Angry Trey’s NBA previews and discussions continue today with more talk about the Mavericks. A lot of analysts have been sleeping on this team, but I give you 5…scratch that, I mean 4 reasons why the Mavs are improved and will increase their number of wins from last season. Josh Howard being helthy was one of my five reasons, but he isn’t healthy yet, but should be… hopefully… maybe…
1. Head Coach Rick Carlisle is in his second season with the Mavs. There won’t be as large of a learning curve for the players and himself this season. Last year everything was new to everyone. This year, players know the system and already know most of the plays. On the other side, Coach Carlisle is more familiar with his team and the things he can expect from each player.
2. Josh Howard should be healthy. Everyone could tell that Josh wasn’t healthy at all last season. It was also evident how much he means to this team by he was able to do in the San Antonio series. J-Ho had surgery in the offseason to fix some ankle problems and will be back to the Josh of old this season. He will also benefit from having Shawn Marion on the opposite wing.
3. Mavs no longer have to rely solely on Erick Dampier at center. The addition of Drew Gooden means minutes at the center position will be mainly shared by Gooden and Dampier. All of the good big men reside in the East and there is no center in the West that Damp and Drew shouldn’t be able to tag team. If for some reason those guys get into early foul trouble, Dallas also can use Dirk and Chris Humphries, which brings me to my next point…
4. Kris Humphries is as good as or better than Brandon Bass. The Mavericks lost Bass to Orlando in the offseason, but acquired Humphries through the Shawn Marion trade. Humphries has had a very nice preseason and has shown he can be a good piece off the bench for this team. He will not be as big of a liability size wise as Bass was, and he can also do a few more things offensively.
5. Shawn Marion. Do I need to say any more? Probably not, but I will. The Mavs have been in desperate need of an athletic player who can create his own shots and slash to the rim. The Matrix is that exact player. He can create on his own, throw down the alley-oop, run the floor, and play solid defense. Marion will benefit tons from playing with Jason Kidd.
