It
has been one amazing start to the 2016-17 National Basketball Association (NBA)
season. We have last season’s participants in The Finals last June at the top
of their respective conferences and another consistent playoff participant
trying to reach the top. Two of the league’s top talents have taken their games
to great heights this season. Two teams have had a rough start out of the gate
and one perennial playoff participant and their best player in NBA history see
their best days slipping behind them. Here is The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of
the NBA for October/November 2016.
The
High Flying Defending Champs
When
the Cleveland Cavaliers (14-5) won the title this past June, they not only won
their first title in franchise history, they won the city’s first pro sports
title in 52 years. Four-time MVP and Akron, OH native LeBron James made good on
his word of bringing a title to “The Land.” The question coming into this
season is would the Cavs bring that same sense of urgency into this season give
themselves a chance to repeat? They have answered that question with a high
pitched yes.
Finishing
the month and a half at 13-3, standing at 13-4 overall record to start the
season, a top the East, which consists of a six-game winning streak to start
the season; a three-game winning streak and a four-game winning streak.
The
“Big Three of James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are as in sync on the court as
they have ever been.
James
so far this season has garnered three triple-doubles, giving him 45 for his
career, which put him into 6th place on the NBA’s all-time list in
that category.
Irving,
who was a major part of Team USA capturing Gold in the Rio Olympics this summer
has taken that momentum into this season scoring at a career-best of 24.7 per
contest and is shooting a career-high of 48.3 percent from the floor and 42.5
from three-point range.
He
has scored 20 points or more on nine occasions and 30 points or more on three
occasions, including a season-high 39-point performance on 14 for 27 shooting,
including going 5 for 11 from three-point range as the Cavs won at the
Philadelphia 76ers (4-17) 112-108 back on Nov. 27. James had a triple-double
with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists as the Cavs defeated the Sixers in
their own building, the Wells Fargo Center for the second time this season. Kevin
Love had 25 points, hitting 4 for 8 from long range and grabbing 11
boards.
“We’ve
been clicking for a few games now. It feels really good, and then especially
when we can get into the high 100s. Other guys are playing their roles and
we’re just trying to make plays,” Irving said about he, James and Love to FOX
Sports Cavs’ sideline reporter Allie Clifton after the win. “They allow us to
lead them every single night and we try to do that to the best of our ability.”
Along
with the emergence of Irving, Love (21.4 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 45.6 FG%, 41.8 3-Pt.%)
has found a solid comfort zone as a Cavalier, unlike a season ago.
The
best example of this was his 40 point, eight rebound performance on 12 for 20
shooting including going 8 for 12 from three-point range in the Cavs 137-125
versus the Portland Trail Blazers (12-10) back on Nov. 23.
Love
had 34 of those points in the first quarter are the second most in a quarter in
NBA history. That was three short of Golden State Warriors guard who had 37
points in a quarter back in 2015 versus the Sacramento Kings.
The
137 points scored by the Cavs was a season-high. They went 21 for 36 from three-point
range, with 16 triples in the opening half, setting a new NBA record. The eight
triples by Love in the opening quarter were the second most in NBA history. One
shy of the 9 threes hit by Thompson back on Jan. 23, 2015 versus the Kings.
James
had another triple-double of 31 points on 11 for 21 shooting with 10 boards and
13 assists to go along with three steals. Irving finished with 20 points and
six assists.
“It was all really in the flow of the
offense,” Love said to Clifton after the victory. “Nothing really out of the
ordinary. Just finding my shots. Picking my spots and more than anything Kyrie
and Bron were finding me all over the court.”
While
the Cavs have gotten off to a tremendous start to their defense of their
championship, they have had a chance on two occasions to flash back on what
they accomplished. First they had a ring ceremony for the ages when back on
Oct. 25 when the team from the front office to the coaches to the players
received their championship rings and raised their championship banner before
the 20,562 inside the Quicken Loans Arena and the 1,000 outside taking in all
the festivities.
