Dallas Mavericks: Small Ball Opportunities

With small ball becoming an everyday sight in the NBA as it currently stands, teams need to be ready to move their team around in order to accommodate and survive. Here is one option for the Mavericks.

The Dallas Mavericks are looking to bring a new look to the normal lineup that the franchise has employed over the last many years. What has been historically a squad powered by its potent offense led by the scoring of Dirk Nowitzki, now may be changing their tune a little bit.

With weapons like Chandler Parsons, Monta Ellis, O.J. Mayo, and others on the offensive end to assist Dirk, the Mavericks have been a team that can put points on the board but have not always been quite as good about slowing opposing offenses down.

The roles look like they will be reversed this season as the Mavs appear to be establishing a defensive presence that could make itself known right from the beginning of the coming season. If we do so successfully, teams are going to look to beat us in different ways.

One of the ways that has been employed heavily in the league over the last two or three years is what has become known as small ball. Although many teams have tried it over the years, we hadn’t seen just how successful it could be until the past two years in Golden State.

As the Warriors exploited the lack of true powerhouse centers across the league, Dallas had to adapt as well and have thrown out their variation of small ball with limited success. This year, however, I believe we are going to find our stride with the run and gun offensive system.

Dallas is absolutely overflowing with sheer athleticism and talent this year. With players like Harrison Barnes, Seth Curry, and Jonathan Gibson joining the team, we have really improved our depth and versatility in a lot of ways.

These new players, and some returning from last year, will put together a few fun options for Rick Carlisle to work with as he experiments with the faster, nonstop style of offense taking over the NBA.

Here is the lineup I would like to see Dallas at least give a shot on the court:

More from The Smoking Cuban

• Dallas Mavericks rumors: Bulls want first round pick for Lauri Markkanen
• Mavericks: Teammates look to collect debts after Luka Doncic’s extension
• Dallas Mavericks: What Tyson Chandler would bring as a coach
• Dallas Mavericks land Boban Marjanovic on two-year $7 million deal
• Dallas Mavericks struggle, show flashes in summer league loss to Sixers

PG – Devin Harris

SG – Justin Anderson

SF – Wesley Matthews

PF – Harrison Barnes

C – Dwight Powell

This lineup will not guarantee success by any means of course, but this squad brings a lot of athleticism, speed, and length to the court for Dallas. With Harris running the point and Powell around the rim, Dallas has someone experienced in throwing lobs with a finisher capable of getting above the rim.

Then, in the middle, you have Simba, Wes, and Barnes who are all very capable defenders and players that can guard multiple positions. With these three in the game at the same time, we are more able to play to our matchup strengths and take advantage wherever we can.

It may not be the best offensive lineup but it presents opportunities for the Mavs to take control of a game on the other end of the court. If it works, stick with it, if not, try something new. There is no formula that we can apply today with immediate success, but as we experiment, we will find a lineup that plays to our strengths.

Next: Mark Cuban Officially Endorses Hillary Clinton

Small ball is a very interesting concept to the game these days and, it seems that all of the best teams have the ability to beat you up with this nonstop, run based team. If the Mavs can roll with the changes taking place in the league, we could be dangerous.