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Dallas Mavericks: The Importance Of Developing Chemistry

By Brandon Jennings

Dec 4, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of a game at New Orleans Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of a game at New Orleans Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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After failing to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, the Dallas Mavericks returned to the postseason last year, ending their brief, one-year hiatus. As the 2014-15 season approaches, it’s clear that expectations are higher in Dallas this year. That’s what happens when you improve a 49-win roster with impact players like Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler.

While the Mavericks’ lineup certainly looks better on paper, no awards are given to the team with the most promising preseason roster. For this team to prove they belong among the NBA elite, they will have to show it on the court. For that to happen, Dallas will be counting on a new lineup that must quickly develop into a cohesive unit in order to keep pace in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks will be replacing seven players who contributed to their 2013-14 team. While Shane Larkin and Wayne Ellington may have had a minimal impact on wins and losses, the other five players no longer on the Mavericks roster all played key roles for Dallas during the 2013-14 season.

Those players are Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Jose Calderon, DeJuan Blair and Samuel Dalembert. This group includes the Mavericks’ top scorer off the bench (Carter), their starting point guard (Calderon) and starting center (Dalembert) from last season.

Apr 23, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (left) in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (left) in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

One reason the Mavericks should be optimistic that they can quickly become efficient with their new lineup is head coach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle is no stranger to being tasked with quickly developing team chemistry on a roster that includes a number of new faces.

The Mavs front office has had a plan to remain flexible during the offseason, and this has resulted in a great deal of turnover in Dallas the last three years. The Mavericks have only four players remaining from 2012-13 team from just two years ago.

Those players are Dirk Nowitzki, Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder and Bernard James. Out of those four, only Nowitzki and Wright play a prominent role in the Mavericks’ plans. With change being the only constant in Dallas, developing team chemistry within a short time frame should be a challenge that Rick Carlisle is up to meeting.

While there may be a great deal of turnover with the Mavericks current roster, that’s not a bad thing as Dallas has significantly upgraded its starting lineup. While the challenge remains, Carlisle will be leading the most talented roster that Dallas has fielded in years.

Mar 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) high fives teammates after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) high fives teammates after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Training camp and the NBA preseason will be the first step in determining what lineups are most effective for the new-look Mavericks. This will be the first time that Carlisle can see how his new team shares the court together. This will go a long way in determining what role each player will be asked to play when the season begins.

Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons may enter the 2014-15 season with their roles clearly defined, but the rest of the new additions in Dallas must prove they are worthy of a significant minutes. Jameer Nelson, Raymond Felton, Richard Jefferson, Al-Farouq Aminu and Greg Smith are all looking to cement their role in the Mavericks’ rotation.

In a perfect world, the preseason would provide Rick Carlisle and his Dallas team with enough time to turn the Mavericks into a cohesive unit by the time they play their first regular season game on Oct. 28 against the San Antonio Spurs. This will be their goal, but it’s more likely the experimentation with various roster combinations continues well into the regular season.

Developing chemistry will be especially important in the extremely competitive Western Conference. The No. 4 seed and No. 7  seed were separated by a mere four games last season, and there is no reason to think the 2014-15 season will be any different. The Mavericks certainly look better on paper, but now the challenge will be turning this talented group of individuals into a contending team.

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