Offseason questions: Will there be a drop-off in bench production without JET?
Earl K. Sneed continues his offseason questions series, taking a look at the Dallas Mavericks' bench production now that sixth man Jason Terry has moved on to Boston.
Offseason questions: Will there be a drop-off in bench production without JET?
For years the Dallas Mavericks have been able to rely on the offensive production of their reserves to stay in games, ranking near the top of the NBA in bench scoring.
But now, with the departure of former Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry and a near-complete roster turnover, will the Mavericks find similar success off the bench this upcoming season?
The Mavs ended the 2011-12 ranking third in bench scoring behind just San Antonio (41.9 ppg) and Denver (41.6 ppg), posting 41.0 points a night. However, now that their second-leading scorer and bench catalyst, Terry, and his 15.1 points per game have migrated on to Boston in free agency, the Mavericks will have to generate second and third-unit offensive success by committee.
It figures that new addition O.J. Mayo will pick up the offensive slack for Terry’s departure, but that is presumed to be in a starting role. Backcourt mate Darren Collison will do the same, in all likelihood filling in for future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd while running the point. Meanwhile, newcomer Chris Kaman will also boost the Mavs’ first unit with his low-post scoring.
That leaves big man and former No. 1 overall draft pick Elton Brand, defensive specialist Dahntay Jones and rookies Jared Cunningham, Bernard James and Jae Crowder as the new faces that Mavs coach Rick Carlisle will send into the game off the bench. The returning Delonte West, Rodrigue Beaubois, Vince Carter, Dominique Jones and Brandan Wright will also once again be main contributors to a bench that will likely fortify itself as the season builds.
Still, the question remains whether or not the Mavericks’ bench will be as lethal as in previous seasons. But if you ask Mavs president of basketball operations and GM Donnie Nelson, it’s just another challenge that Carlisle and his staff will have to conquer.
“I tell you, Rick is one of the most versatile coaches I’ve been around,” Nelson explained, “and I truly believe he’s got a very special depth to his coaching.
“Now, this is gonna be a different kind of a challenge, but Rick is a natural teacher and he’s absolutely excited about getting back on the floor with a team that can do things in a different way. You know, with the youth and athleticism and the low-post presence, we’re deep, but I think we’re energetic and youthful and resourceful. And I think Rick is going to do a great job with those young men.”
What Nelson didn’t mention is that with key additions to the starting lineup around 11-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and four-time All-Star Shawn Marion, the Mavs may need less this season from their bench. And with more scoring likely to come from Mayo, Collison and Kaman, don’t be surprised in the bench’s elite status does in fact see a drop-off this season.
That might not be such a bad thing.