The
team then proceeded to take down the New York Knicks (11-9) 117-88 as James had
a triple-double of 19 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. Irving led the way
with 29 points going 12 for 22 from the field, including 4 for 7 from
three-point land. Love contributed 23 points, 12 boards and three steals going
9 for 12 from the charity stripe. Veteran Richard Jefferson had 13 points off
the bench.
Before
the team’s 105-94 win over the struggling Washington Wizards (7-12) back on
Nov. 11, where James reached another milestone becoming the youngest player to
score 27,000 career points, the Cavs visited the White House in our nation’s
capital as they were shown a great deal of love and appreciation by the first
family of President Barack Obama and his staff and First Lady Michelle Obama.
The
Cavaliers made history a season ago, but they came into this season wanting to
make more. They came together in the playoffs and are as united as ever and
even though there is a lot of season left, they look every bit like a team that
wants to make more history and repeat as champions.
The
Rising Warriors
After
a record setting 73 regular season wins a season ago, the Golden State Warriors
(18-3) season ended with a thud in The Finals falling to the Cavs in seven
games after leading the series three-games to one. The organization did not
take that lightly and they went out in the off-season and hooked the biggest
fish in the NBA free agent pond and hooked perennial All-Star and 2014 MVP
Kevin Durant to join All-Stars and 2015 champions Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson
and Draymond Green. The question for them is could four All-Stars and two
former MVPs co-exist with one ball?
A
mark of 16-2 in Oct./Nov., which included a 12-game winning streak, which
unfortunately ended this past Thursday night in a tough 130-124 double-overtime
loss versus the Houston Rockets (14-7).
The
trio of Durant, Curry and Thompson has been a success so far because they each
have averaged averaged over 20 points or more with Durant leading the way with
a scoring average of 27.0 (7th NBA); Curry is averaging 26.2, which
is 8th in the league and Thompson is averaging 22.5.
To
bring this into a better context, if the latest “Big Three” can maintain this
for the season, it would mark the fourth time in Warriors history that they had
a trio average 20 points or more. The first time it occurred was in the 1968-69
season with Jeff Mullins (22.8 ppg), Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond (21.5 ppg) and
Rudy LaRusso (20.7 ppg) for the then San Francisco Warriors. It happened again
in the 1971-72 season with Mullins (21.5 ppg), Thurmond (21.4) and College
Basketball Hall of Famer Cazzie Russell (21.4). The famed Run-TMC trio of
eventual Hall of Famers and all-time Warrior favorites of Chris Mullin, Mitch
Richmond and Tim Hardaway, Sr. were the next trio to accomplish this, when they
averaged 25.7, 23.9 and 22.9 respectably in 1990-91. The last group trio of
Warriors to average 20 points or more were former All-Star Baron Davis, current
Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis and current panelist on “NBA: The Jump,” on
ESPN Stephen Jackson, who averaged 21.8, 20.2 and 20.1 points per contest
respectably back in the 2007-08 NBA campaign.
What
has allowed the trio of Durant, Curry and Thompson to work well on the court is
that they have been able to evolve their games, while contributing in other
ways to help the Warriors win.
For
example, while Durant has become a consistent rebounder this season garnering
seven double-doubles this season. After their 129-100 setback in the Warriors
home opener versus the San Antonio Spurs (17-4) back on Oct. 25, Durant
followed up his 27-point 10-rebound regular-season Warrior debut with a
30-point, 17-rebound, six assists performance as the Warriors won 122-114 at
the New Orleans Pelicans (7-15).
In
the long anticipated contest versus his former team the Oklahoma City Thunder
and former running mate Russell Westbrook, Durant scored 39 points going 15 for
24 from the floor, including going 7 for 11 from three-point range and grabbing
seven boards as the Warriors won at Oracle Arena 122-96 back on Nov. 3.
Along
with rebounding the ball at a high clip per contest, Durant has bought into the
playing consistent defense as evidence by his six-block performance to go along
with 28 points, 10 boards and five assists in the Warriors’ 115-102 win versus
the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves (6-14) back on Nov. 26.
While
Curry has kept pace scoring wise to his back-to-back MVP seasons the last two
years, Thompson and Green have had to make some adjustments to their games.
