Hoops Habit
Fansided

Dallas Mavericks: Each 2015-16 Starter’s Best Game Last Season

By Cole Mentzel

Nov 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates with forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates with forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Dallas Mavericks will enter the 2015-16 season with only 2/5 of the starting lineup from 2014-15. After losing Rajon Rondo, Monta Ellis and Tyson Chandler, the Mavs quickly went to work and found replacements in Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews and a three-headed center monster featuring Zaza Pachulia, Samuel Dalembert and JaVale McGee.

Every year a player has that one game that they will remember and one game that stands out over the rest. Whether it’s a big double-double or a game where they can’t miss a shot, it’s guaranteed to happen at least once every season.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: 25 Best Players To Play For The Mavericks

Deron Williams had his version on April 3 against the Raptors. It wasn’t his highest scoring game of the season, but it was his most productive. His game looked really nice as he was able to drive to the basket effectively and handle contact with no real issues. He got hot in the third quarter and hit a few threes, which is one of the best parts of his game.

More from Dallas Mavericks

Williams was the player that accelerated the Nets all night long and pushed them to a 114-109 victory over the Raptors. Overall, it was good to see him looking good and feeling good all night long. He had an up and down season, but this was easily one of his best moments.

  • Points: 31
  • Assists: 11
  • FGM-A: 11-18
  • 3PM-A: 5-7

Matthews suffered a torn Achilles tendon against the Mavs in March which caused him to miss the last month and a half of the season. Just one week before that he had a career game with the Blazers in which he led the team in points and took over late.

Though the Spurs erased a big lead from the Blazers, Matthews three-point shooting and tough playing-style helped the Blazers re-take the lead and keep it. His 15 points in the fourth quarter was key in sealing the win. It was a vintage Matthews performance and hopefully he is able to heal well so he can show the fans in Dallas some of the same things.

  • Points: 31
  • Assists: 3
  • Rebounds: 5
  • Steals: 3
  • FGM-A: 11-18
  • 3PM-A: 4-10

Chandler Parsons also battled injury last season but didn’t miss as much time as Matthews. His best game of the season came just one day before the Mavs traded for Rondo. By this point, Parsons was already battling minor injuries so the Mavs were being cautious with his playing time.

They entered this game against the Pistons at 18-8 and were really starting to gain some momentum. Parsons playmaking ability gave him an edge over his defenders that night and ultimately led to the success all over the floor. Though it got close at times, Parsons was able to team up with Ellis to put Detroit away.

  • Points: 32
  • Assists: 2
  • Rebounds: 7
  • Steals: 2
  • FGM-A: 10-17
  • 3PM-A: 4-6

Dirk Nowitzki continued his march up the NBA’s all-time scoring list last season. Even though he doesn’t have as many 30- or 40-point games anymore, he still manages to put on a show at times. His best game of 2014-15 came in one of the most frustrating times for the Mavs all season long.

The team already trailed 0-2 to the Rockets in the playoffs and Parsons had been ruled out for the rest of the season.

All of his routine shots, mid-range jumpers, three-pointers and one-legged fadeaways were on display in the game. Nowitzki was key late in the fourth and even drew a big foul that helped the Mavs get in position to potentially steal the game. Even though they fell short, it was a lot of fun to watch Dirk thrive in one of his favorite places: The playoffs.

  • Points: 34
  • Assists: 4
  • Rebounds: 8
  • FGM-A: 10-19
  • 3PM-A: 3-7

For the center situation, I decided to use Zaza Pachulia. Out of the three centers that the Mavs have, he was the only one to play through the whole 2014-15 season and he is most likely to start on opening night against the Suns.

Live Feed

3 Disastrous events Mavericks must avoid to keep Luka Doncic happy
3 Disastrous events Mavericks must avoid to keep Luka Doncic happy /

The Smoking Cuban

  • Mavericks rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper gets fans buzzing with must-see new lookThe Smoking Cuban
  • Mavericks rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper astounds NBA coach in offseason pro runThe Smoking Cuban
  • Former Dallas Mavericks fan-favorite guard facing major lawsuitThe Smoking Cuban
  • Mavericks star Kyrie Irving spotted in viral workout video with former NBA MVPThe Smoking Cuban
  • Acclaimed NBA Champion guard praises Mavericks' Josh GreenThe Smoking Cuban

    • I had to check these stats again when I looked at them because I wasn’t used to seeing those kinds of numbers out of a center that isn’t elite, but Pachulia had an incredible night against the Nets on March 20.

    He was one of five starters on the Bucks that scored in double-digits and of those five, three had double-doubles. Pachulia loves the mid-range shot but the story of the night for him was his work underneath the rim. He was instrumental in the paint and even though the Bucks lost the game, he was able to showcase his strength and skill in tough places.

    • Points: 22
    • Assists: 7
    • Rebounds: 21
    • Steals: 1
    • FGM-A: 9-16

    If you want to see player highlights from the games, you can see them here:

    Deron Williams/Wesley Matthews/Chandler Parsons/Dirk Nowitzki/Zaza Pachulia

    Next: Dallas Mavericks: Comparing 2014-15, 2015-16 Starters

    More from Hoops Habit

    Home/Dallas Mavericks