To help get ready for the 2014-2015 NBA season Pelican Debrief is going through each of the 30 NBA team’s with help from other Fansided NBA writers. Today we are joined by Rami Michail of The Smoking Cuban, Fansided’s Dallas Mavericks blog to talk about Tyson Chandler, Chandler Parsons and more in regards to one of the many teams in the Southwestern Division that could make the playoffs.
1. Who starts the most games at point guard for the Mavericks this year? Who finishes the most?
Rami: The Mavs point guards won’t rank very high amongst their peers around the league, but they are all capable of starting in this league. Jameer Nelson (shooter), Devin Harris (scorer/defender), and Raymond Felton (slasher) all offer different things to the Mavs. With that, Nelson is the obvious choice for who starts.
With Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, and Chandler Parsons in the starting lineup, Nelson’s ability to orchestrate the offense and play off the ball play into why he’s the sure fire choice. The Mavs will ask him to replicate Jose Calderon but hopefully with better defense. If he can, the Mavs starting unit may look to run teams out of the gym early.
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Another factor playing into why Nelson will start is the departure of Vince Carter (now with Memphis Grizzlies). Harris is expected to fill in as the team’s 6th man. His comfort level and pick-n-roll play with Brandan Wright will greatly be counted on for second unit offense.
As for who closes? Anything is possible with Rick Carlisle. The early choice is Harris due to his versatility on both ends of the court and familiarity with the team. But Carlisle can easily go with the hot hand whether it’s Harris or Nelson and even Felton.
2. Will the Mavericks have a top 5 offense this season?
Rami: YES. YES. YES. YES. YES.
Last season this team was 8th in the league in scoring, 4th in field goal percentage, and 2nd in three-point percentage.
While they lost the dead-eye shooting of Jose Calderon, Nelson will hopefully be able to minimize the loss. The biggest changes to the Mavs offense come at the starting front court. Replacing Shawn Marion and Samuel Dalembert with Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler completely changes the dynamics of the offense.
Last season TOOOOOO many possessions ended with Dalembert dropping a pass or Marion alone in the corner for a 3. Despite being 32, Tyson is still one of the better pick-n-roll bigs in the league and must be accounted for. Throw in the “Do it All” Parsons, the Mavs have five weapons who must all be accounted for in the starting lineup.
Good luck guarding the Mavs pick-n-roll/pop offense!
The second unit’s offense may take a small hit with Carter gone, but Harris, Wright, Richard Jefferson, and even Al-Farouq Aminu should be able to put the ball into the hole. Yes, I did include Aminu. His ability to move without the ball, crash the offensive boards, and somewhat improving three- point shot have made him a decent source of offense for the Mavs
3. Does Tyson Chandler have enough left in the tank to carry the Dallas defense to respectible levels?
Rami: I want to say yes and think he does, but the preseason has yet to show us enough to back it up. He obviously can still rebound, defend, and block shots, but it’s his presence that will make the biggest difference.
Last season the Mavs never knew what they would get out of Dalembert and he doesn’t exactly scream leadership or direction. Tyson will hold himself and his teammates accountable, which will be a big step into the right direction for this Mavs defense.
Aminu, Parsons, Harris, and Jae Crowder should have plenty of opportunities to help on the defensive end.
Let’s not forget, if the offense lives up to expectations, the defense doesn’t have to be great. It just has to be good enough
4. What do you expect from Chandler Parsons this year?
Rami: Stuff the stat sheet.
I knew Parsons was talented and good, but I’ve even been surprised from what I’ve seen him do so far in Dallas. He’s shown he can do it all — spreading the court, putting the ball on the floor, making plays for his teammates, finishing inside, rebounding, and getting in passing lanes.
I don’t expect him to be an All-Star this season, and I think the Mavs scoring will still revolve around Ellis and Nowitzki, but he’ll have a hand in many plays this season.
5. What is the best case scenario for the Mavericks this year? Worst case? What do you expect to happen?
Rami: Best Case: This team wins its second championship. The pieces are in place for it to happen, even in the stacked West.
Worst Case: Hello Lottery! The West is so good and stacked that any significant injury can drop this team out of the top-eight.
The Mavs won 49 games last season, so I’d think 50-55 wins for this team is a fair expectation. Yet, I wouldn’t be shocked if they won only 47-49 due to the strength and health of the West while still making the playoffs.
I see this team finishing in the top-5 and making it out of the first round. After that? Anything is possible with Carlisle on the sidelines and the matchup they draw.