The Dallas Mavericks
GM: fitzhickey
PG: Steve Nash| Brandon Knight| Terrence Williams
SG: Eric Gordon| Gary Neal| Reggie Bullock
SF: Luol Deng| Reggie Bullock| Jonas Jerebko| Terrence Williams
PF: Josh Smith| Tyler Hansbrough| Jason Smith
C: Al Jefferson| Chris Kaman| Byron Mullens
Head Coach: Kevin McHale
Introduction to the Dallas MavsThe Dallas Mavs are a very competent team in every position. All the players fit well together in both defense and offense. We have a good balance of scoring and defending, with certain player weaknesses being covered by others strengths. It will be a tough ask for any team to out match this team in many positions, and our fundamental smart basketball will defeat many teams. This is not a team many want to face.
Career Stats
*Note per game not per 36Name Position Pts Ast Rebs Stls Blcks TOs Pfs FG% 3pt%
Steve Nash PG 14.4 8.5 3.0 0.7 0.1 2.9 1.6 .491 .428
Eric Gordon SG 18.0 3.3 2.5 1.0 0.3 2.4 1.9 .443 .363
Luol Deng SF 16.0 2.4 6.4 1.0 0.6 1.8 1.7 .460 .334
Josh Smith PF 15.3 3.2 8.0 1.3 2.1 2.5 2.8 .465 .283
Al Jefferson C 17.8 1.5 9.0 0.7 1.4 1.5 2.7 .500 .071
Brandon Knight PG 13.3 3.2 2.6 0.8 0.1 3.0 2.5 .410 .373
Gary Neal SG 9.7 1.7 2.2 0.4 0.1 1.0 1.5 .433 .398
Reggie Bullock N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tyler Hansbrough PF 8.9 0.5 4.7 0.6 0.2 1.0 2.2 .427 N/A
Chris Kaman C 11.8 1.3 8.0 0.5 1.4 2.2 2.8 .485 N/A
Terrence Williams PG/SF 7.1 2.4 3.6 0.5 0.1 1.5 1.3 .412 .317
Jonas Jerebko SF 8.7 0.7 5.0 0.3 0.8 1.0 2.5 .469 .306
Jason Smith PF 5.6 0.5 3.3 0.8 1.5 0.8 2.1 .473 .259
Byron Mullens C 10.6 1.0 4.8 0.4 0.6 1.1 1.9 .403 .301
Draft PhilosophyHeading into the draft I didn't really know what I wanted, this being my first CB draft, and the different time-zones meant I had to auto-pick many of my players. All I knew is that I was going to draft the BPA at the position I needed filling, not thinking about fit and all that at all (a mistake I warn all gm's to avoid!) My later round drafting was pretty good, picking up AK, Kaman and Brandon Knight up in later rounds. After picking up Parker and foolishly trading away my second round pick urgh that move still hurts I was trying to create a team of role players to surround Parker with. I drafted Faried and Gallo in the 3rd round which were solid picks providing Gallo came off injury well. In the 4th I picked up Jonas V, who looked in great condition both physique wise and skill wise. He had gained quite a bit of muscle during the off-season. In the 5th I made a trade for Andrei Kirilenko, sending off my 5th, 7th and 12th in addition to his 9th and 10th. In the coaches round I got myself former Celtic great and current head coach of the real Houston Rockets Kevin McHale. There wasn't all that much thought into the pick of McHale, but I think he is a good coach and I think he can do good things with this roster, as well as being a good guy in the locker room. In the 6th I drafted Brandon Knight, needing a back up combo guard who could play both positions adequately. In the 8th I drafted Kaman, a very good vet center to have as a back up. In the 9th I drafted Jonas Jerebko, with SF as my weakest position. In the 10th I drafted Jason Smith, a big who can stretch the floor. In the 11th I drafted Reggie Bullock, a promising rookie who can shoot the 3 and defend quite well. He showed quite some promise during the summer league. In the 13th I drafted Terrence Williams simply as he is an athletic guy who can play 1/2/3.
