to get his confidence back.</li>
<li>Washington's up 29 - 23 as the first quarter comes to a close. Beal's your MVP and Jan is looking a lot better than normal.</li>
<li>The Wizards are just clicking tonight. Everyone's playing the way we thought they would during the offseason, including Beal and Vesely. It's 34 - 23 early in the second quarter and Washington's outplayed Dallas in every way imaginable.</li>
<li>Ok, so this is the type of thing that makes me so much more optimistic about Jan Vesely than a lot of people seem to be. Early in the game, he played a couple of minutes next to Seraphin, Martin, Mack, and Crawford and, despite how awful all of the team's perimeter defenders were, Dallas could only score off of bad shots and open jumpers given up by poor rotations by the perimeter players. If Jan ever sticks, he's going to be one of those guys who doesn't put up numbers but always seems to have incredible plus/minus ratings, sort of like a cross between <span>Nick Collison</span> and <span>Ekpe Udoh</span>.</li>
<li>There is nothing - nothing - better about the Wizards viewing experience than Inflatable G Wiz. That's not a bad thing.</li>
<li>Washington continues to knock down shots and play absurdly competent offense, even as the defense slips a bit with Vesely's exit about halfway through the second. It's 51 - 39 Washington with 2:20 left. Beal, Okafor, Nene, and The Airwolf are the team's standouts.</li>
<li>It's 52 - 48 at halftime. Dallas made a comeback largely on the strength of Vince Carter and <span>Chris Kaman's</span> scoring along with Marion's defense on Nene.</li>
<li>Kaman's scoring a lot and really exposes the Wizards' inability to guard really tall post players. Fortunately, there aren't too many of them, but it's still something the team might want to fix sometime soon. A real rim protector is the main thing keeping the defense from becoming truly great.</li>
<li>With Washington down three and about halfway through the third quarter, <span>Jordan Crawford</span> took leaning fadeaway over two defenders for no apparent reason. Is this the dark side of steez?</li>
<li>Washington's offense falls apart when Nene comes out. It's not as noticeable when Beal and Seraphin are hitting shots, but this team just can't get clean looks without a strong playmaker to set everyone up.</li>
<li>Dallas is up 90 - 76 with 9:10 left in the fourth quarter. The fourth has been a lot like the third in that Vince Carter is getting buckets like it's 2005 and no one on the Wizards can score.</li>
<li> <span>Garrett Temple</span> has looked legit in the few minutes he's been on the floor tonight. He's looking decent shooting from the corners and handling the ball and he's been the team's best backcourt defender all night.</li>
<li>Seraphin used a dropstep and a countermove on one play in the fourth quarter tonight. He looked hesitant but it worked out and he made the shot. Hopefully we'll see more of this in the future.</li>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/1/3826128/washington-wizards-dallas-mavericks-recap-january-1Thomas Pruitt2013-01-01T15:44:43-05:002013-01-01T15:44:43-05:00Discuss Mavs vs. Wizards here
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Discuss the game here.</p> <table cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2012/2013 NBA Regular Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/6/228/full/436.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/wizards_alt_logo_hand.gif" height="72" width="80"></center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>January 1, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Verizon Center</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>6 p.m.</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>CSN, 106.7 The Fan</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Projected Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Darren Collison</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>Garrett Temple</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>O.J. Mayo</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Bradley Beal</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Shawn Marion</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Martell Webster</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Elton Brand</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240">Nene</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Chris Kaman</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><p><span>Emeka Okafor</span></p></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">94.4 (3rd)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240"><span>91.3 (20th)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">102.1 (23rd)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240"><span>95.5 (30th)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">107.1 (23rd)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240"><span>103.9 (10th)</span></td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">Also see: <a href="http://mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a> | <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/1/3824974/mavericks-vs-wizards-game-2012-new-years-day">StoryStream</a> |<a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/wizards-fast-break-010113"> Fast Break</a> </th></tr> </tbody></table>
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<p>I am traveling and therefore won't be at Verizon tonight. Thomas has your in-game coverage and your recap.</p>
<p>GO WIZARDS!</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/1/3825292/mavericks-vs-wizards-game-time-tv-schedule-and-open-threadMike Prada2013-01-01T13:30:06-05:002013-01-01T13:30:06-05:00Meet the Mavericks
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington Wizards host the Dallas Mavericks as the team attempts to kick off 2013 with a bang.</p> <p>Happy New Year! The Washington Wizards meet the Dallas Mavericks tonight as both teams try to start 2013 off the right way. Here's everything you need to know about tonight's game, featuring a cameo from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball's</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KirkSeriousFace">Kirk Henderson</a>.</p>
<p><b>Where and When?</b> Tip off is at 6 p.m. EST at the Verizon Center. Yes, you read that correctly, <i>6 p.m</i>.</p>
<p><b>Who's Out?</b> Dallas is completely healthy, although Dirk Nowitzki hasn't looked quite right since coming back from an injury. Shelvin Mack and Jordan Crawford are day-to-day for the Wizards, while Trevor Ariza, Trevor Booker, John Wall and A.J. Price are out for Washington.</p>
<p><b>Why Should I Care?</b> This is actually a pretty tough sell. I have no statistics to back this up or anything, but for my money, Dallas has always been one of the league's more boring teams to watch (seriously, the last time I went to a Mavericks game, a friend of mine fell asleep ... in the second quarter.). It's not that they're bad or have obnoxious fans or anything like that, they just take and make a lot of jumpers and it gets a little repetitive. I guess the flip side of this is that, if you're a fan of 18-foot jumpers, this is a game you'll want to record and archive.</p>
