We may get the Mavs pick this year

[CelticD]

definitely an exciting thought. mavs have the worst las 10 game record in the west top 8, while the pels are tied with the jazz for hottest last 10 game record. keepin meh fingers crossed.

[Evantime34]

It's unlikely but that would be so great.

Rondo should get some love from Boston fans if he ruins that team and gets us a lotto pick.

[Donoghus]

It's unlikely but that would be so great.

Rondo should get some love from Boston fans if he ruins that team and gets us a lotto pick.

Rondo get love from some people, even if it means a lottery pick?  Ha!   

[Vermont Green]

We would be better served I think if it is the Clippers that crash and burn out of making the playoffs and the Mavs pick get to us next year.  They are only 1 full game ahead of the Mavs.  That way we would get a lottery pick from the Clipps this year and who knows how good of a pick from the Mavs next season.  I can't imagine that the Mavs are going to be better next season with Dirk,  Tyson Chandler older and Rondo gone.  We might even get a top 10 pick from the Mavs next year.

Even if the Clipps make the playoffs, I think we are better off getting the Mavs pick next season.  I think they will be worse and it is too early to say this year's 14th pick is better than say next year's 12th pick.  Two pick this year is enough.

[csfansince60s]

Watched the game last night, and man, did they look old and tired.

I agree with the OP that there is a decent chance we could get their pick.

[slamtheking]

extremely unlikely to happen.  they're in 7th place and 4.5 games up on both OKC and NO with less than 20 games to go for all of them. 

IF OKC got Durant back now and he was completely healthy, they MIGHT catch Dallas but that's a lot of games to make up in a short timeframe.  Without Durant, Westbrook can only continue being superhuman for just so long.

NO has been really inconsistent this year.  I really think they'll be on the outside looking in again this year. 

[GreenFaith1819]

Hopefully we "won't" get it.

Too much talent on that team to see it fail.

Hopefully Dirk can step it up in the post-season, and Tyson can get completely healthy.

That ESPN article was poorly-worded by Tim McMahon - why in the world would he state how good (or bad) Rajon Rondo shoots?

Just shows bias.

Whatever Rajon's talent is (or was), it just appears to me that the writer is trying to paint a picture of Rondo being the culprit for the Mavs' woes.

If the Dallas Mavericks fail - EVERYONE on that team - including the coach AND Dirk - need to look themselves in the mirror and do some soul-searching.

Rajon Rondo is the LEAST of their problems.

[spikelovetheCelts]

Watched the game last night, and man, did they look old and tired.

I agree with the OP that there is a decent chance we could get their pick.

There upcoming Schedule is brutal.  I only see three sure wins orlando, denver and utah.

Friday 13   Clippers
   
Mon, Mar 16   vs
   Oklahoma City
   
Wed, Mar 18   vs
   Orlando
   
Fri, Mar 20   vs
   Memphis
   
Sun, Mar 22   @
   Phoenix
   
Tue, Mar 24   vs
   San Antonio
   
Fri, Mar 27   @
   San Antonio
   
Sun, Mar 29   @
   Indiana
   
APRIL   OPPONENT
Wed, Apr 1   @
   Oklahoma City
   
Thu, Apr 2   vs
   Houston
   
Sat, Apr 4   vs
   Golden State
   
Wed, Apr 8   vs
   Phoenix
   
Fri, Apr 10   @
   Denver
   
Sun, Apr 12   @
   Los Angeles
   
Mon, Apr 13   @
   Utah
   
Wed, Apr 15   vs
   Portland
   

[LarBrd33]

Fun facts about Rondo... He's had double-digit assists twice in his 31 games for the Mavs so far.  He's had double-digit rebounds once.   He's still a garbage offensive player, though.  Funny how much an inflated role with inflated minutes can impact someone's statistical output and the perception of him amongst a rabid fanbase.

Another fun fact:  In 22 games for Boston this season, Rondo had his highest per-minute assist/rebound stats of his career. 

One more fun fact.   Rondo is known for his 2012 playoff performance.  He averaged 17 points, 12 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 19 games.  The entire "playoff Rondo" myth is based on his performance 3 years ago.  But few realize that Rondo averaged a ridiculous 42.6mpg during that series.  It's the explanation for the inflated stats.   His per-36 minute stats would have been 14.6 points, 10.1 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 2 steals.  Still solid, but not majorly different from what he did this season in Boston - 9.4 points, 12.2 assists, 8.5 rebounds, 2 steals (though with ghastly 40%/25%/33% shooting)

In other words, give Rondo 10-15 more minutes per game and let him control the ball 95% of the time and watch as he reclaims his undeserved title as "best passer"/"greatest pure point guard" in the league. 

