The Dallas Mavericks showed us how a team with only one superstar can win it all. The Mavs surrounded Dirk with players that fit to his strengths, winning with “team play” versus a globule of superstars flying up and down the court. So I wanted to compare their championship roster to Portland’s, namely because Portland’s crappy luck drafting and their small market has put themselves in a position where one superstar is all they’re going to get right now, but also because both wield fine power forwards as their franchise’s centerpiece.
So let’s take a gander at the important roles held by specific Mavericks players, and check out if Portland might have a similar formula to win. Disclaimer: I’m not saying here that the Blazers are going to win the title, but in a year where anything can happen and the year after a team with one baller took down a team with three, it’s not too farfetched a comparison, if you look at it from the perspective of a glass, (enter Christopher Walken voice) a glass that has… some… it has some water… in… it… but only half of the glass… the bottom half… the bottom half is full… but you’re… you… you’re alright with that.
Onward.
The Super-duperstar
Dirk
Dirk was the best player on the planet last June. He was a phenomenal force who could not be stopped, willing his team to victory. When he was injured, his team flopped out a paltry 2-7 record. Twenty-six points a night, veteran leadership, and a chip on his shoulder destroyed any hope for the Heat last year. A true force.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Last year’s unanimous All-Star snub, LaMarcus Aldridge was a beast for the Black and Red. When finally thrust into his natural PF position, LaMarcus thrived. Like Dirk, he’s a big man who needs the freedom to roam from under the basket, not necessarily dominating the paint. And in today’s NBA, this is not a bad thing. He can out-athlete the best of 4s, as can be seen in his Flatley-like moves on lobs and dunk-back rebounds. There’s a big difference between scoring 26 points a game and 20, but put Aldridge in Dirk’s position on the Mavs last year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he matched that 26.
So?
He’s does not deserve the “duper” tag attached to his superstar title yet, but this year, he has potential to make that leap. He’s no Dirk, but really, nobody is, especially considering the gigantic gap in their experience. Improve that 15 footer Mr. Aldridge, and we can start talking.
The Anchor
Tyson Chandler
Arguably, the best thing that happened to Dirk last year. Tyson Chandler was not a statistical beast, but anybody who watched the Mavericks do their thing, knows that this guy was the second most important cog to the machine. Tyson’s got the ability to change a game while only putting up a 6-2-9. His defense is stifling. His presence is so important. He’s a huge loss for the Mavs this offseason, but business often negates winning now.
Greg Od… just kidding… Marcus Camby
I’m allowed to make that joke, considering my right foot is quite Walton-esque… alright, I’ll stop.
With a hypothetical Oden, yes, a Tyson Chandler impact could have been possible.
But with Marcus, not seeing it. And I didn’t expect to. Camby’s been a good player in the league, and at fifteen years of experience, he’s playing with bonus fire. Camby can still grab boards and play some D, but it’s gonna take a solid year with out any injuries to make a big impact for this squad. As a former defensive player of the year, his veteran leadership will be key.
So?
Like above, I don’t see it.
The Irrational Confidence Guy (compliment of Simmons)
Jason Terry
Every team needs this type of guy. The type of guy where his confidence is greater than his ability. He’s not stupid, but sometimes, he just needs to do weird things because he, put simply, “feels it.” Feels that he can be great. Feels that his shots will always go in. They don’t always go in, but confidence can be a crazy thing. When you’re so confidence about your game that it temporarily blinds you, you lose all judgement of your body and just play. Terry thrives in this zone.
This was a monstrous key for the Mavs last year. When threes started raining from Jason’s hands a la Game 4 in LA when he hit nine (Bang!) to tie an NBA playoff record, you don’t run offense. You just feed the beast. Can’t stop that man when he’s possessed.
Which brings me to…
Jamal Crawford
One of my favorite signings of the offseason. And when I say irrational confidence, I mean this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oypKKIvoHYg
Did Atlanta need three? No.
Should they have driven it to the hole? Yes.
So was this kind of a dumb shot? Yes.
But did it go in? Yes.
And did it win them the game? Yes.
