| Summer League Analysis: Game 2, Vs. Portland Authored by J.T. Magee - July 11, 2007 - 8:50 pm
Dallas was led in their first game by Jose Juan Barea and that continued against Portland. Barea and the defense helped Dallas stay in the game and the Mavericks used a strong 3rd quarter to pull away for the win.
Jose Juan Barea
Barea once again was the player of the game for Dallas. The soon-to-be second year Maverick used his strength, speed and court vision to push Dallas into easy sets on offense. He took more shots and decided to attack the basket. He was able to consistently blow by Sergio Rodriguez, with or without a screen. He is one of the few players here who is constantly getting by his man without a screen. Barea excelled both playing fast and in Dallas’ half court sets. He started to get a feel for each teammate and made the most of his trips into the lane, usually kicking out to a teammate for a high percentage shot. There should be more to come from Barea.
Desagana Diop
Diop was his same old self, clogging the lane and setting good screens. They tried to get him involved more in the post, but he wasn’t making the best of his opportunities. He blocked one of Greg Oden’s hooks early on and controlled most of the action in the paint. There isn’t too much else to say about his play.
Pops Mensah-Bonsu
Mensah-Bonsu was impressive last year at the NBA Pre-Draft camp and at the Vegas Summer League, eventually earning a contract from the Mavericks. He played most of the NBA season in the NBDL and was the MVP in the inaugural NBDL All-Star game. Against Portland, he used his quickness, timing for the boards and using his athleticism to play hard defense against LaMarcus Aldridge. Coming into the ’06-’07 season he was quoted in papers saying he wanted to play small forward. In light of teams like Golden State going small and having success, he will likely play power forward more and be a factor. He wasn’t able to do everything he’s capable of against Portland because Aldridge and Oden held the fort down in the paint. Washington should be a good match-up for him because they’re a fast-paced team.
Reyshawn Terry
Terry is starting to impress. His defense on Martell Webster was the reason why he couldn’t get going offensively. Terry ran the floor with ease and was making plays in transition. He has an all-around game and was adapting to his teammates. Although he played a tremendous game all-around, his defense is what stood out against an NBA shooting guard and his defense will be the reason he sees any playing time on the floor for Dallas next season. Very solid all-around game for Terry.
Maurice Ager
Ager never got off to the blazing start against Portland like he did in his first game, but he had a strong impact nonetheless. Ager used his strength to crash the boards, his athleticism to get out on the run and his timing on defense for filling the passing lanes. He was able to get to the free throw line, but it looked like he was more focused on trying to get his outside game going and use that to get inside. It didn’t go as planned, but he made an impact by making sure he was in the right spot on offense in case someone like Barea needed a bail-out. I’ll look for him to try and get more of an all-round offensive game before trying to play just outside first or inside first.
Clay Tucker
Tucker was able to get his shot off in the mid-range and played solid basketball when he was supposed to make decisions. Although he was looking for his shot more than passing the ball, he would still look for his teammates unless he saw an open lane. Tucker has a lot of talent, but the fact he’s looking for his own shot isn’t setting well with me. I couldn’t get a good feel for his defense because Portland would play two point guards for stretches Tucker was in. I’ll look for his team defense approach and his one-on-one defense.
Caleb Green
Green was impressive against Portland because he was scoring in the post against bigger players. That’s one of two areas small power forwards have to be effective: scoring against bigger players and trying to alter their shots on the defensive end. Green was able to score and was able to make Joel Freeland’s shots a little more difficult than they should’ve been. Freeland eventually tried to shoot on the perimeter and Green may have been the reason. He isn’t too bad in the post, but because the Mavericks have Dirk Nowitzki as their primary power forward and guys like Fazekas and Mensah-Bonsu as his back-ups, he probably won’t make the team. He is a decent power forward who should make money somewhere.
Nick Fazekas
Fazekas is still slow-footed and more of an outside player, but his fronting on Greg Oden and his post defense were surprisingly good. Fazekas took advantage of a tired Oden and he looked like he could defend the post in the NBA. His feet are still behind his thinking and it will likely hold him back in the NBA. Fazekas has an outside shot and that will help him get playing time in the NBA. If it isn’t falling, he better hope his interior defense is as good as it was against Oden. I want to see him in the post on offense more than he was against the Blazers.
Jared Newson, Renaldas Seibutis, Eddie Basden & Jamon Gordon
With the exception of Basden, these four didn’t crack ten minutes. I didn’t watch these four players extensively and, just other players I’ve failed to closely watch, will look for them closer when they play again.
Overall View
The Mavericks have brought in an eclectic mix of players, specifically at the power forward position. Barea has found a way to involve them all effectively and each power forward has made a strong impact in the game, even if their overall talent level failed to match up with Portland’s frontcourt. They should match up with Washington because each power forward, including bruiser Brandon Bass, who sat out this game, should have better games. |
