 |
| Rajon Rondo, Monta Ellis, and Chandler Parsons power the Dallas Mavericks |
Dirk Nowtizki is the greatest Mav. From an unknown 7-foot tall German basketball player in 1999 to a 12-time NBA All-Star and former league MVP. He was able to make an ailing franchise a perennial playoff powerhouse with two NBA Finals appearances, winning in 2011 over LeBron James and the Miami Heat. His patented one-leg fadeaway shot will soon be bronzed outside of the American Airlines Center when he finally retires. For now, in his 17th season, he has become more decoy than playmaker.
After winning the championship in 2011, Mark Cuban and Rick Carlisle started preparing for this 2014-15 season. They disbanded the winning team and started the process of using the new CBA as a catalyst to be patient enough to wait for the right hand to be dealt and build another winner. They brought on one-year players with little star power to surround their superstar Dirk initially until this season. They have now brought in the next generation of Dallas Mavericks that can and are taking over the team.
It started with the addition of Monta Ellis last season. Ellis was known as a ball-hogging shooter that could either win you a game or shoot you out of one. His gusty no-holds-barred style was exactly what the Mavs needed. Dirk has been lobbying for another player that can drive to the basket and create his own shot. Last season, spending most of his time playing PG for the first time in his career, Ellis helped return the franchise to the playoffs and force a seven game series against the San Antonio Spurs.
The following offseason, the Mavs brought in 26-year old Chandler Parsons after the best season of his career. The also brought back the best center the Mavs have ever had, Tyson Chandler in a trade with the New York Knicks.
Their biggest acquisition came only days ago through a trade with the Boston Celtics for four-time All-Star and NBA champion Rajon Rondo to play point guard. With Rondo comes NBA star power.
Dirk has already crowned Monta Ellis the "go-to-guy" for this team. He has been the reason the Mavs have been able to have a 20-8 record, leading the team in points, assists, and steals (21.3, 4.6, 1.6). In his first game with Rondo in the lineup, he ties a season high with 38 points.
Parsons has started to play up to his team-high contract, including a 32-point performance against Detroit last Wednesday.
The addition of younger, budding superstar talent in Dallas now begs the question: Whose team is this now?
Dirk may be averaging 18.6 PPG, but the offense now flows through Rondo, Parsons, and Ellis.
"It's a big day in our franchise's history", was the way Rick Carlisle started the press conference to announce the Rondo deal.
One could argue that this trade was the biggest mid-season acquisition ever for the the franchise. Results withstanding...
"Having him here is a huge step forward for us", says Cuban.
An interesting tidbit to the trade was Cuban seeking the counsel of Monta Ellis before pulling the trigger. A clear sign that the shift from Dirk's Team to the younger players is real.
Dallas Mavericks coverage is sponsored by Downsize Fitness