In
the early stages of this season, Thompson had his struggles shooting the ball
starting the season 3 for 16 from three-point, which is a far cry from his
career percentages of 41.6 percent. Since then, he has gone 50 for 134 from
behind the arc, a more representative 37.3 percent.
As
for Green, he has sacrificed his scoring to do the dirty work, particularly at
the defensive end, especially since the team said goodbye this past off-season to
center Andrew Bogut, Marreese Speights, Harrison Barnes, and Leandro Barbosa.
Three players who not only fit in well with the team, but were major parts in
helping the Warriors win it all two seasons back.
While
his scoring dropped from 14.0 a season ago to 10.7, Green’s rebounding,
assists, block shot and steals averages are either the same from a season ago
or even better. He averaged 9.5 boards last year, he is averaging an even nine
this season. He averaged 7.4 assists per game a season ago, he is averaging 7.0
in 2016-17 so far. He averaged 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals per contest last
season, Green is averaging 1.7 block shots and 2.1 steals this season.
The
greatest example of Green’s commitment to doing the dirty work things to help
the Warriors win came back on Nov. 28 in the team’s 105-100 win versus the
Hawks (10-12) when Green scored only four points and grabbed just three
rebounds, but he had seven assists and four blocks, including two big ones in
the closing moments of the game that preserved the victory for the Warriors.
“The
thing about defense is you have to want it and I’ve talked about it my whole
career and there’s very few guys that really want it defensively,” swingman
Andre Iguodala said after the victory to Comcast SportsNet Bay Area sideline
report for the Warriors Ros Gold-Onwude. “It’s not any tricks or anything
special to it. You just want it and you got a guy that really wants it. Puts
his heart and passion into it and he’s very smart. It’s going to take him a
long way and he’ll have a few Defensive Player of the Years.”
For
the Warriors, this season is about getting back to The Finals and this time
winning it all unlike a season ago. They feel that the addition of Durant gives
them the scorer that they did not have in The Finals back in June. For them it
will about their commitment to the defensive end and their ability to rebound
the ball consistently that will make all the difference in whether they are
back in The Finals for a third straight season this spring.
The
Triple-Doubles of Russell Westbrook
When
Durant left in free agency to join the Warriors, the mantle of leadership and
best player fell into the hands of perennial All-Star Russell Westbrook, who
also signed a three-year contract extension in the off-season. The question for
him was he up to the task? So far this season, he has been up to it and then
some.
Not
only is the former UCLA Bruin ranked second in the league in scoring at 31.0
points per contest, he is second in assists per game at 11.3 and ninth in
rebounds per game at 10.9.
Your
eyes are not deceiving you, Westbrook is averaging a triple-double so far this
season. He has garnered four straight double figure contest in scoring,
rebounding and assists. His nine triple-doubles so far this season give him 46
for his career, which moved him past LeBron James into six-place on the NBA’s
all-time list.
His
most recent triple-double of 35 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists came this
past Wednesday night as the Thunder won versus the Wizards and his former head
coach for seven seasons Scott Brooks 126-115 in overtime.
While
the numbers are eyepopping, this triple-double is a prime example of how
Westbrook has been performing so far. Through the first three quarters, the
All-Star lead guard had 14 points, but was just 5 for 20 from the field with
eight boards and six assists. In the fourth quarter and the extra frame,
Westbrook had 21 points, shot 7 for 15 from the floor with 6 boards and five
assists.
“I
never stop. My mentality is to always keep going,” Westbrook, said to FOX
Sports Oklahoma’s sideline reporter Lesley McCaslin after the game. “My job for
this team is to keep staying in attack mode. I missed some easy shots, but one
thing about me is I will never stop.
He
had that same mentality when he garnered the third of his triple-double of his
second four triple-double streak of his career when he shot just 9 for 23 from
the field with 27 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists when the Thunder won at
the Knicks 112-103 two nights earlier. Two nights prior to that, Westbrook went
8 for 22 from the field for 17 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds as the
Thunder knocked off the Detroit Pistons (11-11) 106-88.
