Ellis? Chandler? Aminu? Who Do the Mavs Miss the Most?

The Dallas Mavericks this season look like a long shot to hit the 50 win mark after hitting the mark last season and finishing 7th in the West. But with a revamped roster, who do they miss the most from last season?

After the DeAndre Jordan drama over the summer, Dallas found themselves in scramble mode as they looked to decide on whether to tank the season or rebuild for another competitive run. After upping the offer to newly signed Wesley Matthews, building another competitive team was on the horizon.

They eventually resigned J.J. Barea, traded a second round pick for Zaza Pachulia, and signed Dallas-native Deron Williams after he was bought out in Brooklyn. Dallas had once again put a team together on paper to surround Dirk Nowitzki and make a run for the playoffs.

Fast forward 67 games into the season and the Mavericks find themselves holding down the 8th spot in the West with a young Utah Jazz team just two games behind them. Dallas has lost 5 of their last 6 games as they look to find a groove before the playoffs come the next month. But what exactly has contributed to the inconsistency surrounding the whole season?

The list is long.

From injury recoveries to the two highest paid players to changes in the rotation, the Mavs has had a plethora of topics that have surrounded the team. But when looking at the roster to start the season, it looked as if the Mavs had put together a formidable roster that had the chance to compete with some of the best. Some people, including myself, said that “on paper” this looked like the best roster put together since the championship team in 2011.

The organization had once again let players walk from the previous season in likes of greener pastures. Key players that led the team to the playoffs last year found themselves walking over the summer for nothing as they signed with new teams. Nine months later, you can’t help but to think about the players that left and the roles they filled when in Dallas. Roles that are somewhat still empty today.

As I sat in the American Airlines Center last Saturday for the match against the Pacers, I couldn’t help but to have a bittersweet taste in my mouth as I watched Monta Ellis and Barea hug and embrace at midourt pre-game. It looked like two long-lost roommates reminiscing on their days in college. I couldn’t help to think about last year’s team and the players that filled that roster. The players that I countlessly cheered on. The players that the Mavs really miss.

So who do the Mavs miss the most from last season?

Monta Ellis

Dallas notably let Ellis walk over the offseason after leading the team in scoring the previous season averaging 18.9 point per game. His ability to penetrate the defense and run the pick-n-roll was a new weapon for Carlisle that they hadn’t had prior to Ellis signing in Dallas. Dirk finally had another offensive weapon on the team that could help carry the load…if not carry it himself.

Obviously Ellis brought his share of difficulties also as there were different rumors that circulated about his attitude and relationship with Carlisle (not to the degree of Rondo though). His defense was also a liability as the Mavs were then forced to have two outstanding scorers who they had to try to hide on the defensive end.

But defensive woes aside, his consistent scoring is something the Mavs desperately miss this season. Wesley Matthews is simply having the worst season of his career and Chandler Parsons is finally coming into groove over the second half of the season, but Ellis would have given the Mavs a scoring option that would have definitely boosted an offense that looks stagnant at times.

Tyson Chandler

After apologizing in the introductory press conference for how Chandler’s time in Dallas ended the first time, Mark Cuban let Chandler walk in free agency once again as the front office chased bigger fish. But to the Mavs defense, the contract Chandler received in Phoenix would have been crucified by Mavs fans if Dallas dished out that much money.

But putting his year in Phoenix this season aside, what Chandler brought to Dallas last year was overlooked. He was a leader. He was a true center. He was an anchor.

Chandler gave the Mavs a vocal leader on the court that was always energized. He provided athleticism on both ends of the court as he constantly played above the rim. Players knew if they drove the lane that Tyson was there to greet them while defenders knew that if the ball was near the rim he was about to throw it down on an oop.

None of the things listed above is a consistent presence on the Mavs roster. Zaza Pachulia is having the best season of his career but he doesn’t provide what Chandler provides. He is not the vocal leader, does not provide the athleticism, and isn’t a threat in the paint to opposing teams. The Mavs miss Tyson more than some people would think.

Al-Farouq Aminu

When thinking about the team from last season, people immediately think of Ellis and Chandler, but it was Aminu who signed before them all at the very beginning of free agency when he signed with Portland for 4 years, $30 million.

Aminu came off the bench for the Mavs as he backed up Chandler Parsons, but it was his play in the playoffs against Houston that brought league-wide attention to his play.

The Mavs desperately miss his athleticism, energy, and perimeter defense off the bench…like desperately. Outside of Wesley Matthews, Dallas’ next line of defense on the wing is Raymond Felton or Devin Harris. Being able to throw out Aminu against the Durant’s of the league would give the Mavs a whole different look.

Something else Aminu would bring to this Mavs team is another way to go small. Aminu is quick enough to play the wing while being big enough to play the four. He would give the Mavs another option at the four outside of Nowitzki and Parsons. He would impact this current Mavs team immensely.

Next: How Much Blame Goes on Wes?

So what do you think? Which of these players do the Mavs miss the most?