Pick-n-roll is the best halfcourt strategy for us?

[Darren]

It seems to me that it doesn't change much since he comes to the league.

Era 1 - Nash-Dirk
Era 2 - Jet-Dirk
Era 3 - Kidd-Dirk

Well, pick-n-roll (with some one-on-one of course) is dominant strategy so far. It seems that pick-n-roll is the best halfcourt strategy to take advantage of mismatch created by Dirk and whoever PG he's playing with.

Kidd's best running fastbreak. With them, he can run some pick-n-roll as well. He's a big guard that create problems with smaller guard as well. He's excellent from the arc. The cutters (JoHo, Green, Wright...etc.) may find a lot of rooms to operate while attention're solely on the combo. A weakside spot-up shooter (like Jet) is needed to keep defenders honest. We just need a center who can catch-and-dunk and keep the rebound in the process. That seems fit Damp and Diop as well.

Would it be the best strategy for Mavs? It's especially the case - when we play in the clutch time. We allow too many double-team on DIrk. With the effective semi-iso pick-n-roll system, every Mavs is a danger in the process. Pick your poison.

But of course, we are still primarily running team with excellent fastbreaks and jumpshooting team. Hopefully, we can find a right formula to jumpout early and slow it down while needed. How to hold a lead is always a problem for all jumpshooting team - they need rhythm. But with an effective strategy like this can manipulate mismatches. We can get to the line or score at high rate.

So there're something to work on:

1. Get to the line early. While opponents' team foul reach the level, our strategy is deadly. We're one of the best freethrow shooting team. Opponents simply can't foul you very often. Or they would shoot themselves away. They're asked to defend the biggest mismatch problem with clean defense!

2. Keep a consistent shooter, cutter and defender in the game to jump out early. I've some concern about the lack of reliable outside shots. Jet is steaky. Josh's the best as a slasher. We need more guys who can slash and shoot. Green is the best candidate on our roster. He's lacking experience. And there're some mistakes for sure. Fix them early and make him an asset when playoff comes.

3. Make better use of changing pace. Most of the teams can't change their pace frequently. We are a rare team which's capable of running and slowing down. We can tire down the opponents easily with an unadjustable changing pace and mismatch nightmare.

4. Getting the centers involved. If the centers can remind a threat on court, then no one can double team Dirk without a very losable gamble. Our centers are athletic and strong. Catch and dunks won't be an issue for them with enough practice.

[Pointguard01]

1. Didnt know Howard became a cutter yesterday.

2. Teams can just go under a Kidd/Dirk PnR and dare Kidd to shoot off the dribble. Not his specialty like Terry/Nash could do. Yes it can be effective, but not nearly what others teams do with the PnR, espically with Kidd at his age.

3. I dont think its about what we SHOULD do because we all know for the most part what it takes to win, but its about what we are and who we are: a bunch of jump shooters, and while we can attack the basket here and there, when it comes down to it, in the 4th quarter and the playoffs, we will live and die by the jump shot. And that doesnt win.