Dallas Mavericks: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18 season

Strength No. 1: Gritty guards

The Dallas Mavericks have always had tough offensive guards; that’s never been new for them. Entering the 2017-18 season, one new thing they do have is gritty defensive guards.

Not only do they have gritty defensive guards, but they fit Rick Carlisle’s style of play on both ends. Carlisle is a coach who runs sets and needs a pass-first point guard.

Yogi Ferrell and Dennis Smith Jr. have fit that to a T up to this point. Despite being 6’0″, Ferrell makes up for it with his strength and physicality on defense.

Smith Jr. is a terror on the fast break and while he’s listed as a point guard, he very well could end up playing off the ball some as well. The starting point guard job is up for grabs in Dallas.

Next to Smith and Ferrell, the Mavericks still have veterans J.J. Barea and Devin Harris on the roster. The veterans will do everything in their power to push, if not challenge the younger guys for their spots and that’s something Dallas can use to its advantage.

The Mavs have put together a nice group of guards to work with and offset potential problems on the interior on offense. Dirk will be Dirk, but there are still some unknowns there.