The more Finley drives and either scores or gets fouled, the more opposing defenses must respect him. While the acquisition of Juwan Howard gave the Mavericks a legitimate inside presence, the team is still at its best when it runs and guns, and that s why many are predicting a short playoff run for the Mavs. Teams that play up-tempo are usually playoff flops. That s what happened to many of Don Nelson s better teams in Milwaukee and Golden State. Team chemistry has also be significant.
Nobody complains about minutes or roles.
Nelson and owner Mark Cuban treat the players well, and they have everyone pulling in the same direction. Veterans Mark Bryant and Vernon Maxwell have been parked at the end of the bench for much of the season, but they ve never whined about more playing time. With players from six different countries on the roster, it was imperative that everyone get along. Rebounding is the team s Achilles heel, but board work has improved since the arrival of Howard and Calvin Booth from Washington. Dallas has been at or near the bottom of the league in rebounding percentage all season, but the Mavericks did step up their effort off the glass during a late-season stretch with 40 or more rebounds in 15 of 20 games.