The Mavericks were 1-3 this past week, but moved up to 13th place in the West. Two hard-fought losses to Phoenix (123-114) and the Clippers (133-127, 2OT) preceded an awesome overtime win against Portland
(138-133, OT). Unfortunately, three overtimes in three days took its toll, and the Mavericks suffered another loss in Minnesota (120-96). Cooper Flagg once again led the team in scoring over the last week with 17 points per game. Dereck Lively (knee) returned in a limited capacity against the Clippers Friday night night, while Anthony Davis (calf), Kyrie Irving (knee), and Dante Exum (knee) all remained out.
Grade: C-
I loved the Mavericks’ fight in the Clippers and Trailblazers games. There has been a lot of chatter about tanking now that Nico Harrison is gone and Dallas is 4-11. After this week, one thing must be made clear, however: players do not tank. These guys want to win every game they play. They may lose a lot (because the team is not good yet), but tanking is not the word to describe it.
Dallas’ offense still struggles. They have boosted their points-per-game average with two overtime barn-burners, but the scoring still does not come easily. Part of this is the players, but a lot is the scheme. Jay Triano, Dallas’ offensive coordinator, has implemented some sort of motion-based offense. This works when you have a lot of dynamic playmakers, but the Mavericks have too many guys that can’t carve a defense for it to work. They still play very hard, but hard only gets you so far if you cannot generate open looks.
Despite this, the Mavericks are figuring some things out. This is not as bad a team as it was two weeks ago, but it has not fully clicked yet. Health is some of that, but finding the right formula is the majority of it. Despite all of this, they are only two games out of the play-in. If they can marry the effort with some efficiency on offense, Dallas could string together a few good games and possibly earn their first B of the season.
Straight A’s: Moussa Cisse
Cisse is one of Dallas’ two-way players, and he plays like he wants a full contract. Over the last four games, he has 23 points and 23 rebounds in 59 minutes, while making nine of his 14 shot attempts. He also has nine blocks in those games, including a big four-block game against Phoenix. If you have never heard of Cisse, that’s okay. Keep watching the Mavericks play, and you will learn his name quickly. He plays hard, is an excellent rim protector, and can catch and finish on offense. Dallas has a lot of big men already, but with all of them already missing time at some point this year, the Mavericks should seriously consider converting Cisse to a full-time NBA guy. He has proved he can play with the big kids.
Currently Failing: Cooper Flagg’s teammates
Plain and simple: the Mavericks have to get Cooper Flagg more shots. Yes, he was their leading scorer over the last four games. Yes, he took almost 14 shots per game in those contests. And yet, he just needs more. When he initiates the offense, it makes sense. It looks like it is led by a competent and dynamic player. Look no further than the win against Portland. Down the stretch, against bigger, more physical, and very legitimate defenders, Flagg made play after play to keep the Mavericks connected and eventually help pull them in front for good. He was four-of-eight from the field in the fourth quarter and overtime that night, and every time he scored, it was so obvious. He was clearly the best option, and each bucket he had late made you question why he did not have more than eight shot attempts before the final frame.
This is a common theme. On Monday night, Flagg made six of his 10 shots in a blowout loss while D’Angelo Russell dribbled the ball for 21 seconds before tossing it to Naji Marshall for a last-second three. That cannot be the offense going forward. Flagg is the Mavericks’ best option. He is the most efficient scorer, and the team has to get him the ball early and often. They took him number one to be the guy. It is time for the Mavericks to act like that’s what he is.
Extra Credit: Dirk Nowitzki
Nowitzki is on TV for the first time on Prime Video’s presentation of the NBA. Last Friday, the Mavericks’ all-time leading scorer got another hard-earned bucket, this time by verbally dunking on former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison on national television:
Mavs Moneyball’s own Brent Brooks touched on this clip on Saturday, and he did a good job of highlighting it. But one point Brent did not touch on was one that I think was both shocking and refreshing: that Nowitzki admitted the Doncic trade set the Mavericks back. Of course it did, but for whatever reasons, talking heads on major networks refused to acknowledge that fact. Hearing Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Maverick, speak so bluntly on a subject that Mavericks fans, frankly, have been gaslit about for months was a nice, refreshing reminder of what the situation actually is and has been for almost 10 months.
