The Mavericks, after beating the Phoenix Suns last night, went into the All-Star break strong, as one of just four teams with 40 or more wins. Here is how they got there.
October 27-December 27, everyone generally healthy except Rodrigue Beaubois: They have a 24-5 record, unbelievable swagger, and are keeping pace with the surprising San Antonio Spurs, who are 26-4 at the time. The trade for Tyson Chandler in the offseason looks like one of the best deals of the summer, and leaves Mavs fans confused, since they are almost wholly unfamiliar with how a center should play, after spending the bulk of the decade with Pan Hands Dampier. After beating OKC, they are on a 17-1 streak. But Dirk Nowitzki, who is having a MVP season at the time, hurts his knee in that game. [villainous fog horn sound]
December 28-January 1, now missing Dirk and Roddy: The Mavs lose three in a row, and in the last of the losses, they lose Caron Butler for the season with a screwed up knee. That’s a medical term.
January 2-14, now missing Dirk, Roddy, AND Tuff Juice: They win two, hang tight in others, but just generally don’t have what it takes to finish off games. Jason Terry, who started off the season in phenomenal shape and playing like it was 2006, wears down under the strain of being essentially the only option on offense, and also from people reminding him that he’s old.
January 15-February 12, now missing Roddy and Butler: After a rough patch once Dirk comes back from his knee injury — probably too soon, to be honest, but he is a cruelly efficient machine made of equal parts steel and Silly Putty — the Mavs regain a measure of their early-season form, reeling off a 10-game winning streak that is only broken on a last-second shot in Denver in the second game of a back-to-back. The formerly hated Peja Stojakovic joins the team; his vaunted three-point stroke arrives a few games later.
February 16-17, now missing only Butler: Roddy Beaubois makes a (more or less) triumphant return, with highlight plays and head-scratching decisions in tow. He is not even remotely in game shape, but the prospect of that happening soon offers a tantalizing look at what the team could be in the playoffs. They are now arguably the deepest team in the league, one of the most experienced, and more than capable on both sides of the court. But we still have people in the comments wondering if they can yell “Nazi!” at Dirk when he misses a free throw, so I’m sure everyone is just like “whatever, alert me when they’re in the Western Conference Finals.”
10 comments
Go Mavs!!
Surprised you didn’t blame the January 2nd through 14th stretch on me.
Or me.
Dirk is unreal. It’s hard not to like this team especially with the energy that Chandler has brought. I hope Jet can get some rest before the playoffs and contribute, I think Kidd will be able to because he’s getting a lot of rest in all these blowouts. I am really looking forward to them in the playoffs. Imagine if Butler would be able to play too!
This team is sorely missing the low post presence of Darren Morningstar.
Or Donald Hodge.
Disagree on Chandler. What this team really needs is a center than can spread the floor with his outside shot. Am thinking a LaFrenz or Antsey-type center.
No no no, what they really need is a point foward. Someone get Antoine Walker on the phone.
I heard other teams were worried about something called the “Werewolf Barmitzvah”
The Mavs are worst in the league at scoring in the paint, i.e., they are a jump-shooting team. So enjoy the regular season, folks. The playoffs will be short.