Back
on Nov. 25 in the team’s 132-129 win at the Denver Nuggets (8-13) in overtime,
Westbrook shot just 9 for 25 from the field, but had 36 points, 17 assists and
11 boards as he went 15 for 17 from the free throw line.
Perhaps
Westbrook’s best triple-double he has put up was when he had 51 points, 13
rebounds and 10 assists in the Thunder’s 113-110 overtime win versus the
Phoenix Suns (6-14) back on Oct. 28. He shot 17 for 44 from the floor,
including an abysmal 2 for 10 from three-point range, but he shot 15 for 20
from the free throw line.
Westbrook
is a player who accepts the challenge of doing whatever it takes to win a game,
something that Brooks knows all too well and say so after his team lost earlier
in the week.
“He’s
hard to stop. He’s a terrific basketball player. Playing at a high level,”
Brooks, who led the Thunder to the Conference Finals three-times as Thunder
head coach said after the game on Wednesday.
The
player of Westbrook was major reason the Thunder got off to a 6-1 beginning to
this season, especially with the fact he has built a trust in his teammates.
That trust was put to the test after the team went 2-7 after that great start.
They have rebounded though with four straight wins.
If
Westbrook can keep this up, he would become just the second player in NBA
history to average a triple-double in a season. The last to do it was Hall of
Famer Oscar Robertson, who in the 1961-62 NBA campaign averaged 30.8 points,
10.5 rebounds and 11.3 assists per contest through 79 games.
For
Westbrook, it is about winning basketball games and getting the Thunder back to
the postseason with him as the bus driver.
Harden
at the Point
Last
season, All-Star guard James Harden had career-highs across the board, but the
Houston Rockets were just a .500 team at 41-41 and were bounced in five games
in the opening round against the eventual Western Conference Champion Warriors.
On top of that, Harden did not make either the First, Second or Third All-NBA
teams. The addition of new head coach Mike D’Antoni, who moved Harden to the
point guard position; the fact that he came into training camp in the best
shape of his career and with new additions, he has put up even better numbers
and there is cohesion this season.
The
Rockets finished Oct./Nov at 11-7 and a big reason for that are the career-high
averages of 28.7 points (4th NBA), 11.6 assists (leads NBA) and 7.6
rebounds per game by Harden.
To
bring this into clearer focus, Harden had just three triple-doubles last season
and in the early going of the 2016-17 NBA campaign he has garnered four
already, which is second in the league to the nine of his former teammate
Westbrook. On top of that, Harden is second in the NBA in double-doubles with
15, two behind Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside and three behind the 18 of
Westbrook.
In
the middle part of last month, Harden joined Hall of Famer and former Rocket
Elvin Hayes as the only two players in franchise history to register
back-to-back triple-doubles when he had 24 points, 15 assists and 12 boards in
a 101-99 win at the Spurs on Nov. 9 and three nights later recorded 25 points,
13 assists and 11 rebounds in the Rockets’ 106-100 setbacks at Toyota Center
versus their interstate and Southwest Division rivals.
Two
big reasons why Harden has been at the top of his game has been the new system
under D’Antoni and that the Rockets have players that make that system go in
off-season additions in sharp shooters Ryan Anderson (12.9 ppg, 41.2 3-Pt.%)
and Eric Gordon (16.6 ppg, 39.9 3-Pt.%), alongside mainstays Trevor Ariza (12.7
ppg, 38.1 3-Pt.%) and Patrick Beverly, who just returned to the lineup recently
after missing the early part of the season recovering from knee surgery.
Moving
Harden to the point and being surrounded by perimeter shooting has been a
perfect marriage so far. The team is winning and he is playing at the kind of
level that the Rockets look ever bit like a playoff team that will be highly
seeded if Harden can keep this stellar level of play up.
