As I was sitting in my chair getting ready to watch the Mavs & Jazz on television last night, I saw a graphic flash across the screen as Mark Followill and Bob Ortegel set the scene for the game. I didn’t pay much attention to the graphic until it disappeared from the screen. Ever done that? See something and then realize you need to see it again to understand what the hell you just saw. Thank goodness for Tivo.
What I saw flash across the screen was not something new and was not something I hadn’t seen before. However, once I hit the rewind button on my remote to bring the graphic back, I had a double take. I realized I was correct in my thinking and what I saw. The graphic flashed was one we’ve all seen before. You know the one I’m talking about. The graphic shows the starting five of the Mavericks along with their pictures. Not only does it have their pictures, it shows what position they play and one other telling graphic that really grabbed my attention last night. Do you know where I’m going with this now?
The Mavericks starting five last night was not a surprise to those who follow the team. We all know by now Jason Terry is starting at guard and the other four starters are the same. Dampier at center, Dirk & Marion at forwards, and Jason Kidd is the point guard. Okay, what’s the big deal?
As the graphic of these five Mavs flashed across the screen, I saw five numbers that hit me like a ton of bricks. Why now and not before? I’ll get to that in just a minute. Here is what I saw that grabbed my attention last night:
Erick Dampier 34, Dirk Nowitzki 31, Shawn Marion 31, Jason Terry 32, & Jason Kidd 36. I’m talking age folks. The age of this starting five jumped off the television screen at me last night like it never had before. I thought, DAMN, this team is old! All five guys will be turning a year older within the next few months. How can age be a factor with this team? The Mavericks are 30-18 and leading their division. I know age is just a number and experience is great to have come playoff time. However, if you have no legs left, or very little left in the gas tank, what’s the difference? The Mavs are at a quandary.
When Dallas made moves to add pieces to this team, they all made great sense. Drew Gooden has been a terrific edition and has added points, rebounding and much needed backup minutes at center. Shawn Marion has done what has been asked of him. Play defense, rebound, run the floor and score when you can. Maybe not the totals we expected from Marion, but solid. Tim Thomas was the third player I was the most excited about because he can do a little bit of everything. More importantly, Thomas has that swagger and get in your face mentality that many of the Mavericks don’t have and desperately need. He can shoot the three, post you up, take you off the dribble, make his free throws, and he plays better defense than you think. Why Thomas doesn’t see the court much is beyond me? Personal reasons, medical reasons, coaching decisions, nowhere to play him…who knows?
Before the season started, one of the goals of acquiring much needed depth was to give Dirk and Kidd some much needed rest so they can finish games strong. Yes, you need your horses at full strength in crunch time. You need your best players with the ball in their hands come money time. Allowing Dirk & Kidd to get an extra 10 minutes of rest would help keep them fresh for the stretch run of games, the season and more importantly the playoffs. That was the goal. Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened and continues to be a problem.
January was not a pretty month for the Mavericks. They ended the month with an 8-7 record losing the final two games of January and starting February with a loss to the Jazz last night. The Mavericks helter skelter play in January is concerning for the remainder of the season. I mentioned on my show (Sundays 8-11am on Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket), they seemed tired and worn down a little. As difficult a month as it was, can you imagine if the Mavericks lost their three one point wins? What if Dallas had lost to the Bucks, the Wizards, and the Thunder? That 8-7 month is now 5-10 and where are they then?
Teams that continue to give the Mavs trouble are the young athletic teams and of course the good ones. How can the Mavericks combat the speed, youth, talent, and athletic ability of several teams the rest of the way? You can’t grab a player or make a move or two to get you over the hump and take you to the Western Conference Finals. How much tread is left on the Mavericks tires? How much will Dirk, Kidd, Terry, Marion and yes, even Dampier have left in the second half of the season? I think you can change the oil on all five of these guys every 3000 miles and it wouldn’t make a difference. It’s not just an oil change that’s needed for this team. It needs legs! Young legs, athletic legs, youthful legs!
Dallas currently has some very expensive tires on their automobile. Very expensive tires with Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Dampier and Jet. These tires are not cheap. However, the tread is getting low on a few of them. Even the best race cars change tires during a pit stop. Some change them several times during the race so they can stay fresh and win it in the end! Isn’t that the point of it all? To win the game, win the season, win the championship. Dallas somehow, some way, needs to get younger and more athletic soon. They desperately need some new tread on their very expensive tires. Can that be accomplished? Yes. Will that be accomplished? Hmmm?
The NBA All-Star game and the basketball world will be in and around the DFW area, which is a perfect entree for Mark Cuban to do what he does best. Schmooze and entertain all those that matter. Examine every possible angle to make this Mavericks team better for now and for later. Sit tight, the master of money and moves will be at his best in the next few weeks. Some fresh oil or four new tires? We’ll find out after DFW’s NBA All-Star Weekend I’m sure.
