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| Could trading Justin Anderson be the key to winning another championship? |
Dirk’s Hope For Another Ring Here is Anderson
I will be accused of being a schizophrenic fan; and it will be on good grounds. Not too long ago, before the Mavs were .01 seconds from being swept by the Thunder in the first round, I wrote a blog on how they need to cut Dirk loose in order to accelerate the rebuilding process and allow him to play out his days with a legitimate contender. Reviews were mixed. I also criticized the Mavs for mortgaging the future by shipping away picks and young talent in short-sighted trades. While watching Westbrook and Durant put the final nail in the 2016 coffin a few nights ago, I must say, I saw a glimmer of hope–not as much for the Mavs, but for Dirk.
Rick Carlisle is notorious for waiting too long to develop young talent. He makes guys sit on the bench and watch when everyone thinks they should be taking reps. It’s probably his biggest criticism as a coach. Throughout the season, fans and media alike were clamoring to see more of Justin Anderson, the powerful, athletic wing we drafted in the first round last summer. It wasn’t until Chandler Parsons went down for the season that Anderson got any real attention from his coach. By the time Dallas clinched a playoff spot, he had solidified a role on the team (many argue it should have been larger), and he used this playoff series as a coming-out party to the rest of the NBA. Catching oops, hitting 3’s, earning trips to the line, blocking shots, soaring for boards, doggedly defending offensive stars, diving head-first (elbow-first at times) into scrums for a loose ball, Justin showed everything you want to see from a developing baller.
If they hadn’t already, front office execs and coaches across the league took notice of Anderson and are now curious about what he can become. For Mavs fans, he’s brought excitement and hope for the future of the franchise. So, if you’re one who wants to ride it out with the Big German and try to build a contender around #41, it’s time to take trade calls for Justin. I know…fellow MFFLs…you’re disgusted. “He’s one of the only young, dynamic players we have. He may be the future of the franchise. How can you talk about trading him?!” I don’t think we should trade him. My thoughts on what the Mavs should do are well documented in my last post. But if you’re going to acquire a polished veteran who can help Dirk make another push to the finals, the time is now (before next season starts), and Justin must be a part of the deal. His stock has never been higher.
In the 09-10 season, the Mavs had a promising rookie named Rodrigue Beaubois. He had point guard height, with the wing span of a small forward. He had quicks, hops, and handles–potential in spades. On March 27, 2010, Roddy burst on the scene with a 40 pt game against the Golden State Warriors. Fans and media alike went wild! Despite that performance, Avery Johnson, another rookie-averse coach, kept a tight leash on Roddy B, limiting his minutes and benching him at crucial points in ball games. An underground movement dubbed “Free Roddy B” swelled among the the Mavs faithful lobbying for a larger role for the rook–with impressive t-shirt and merch sales, I must say.
Even the king fanatic, Mark Cuban, fell in love with Beaubois’ upside. So much so that when the Indiana Pacers offered their first round pick in 2010 for Beaubois, Cuban said “thanks but no thanks.” That pick wound up being Paul George, who is now a perennial all-star. Meanwhile, Roddy hasn’t played in the NBA since 2013.
Of course, hind-sight is 20/20, and we now know that was a terrible decision by the front office. So what should the Mavs learn from this mistake? Trust your coach, and don’t overvalue potential. In basketball, there are three roles that are essential to a contender: the star player, the floor general, and the above-average big man. Sometimes these overlap, meaning one player serves multiple roles, but all three must be represented. The star player is self-explanatory. Practically speaking, they’re the best player on their team. LeBron, Steph Curry, Durant, Leonard, Dirk…the value of these players is undeniable. The floor general is a facilitator, with great court vision, making split-second decisions that put his team in the best position to score. He knows where his guys’ “spots” are and gets them the rock where they like it. He runs the offense. Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Rajon Rondo…these are floor generals on their squads. Steph Curry and Damian Lilliard are examples of players filling both the floor general and star player roles.
Then there’s the above-average big man. I would prefer to say “excellent”, or “superior”, but in this increasingly guard-driven league, above-average bigs are nearly as useful as their elite counterparts. This guy’s job is to protect the rim, grab rebounds, and score from time to time. Andre Drummond, Hassan Whiteside, DeAndre Jordan–great examples of this role. In Boogie Cousins and Anthony Davis you again find the dual role. When all three are represented, a team is ready to do work and chase a ring. If you don’t have these in place, you either need to develop them or trade for them. Back to Justin Anderson. Can he fit into one of these roles? He’s not tall enough to be a big, although he plays “big” for his height. He is a decent ball-handler, and his passing will improve with time, but he doesn’t appear to have the skill-set necessary for a floor general. So, can he be a star player? He is obviously talented, able to finish at the rim with authority or hit from beyond the arc—but can he develop into a Paul George, James Harden, or even Klay Thompson? I’m inclined to say “no.” He could become an exceptional role player, like Jimmy Butler or C.J. McCollum; but I don’t think he has the talent to be anything beyond that. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Players like that are necessary to fill out the roster of a contender; but they’re readily available throughout the league.
If, in fact, Justin doesn’t fill an essential role on the team, and the front office is intent on keeping Dirk and chasing a title, Anderson has to be at the center of trade talks. After high-flying for boards and buckets, frustrating Durant, and fronting Westbrook this last series, his star shines as bright as ever. If he is traded, it needs to be in a deal that brings a floor general, an above-average big, or a potential star. If he isn’t, and Dirk finishes his years in Dallas, get ready for more futility and frustration; just start designing the “Free Justin Anderson” gear now.
Follow Daniel A. Nash on Twitter @DFWSportsHub
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