Toughest DecisionThe toughest decision of my CB draft was definitely trading Tony Parker. After the draft I had no interest in trading Parker. He has MVP skills and the Spurs would be depending upon him more now that Duncan is another year older (even though he hasn't lost much). Parker was crucial to my team, with him being a 21 and 7 kinda guy. But the offer I got for him was too good for my team. I got a great fit at the 4 next to Jefferson in Smith, I got a decent pass first PG in Nash and Neal is a solid SG off the bench.
Best MoveIt is funny that along with being my toughest decision, my best move was trading Parker and DJ for Nash, Josh Smith and Gary Neal. It helped my team fit wise, as Smith is an excellent defender next to an offensive weapon in Al Jefferson, and Nash is an excellent distributor which will be good for Gordon, finding him in his best spots. It would also be good for Smith, finding him when he is open and not having all those silly mid range plays for him.
Another good move I made was moving AK and Enes Kanter for Luol Deng and Byron Mullens. Luol Deng is a better defender than AK and is better suited to my team. I wasn't too fussed with the loss of Kanter, as Kaman is a very solid back up.
Both these deals have improved my team vastly, as I was no more than a fringe playoff team before them and after them I am a certain playoff fixture.
My team's fit is excellent, Nash and Gordon is a good 1/2 combo. Nash will be finding Gordon in all his best spots, enabling him to be more efficient than ever. My 3/4 combo is one of the best defensively, and they can be dangerous on the offensive end, especially with Nash. I also made a move to solidify the center position with the acquisition of Al Jefferson, an old fashioned back to the basket big man. He can be a 20/10 guy and with Nash he should have a better season than last.
PG's:Starting at point guard for me is former MVP veteran Steve Nash. Nash is one of the premier passers in the league. He seems to just know where his guy is going to be at all times. He is also a deadly shooter. He has been in the 50/40/90 club numerous times. Only 6 players in NBA history, including Nash. They are: Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, Mark Price, Dirk Nowitski, Kevin Durant and Nash of course. Backing him up is Brandon Knight, a young up and coming score first combo guard. Learning how to run the offense under Nash should really help his development as a point. Behind him is Terrence Williams, who could also learn to play point under Nash, which would turn him into a scary point forward.
SG's:Starting the two guard for me is Eric Gordon, a deadly scorer who has the ability to go from 0 pts to 10 in a flash. He is a deadly shooter from beyond the arc and can get it done on offense easily. Coupled with Nash he will have a career season. Behind him is Gary Neal, a good bench scorer who is lights out from deep. Behind him is Reggie Bullock, a good shooter in college and the summer league and a good defender. He is a good prospect and a large 2 guard.
SF's:Starting at SF is Luol Deng, a lockdown defender whose offense will benefit from having a pass first point, and an elite one at that, feeding him in his spots. His defense and fit is a real benefit to my team, as well as his ability to score 16 points a game. Backing him up is Bullock. Behind him is Jonas Jerebko, a big combo forward who can rebound well and score at a solid rate. Behind him, although he won't see many mins, is Terrence Williams.
PF's:Starting at the PF is Josh Smith, a super defensive PF who will block all who cometh into my paint. (Couldn't help myself with ye olde english) He will be on the receiving end of some lobs but I doubt he will be scoring as much as he usually has in previous seasons as he will be 3rd or 4th option. Backing him up is Tyler Hansbrough, a psycho intense hustle guy who will give you all he has night in night out. Behind him is Jason Smith, a big who can stretch the floor and smack Blake Griffin to the ground.
C's:Starting at center is Big Al Jefferson, a hulking back to the basket big fella who has an arsenal of post moves that many defenders will bite on. He is a double double machine, scoring and rebounding proficiently. Behind him is Chris "The Caveman" Kaman, a former All Star who will probably be starting over in LA. His per 36 min stats last year were formidable, 18 pts and 10 rebs. Behind him is Byron Mullens. He is a solid C who can stretch the floor and rebounds at a good rate.
I think my biggest strength is how well my roster fits together. Similar to the old Phoenix teams just with an improved defense.
If you have any questions about my team I am more than happy to answer