<p><b>Is Dallas Any Good?</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlgFvYQMEBY">No one really knows for sure yet</a>. Dirk has only been back for four games and the Mavericks are, as always, built around him. While they've struggled to a 12-19 record, Dallas has traditionally been really bad when Dirk's been out with injuries and surprisingly good when he's healthy. Remember that year they won the title? <a target="_blank" href="http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/29/mavericks-offense-collapses-without-nowitzki/">They were an elite team during the regular season when Dirk was healthy, but their offense fell off a cliff when he went out with an injury</a>, and it's possible we see a similar improvement now that he's back.</p>
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<p>In order to find out more about Dallas and what the team has been up to, I had the pleasure of talking to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KirkSeriousFace">Kirk Henderson</a> of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a>. My questions and his answers are below.</p>
<p><b>1. It seems like the Mavericks have always made pretty smart personnel moves. Is there anything in particular that the organization always seems to look for in free agency and the trading market?</b></p>
<p>Ask our fans this question and you might get yelled at. As part of the previous CBA, the front office made all sorts of moves and money was never an option. It was a simple question of whether the team would be better as a result or not. That's why for most of the last decade Dallas always seemed to make a move at the trade deadline to take on salary but also some pretty decent players. The Maverick salary always came close to, and sometimes went over, the $100 million dollar mark.</p>
<p>Given the penalties established by the new CBA, after 2011 Cuban instructed the front office to go in a wildly different direction. Not because he was concerned about the financial penalties, but because he correctly believed staying under the cap allowed for roster flexibility. Right now, all Dallas is looking for is to shed salary, but they only have two layers on the roster signed beyond this season: Dirk and Shawn Marion. I suppose if someone incredible came on the market, they'd have to consider a trade, but for now I'd say they aren't looking for anything.</p>
<p><b>2. How has Dirk looked since coming back? Will he be good enough to lead Dallas back into the playoffs?</b></p>
<p>Not great. He's shooting just over 32 percent. His game is based on timing and patience and it's going to take some time for him to get back into the shape he needs to be in to put up numbers. Long term I'm not worried about Dirk at all.<br>As to the latter part of that question... I say no. It's not that he isn't good enough, but that the team this year is simply much worse than any Dallas has seen in the last decade. The pieces all look good on paper but together they're terrible. The Mavs have lost nine of 10, including six in a row. This game against the Wizards is hugely important for their confidence.<br><br><b>3. How much longer do you think the Mavericks can keep their window open?</b></p>
<p>Honestly it feels like the window has been shut since winning the title. If Dallas was to somehow sign Dwight Howard away from LA I'd revisit this opinion, but the new CBA changes every thing. Dallas has not had a good draft since 2003 (excluding 2012) and the long term effects of expensive free agent signings paired with zero young player development have caused Dallas lots of problems this year.</p>
<p>At some point, Dallas is going to have to hit a reset button. Of course, telling anyone this in the Mavericks organization or even in most of the Dallas media elicited scoffs of disdain. All of the problems Dallas has had this year (rebounding, turnovers, being bad at basketball) have been crystal clear since the second preseason game.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>So they can keep the window open maybe two more years if they sign some players better suited to playing under Rick Carlisle, but they aren't moving up the chain at all.</p>
<p><b>4. A lot of Wizards fans were disappointed when the team passed on Jae Crowder early in the second round of the 2012 draft. How has he worked out for Dallas, and how good do you think he'll be in a year or two?</b></p>
<p>Long term he's going to be a great pick up. I don't know if he's ever going to be a starter in the NBA, but his energy and basketball smarts should lead to a 10-year career where he's part of a rotation. Thus far, it's been an up and down season, which makes sense because he's a rookie. He really needs to improve on his shot selection and decision making on offense. Defensively he's already an excellent help defender but it's going to take time for him to pick up the tricks he needs to survive in man to man against all of the excellent NBA small forwards.</p>
<p>I don't know how good he'll be in two years, though I do think he will be the starting Dallas small forward in 2014-2015. He works hard and wants to get better and that dedication will be rewarded.</p>
<p><b>5. There was a bit of a kerfluffle between <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/49667/mark-cuban-pipes-up-for-chris-kaman" target="_blank">Mark Cuban and the Wages of Wins people a few months ago</a>. Basically, Cuban says that Kaman wasn't a very good player, but Dallas can use him in a way so that he becomes effective. Have you noticed anything different in terms of how Dallas is using Kaman versus how his previous teams used him? And how would you grade his performance so far this year?</b></p>
<p>Listen, I love my owner. Wouldn't trade him for the world. But he always finds a way to rationalize every decision that the Mavericks make as being the right one.</p>
<p>With Dirk being out so long, Kaman was the only effective back to the basket player on the Dallas roster. He became a go-to guy right along with Mayo. For a while early in the season he was shooting something absurd like 80 percent from the field. But he's simply not very good. He settles for jumpers, turns the ball over a lot, and can't rebound consistently (he's had two double doubles this year on a team starved for rebounding). He's been the player everyone else assumed he would be.</p>
<p>I'd give him a C+. To some degree he's been asked to do more than he's capable of. He and Dirk can't be on the floor together, in my opinion. It's been nice to have an offensive center, but there have been times I missed having Brendan Haywood (I know right?) guarding the rim.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/1/1/3824586/washington-wizards-dallas-mavericks-preview-january-1Thomas Pruitt