Dallas Mavericks: Loss to Memphis Proves Greg Smith Needs Playing Time
For what it’s worth, when discussing which Dallas Mavericks players need more minutes, we’re 1-for-1. After the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, it became apparent Greg Smith needs more minutes.
Yes, the seldom-used third-string center that was traded to Dallas because his size and strength could prove crucial for the Mavericks when they play teams that can impose Dallas’ will in the post.
Well, Dallas played a team in Memphis that got anything it wanted. Marc Gasol had a 30-point night which included 13 trips to the free throw line because no one could stop the All-Star in the paint. When Gasol gets it going, that opens up the offense for guys like Mike Conley who don’t normally score 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting.
While double-teaming Gasol in the post is a smart idea, it’s not with Memphis. The Grizzlies are a smart team, and Rick Carlisle didn’t even attempt to throw the kitchen sink at Gasol. Tyson Chandler and Brandan Wright are great, but they’re overmatched by a player like Gasol, who is so methodical in the post that he can feast on even the most amazing of centers.
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Why not throw Smith into the mix? Well, technically, he was thrown into the mix … with a minute to go, and the Mavericks lost all chances of coming back to win the game.
Dallas is now 0-5 against the top-eight teams in the Western Conference, and it doesn’t get any easier with the Golden State Warriors coming to Dallas on Saturday. The backcourt depth will be greatly tested, but Dallas has already utilized its point guard depth to the point where it’s exhausting.
Meanwhile, camped at the end of the bench, hoping to contribute and could probably contribute at some point, is Greg Smith. He’s not the biggest guy on the planet, but he’s strong and will not back down against anyone in the post. If Chandler and Wright are having trouble, why not even give it a shot?
Why not even attempt to go to Smith for a much-needed stop, just to see what it can do? For two and a half quarters of that Memphis game, Dallas couldn’t miss. Hell, even Jameer Nelson found out how to make 3-pointers, and the Mavericks looked like they had a shot.
Then they forgot to play defense and make shots all together, especially Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki. Meanwhile, Gasol goes for 30, Dallas gave up four crucial offensive rebounds in the final minutes and just gave up.
And Greg Smith was just relaxing at the end of the bench.
Smith hasn’t gotten enough playing time to evaluate how he fits on this roster. I thought he would be perfect as the lone backup to Chandler, while Wright moved to backup Dirk at power forward. That would be ideal.
And in a game where you’re facing a team that makes its living on rebounding and imposing its will in the paint, all the stops need to be pulled out.
Smith isn’t even getting a chance. The Mavericks are already terrible as is when it comes to rebounding. Why not put more bodies out there to fix the problem? Smith has only played more than 10 minutes twice this season.
Those were against the Philadelphia 76ers when Dallas won by 53, and the Los Angeles Lakers when Dallas won by 36.
The problem with having so much depth on the roster means some players are going to get snubbed of playing time. Hence why before I said what I said about Jae Crowder, he was getting fewer minutes than Richard Jefferson. Crowder has now played three straight games where he’s recorded 15 or more minutes a night.
I’m not saying Smith needs more playing time than Chandler or Wright, but at least get him on the floor in ideal situations where he could succeed. Maybe a pairing of Smith and Wright in the front court would be nice, with Parsons, Crowder and whomever in the backcourt.
That way, Dirk could get some rest along with Chandler and be fresh in crunch time.
Because as much as Dirk is loved, the less he’s on the floor on the defensive end, the better. And Carlisle has always shown the mentality of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Right now, the Mavericks are 17-7 and things are going well.
Except for those five losses against top-eight teams in the Western Conference. If Dallas wants to succeed as the season goes on, Carlisle needs to better utilize its depth, especially with Greg Smith.
What’s the worst thing that can happen?