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Mavericks: Can David Lee Help Dallas Contend?

By Christian Blood

Dec 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward David Lee (42) reacts to the crowd after his basket against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Bulls 105-100. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward David Lee (42) reacts to the crowd after his basket against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Bulls 105-100. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Mavericks added Boston Celtics power forward David Lee out of the All-Star break, but what does this mean for the team as the playoffs approach?

There was obviously not a big move made by the Dallas Mavericks at last Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, but the team did manage to add an intriguing player to the roster.

To be clear, the addition of former Boston Celtics – and Golden State Warriors – power forward David Lee does not, by himself, change the Mavericks significantly. At the same time, Lee’s skill set as a tall, experienced rebounder with a decent mid-range shot could change some outcomes that recently haven’t gone Dallas’ way.

Closing games has been an issue for the Mavericks as of late, a problem that even head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged to the media following his teams convincing win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night. A team that was all but invincible in overtime games earlier this season, the Mavericks found a way to lose back-to-back overtime contests going into and coming out of the All-Star break.

Games this close mean that just a few more rebounds here and a couple more points there can easily tip the scales, much like they did when the Mavericks won a couple of overtime games in December over the Portland Trail Blazers and the Brooklyn Nets on the road.

Dallas played four-consecutive home games that went to overtime in January, only to lose one of those games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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For the Mavericks to better close out games, Lee is the type of player that can definitely help. His ability to contribute, unlike guard John Jenkins, who he replaced, is the starting point. This gives Carlisle another useful body that’s not simply sitting on the bench wearing a suit.

Once in the game, Lee is expected to help spell Dirk Nowitzki, critical for obvious reasons associated to the tall German’s age. This also allows youngster Dwight Powell to play more at his natural position and, all in all, the Mavericks get bigger and longer, a great quality to have.

Dallas is not exactly a dominant team where defense is concerned, and especially not in the paint. Offensive skills aside, the hope is that Lee can help bring some defense near the rim and force teams to have to take more shots against a Dallas team that’s not great at scoring in the paint themselves. Dallas’ biggest problem is allowing guys like Jahlil Okafor, a rookie center with the 76ers, to score 18 points in a first quarter that led to a career-night.

Big test Wednesday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder make their second and final trip to American Airlines Center. The big question is whether or not Lee will be able to help in the rebounding department, along with double-double machine Zaza Pachulia. We know that Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are going to drive the lane at every opportunity – this must be disallowed as much as possible.

Lee has to play a role in this and history suggests that he’s able and willing to bring physicality to the game.

Lee and Nowitzki got into a brief altercation during the preseason of the former’s rookie season that illustrates the competitive spirit Lee has always had. The included video above gives a better-than-average example of what Lee is capable of on a given night. He really does have a shot going for him and he also gets into it under the rim.

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This move will pay off for the Mavericks as Dallas tries to keep pushing for a fifth seed in the Western Conference playoffs that could pave an easier road to something meaningful in the NBA playoffs – this is doubtful even with the fifth seed locked up. Nonetheless, if the Mavericks can get healthy, stay that way and have a full compliment of players off the bench, there’s still a slight chance that this team could make some significant noise during the upcoming playoffs starting in less than two months.

As far as this season goes, a first-of-its kind statement win over OKC would be a huge clue of what might be possible down the stretch.

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