NBA Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks’ First Month Grade

Dallas Mavericks' First Month Grade

Dallas Mavericks
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After defeating the mighty Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals, Mark Cuban and his brass carefully reconstructed the roster to preserve flexibility to make a play for the marquee free agents like Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, etc. However the plan did not follow through ideally, so instead management put together a competent all-around roster that has competed amongst the league's elite through November.

Offense

Dirk Nowitzki
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Offense

Dallas Mavericks
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This Mavericks offense has been brilliant. Besides leading the league in points per game (109.1), Dallas is shooting an impressive 48 percent from the field and 54.7 percent on two-pointers. Additionally, the team has protected the ball well, with just 10.8 per game. The sole area this offense can improve on is three-point shooting at 33.7 percent for the year. That number should pick up once Chandler Parsons finds his shot.

Grade: A-

Defense

Chandler Parsons
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Defense

Chandler Parsons
Scott Halleran-Getty Images

Defense, on the other hand, hasn't been so hot. Tyson Chandler has proven to be an invaluable defensive anchor, but Dallas still ranks 18th in points allowed per game (100.1). Dirk Nowitzki is a liability inside defensively, primarily because he's a poor rebounder securing a mere 5.7 a night. If the Mavericks can jump into the top 10 defensive teams, they will wreak havoc on the NBA all season long.

Grade: C

Coaching

Rick Carlisle
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Coaching

Rick Carlisle
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Rick Carlisle repeatedly proves to be one of the league's most impactful head coaches along with Greg Popovich. His leadership, passion and incredible knowledge of basketball has consistently translated into wins on a team that doesn't have that bonafide superstar any longer. I give huge props to Carlisle.

Grade: A+

Offseason Signings

Jameer Nelson
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Offseason Signings

Jameer Nelson
Glenn James-Getty Images

Dallas inked fourth-year swingman Chandler Parsons to a monster three-year, million contract to pry him away from the cross-state rival Houston Rockets. Parsons hasn't lived up to that sort of money yet, but I fully expect him to evolve this season and be ready just in time for the playoffs. The Mavs also signed Al-Farouq Aminu, Jameer Nelson, Richard Jefferson and JJ Barea to strengthen the bench, which has been a success.

Grade: C+

Offseason Acquisitions

Tyson Chandler
Tom Pennington-Getty Images

Offseason Acquisitions

Tyson Chandler
Tom Pennington-Getty Images

Dallas struck the first semi-monster deal of the offseason by dumping a bunch of mediocre players on the New York Knicks in exchange for Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler. Neither name will exactly jump off the paper, but Chandler is a quality big to lock down the paint and Felton is a solid backup point guard barring any future gun charges. Chandler recently stuck it to his former Knicks, posting 17 points and 25-rebound performance.

Grade: B

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