This was the crux of my "Rondo is vastly inferior to Chris Paul" stance over the years.  Give Chris Paul 37mpg (or 43+mpg ala "playoff Rondo"), have Chris cut down his shot attempts to about 9 per night... think he can average Rondo-esque 11+ assists?  Of course.  Chris Paul's per-36 averages of 19 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 2.6 steals with 47%/36%/86% shooting prove it. 

[Quetzalcoatl]

NBA After Dark on Grantland is saying that they wouldn't be surprised if Dallas misses the playoffs today: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/grantland/player?id=12470078

A Reddit thread on the Dallas Mavs page popped up yesterday called "Complaint Thread" and got 103 comments over the last 20 hours or so, when the second most commented thread on their main page is 50 and most don't have any comments at all.  A lot of comments there are woeful of their upcoming schedule and are unsure if they will make the playoffs: http://www.reddit.com/r/Mavericks/comments/2ymz8s/complaint_thread/

Amare showed up yesterday dressed like this:



to point out that they are 4.5 games out of the playoffs

The dam is starting to break!

[JBcat]

Would you rather get a late lottery pick from them this year, or roll the dice for an even better lottery pick from them next year?

[Eddie20]

Would you rather get a late lottery pick from them this year, or roll the dice for an even better lottery pick from them next year?

This year considering this draft is said to be stronger.

[loco_91]

4 games is a lot, but like you said let's check back in two.

Also, If the Mavs really are a a huge mess maybe it would benefit us to not get the pick this year and get a higher pick next year instead.

Better off with the 14th pick this year then a late loto pick next season. 2015 draft is sold but not after the top 8 but it has alot of depth. 2016 looks good up top(maybe till #8) then really weak.

I think it's tough to project - if you can get a lotto pick this year, though, you take it!

[Quetzalcoatl]

Would you rather get a late lottery pick from them this year, or roll the dice for an even better lottery pick from them next year?

This year considering this draft is said to be stronger.

TP - I couldn't agree more and a bird in the lotto is worth two next season in a top FA destination.  Especially if we make the playoffs, we can either just draft two guys or package them and move up to the 10th pick or so.  If we made the playoffs AND drafted Myles Turner anyways, I'd be elated

[mahcus smaht]

Fun facts about Rondo... He's had double-digit assists twice in his 31 games for the Mavs so far.  He's had double-digit rebounds once.   He's still a garbage offensive player, though.  Funny how much an inflated role with inflated minutes can impact someone's statistical output and the perception of him amongst a rabid fanbase.

Another fun fact:  In 22 games for Boston this season, Rondo had his highest per-minute assist/rebound stats of his career. 

One more fun fact.   Rondo is known for his 2012 playoff performance.  He averaged 17 points, 12 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 19 games.  The entire "playoff Rondo" myth is based on his performance 3 years ago.  But few realize that Rondo averaged a ridiculous 42.6mpg during that series.  It's the explanation for the inflated stats.   His per-36 minute stats would have been 14.6 points, 10.1 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 2 steals.  Still solid, but not majorly different from what he did this season in Boston - 9.4 points, 12.2 assists, 8.5 rebounds, 2 steals (though with ghastly 40%/25%/33% shooting)

In other words, give Rondo 10-15 more minutes per game and let him control the ball 95% of the time and watch as he reclaims his undeserved title as "best passer"/"greatest pure point guard" in the league. 

This was the crux of my "Rondo is vastly inferior to Chris Paul" stance over the years.  Give Chris Paul 37mpg (or 43+mpg ala "playoff Rondo"), have Chris cut down his shot attempts to about 9 per night... think he can average Rondo-esque 11+ assists?  Of course.  Chris Paul's per-36 averages of 19 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 2.6 steals with 47%/36%/86% shooting prove it.

There is something to be said for playing 43 minutes a night for 22 games. Second, his tremendous playoff performances are not just 2012. look back at some of his other performances. Secondly, you cant honestly tell me you watched that 2012 series and said to yourself, man that Rondo guy is really not very good. There are not many players in the universe who can make you wonder who the best player on the court is when Lebron James is also on that court. This is also a Heat team that went on to destroy OKC. Rondo kept us in the series, even when Lebron covered him for extended time.

Rondo is overrated. He wasnt right for us, and since the ACL he has just sucked, and I dont see the light at the end of the tunnel, but playoff Rondo isnt a mirage. He has that special something when the big lights turn on. To deny that is foolish.

Also 15 points, 10 assists, 5 boards, 2.6 steals is still incredible. 0 players are doing that this year. Furthermore he is best known for his Heat series. in this series he avgd 21 points, 11 assists, 7 boards, 2 steals, 49% shooting, playing 45 minutes a night. Thats dominant.