As it stands now, I think the Mavs line-up has eclipsed the Rockets line-up. Obviously, it could change if the Rockets make another move but, as it stands now, I think the Mavs will finish with a better record than the Rockets. They are pretty solid...especially their starters. Granted, the PG position with Felton is somewhat of a question mark but, otherwise, they seem really solid and have added some bench depth as of late.
I would't say so. I think everybody is selling Harden and Howard. We have one of the best cores in the league, both are top 10 players in the league and both the best their respective position in the league IMO. Granted, the bench and supporting cast is a little weak, but still. 2 years ago if I were be told that we would land both Harden and Howard I would lose my mind.
Them #4, us #5. Rival playoff series! If I'm Adam Silver, I will make this happen. So much drama and this is going to generate a lot of buzz
Covered in other threads, in both forums. It all hinges on Dirk, and he is set for a decline this year, just by biology and mileage. With Pelicans and Suns potentially rising, Mavs could end up 9 or 10. Losing Vince and Calderon will hurt more than they think I think the Rockets will be as good or, in only the 2nd year of Dwight + Harden, with Harden so very young, potentially better.
As of this moment, yes --- the Mavs are a better team than the Rockets. The coaching staff and the supporting cast in Houston is so far behind Dallas, it doesn't even matter than the Rockets actually have the two best players in this match-up (Dwight, Harden). The Houston bench is just so ridiculously bad. It's a collection of unproven projects from the D-League and Europe. There's not one player on the Rockets bench who would even crack the Mavs' rotation right now. But the Rockets still have most of their MLE, and a sizable trade exception worth $8.3M. If Morey turns those two placeholders into two actual players, then the Rockets will surpass the Mavs.
Even accounting for the clueless, incompetent, pathetic joke and possibly the worst coach in the NBA, in the inept buffoon that is McHale and Dallas ahving a top coach in Carlisle, Rockets are still better. Marginally though I would think. One or two more bench upgrades and we should be up there
Nelson/Felton/Mekel Ellis/Harris/Ledo Parsons/Jefferson Dirk/Aminu/Crowder Chandler/Wright/Smith Pretty stacked team. Beverley/Smith/Canaan Harden/Daniels/Johnson Ariza Jones/Motiejunas/Adrian Howard/Dorsey We have a LONG way to go with our depth and bench, its absolutely horrible right now. If we can add a wing and center in free agency with the rest of our MLE and BAE we would be in a lot better shape. Beverley/Smith/Canaan Harden/Daniels/Johnson Ariza/Marion/Covington Jones/Motiejunas/Adrian Howard/O'Neal/Dorsey Still have a weak PG and PF spot though.
Yes, the Mavs are better than the Rox right now, unless there is a Rondo deal in the works. The Mavs picked a lot of ok - very good players and stole Parsons on top of it all. Chandler Dirk Parsons Ellis Nelson Its not a marquee line up but with good coaching that team will win 56 games next season. The rockets need to change there approach and stop big name hunting, you have Howard and Harden they need to build logically around those two. Ariza was a good start but the Mavs are better.
This fool proof method Nelson < Beverley Ellis < Harden Parsons > Ariza Dirk >> Jones Chandler << Dwight Rox win the starting lineup but Carlisle >>> McFail Mavs bench >> Rox Bench therefore, Mavs are better.
i'm expecting our starting five to score 85 points and the bench maybe 10. we better play elite defense.
I still don't get all the mavs hype. They added a bunch of pieces and lost a bunch of pieces. I think all in all they made a slight upgrade from last years team with a very real chance of decline if Tyson and Dirk decline. The Rockets I think largely stayed idle. We lost more talent than we gained, but that doesn't always equate to a dip in production. Ariza, Daniels, our 2 bench point guards, Dmo all have what it takes in my opinion to give us the production we lost even if in a vacuum Parsons is better than Ariza and that Lin and Asik are better overall players than the replacements we have. Dismiss the Vegas odds all you want but I check them every couple of days and I have yet to see a site that has the mavs as better than the rockets.
Ellis and Dirk the only returning starters. I think it would be funny if Mavs took all our unwanted players aka Lin and Asik. Lin Ellis Parsons Dirk Asik