Sort of a big dealThe Mavericks have won five streak including last night's 102-92 win over the road hapless Washington Wizards.
Note: All these wins have come with no Peja Stojakovic. Just guys looking to play some defense, get rebounds and points, wherever they can be found.
Key No. 1 for the resurgence and why we should not have freaked out two weeks ago is Dirk Nowitzki. I think he's all the way back healthy because he made the past three games look easy. For example:
22-38 FG - 4-5 3PT - 13-15 FT - 20 PPG
That's easy. That's efficient. He's getting his points and making an impact without having to shoot 20 times a game (12 shots per game). So, that means others are picking up the slack.
Tyson Chandler's great. Jason Terry's battling. Shawn Marion's oddly consistent. Jason Kidd just does whatever. And on any given night, you can get between four and 24 points from J.J. Barea, Ian Mahinmi, DeShawn Stevenson and Brian Cardinal.
I really feel the Mavericks have to forge ahead with what they got. Get Roddy Beaubois and Peja Stojakovic. If you can get a young piece for Caron Butler's expiring deal, then you do it. Otherwise, you make do and possibly look forward to the off-season and 2011-12.
Notes:
1. I love Tyson Chandler. However, I hope we're all ready to hand him $60 million in the off-season. Because it's going to happen. No doubt.
2. A telltale sign that Jason Terry is not a guy you win big with: How many crunch time free throws has he missed? He missed two when the game was kinda close, late. Seems like if you need two free throws, he's boudn to miss at least one.
3. If Rick Carlisle hates Brendan Haywood, why did they re-sign him?
4. Shawn Marion's made it a season filling up a box score. Fourteen points and nine rebounds last night.
5. As expected, John Wall gave the Mavericks fits. Fortunately, they held Nick Young and Andray Blatche to 10-37 shooting.
