Mavs, Suns looking sluggish
Last season's Western Conference finalists – the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns – are off to very rough starts.
Heading into Wednesday's games, the teams were a combined 1-6.
With a long season ahead, neither team is about to panic, but each has issues to address as they attempt to regain last year's form:
Dallas: The Mavericks seem to have fallen back into the pre-Avery Johnson mode of playing an up-tempo style and launching perimeter shots. In their loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday (which dropped them to 0-3), the Mavs fired 30 three-pointers while shooting only 22 free throws. Those numbers would have been fine under Don Nelson, but not under Johnson.
With the Mavericks' coaching change from Nelson to Johnson, the focus shifted to a patient offensive style that includes more passing, fewer quick threes and more drives to the hoop. The result, in football terms, is better "time of possession." The Mavericks give up fewer easy points, rebound better and control the tempo, all of which has dramatically improved their defense.
But a quick look at the numbers shows just how far Dallas has gotten away from that style. The Mavs have given up 98 free throws while shooting 57. They're giving up 104 points per game compared to last season's 93. And Dallas' opponents are shooting a combined 51 percent against the Mavs.
Even though it's early, this team has forgotten what made it good last season.
Phoenix: The best shooting, passing and scoring team in the league a year ago is having trouble finding a groove. The Suns are still putting up decent numbers – they're averaging 107 points per game and shooting 47 percent. But they are not burying teams with energy like they did a year ago.
Phoenix is trying to incorporate two key players into the lineup – Amare Stoudemire and Marcus Banks – and both are struggling to find their way into the rotation. Combined with the struggling Boris Diaw and Raja Bell, the Suns are suffering through several offensive lulls per game. That has allowed their opponents to withstand early runs and battle back from deficits.
For Phoenix to play well, Diaw and Bell have to return to form, and Stoudemire and Banks must bring energy at both ends of the floor. Only then will the Suns be able to impose their offensive will as they did the past two seasons.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers have reversed their fortunes. Both teams are off to quick starts as they attempt to bounce back from horrendous seasons in a weak Eastern Conference.
With continued good play, both the Hawks and Sixers will be in the playoff hunt. Here's why each one is where it is right now.
Atlanta: One word: defense. The Hawks are playing hard at the defensive end and have enough athletes to continually pressure their opponents.
Atlanta was among the NBA's worst defensive clubs a year ago, giving up 102 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 47 percent. After four games – and three wins – the Hawks are giving up only 91 points per game and holding opponents to 41 percent shooting.
Because they are defending well, the Hawks are staying close and have been able to eke out wins. It also helps when Joe Johnson is making as many plays as he is. In Wednesday's win over the Cavaliers in Cleveland, Johnson scored six straight points in overtime to help the Hawks pull away.
Philadelphia: One word again: defense. The Sixers couldn't stop anyone a year ago, and Maurice Cheeks vowed that his club would improve. So far, so good.
Philly has held opponents to 93 points on 45-percent shooting, which might not sound great but is a dramatic improvement over last season. With Samuel Dalembert and Steven Hunter protecting the rim, the Sixers have been more aggressive on the perimeter and are playing the type of pressure defense they did under Jim O'Brien. The result is 33 steals through the first four games.
The moral of the story? There isn't that big of a difference between the top and bottom teams in the NBA. Every club has talent. It's the teams that play together and play hard that are successful.
Can Atlanta and Philadelphia keep up the pace? Can Phoenix and Dallas regain their form? We'll see, but it appears that the NBA's hierarchy will be much tougher to define this year. Parity may rule.