The
Bad
The
Lows of the Atlanta Hawks
Back
on Nov. 16 after a 107-100 win versus the Milwaukee Bucks (10-9), the Atlanta
Hawks (10-12) at 9-2 looked every bit like the team that was going to seriously
challenge their playoff nemesis the Cavs for supremacy in the East. The
addition of Dwight Howard in the off-season gave the Hawks the presence in the
paint that they were sorely lacking. Dennis Schroder was lifted to the starting
lead guard spot and was playing at a nice level. Things have changed a lot as
the month of November concluded for the guys from the ATL.
This
past Wednesday, the Hawks fell at the Suns 109-107 to finish their five-game
road trip at 1-4, losers of four straight.
To
put the struggles of the Hawks as they closed out November into perspective, in
the first 11 games where they went 9-2, they were averaging 107.8 points per
contest on 48 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three-point range.
Coming into this past Wednesday’s action, the Hawks had lost six out of seven
and were only averaging 90.2 points per contest on 41.8 percent shooting from
the floor and just 29.4 percent from three-point territory.
In
that setback in the middle of this last week, Schroder played well scoring 14
of his career-high 31 points in the fourth quarter to go along with nine
assists on 13 for 23 shooting in the loss at the Suns. Howard had a
double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds and Kent Bazemore had 22 points and
Tim Hardaway, Jr. had 21 points.
The
real low-point of Hawks struggles came five nights prior when they defeated at
the Utah Jazz (13-9) 95-68 back on Nov. 25. The 68-point output was the lowest
for the Hawks since Jan. 14, 2013. The Jazz held the Hawks to 31.3 percent
shooting; they shot just 8 for 25 from long range; were out-rebounded 61-48;
registered just 11 assists and were out-scored in the paint 40-28.
The
Hawks followed that loss with a 109-94 setback at the Los Angeles Lakers
(10-13) 109-94 two nights later, when they did get off to strong start leading
32-21 after the first quarter, but a 35-16 second quarter and a 25-17 fourth
quarter did them in. On top of that, their reserves were outscored 65-24.
The
Hawks had a chance to get back on track this past Monday night at the Warriors
and for three quarters they were neck-and-neck with the current Western
Conference leaders, but another rough final quarter where they were outscored
25-19 put them on the wrong end of a 105-100 score.
While
the Hawks have gotten solid play from Howard, Schroder and Paul Millsap, the
one guy who has been inconsistent this season for them has been sharp shooter
Kyle Korver, who in the last four losses has scored a total of 19 points going
6 for 21 from the floor, including just 5 for 15 from three-point territory.
Over
the last two postseasons, the Hawks have had their season conclude at the hands
of the Cavs in four-game sweeps in the Conference Finals and Semifinals
respectably. If they have any inclinations of changing those fortunes, they
must turn things around soon. They have the talent and the head coach in Mike
Budenholzer, but they have to get that consistent level of play back if they
want to be a serious threat to the Cavaliers.
Rough
Sledding in Minnesota
It
is one thing to have a talented team. It is another thing for that talent to
mesh together and understand that to win consistently in any pro sports league,
you must be willing to do the little things and play with a tenacity and vigor
each night to give yourself a chance to win. That has been major problem for
the young Timberwolves and their new head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Back
on Nov. 30 on the front end of a home-and-home against the Knicks, second-year
forward Karly-Anthony Towns had a career-high of 47 points on 15 for 22 from
the field and 17 for 20 from the free throw line with 18 rebounds and three
blocks, but his team lost 106-104 thanks to a game-winning jumper by Carmelo
Anthony with 2.3 second left in the game.
This
game was a microcosm of the T’Wolves season thus far. Their best player turns
in a career night and they lose.
Their
second-best player Andrew Wiggins can have a stretch where had a career-high of
47 points going 14 for 21 from the field and 17 for 22 from the charity stripe
in a rare 125-99 victory versus the Lakers, but his recent struggles from the
floor have him shooting just 41.7 percent from the field this season.
Starting
shooting guard Zach LaVine has been playing very consistent this season, but
has had his highs and lows in terms of mixing his game up from shooting from
the perimeter and using his great athletic ability to take people off the
dribble and attack the basket.
