Heir To The Dallas Mavericks Throne?

 

 

Heir To The Mavericks Throne?

By Michael Pulver

Basketball is witnessing a transition in super-stardom; from the decline of former superstars such as Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and the end of the Kobe Bryant era in Lakerland to the rise of the Stephen Curry and Kwahi Leonards’ of the basketball world.

 

Interestingly, many of those teams that housed that super-stardom have witnessed greatness for years within their organization but realize that moves must be made to transition a new era of stardom.

 

Dirk Nowitzki is many years removed from his NBA debut on February 5^th of 1999 and, unfortunately, father-time has caught up with the superstar of the Dallas Mavericks. Since the infamous 2011 NBA Finals in which the Mavericks became NBA Champions, Dirk has not been the same scoring machine. This last season, Dirk scored 309 less points than he did in 2011. Granted, this can be mostly attributed to the health of the 37 year old from Germany.

 

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has stated for several seasons that he would pay whatever the price to keep the waning star of the Mavericks. Via a May 2^nd Tim MacMahon report, Dirk will opt out of the last year in his contract but doesn’t intend on leaving. Dirk has also stated that he would like to reduce his impact on cap space to help the Mavericks become more flexible this coming off-season.

 

But what does any of this have to do with the “Maverick mantle”?

 

I believe that this “mantle”, in essence, is being the face of the Dallas Mavericks. Considering Dirk will most likely retire within the next three seasons, who will take that mantle away from the only true champion that the Mavericks franchise has ever known?

 

Let’s take a look at the potential three current, or future, Mavericks that may be the next face of the franchise:

 

 

Chandler Parsons

When Chandler Parsons arrived in Dallas during the summer of 2014, the skies seemed limitless. At that time, Parson’s production was skyrocketing every single year and when the Mavericks signed the restricted free agent, for what seemed a lucrative deal, Mavericks fans were ecstatic.

 

Fast forward to today, those against the lucrative deal may have been right all along. Chandler Parsons, for the last two seasons, has been in a scoring rut and, frankly, hasn’t lived up to the potential dawned on him by Mavs fans. His scoring has decreased, mainly due to injury, and his overall production of 16.7 PPG during the 2012-13 season would’ve been great considering his average, 13.7 PPG, just this last season alone. Rick Carlisle even thought of Parsons as a point-forward player but the most average in assists’ that he got was 2.8 per-game; compared to his 2012-13 season where he averaged 4.0 assists per-game.

 

Though, not all has been bad. Parsons became a much more efficient player even through injury riddled seasons. Compared to his 2012-13 campaign, Parsons shot 47% from the field compared to 49% this last season. He became a better dead-eye 3-point shooter this year as well, shooting 41% this last season as well; marking the first time he has broken the 40% barrier in his career. He also decreased in turning the ball over. In 2012-13, Parsons turned the ball over 147 times compared to 95 just this last year.

 

I fully expect Chandler Parsons back in a Mavericks uniform despite him opting out of his contract. Can he be “the guy” when the Mavericks are needing those desperate points in a game? Can he step it up in the playoffs? We don’t really know yet. Parsons has to prove that he can be healthy for this team. He also must prove that he can be an All-Star in this league. Time is running out for the 27 year-old from Florida to prove all the questioners wrong and cement himself as the mantle of Mavericks mania.

 

 

 

 Justin Anderson

Granted, the Dallas Mavericks have not had much confidence in a rookie since Josh Howard. The Mavericks have also traded or let go great talent that has lured in their system before; Jeremy Lin, Gerald Green, and Jae Crowder to name a few. But this time around, Rick Carlisle has some faith in the shooting-guard out of Virginia named Justin Anderson.

 

I think every Mavericks fan can agree, without Justin Anderson, the Thunder and Mavericks series this postseason might’ve ended much faster and not for the better. Justin Anderson was an explosion of energy for the Mavericks when they needed it most. Shoulder problems limited his ability in the last two games of the series against the Thunder but he still gave everything he had. He averaged 9.3 PPG in the series and made plenty of defensive efforts and explosive dunks when they mattered. Rick Carlisle was hesitant to give the rookie a chance but he had no other options and Justin Anderson didn’t disappoint.

 

Still, Justin Anderson had many rookie mistakes and growing pains. Anderson turned the ball over and made fans cringe. He’d take wild shots, miss 3-pointers he would’ve made at Virginia, and would mess up plays called out of time-outs. It can be argued that he’s just a rookie but in this league, he must understand quickly or burn off like many first-round picks prior to him.

 

Justin Anderson, even in many frustrating moments, showed flashes that he could be a force in the NBA if he could play like he did against the Thunder in the playoffs consistently. He plays excellent defense and has unprecedented athleticism. In reality, he has no pressure to take the Maverick mantle and that just might be what he needs. Maturity comes in time and awareness is something that comes with experience. Justin Anderson will be trusted more as seasons go forward and maybe, just maybe, he could be a talent that the Mavericks will not part with.

 

 

 Free Agency…?

 

For years, Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban have banked on the idea of grabbing a high-value free agent in every off-season for the last several seasons. Has it been successful? Obviously, it’s up to opinion. The question this time around is can they nab one this off-season and can that person become a cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks?

 

Many inquire that names like Dwight Howard, Mike Conley, Al Horford, Hassan Whiteside, and the list goes on for players that could be in a Dallas Mavericks uniform for the 2016-17 season. Some even wish for Kevin Durant, me personally, to be in that uniform but I feel Mark Cuban would have to kiss too many rear-ends for that to happen. All joking aside, who can the Mavericks realistically get? Mike Conley is one name that has been constantly brought up. Some reports show that the Spurs are very interested in him as well. Regardless, I think the Mavericks will give him a call or two but other names could be cheaper such as Jordan Clarkson, Matthew Dellavedova, and Brandon Jennings. Regardless, Mike Conley could make a serious impact on this Mavericks team if signed but money is always the question. One name that has sparked controversy within the Mavericks fan base is Dwight Howard. Many believe that he opt out of the final year of his contract. Reasons? Frustration, management, and that beard of James Harden. Could he make a fit in Dallas? Can he revive his career? Or is he just going to continually be on the decline? He is an extremely risky move for the Mavericks. Many questions and not enough answers.

 

Is the mantle in free agency? Maybe but the Mavericks certainly hope so. Donnie and Mark will be fighting tooth and nail to find out if the answer is out there this off-season. Holding with the identity that another Deandre Jordan emoji war doesn’t happen again to ruin the Mavericks off-season hopes.

 

Closing Thoughts

Finding a superstar in the NBA is no easy task for any team. For the Mavericks, though, it must come sooner than later. Dirk isn’t getting younger but he definitely has some left in the tank to go another couple seasons. The Mavericks can’t waste what they have left. Dirk Nowitzki has given everything to this organization that he can possibly give. Now it’s time to find someone who can give Dirk that one last shot at a miracle season for a championship. It’s now or never and that is the reality in trying to find the Maverick mantle.