There seems to be a myth going around that the Dallas Mavericks are sporting one of the league's deepest rosters. Well, I'm afraid that is just not true.
Has anybody actually bothered to look at the collection of "talent" they have? They have one bonifide star in Dirk Nowitzki. Most elite teams have at least two, maybe even three. After Dirk, the Mavs have three very good complementary players --- Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and Jerry Stackhouse. Two of those guys were refugees/rejects from mediocre teams.
So the Mavs are 4-players deep. One superstar, and three very good complementary players. No question about the talent of those guys. Who comes next?
Devin Harris? The only Maverick who has spent most of his career inside Avery Johnson's dog house? The point guard who has never managed to dish out more than 3.7 apg? The 5th overall pick of 2004 who has never averaged double figures in points anytime in his career? The guy is barely able to keep the "bust" label at bay.
Who else? DeSagana Diop? Erik Dampier? Austin Croshere? Devean friggin' George? Greg Buckner? We're not exactly talking about quality talent here, people! The mavs have 4 very good players, and a bunch of nobodies that play well together.
And yet the Mavericks were only 2 games shy of an NBA title last year. And they've been on an onslaught this year. It's a testament to Avery Johnson's coaching, and to Dirk Nowitzki's dominance. By all rights, the "Coach of the Year" and "MVP" awards should be headed for Dallas this season. But this is most certainly NOT a deep team.
Has anybody actually bothered to look at the collection of "talent" they have? They have one bonifide star in Dirk Nowitzki. Most elite teams have at least two, maybe even three. After Dirk, the Mavs have three very good complementary players --- Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and Jerry Stackhouse. Two of those guys were refugees/rejects from mediocre teams.
So the Mavs are 4-players deep. One superstar, and three very good complementary players. No question about the talent of those guys. Who comes next?
Devin Harris? The only Maverick who has spent most of his career inside Avery Johnson's dog house? The point guard who has never managed to dish out more than 3.7 apg? The 5th overall pick of 2004 who has never averaged double figures in points anytime in his career? The guy is barely able to keep the "bust" label at bay.
Who else? DeSagana Diop? Erik Dampier? Austin Croshere? Devean friggin' George? Greg Buckner? We're not exactly talking about quality talent here, people! The mavs have 4 very good players, and a bunch of nobodies that play well together.
And yet the Mavericks were only 2 games shy of an NBA title last year. And they've been on an onslaught this year. It's a testament to Avery Johnson's coaching, and to Dirk Nowitzki's dominance. By all rights, the "Coach of the Year" and "MVP" awards should be headed for Dallas this season. But this is most certainly NOT a deep team.
Comment