RealGM Analysis
The third part of this six-piece Midseason Report Card series spotlights the Southwest Division. The Southwest has been extremely competitive this season and houses four of the West?s top playoff contenders. The Texas Trio is having its usual expected success, the Hornets continue their ascent to the top of the league, and the Grizzlies have fared far better than anticipated.
Click here to read Part One of the series on the Northwest Division
Click here to read Part Two of the series on the Pacific Division
Dallas
The Mavs came into this season feeling like they had made a mistake by dealing Devin Harris to the Nets for Jason Kidd. Kidd was dominated by the speedy Chris Paul in the first round of the playoffs last year, when the only guy who can really slow him down defensively is none other than Devin Harris. To make matters worse, now Devin Harris is pouring it on in New Jersey.
Team MVP: Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk has been his standard awesome self this season, leading the team in scoring (25.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg). He has continually been the go-to player for the Mavs and has kept them in the hunt for one of the final playoff spots out West.
Needs Improvement: As Shaq would say, ?Erica Dampier?
Despite starting 40 of Dallas? first 41 games, Erick Dampier has been showing signs that his career as a starting big man might be coming to a close. He is averaging only 5.5 points per game and 22.9 minutes per game, his lowest numbers since his rookie year in 1996-97 (5.1 ppg, 14.6 mpg). His time on the floor is diminishing, as Brandon Bass continues to impress down low.
Best Move: Unloading Diop?s absurd contract
The Mavs were ridiculous for giving DeSagana Diop a contract that extends to and will pay him $7.3M in 2012-13. Thanks to the fiscally irresponsible Bobcats organization, they no longer have to worry about that problem. They dealt him to Charlotte for Matt Carroll and Ryan Hollins. For those scoring at home, yes, the Bobcats will be paying Emeka Okafor, Nazr Mohammad, Boris Diaw, and Diop a combined $34.5M in 2010-11.
Biggest Surprise: Jason Terry
Jason Terry has taken this Sixth Man role to a new level. Terry has been electric this season, averaging a career high 20.6 points per game in the first half. He has been a clutch performer for this team for the past five years and seems to be elevating his game even more in the backcourt along with J-Kidd.
First Half Grade: B
The Mavs have kept their head above water thus far this season, but there is a not as strong a feeling that they will continue their relative success into the playoffs. Many predict they might be the ninth horse in this eight team race.
Houston
The Rockets made a big splash this summer when they acquired the troubled Ron Artest to add to their talented team. Is he the last piece that gets them over the first-round hump?
Team MVP: Houston?s Bench
The onslaught off the bench has been key to the Rockets hanging around at the top of the West. Aaron Brooks, Carl Landry, and Von Wafer have sparked this team over the first half-season. Without this crew coming in for the oft-injured starters (Yao, Shane Battier, Artest, Tracy McGrady), they wouldn?t be sitting so pretty in the Southwest.
Needs Improvement: Luther Head
Head is looking at his worst season statistically and is watching on the sidelines with a host of minor injuries as Brooks and Wafer continue to bring the heat on his playing time. Head?s 4.8 ppg and 1.6 apg are not going to cut it for this incredibly deep team.
Best Move: Trading for Artest
Artest gives the Rockets two lockdown defenders when on the floor with Battier. More importantly, Artest gives Houston a true sense of toughness stuck in the middle of their soft star players. Artest?s true value will speak loud words once they enter the playoffs.
Biggest Surprise: Von Wafer
Wafer could barely find a job this offseason and all of a sudden he?s lighting it up for the Rockets. Wafer is averaging 16.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in the month of January and is hitting on 38.6% from downtown.
First Half Grade: A
Despite the customary onslaught of injuries, these guys are sticking around with the rest of Texas in the upper echelon of the West?and we may have not seen their best ball just yet.
Memphis
The Memphis Grizzlies made a big splash on Draft Night to continue their roster overhaul and it appears they are headed in the right direction. Now equipped with a franchise player, the Grizzlies are showing signs of improvement across the board this season.
