Game 29: Hawks (19-7) vs Mavericks (20-8)

[Mr B]

To me it appeared that the team was too focused on trying to play well with Rondo instead of just playing. It made them flat. And Atlanta is a good young team that came right at them. They were on their heels until Carlisle pulled all the starters. Once they went back in they just played the game instead of just trying to fit Rondo in. That's how they were able to get back in the game and get it close.

One thing I would like to see Rondo do is take the easy layup when he's at the rim like JJ and Harris do. I'm sure Carlisle is drilling that into his head. Dirk, Tyson, and Monte will keep reminding him too. This team is still a work in progress and they're not done making moves so I think it will be well after the All Star break before they really figure everything out. Not just for Rondo but for the whole team.

[avon barksdale]

Did someone ask why dirk doesn't get called out like parsons does when he plays like crap? Uhhhhh dirk has a track record of excellence, he's making less than 9 mill per and he's 36,nobody is above criticism but in my mind and I'm sure in management and ownership minds dirk by far deserves the most leeway

[Imon]

He's never gonna be a good three point shooter, but he's definitely been a competent midrange shooter for the last few seasons.

This doesn't help the Mavs much.
Dirk is a great mid-range shooter and Monta is good as well.

Having three mid-range shooters all on the floor at once creates bad spacing on the floor.

[Chuck Everett]

I miss Brandan Wright on this team. How could they trade him? Damn.

[Heezzi]

I miss Brandan Wright on this team. How could they trade him? Damn.

Easiest 10 points a game ever.

[EntropyPR]

I love how some are expecting Rondo to become used to playing with Dallas in 2 games. RealGm overreacts WAY too much.

[titantron91]

It's called investment, guys.

We had to trade value for value.

It's not like we're really aiming for top seed here, with few of our 2013-2014 roster left in the spot. We're lucky enough to have stars that play ball and discipline. Dallas is not really the most popular team to play in, based on my historical observation. Maybe because it's so hard to fit in with Dirk as the center of everything, 7-foot PF with no hops, average D at best, and little rebounding but massive shooting ability.

We have a very weird starting lineup here

PG: 6'1 PG that has no range but can distribute, rebound, and slash. Great defense. Triple double threat.
SG: 6'3 undersized SG that has mid-range but weak beyond the arc, volume scorer but streaky. Good defense when trying.
SF: 6'9 SF that can slash and distribute but also streaky, especially beyond the 3-PT line. High BBIQ. Good defender for a lanky guy.
PF: 7-foot PF with no hops and little rebounding but massive length and shooting ability, streaky shooter recently.
C: 7'1 lanky but athletic and energetic C that acts as the Mavs' rebounder and energy source, struggles against strong and wide C's.

I believe that we can get through the season with this unorthodox lineup.

Monta and Rondo should learn to work together as slashers
Parsons and Dirk need to work on their mid to long-range consistency. THIS IS SERIOUS.
Chandler needs to have spacing.

What we can do is have our 2nd 5 tailored to compensate for the shortcomings of our starting 5.

[N8N]

It's called investment, guys.

We had to trade value for value.

It's not like we're really aiming for top seed here, with few of our 2013-2014 roster left in the spot. We're lucky enough to have stars that play ball and discipline. Dallas is not really the most popular team to play in, based on my historical observation. Maybe because it's so hard to fit in with Dirk as the center of everything, 7-foot PF with no hops, average D at best, and little rebounding but massive shooting ability.

We have a very weird 1-4 starting lineup here

PG: 6'1 PG that has no range but can distribute, rebound, and slash. Triple double threat.
SG: 6'3 undersized SG that has mid-range but weak beyond the arc, volume scorer but streaky
SF: 6'9 SF that can slash and distribute but also streaky, especially beyond the 3-PT line
PF: 7-foot PF with no hops and little rebounding but massive shooting ability, streaky shooter recently
C: 7'1 lanky but energetic C that acts as the Mavs' rebounder energy source, struggles against strong and wide C's

I believe that we can get through the season with this unorthodox lineup.

Monta and Rondo should learn to work together as slashers
Parsons and Dirk need to work on their mid to long-range consistency. THIS IS SERIOUS.
Chandler needs to have spacing.

What we can do is have our 2nd 5 tailored to compensate for the shortcomings of our starting 5.

Agreed.

Defense is still our problem. The second unit was effective because they played D and got some easy baskets.

I don't know what was going on with the passes today but a lot of them were unforced. Granted Atlanta played great defense but a lot of those passes were sloppy and clumsy and Atlanta made us pay.

Before the AS break, I'd be satisfied with just some semblance of interior and perimeter defense. We don't really force TOs that much and we're not rebounding well as a team either.

Still it's not even halfway yet. So it'll take some time.

[dirkules_41]

I miss Brandan Wright on this team. How could they trade him? Damn.

Easiest 10 points a game ever.

We'll get some other athletic big to catch lob passes. Let's hope for Smith... or for Carlisle to play Powell.

[2Mas]

I love how some are expecting Rondo to become used to playing with Dallas in 2 games. RealGm overreacts WAY too much.

Agreed. A ton of missed shots & playing a red hot Atlanta team that won 13/14 games. Give these guys sometime to gel.

A Nice 3 game home stand is coming up with a almost a week being home, they'll work it out.