To
top it all off, the T’Wolves have had their struggles at the defensive end,
which has irked coach Thibodeau, whose entire coaching philosophy from his days
as an assistant to his time as head coach for five seasons for the Chicago
Bulls.
They
rank 19th in points allowed giving up 105.6 points per contest. The
Timberwolves are 25th in rebounds per game at 42.3 and 28th
in opponent’s field goal percentage giving up 46.9 percent.
There
have been a couple of moments this season where the Timberwolves have shown
what they are capable of when they are focused.
In
their 125-99 win at the Lakers mentioned earlier, the Timberwolves shot 48.1
percent from the floor; out-rebounded the Lakers 54-41; scored 21 points off 17
forced turnovers and registered 10 steals.
In
their 98-85 victory at the Suns back on Nov. 25, the team rallied from an
eight-point deficit outscoring the Suns 31-10 in the fourth quarter. The
T’Wolves held the Suns to 40.5 percent from the field and to 6 for 26 from
three-point range and forced 26 turnovers that resulted in 23 points.
This
team is as talented as any in the league and it’s young talented full of
potential. When you say Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Gorgui
Dieng, rookie Kris Dunn, Nemanja Bjeilcia, Shabazz Muhammad and Ricky Rubio,
you are saying names that are game changers. With that being said, they have a
long way to go before they can even mention being a playoff team.
Highs
and Lows of Trail Blazers
Last
season’s surprise of the league resided in the Pacific Northwest. The Portland
Trail Blazers led by the dynamic backcourt of All-Star Damian Lillard and last
season’s Kia Most Improved Player C.J. McCollum led the team to 44 wins; a
First-Round victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in six games and battled the
eventual West Champion Warriors in before falling in five games in the
Semifinals. Coming into the season no longer the underdog, the Trail Blazers
have been up at times as well as down.
A
112-105 win versus the Denver Nuggets, their second against their Northwest
Division rivals this season brought the Trail Blazers record to 7-4. They
finished the month 3-6 however and their biggest culprit has been their play at
the defensive end.
In
their three straight defeats following their victory versus the Nuggets, the
Trail Blazers gave up 113, 126 and 113 versus the Chicago Bulls (11-8), at the
Rockets and at the Pelicans from Nov. 15-Nov. 18. In that 113-88 loss versus
the Bulls on Nov. 15, the Trail Blazers held the Bulls to 41.8 percent shooting
and to just 7 for 20 from three-point range, but were out-rebounded 75-54 and
outscored 52-36 in the paint.
Their
worst effort at the defensive end came against the defending champion Cavaliers
on Nov. 23 where they lost 137-125.
How
bad was the Trail Blazers effort defensively at the Cavs? They allowed the Cavs
to shoot 53.3 percent from the floor, including 21 for 36 from three-point
range.
To
bring the Trail Blazers defensive struggles into clearer context, they have
surrendered 100 points or more to their opponent the last 13 games to close the
month since they only gave up 94 points in a 100-94 win at the struggling
Dallas Mavericks (4-15) back on Nov. 6.
While
they gave up over 100 points again versus the Pelicans on Nov. 25, they played
with a lot more effort and energy in the 119-104 win, especially their front
court.
While
the backcourt of Lillard and McCollum played well scoring 27 and 24 points
respectably, with Lillard garnering 11 assists, starting forward Maurice
Harkless had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Starting center
Mason Plumlee also had a double-double of 12 points, 14 rebounds and eight
assists. Meyers Leonard had 15 points and nine boards off the bench and very
quietly forward Ed Davis, who has been starting in place of the injured
Al-Farouq Aminu had nine points and six boards.
Speaking
of the guy that his teammates refer to as “The Chief,” Aminu has been absent
for 13 games recent weeks due to a left calf strain. His absence has been a
major reason the Trail Blazers have struggled at the defensive end.
Last
season, the Portland Trail Blazers surprised the league and maybe even
themselves. They are not surprising anybody this season. With that said, they
have won more games at this point this season than they did a season ago. If
the Trail Blazers want to be taken seriously as this season continues, they
must play better defensively. They have enough at the offensive end to contend
with anybody.