Team MVP: Rudy Gay
It?s too soon to be calling O.J. Mayo the team MVP, but he?s not far behind Gay. Gay has been the face of this franchise for the past couple of seasons and continues to mature each year. While his numbers are slightly down from last year, he has provided leadership beyond his years (he?s still only 22) for a team full of young 20-somethings.
Needs Improvement: Darko Milicic
It?s still hilarious to think that the Pistons drafted this guy over Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Chris Kaman, etc. But seriously, it happened. Darko continues to regress as a player, averaging only 6.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game.
Best Move: Quietly getting Marc Gasol thrown into the Pau Gasol trade?and then convincing him to come to the NBA
Marc is not Pau, but Marc is the only Gasol brother who boldly wore his first name on his Team Spain Olympic jersey ? and that?s got to count for something! The Younger Gasol has been a boost down low for the Grizz, and is in top-5 consideration for the Rookie of the Year award with his solid 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
Biggest Surprise: O.J. Mayo?s instant offense
Mayo was a superstar in high school, a star in college, and
First Half Grade: C
Not much has been expected of the Grizz, but they have some very nice young pieces on their roster. Look out for them if they can keep this core together for a couple of seasons.
New Orleans
The Hornets were the talk of the league last year as they surprisingly surged to the forefront of the elite Western Conference. Returning nearly the same team, the Hornets entered 2008-09 with high expectations and a cocky attitude to go along with it.
Team MVP: Chris Paul
Without a doubt, this team stops and goes with CP3. Paul leads the team in scoring with 20.9 points and is destroying the entire league in assists (11.1 apg) and steals (2.71 spg). He has done it all for the Hornets this year and will continue to be the focal point throughout his career.
Needs Improvement: Julian Wright
Last year?s talented spark plug rookie has been suffering under the sophomore slump. He is averaging a dismal 8.3 minutes and only producing 2.7 points and 1.2 rebounds for New Orleans.
Best Move: Stealing James Posey from the Champs
The Hornets needed a defensive stopper who could hit clutch shots and play with moxie in the worst way. James Posey fit their biggest needs and has done well thus far in his new home.
Biggest Surprise: Rasual Butler
Butler came into camp this year ready to return to his 2006-07 form when he averaged a career high 10.1 points per game. Now, he?s learned how to stroke the deep ball and is putting up 9.5 points on 42.5% shooting from deep.
First Half Grade: B+
The Hornets expected more out of this team that is basically the same as last season plus Posey. Being a game out of first place in their division at the midway point is somewhat disappointing for this young crew.
San Antonio
The Spurs love odd-numbered years. Love them. They have won titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and would just love to add another one here in 2009. After a rough 1-4 start to the season, they have gotten back on track and are once again battling for the Southwest crown.
Team MVP: Tim Duncan
When Tony Parker went down early in November and Manu Ginobili was still injured on the sideline, ?Tim? (as the FSN South guys call him repeatedly on every single touch) guided this team to wins in 7 of 9 games before Parker?s return. ?Tim? is the Spurs. Thus, The Spurs are ?Tim.?
Needs Improvement: Bruce Bowen
I am giddy writing about the fact that Bruce Bowen is only averaging 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds this season despite playing a healthy 20.4 minutes per game. Perhaps those 37 year old legs are finally unable to linger under the legs of opposing jump shooters.
Best Move: Adding Roger Mason
Roger Mason was highly underappreciated in Washington and now he is thriving in the Alamo. Mason is fourth on the team in scoring (behind the San Antonio Big Three) with 12.0 points per game and has shown impressive toughness and intelligence that the Spurs seem to breed in San Antonio.
Biggest Surprise: George Hill
An afterthought in the first round, Hill has proven that he fits into this Spurs environment much like Mason has. Hill is lightning fast and extremely long in the passing lanes and with further development could resemble Rajon Rondo with a better shot. Almost went with Big Red Matt Bonner here, but couldn?t pass on the new G-Hill.
First Half Grade: A
Injuries tried to slow down Popovich?s Spur machine, but couldn?t. ?Tim? will find another way to add to his odd-numbered-year title collection.
Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions.