How to handle dallas?

SageHare6 -
There is a problem with your logic in Rule #1.

Your FGA/g is grossly inflated and no where near 100. The Mavs have taken 5,357 attempts in 63 games..that's 85 FGA/g. This contrasts to the Rockets 79 FGA/g.

IMO, there is no way the Rockets can "slow" the game down. They already use much of their 24 seconds dribbling.

Perhaps not turning it over would eliminate Dallas' points off TO'S. The Mavs are 2nd in the league and get nearly 20 ppg from TO's. This is a point I feel you've overlooked. These easy shots allow them to lead the league at 102.3 ppg.


Though I agree with the need to D DirK, I do not feel Cato has the footspeed to guard Dirk on the perimeter. The Rox don't have an answer for Dirk...then again, who does other than MIN? Making Dirk work when he's playing D might be good. But the Rox will have to run their PnR's well for that to occur.

 

Please Refer to Plaintiff's Exhibit A
http://www.nba.com/mavericks/stats/

GATER,
What you conveniently forget to add is the 3 pt-FGAs to the 2 Pt FGA. If you add them up, you get 6628... and that's not even including "adjusted FGA's for FTs." Add that up and divide by 63 games and you get approx 105 SHOTS PER GAME for Dallas.

I've seen enough Dallas games (and old Warrior games) to know that Nellie teams:
1) rarely work down the shot clock
2) rush the ball upcourt very fast
3) get into their halfcourt sets very fast
4) are not afraid to take the transition 3

Take pause and reflect about that for a sec, folks.

If the Rox take 85 shots per game, on average, and their opponents are taking 20 MORE SHOTS and more 3s. Who's at the disadvantage?

Case Closed



analyticalSAGE

 

You can also compare this figure to the Rox where the Rox are just shy under 100. But think about how consistent or rather, inconsistent the Rox offense has been. Sure they get hot, like last nite, and get a lot of shots off, but on other nights, they're just walking the ball up and down.

Point being, the variance of the Rox total FGAs is BIGGER than Dallas' FGA variance. i.e. Dallas is the more consistent team, from the standpoint of notching up about their average FGAs per game. Anecdotally, that's what we see when we're watching the Mavs on TV. But statistically, this is how u see it in the numbers.

Add the additional fact that Dallas shoots a higher percentage (both 2 and 3s) than us, and you can see why it doesn't pay to give them even 5 to 6 extra shots per game. With five minute overtime, every shot/possession counts. Imagine having these 5 -6 extra shots EVERY game.

If there were ever a "handicap" (as in Golf) found in basketball, Nellie's found it.



theSAGE

 

This point is very true... and it speaks to how prolific and how willing Dallas is to take adv of those transition points... u rarely see Nash make that U turn to let his offense get set. While keeping the turnovers down is a must (and that means YOU SF and YAO!!!)Defending the transition game is equally impt. I think most teams, including the Rox get lax and don't defend the 3 line on those Mav breaks. What I'd rather see is a Rox D that encourages the Mavs to go for a scoop layup, and the Rox opting to foul and foul hard and make them earn their 2 points at the FT line.

Those transition 3s really have got to be stopped.



theSAGE

 

SageHare6 -
You are incorrect. In the NBA Statistics, the 3pt shot attempts are included in the FGA's. For evidence, I offer the following box score from the recent Rockets game versus the Clippers:

http://www.nba.com/games/20030312/LACHOU/boxscore.html

Observe that Glen Rice was 9 for 16 and 5 for 10 from the arc. According to your logic, Glen Rice took 26 shots. You obviously know this is incorrect. The Mavs have not taken 6,000+ shots as you have suggested but the 5,000+ number I posted...85 shots per game.

As far as adding in FTA's...don't even go there. The Rox are dead last in the NBA in PF's commited....about 1 fewer per game than the Mavs.

To quote you -

"Case closed"