The
Ugly
Tough
Times in “Big D”
For
the past decade-plus, the Dallas Mavericks have made the playoffs. They claimed
the NBA’s ultimate prize in 2011 when they beat the Miami Heat to capture their
first Larry O’Brien Trophy in franchise history. While they have made the
playoffs in four of the past five seasons, they have not gotten past the
First-Round and even though they made some solid additions this season, their
path to the postseason this year seems out of reach and their best player in
franchise history and future Hall of Famer is near the end.
The
Mavericks started this season with a five-game losing streak, which started with
a 130-121 overtime loss on opening night at the Indiana Pacers (10-11) back on
Oct. 25.
They
proceeded to win two straight with victories versus the Milwaukee Bucks (10-9)
(86-75 in overtime on Nov. 6) and at the Lakers (109-97 on Nov. 8).
That
was followed by eight straight defeats, the longest losing streak in the Dirk
Nowitzki era, which was capped by a 128-90 defeat at the Cavs.
One
big reason for the Mavericks struggles has been injuries to the likes of
Nowitzki, who has played in just five games this season because of a lingering
Achilles problem. The likes of J.J. Barea and Deron Williams have also missed
time this season because of injury.
The
injuries to their top guns are a major reason the Mavericks are dead last, 30th
in points scored at 92.3 per game and field goal percentage at 41.2 percent; 28th
in assists per game at 18.9 and 27th in three-point percentage 32.3
percent.
There
have been some bright spots for the Mavs during a rough first month of this
season. Harrison Barnes, who came over in a sign-and-trade during the
off-season has averaged career-highs of 20.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game
on 45.9 percent from the field. Swingman Wesley Matthews, two years removed
from a serious Achilles injury has played well averaging 15.1 points per game,
up from the 12.5 that he averaged a season ago in his first season with the
Mavs.
It
is seasons like this that you learn what a team that has been a playoff
perennial is made of. Are players that will have an opportunity, will they take
advantage. Will the team’s head coach, in this case Rick Carlisle, will he hold
the team to the same standard despite key players being out? More than anything,
will the team put their best foot forward?
The
answer to all those questions has been yes. The players who have played have
competed, even though the Mavericks have been on the wrong end of the
scoreboard. Carlisle has coached the team the same way as he always has since
being in “Big D.” Earlier this season, owner Mark Cuban, who has not been shy
about expressing his opinion said that they will not tank this season.
Even
if Nowitzki comes back this season and is anywhere close to his Hall of Fame
level of play, it might not be enough to get the Mavericks back in the playoff
race in the rough Western Conference. The question then becomes, will this be
Nowitzki’s swan song? If so, it would be a tough end for a player and a team
that when he first got there was awful and turn itself to a perennial playoff
participant and a champion.
Information,
statistics and quotations are courtesy of www.espn.go.com/nba/standings/statsitics/team;
11/21/16 7 p.m. contest Golden State Warriors versus Indiana Pacers on Comcast
SportsNet Bay Area with Bob Fitzgerald and Jim Barnett and Ros Gold-Onwude;
11/21/16 2 a.m. edition NBATV’s “Gametime.” With Matt Winer, Rick Fox and Brent
Barry; 11/24/16 2 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Vince Cellini, Dennis
Scott and Greg Anthony; 11/26/16 1 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,”
presented by Kia Motors with Vince Cellini, Steve Smith, and Mike Fratello;
11/28/16 2 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Vince Cellini, Rick Fox and
Brent Barry; 11/28/16 6 p.m. edition of NBATV’s “The Starters,” with Tas Melas,
J.E. Skeets, Leigh Ellis and Trey Kerby; 11/29/16 2:30 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,”
presented by Kia Motors with Casey Stern, Dennis Scott and Brent Barry;
11/30/16 6:30 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” presented by Kia Motors with
Ernie Johnson, Kevin McHale, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony; 12/1/16 7 a.m.
edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” presented by Kia Motors with Vince Cellini,
Dennis Scott and Shaquille O’Neal.
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