Now that Delonte West is signed, and has a place to live that is not the Mavs training room/locker room, let us analyze.

Essentially, the Mavs have swapped Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Brendan Haywood and Ian Mahinmi for Darren Collison, OJ Mayo, Chris Kaman and Elton Brand. For the life of me, I do not understand how this is not a significant upgrade. Contender? Prob not (though the same was said for 10-11 team). Dahntay Jones is DeShawn Stevenson without the sweet neck tatt. Think some are underestimating this team.

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Think some are underestimating this team.

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I believe so. And that's a good thing.

It would be pretty hard to argue that the individual pieces added aren't an upgrade. If they can learn to play as a team, the sum of those parts could be pretty salty.

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It would be pretty hard to argue

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You underestimate prepy. She could argue with a brick wall... and still be wrong.

you all know i'm a spurs fan, so take this for what it is. while i'm not convinced that those players mentioned above constitute an upgrade (though i'm leaning towards yes), i am convinced that with a roster overhaul that big, you're going to be looking a big learning curve.

maybe if y'all are lucky, dirk will s urge through the season and command double teams and take some pressure off the new guys, but i would worry about the chemistry right now if i were a fan.

it's not so bad adding a few players on the bench or inserting a new guy into the starting lineup, but this is going to be an entirely different team.

That's essentially what I meant by "playing as a team". Chemistry is important. With an overhaul this huge, there's definitely going to be some growing pains.

Just make the playoffs. As long as they win enough games to make the playoffs and gel along the way, there's hope of possibly making a splash in the post-season. It's not like they're going to be burdened with any great expectations.

IMO bringing back Delonte was key because now instead of replacing Terry and Delonte with Mayo and Dahntay (two downgrades IMO), it's just Terry for Mayo and Dahntay (doable).

I don't see the Mavs being a contender, but they should be in the playoffs as a 6ish seed.

Actually, this team has a fair amount of chemistry to begin with. Mayo and Collison know each from their high school days and are summer scrimmage buddies. Likewise, Dirk and Kaman played on the '08 German Olympic team, and Kaman and Brand played together while on the Clippers.

Teams will have to guard all 5 positions for the Mavs this year. As to how good they will be remains to be seen. I think it will mostly depend on how healthy Kaman is, as well as how well our new young back court plays. I'd be surprised if Collison and Mayo did not play with a chip on their shoulder and with something to prove (that they deserve to start in the NBA). Brand should be solid.

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You underestimate prepy. She could argue with a brick wall... and still be wrong.

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No, what you underestimate is stupid comments like this:

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Actually, this team has a fair amount of chemistry to begin with. Mayo and Collison know each from their high school days and are summer scrimmage buddies. Likewise, Dirk and Kaman played on the '08 German Olympic team, and Kaman and Brand played together while on the Clippers.

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So you think you have a fair amount of chemistry because Kaman and Dirk played together FOUR YEARS AGO, and Mayo and Collison played together IN HIGH SCHOOL? You're not serious are you? You guys make it too easy for me...

Incrediboy, I mean Syndrome, strikes again.

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Incrediboy, I mean Syndrome, strikes again.

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You may have to start taking responsibility for my comments at some point. I mean I really asked you a legit questions, whether you really think that a 4 year old Olympic experience and playing in high school equates to NBA chemistry, and instead of addressing my questions, you post a cartoon...must mean you don't buy the product you're selling. Glad I could help.

I think Prepy creams his pants when he sees a Mavericks thread because he always feels the need to post on it

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I think Prepy creams his pants when he sees a Mavericks thread because he always feels the need to post on it

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It's kinda creepy that you think about things like that...get back on topic or take that to your "other" sites please.

On paper its a huge upgrade. I don't think Brand has anything left but I think Mayo is vastly underrated and he can play the point. I also really like Collison playing the JJ Barrea role as "spark off the bench".

And Kaman is a legit inside threat. Their offense will be very potent with these pieces. Defensively? I guess we'll get to see how good Carlyle can coach. They still have Marion right?

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I think Prepy creams his pants when he sees a Mavericks thread because he always feels the need to post on it

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No thanks I'm good here. But thanks anyway

It's kinda creepy that you think about things like that...get back on topic or take that to your "other" sites please.

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I think Brand has plenty left....to be a 7th/8th man and give you 20 minutes a game off the bench. Avg 11 pts, 7 boards and nearly 2 blocks a game w/ 50% FG last year as a starter. The key is he'll be asked to be a bench guy. I think he can do that.

I also think a bench of West, Carter, Brand...then Wright, Beaubois, Dahntay Jones...is an upgrade over what we rolled out last year. That's without considering all the expirings available to make a deadline deal.

I agree. Depth wise we are much better off, especially in the front-court.

1 Collison / West
2 Mayo / Da Jones
3 Marion / Carter
4 Dirk / Wright
5 Kaman / Brand

Then there are the 5 young guys that could get some minutes (Roddy, Do Jones, Cunningham, Crowder and James).

Not sure Brand can play the 5.

I think there's flexibility at the 4 and 5. The matchup will likely dictate the positions in that regard. Wright, Dirk, and Brand can all handle the 4 or 5 depending on the opponent.

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Not sure Brand can play the 5.

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Based on what? He was one of the top post defenders in the league last year on a top 3 defense. He's only 6'8" but has a huge wingspan. No reason to think he can't be the backup 4/5 or starting either one during injuries.

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Based on what? He was one of the top post defenders in the league last year on a top 3 defense. He's only 6'8" but has a huge wingspan. No reason to think he can't be the backup 4/5 or starting either one during injuries.

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I'm not bashing him as a player. Perhaps it would be better if I said that I would not list Brand as a 5 or the backup 5.

I agree with Ag Natural had to say. ON paper, there is a lot of talent. However, while Kaman/Dirk are potent offensively, Kaman is injury prone and neither play good defense. Vince, Roddy, Collison - don't expect tons of D from them. Brand and Marion are going to have to work overtime on D. And I don't think Brand is a guy you can count on for 30 mpg.

I think the Mavs will be good once they start to gel, but they ultimately won't have the tools in place to make playoff stops. I think Dallas will place behind LA, LA, OKC, and SA. Memphis could challenge Dallas for the 5 seed if Memphis is healthier than Dallas.

[This message has been edited by Guitarsoup (edited 7/31/2012 2:34p).]

Da Jones is an excellent defender. The Mavs could use him as kind of a Stevenson/Bowen defensive specialist on the wing if need be. West is also a good defender on the wing. The re-signing of West was a smart move due to that and obviously being able to back-up the 1 and 2. He may not be able to give the offensive punch that Jet gave but he will provide better D than Jet. Brand can help pick up that difference in scoring off the bench.

One can not overlook Carlisle's zone either. Yeah, Dirk and Kaman are not good defenders. However, in Carlisle's zone, and with adequate preparation (the shortened season never allowed the Mavs to get their zone down last year), Dirk and Kaman could be adequate. Marion is obviously one of the best defenders in the league. I have to assume Collison is a better defender than Kidd due to Kidd's old legs not being able to keep up with younger PGs. I don't about Mayo.

I agree that this team appears to be on par with Memphis at this point, a team that should have probably beat the Clippers in the first round last year.