Dirk Nowitzki has probably been praying for this, and Mark Cuban ensured that it may happen this year for the Dallas Mavericks.
From ESPN Dallas’ Tim MacMahon:
"“I’m not expecting anybody on our team to be a 20-point scorer,” Cuban said. “Not Dirk. I don’t want him to be a 20-point scorer.”"
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Hold the phone. No one? Not even Dirk? This is almost unheard of and incomprehensible. This also might be the time to cue the chorus, because this is probably something Dirk has been hoping to hear for the last couple of seasons since the Mavs won the championship.
Dallas has finally put enough around Dirk to the point where he doesn’t have to score 20 points a night. Now, let’s be clear. Dirk can do it if he wants to. He’s Dirk Nowitzki, and he’s entitled to score 20 points or more a game if he wants to because he just can. But the key is, he doesn’t have to.
More from Cuban during the introductory press conference:
"“Monta [Ellis] has that capability, Chandler [Parsons] has that capability, Dirk has that capability, Richard Jefferson‘s got that capability. Jameer [Nelson] could do 15, Raymond Felton could do 15 if that was the focus. But that’s not our focus. That’s the cool thing. There’s going to be times that we overpass. I think that’ll be one of the challenges that [coach] Rick [Carlisle] has, that some of the guys are too unselfish.”"
Before I go any further, Richard Jefferson at 15 points per game? Where’s the hot tub time machine? And Raymond Felton? The jury is still out.
But if we’re talking overall concept of the Mavs’ offense, then yes, there’s no need for a 20-point scorer on this roster.
One of the more unheralded thoughts during the Mavs’ free agency bonanza over the summer is that the offense may be more better than it was last year. Considering the key was going into July 1 was to fix the defense in any conceivable way possible. That was done when Dallas brought back Tyson Chandler.
But it’s something that hasn’t been thought of. Chandler Parsons, who the Mavs feel can take that next leap into stardom, is capable of scoring close to 20 points a night. Dallas saw last year what it can get with Monta Ellis. Adding another complementary scorer to the offense like a Parsons should make Monta more dangerous than he’s ever been in his career.
Dirk is going to get his. Any shot he puts up already has a good chance of going in. While I’m intrigued that Dirk is working on a quicker release to his jumpshot, it being already unguardable as is, that work may all be for not.
Don’t forget about the element of who will be the point guard, no matter who it is. Devin Harris is still a solid point guard in attacking the basket, Jameer Nelson can still be a lethal 3-point shooter (and could be more deadly in this offense). Again, jury is still out on Raymond Felton. Sorry, Ray.
But Cuban is right. This offense is capable of being lethal without having a 20-point scorer. It almost resembles what the San Antonio Spurs in what they’re doing in the twilight of Tim Duncan‘s career.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if the Mavs are going in that direction, then hey, it gave the Spurs five championships.