Crawford’s confidence wills shots into the basket. It’s incredible. And they come in waves, so when he starts making them, his ego gets more of a boost, and things get wild. In this regard, he’s just like Terry.
You need a guy like this on your team. Portland needed to spread the floor more too. He can create his own shot. He’s fun to watch. Gotta love watching irrational confidence guys.
So?
Yes and yes and yes.
The Stopper
DeSean Stevenson
He held LeBron down about as much as one mortal could. You need a player like this on your team to temporarily shut-down the other’s best perimeter player. Stevenson was sneakily one of the best in the league at this in the ’11 playoffs.
Gerald Wallace
A bit slower defensively than he used to be but still has the basketball IQ to shut down some really good players. I’ve always liked Wallace and am glad he’s out of the demonic basketball black hole of Charlottia. Even Nash wouldn’t be happy playing there.
Gerald will hopefully prove to be a solid piece to this front court, and like Camby, he needs to instill his veteran leadership on the team. Gerald knows what it’s like to lose, what it’s like to really suck. He should be extremely motivated this year to help the team do the opposite and win in any way he can.
So?
I can see it. He’s a beast of a man. Dad-strength. He’s not DeSean defensively, but he brings more offense to the table than Stevenson, so if I’m the Blazers, I’m satisfied here.
A Competent Point
Jason Kidd
Jason wasn’t flashy last year, but he did what he needed to do to grab a ring. He was solid in the playoffs and finals. Not great, but solid. Dirk needed a second guy on that team who was just as hungry as he was for a ring, and Jason seemed to do that for Dirk.
Kidd made small plays last year, but the small plays he made added up to larger results.
Raymond Felton
It’ll be interesting to see if Felton fits in with the Blazers. I like what he did with the Nuggets last year, helping turn a crappy Melo-sickened situation into a really fun season and team to watch. Let’s hope he can create a lob-y atmosphere for LaMarcus.
So?
I really don’t know. Tough call. He can definitely be competent, but sometimes bringing a guy to a new situation can change his whole game, for better or worse. He seemed fine with the whole Denver fiasco last year, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he chameleoned his way into the game plan.
The X-factor
J.J. Barea
Every team needs a character. Every team needs a “what the hell will this guy do next” guy. Fans loved watching Barea last year. He energized the crowd, putting them on their feet, sucking away air their hushed lungs. If you saw J.J. on the street, and knew nothing of him, professional basketball player would be one of the last things you’d guess, right after feminist college professor and right before defensive lineman. His skills are fantastic.
I don’t know who
I wrote earlier this month that Nolan Smith has potential to play some solid minutes for the team. Can he make a jump? Or is this going to be Wesley Matthews? He’s pretty young still. Maybe he can make some improvements on his already solid game and energize the crowd… or I’m just stretching. Not sure. I know a columnist is supposed to be definite and sure of everything he says, but…
So?
I just don’t know. It’s hard find the elusive Barea-type.
Role players
Every Mav had his role. They filled in each other’s gaps. Watching this team overtake the super-star driven Heatles was a thing of beauty. I loved it. So can the Blazers’ role players glue the rest together?
Can Kurt Thomas provide enough quality minutes and hard fouls to give Camby the much needed rest?
Can Nicolas Batum keep providing double figures off the bench?
Will rookie Elliot Williams bring anything to the table?
Hm. I can maybe see two of those three happening, and, after seeing Thomas play for the Bulls all year, I’m leaning towards the second two.
So do the Blazers have a Mavericks-type team formula?
Kind of. It smells similar, but it’s impossible to predict any of the above really, especially since, as we saw in 1999, a lockout season can provide some pretty funky stuff. Some team we don’t expect will inevitably make a leap into the top four of their conference and become a contender. Another team that we all thought would have conference title potential will fall from a top the standings.
If I had to pick one spot where I’d like for them to somehow improve, it would be the anchor.
Either way, I’m super stoked to see what happens, and I really do think that this Blazers team, especially taking into account their (let’s go with “unfortunate,” shall we?) unfortunate drafting and injury plague, have put together a nice little squad, and that if peaking at the right time, will give a squad trouble this post-season.
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