Dallas Mavericks: Spurs Game Q&A with Air Alamo

After winning six straight, the Dallas Mavericks look to avoid a three-game slide when they face the San Antonio Spurs

The Dallas Mavericks came out flat against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday and now will try to avoid losing their third straight game against the San Antonio Spurs. I linked up with Michael Rehome, editor at Air Alamo, to talk about the game and San Antonio’s start to the season.

Nov 14, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward

LaMarcus Aldridge

(12) reacts after a shot during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

1. Most people assumed there would be an adjustment period for LaMarcus Aldridge, but through 12 games he’s shooting what would be a career low from the field. Interestingly enough, he seems to be getting good looks. NBA.com has classified over 50% of his attempts as either “open” or “wide open”. Is there any particular reason for his 43% shooting thus far or is it just a slow start?

I do feel that the slow start is due to Aldridge just trying to familiarize himself with a new offense. While he was with Portland, he was their main option on the offensive end. He would get a touch every-single time down the floor. With the Spurs, he will get touches, but not as many. This is Kawhi Leonard‘s team and I believe he knows that. Trust me, Gregg Popovich and the others on this team know the type of damage that Aldridge can do on the block.

He was a coveted free agent, there was no question that San Antonio wanted him. He has great length and is a great scorer with his back towards the basket as well as mid-range. He has already shown that he can produce. He and Leonard are the leaders on the offense with Aldridge averaging just under 16 points a game.

2. Even with Aldridge’s dip in efficiency and nagging ankle injury – he is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game – the Spurs are off to a really good start. They’re first in defensive rating and seventh in offensive rating with the second-highest margin of victory in the league. Any weak points the Mavericks can try to exploit?

There are times when I feel that the team gets too comfortable on the defensive end. Communication plays a big part on the floor. You have to have the coach extended to the players on the floor. When they get too relaxed on defense, teams can take advantage by cutting to the basket and hitting those back-door cutters. The Phoenix Suns on Monday night did exploit this to some degree.

Looks can be deceiving. The Spurs second unit with Boris Diaw, Manu Ginobili and David West are not the fastest of players though they use their bodies really well, especially Diaw and West. They will bump cutters, set screens and do what they can to make life miserable for any team.

3. Rick Carlisle has been sitting Dirk Nowitzki, Chandler Parsons, and Wesley Matthews on the second night of back-to-backs. If that trend continues against the Spurs logic tells us Deron Williams becomes the focus. But who else on the Dallas roster could give the Spurs some trouble?

Really good question, even though I do not think that Carlisle will sit his three best players against the Spurs as it is a division game. But, if I do have to say, JJ Barea could be the player off of the bench for the Mavericks to make some noise. I would not go as far as saying trouble but he has shown that he can score. He plays at such a high-level and is a great competitor. He reminds me of Patty Mills. Seeing those two go head-to-head will be fun to watch.

4. Is this a matchup featuring the two best head coaches in the league?

I would have to come to an agreement with you on that. Carlisle maybe does not get as much praise as Gregg Popovich does around the league but I do feel he has made a huge impact for that team.

5. Kawhi Leonard is averaging career-highs in points, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and rebounds while maintaining his possibly unmatched impact on the defensive end. Are you ready to call him the second-best small forward in the league? Or were you already there?

He is pretty close to it I would say. There are still areas in which he can work on. He has improved so much since his first season it has just been remarkable to see him grow as a player. Winning a championship and being named the Finals MVP at such a young age can change a player’s attitude and mind frame. Leonard has taken it in stride and has really lived up to his billing.

His defense is by far the best I have seen from any player on the Spurs, and we have had a lot of good ones. His length is just awe inspiring. He is called ‘The Klaw’ for a reason. He is so attracted to the basketball and feels the need to be around it at all times. He makes it work. As Gregg Popovich stated, he needs to just work on being consistent. I think he is on his way.

Next: 3 Takeaways from Loss to Memphis

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