Dallas
Mavericks
Southwest
| Team Rating | |
| Offense | Defense |
| 110.0 | 109.4 |
| 11th Overall | 16th Overall |
Statistics through 1/25/09
W
25
L
19
PCT
.568
GB
10.5
CONF
14-13
DIV
4-4
HOME
13-7
ROAD
12-12
LinksStatistics | Tickets
|
Category | Grade | ||
 Would be lost without PF Dirk Nowitzki (25.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg) playing at All-NBA level. One-time All-Star SF Josh Howard (18 ppg) struggled to stay healthy and C Erick Dampier is serviceable.
|
b |
||
 PG Jason Kidd has lost a step and has never found his shot, but production (9.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 8.2 apg) is still solid. No one has stepped up to claim the SG spot.
|
c |
||
 Middle of the pack in points allowed, while in the Top 10 in opponent's FG percentage. Among leaders in rebounding and blocks, while bottom in steals.
|
b- |
||
 Sweet-shooting G Jason Terry (20.2 ppg) is the Sixth Man award favorite, G J.J. Barea has been the difference in several wins and F Brandon Bass provides needed punch down low.
|
b+ |
||
 Rick Carlisle has mixed and matched lineups are season, and consistency has been elusive. His erratic rotations have caused confusion among the role players.
|
c |
||
b-
Summary
Last year's struggles and early playoff flameout were pinned largely on former coach Avery Johnson. Carlisle hasn't done a better job with essentially the same cast. (Team insiders insist this team is more talented.) The Mavs have yet to establish an identity. They've suffered a number of embarrassing blowouts and have struggled with lesser-quality competition.
Whispers of frustration from the locker room have grown louder in recent weeks. The feeling-out process from the players and coaches has lasted through midseason. A sense of urgency has been lacking, and it often shows up in slow starts to games. That could be seen as a problem with motivation.
Still, Nowitzki and Terry are having impressive seasons. Kidd impacts the game. Howard remains a mystery. When he's on, the Mavs are really good. The trade deadline is coming with great interest in Big D. Just reaching the playoffs for a franchise in the 2006 Finals may be considered an accomplishment. -- Art Garcia
Explanation of Marking System
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