Mavericks: Positive Signs in Team Chemistry
With the 2015-16 NBA basketball season only two games in, the Dallas Mavericks have already displayed some great signs in team chemistry.
Every year there’s a new challenge, and owner Mark Cuban and his new look Dallas Mavericks (1-1) have accepted that challenge this 2015-16 NBA season.
We already know that Dallas is not a team that’s believed able to compete in the Western Conference this year. Heck, they may even be overlooked as a threat in the entire NBA.
But with two games in, the Mavericks are looking like a team that can mesh a lot sooner than many expected. They’re a group that seems to enjoy playing alongside one another. When they do that, good things can happen.
This gives the fans in Big D hope.
Despite losing out with free agent-rival DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers this past summer, the Mavericks preseason squad fought and was able to hang with the Clippers in a 104-88 loss on Thursday night at Staples Center.
Even without four starters, the Mavericks showed a lot of hustle and kept the game in reach through three quarters. The expected blowout didn’t happen until the fourth quarter.
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Point guard Raymond Felton, power forwards Dwight Powell, Jeremy Evans, and Dirk Nowitzki proved they could run with a deep Clippers squad.
The simple fact that the Mavericks gave themselves a chance to win the game creates a lot of hope for this basketball team. If the Dallas bench players can hang with a fully loaded Clippers squad for some time, it just proves they can run with almost anyone in the West.
We could see a much a different game when the Clippers travel to Dallas in a couple of weeks for a rematch. It’s going to be a madhouse at the American Airlines Center and the Mavericks could have a few of their starters back and ready to go.
It was easy to see Dallas was ready for their season opener. Head coach Rick Carlisle’s crew looked impressive on Tuesday night as the Mavericks registered a huge road win over the Phoenix Suns.
The Mavericks new acquisitions came ready to play.
Felton was the leading scorer of the game, but Mavericks starting point guard Deron Williams kept the Dallas offense in sync, finishing with 12 points and seven assists. Williams looked comfortable getting his teammates back in the continuity.
There’s no question Williams is a better fit for the Mavericks than point guard Rajon Rondo, who Dallas released at the end of last season. Not that Mavericks fans are concerned, but Rondo is now running things with the Sacramento Kings.
As long as Williams meets coach Carlisle’s expectations and is doing what he’s expected to do, the relationship between the former Brooklyn Nets point guard and Carlisle could easily work out for this Mavericks team.
Shooting guard Wesley Matthews exhibited a strong debut with Dallas.
He finished with nine points and just one assist, but after coming back from a serious injury, Matthews ran the floor just fine and made some great plays. If the 6-foot-5 guard can stay healthy, he’s going to do a lot of good things for the Mavericks this season.
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The key thing to take away from the Mavericks first two games is that everyone contributed. We have to remember they’re missing guys like small forward Chandler Parsons, who could return within a week, and center JaVale McGee who is out with a leg injury.
Both players are likely to have a major impact once they’re healthy and back in this Mavericks lineup. It will give them a boost on offense with Parsons’ game and the defense could really thrive with the presence of McGee, a genuine rim protector.
As of now, it’s extremely early in the season and the Mavericks have a long way to go. Only time will tell how this ball club will develop. But right now we’re seeing a lot of positives that easily move this team in the right direction.
Next: Dallas Falls To Clippers
The Mavericks will square off with shooting guard Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night to conclude their opening road trip of the season.
Tip-off is at 8:30 CT on Fox Sports Southwest.