By Mike Fisher -- DallasBasketball.com
‘You’re Fired!’ has become America’s top catch phrase, popularized by billionaire/TV schmuck Donald Trump, who probably should be issuing his two-word directive to his hair stylist.
Speaking of fireable offenses. …
What happened to the Mavs and their six-game win streak on Wednesday in Minnesota?
Well, OK, we’re not firing anybody because of the 121-97 loss to arguably the best team in basketball. Let’s instead put the Mavs on probation, allowing them a chance to explain away their indiscretion.
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To wit, The Top 10 Explanations For The Loss In Minnesota:
10) Second night of a back-to-back
In each of the four meetings between these clubs, Dallas was playing the second night of a back-to-back.
“That's just the way it kind of worked this year,’’ coach Don Nelson said. “That was definitely a factor.’’
If you look at it that way, Dallas might want to feel fortunate to get the season split at 2-2.
9) Steve Nash’s absence
Dirk Nowitzki wouldn’t allow his buddy’s virus-related absence to be used as an excuse. “I think we're talented enough to compete at a high level’’ even without him, Dirk said. “We're still talented enough to be able to win this game without him.’’
No doubt. But without Nash in the lineup, Minnesota coach Flip Saunders forced eventual replacement Marquis Daniels to be the guy who would have to make shots to beat him. The strategy worked.
Nash, Saunders said, “makes a huge difference. He puts a lot of pressure on you. They were in a situation where Daniels took the most shots for them. That's probably never going to happen again. It's still a tough game without Nash.’’
By the way, while the Mavs hope to have Nash back for the trip to San Antonio, Josh Howard (who started Wednesday) is still not 100 percent, and Antawn Jamison sprained an ankle in Minnesota and is crossing his fingers he’ll be ready.
8) KG as the MVP and the X
It’s not supposed to be this way. Oh, you know MVP candidate Kevin Garnett is a freak of nature. But you gameplan for him being able to do a million things well. … not a million and one things.
KG was 11-of-15 from the floor on the way to his 28 points and 19 rebounds. Twice, though, he roamed outside and took 3’s. He made them both, creating another strategic problem for Dallas’ defense. An X-factor problem.
Said Antawn Jamison: “He really stretched the defense knocking down those 3-pointers. I don't think it's any secret. The guy is the best player in the league. You take him away from this team and they are not the same team. He's the MVP and it's well deserved.’’
Said Garnett: "I think this is a message, not just to Dallas but to whoever watched the game tonight. Whoever watches our games and anticipates playing us, we're a hungry team."
7) The Layup Drill, revisited
Dallas knows this is an occasional problem, this tendency to not only get beat one-on-one on the perimeter but then to also be victimized when that driver’s shot goes uncontested. So it was here.
Said Nowitzki: “That puts a lot of strain on your offense when they come down and score every time, getting dunks and layups.’’
6) Minnesota’s Sixers-related motivation
In Dallas, we’re so focused on the Mavs’ roll that we haven’t spent much time examining Minnesota’s. Nowadays, a loss for the T’Wolves is just as alarming as a loss for the Mavs. Therefore, Minny coming off a loss to the Sixers, is probably served as a shock that caused them to re-focus for Wednesday’s showdown.
“They were definitely ready,’’ Nellie said. “I think they were a little embarrassed in Philadelphia, when they lost a game they probably shouldn't have.’’
Said Saunders, obviously very aware of this meeting’s significance: “This was a big game. They were up 2-1 on us this year. This was big in terms of the tie-breaker. Now they go four-and-a-half behind us, and down four in the loss column. Any time you have a game against a Western Conference team, or a division team, it's a huge game.’’
5) Olowokandi's presence
Injuries have kept oft-season pickup Michael Olowokandi from being much of a factor for Minnesota. But on this team of standouts, he’s beginning to fit right in. The Kandi Man contributed 14 points, five rebounds and four blocks, holding his own while the Mavs defense (or what there was of it) let him roam freely underneath.
The Mavs are concerned about matching up with teams employing dominant post players. The last thing they need in the West is Olowokandi emerging as another one of those.
4) The first-half mirage
Before Wednesday, the Dallas offense in the last two months was usually so reliable that brief valleys were always assumed to be just that – brief. Maybe that happened here: Dallas played horribly in the first half yet was down just five points.
Did the Mavs have a false sense of security in the intermission locker room?
I thought we were a little bit lucky to even be hanging around at halftime,’’ Nellie said.” I thought we were outplayed at halftime, and the numbers were way in their favor. But I actually felt pretty good about being down five, when they were shooting 65 percent and we were shooting 40 or 35 or whatever it was. I said, 'Wow.' But it got away from us.’’
3) No offensive leadership
Maybe we can tie this to Nash again. But Michael Finley was Dallas’ top scorer with 16. Dirk scored 15, but wasn’t a factor at all. The end of the game, garbage time, was when the Mavs got most of their bench production. The beginning of the game was garbage’y, too, as the Mavs missed their first 10 shots.
The Mavs work best when three 20-point guys combine for 60 points. The Mavs’ offense doesn’t work at all when there is not even one 20-point guy.
2) Minnesota on the run
With Nash, Dallas can run with anybody. Without him?
Against Minnesota, anyway, their stellar half-court game is suddenly supplemented by the ability to fly with Dallas. Scary.
“We had good energy,’’ Saunders said. “We pushed the heck out of the ball down the floor.’’
1) The T’Wolves are good. Really good. Maybe better-than-Sacramento-and-Dallas-and-San Antonio-and-the-Lakers good.
Hopefully, the Mavs will acknowledge that and then rely on short memories. Nellie promises it.
“It's forgotten already,’’ he said. “I'm not going to think about it. I'm not going to watch the film. We're done with them. We'll crank up the old film if we face them in the playoffs.’’