NBA Defending Champs are struggling out of the gate
@yoretiller0522 (142)
January 1, 2012 10:17pm CST
As of this writing, Dallas is off to a very rocky start at 1-4, just losing to Minnesota [of all teams!] today. What do you guys think is wrong with the Mavs? Are they missing Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea that much?
7 responses
@rencarl (620)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
Indeed.chemistry is what they are trying to form this time around. with Lamar Odom and Vince Carter as the new guys on the block, the mavs has to make things smooth when it comes to playing these guys together with Dirk. they can adjust things for sure. as long as Dirk and Kidd are healthy and haywood developing to the chandler form, things will still look great for Dallas. the quest for repeat, i think, is slimmer though.
@stuckonu (726)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
Thanks for mentioning Lamar. How could I forgot to include him. He's one of the biggest change in today's season (at least in my opinion as a Lakers fan). But what Dallas need is a solid big man like Chandler. If Haywood will improve (and I think he will), Dallas will have a chance to defend their title this season.
@sinnedsejatnom (1311)
• Philippines
2 Jan 12
The big hole that the Mavs lose in Chandler is defense and energy. Barea is more like energy and quickness. Looking at the new players they acquired, no player fills the hole Chandler vacated. Odom and Vince are offense players but they already have Dirk and Terry. Mahimi is still so young but if he improves his defense and if he gives big energy to the team, I think Mavs can get back. In terms of quickness, they are already quick so Barea is I think not a major factor.
@rencarl (620)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
hello there.defense is really the theme in this year's quest by the Mavericks to repeat the championship.we will have to see if haywood and mahinmi can provide a lift in the defense left by Chandler.also, barea's slashing skills is what is missing in their plays this year.barea's quickness to the rim and his kickouts really made terry look good in his 3-point sniping.and before i forget, they also lost Stevenson. Stevenson made life difficult for Lebron in the finals.
@sinnedsejatnom (1311)
• Philippines
4 Jan 12
One of the deadly 3-point shooter they missed is Stojakovic. Big win for them against Oklahoma yesterday. But they need to be consistent and have better teamwork.
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
4 Jan 12
Well I think its a mixture of many factors.Firstly its early days yet and they are still a bit of play rusty .In addition this season is going fast paced and will take a a tole on some of teh older players which are in teh Mavs Team .Finally Tyson Chandler and JJ are two instrumental plapyer especially JJ who was quite a little lightning rod .They could really do with his pace now
@prospectboy (754)
• United States
2 Jan 12
I pretty much agree with what sinnedsejatnom said. They have no interior defense. They sure won't get it from Dirk. Not having Tyson Chandler anymore weakens them defensively. They are strictly an offensive team now. I also think they are somewhat in a rebuilding stage now anyway.
@rencarl (620)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
I agree to you sir. i believe the mavericks must start rebuilding now considering that Dirk and Jason Kidd are not getting any younger. as for their defense, no one in their roster can provide the Tyson Chandler-like intensity. haywood is a good guy but he is not as good as Chandler defensively.mahinmi is also not a good back up center. unless a improvements will occur in the Center spot, the mavs will have difficulty defending their crown.
@tkarabulut (434)
•
2 Jan 12
Mavs could come back because they have stars. Is'nt Dirk Nowitzki is a star of Dallas?
@rencarl (620)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
hello there.yes, the Mavs could come back as long as they can surround Dirk with the right pieces just like what Mark Cuban did last season.they lost JJ barea, tyson chandler and caron butler but they got vince carter and lamar odom. it will be difficult to recreate the championship team they formed last year but sky is the limit as far as the possibilities are concerned.
@rencarl (620)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
hello there. there are indeed speculations that D-Williams and Dwight Howard can come to Dallas if they want to be in a team who is a championship contender but i doubt it that the Mavs will have enough salary cap to sign these 2 all stars next year.i wonder how mark Cuban can handle this.
@rencarl (620)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
hello there.i also read about the news that the Mavs are losing early this season.they got blown up by miami in the season opener and struggled also the following 3 games.they are really missing a lot form tyson chandler and barea.defensive presence in the paint is too weak.there are no slashers in their roster similar to the way barea does his stuff. i think the mavs cannot do a Repeat this year.
