Mavs 116, Kings 100 and the return of Roddy B

The Kings have 2 young, studly players on their squad, Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, and have managed to scraptogether just 13 wins this season.  The Mavs are 38-16 so far and have played every one of those games without a supposed young stud.  Well, Tyreke Evans was out for the Kings Wednesday night while the Mavs finally got Roddy B back on the court.  The point is my 13 month old could have logically figured this one to be a blowout.  Of course, they still play these games out in the NBA.....just ask the Lakers.

The Mavs started out slow and the crowd was a little dead, but who wouldn't be after being forced to watch another retarded skit from Skin Wade.  Thankfully, Carlisle recognized the anticipation of the fans and the team's need of energy and inserted Roddy for Deshawn after only 2 minutes of game.  And the crowd went wild.....

The guy hasn't played a meaningful game since last April, but he came in aggressive, taking 13 shots in 21 minutes.  Roddy finished with 13 pts on 6-13 with 6 assists, 3 steals and 3 turnovers.  While he was a little careless with the ball and did lose his man defensively at times, it was his first game in forever so I'll cut him some slack.  He brings something to the Mavs that no one else does because he can both shoot the 3 (though only 1-4 behind the arc tonight) and get to the rim (5 of his 6 field goals were layups).  For a team that relies so heavily on jumpers, gaining a player who can get to the bucket is a serious plus.

Now, while I cant help but get caught up in the excitement like everyone else, I do feel compelled to share that I'm not sold on Roddy B as the long-term solution to this team that so many think he is.  He is young and exciting and has potential in a Neftali Feliz circa 2009 kinda way, but those guys rarely turn into bonafide stars.  Feliz worked out and Roddy B might too.  Time will tell.  I just don't want to hear the word "untouchable" and Roddy B in the same sentence anymore, especially from the Cubes.  His rawness has me tapping the breaks, because rarely does someone turn from "raw" into great.  I guess I just don't see how much upside a 6'0 170 shoot-first guard can possibly have.  Point being, if we can package him with players, expirings, and picks for a Melo or some other proven star, I won't be able to say yes fast enough, even if it is just a loaner.  Good players no longer interest me.  I've seen where this team will be post-Dirk and its a dark, lonely place.  Every year for the next 4 years is championship or bust.

Anyway, back to the game.  It was a blowout as expected.  No one on this team can even come close to guarding Dirk, but then again they don't rally guard anyone.  The Mavs finished with 8 guys in double figures (which is ridiculous) and the starters barely had to play in the 4th.  Kidd was on fire, going 7-9 for 20 points (17 in the 3rd) in just 28 minutes.  Barea is playing the best ball of his life, seriously.  He finished with an 11 and 10 double-double, but that doesn't really do his play justice.  He's in total control of the offense and things are just easy when he is in.  He even got Haywood involved, who poured in 12, grabbed 10 boards and competed hard all night against Demarcus Cousins. 

Bottom line is the Kings stink and were shorthanded tonight while the Mavs are probably the deepest team in the league.  That has been a trademark of the Mavs and makes for great regular season success, as evidenced by the Mavs streak of 50 win seasons, but doesn't help nearly as much in the postseason when starter minutes are up and rotations are shorter. 

Randoms:

• The Mavs win tonight puts them 2 games ahead of LA for the 2 seed in the West
• The Mavs have played the hardest schedule in the NBA up to this point in the season, while the Lakers' schedule has been the 4th easiest
• JJB is straight ballin', like I said.  Heading into tonight, JJ has averaged 14 pts on 53% shooting (57% from 3) in 24 minutes the last 12 games.  That's a lot of numbers.....just know he's been playing good.
• Demarcus Cousins is pretty dang good.  Probably shoulda been the #2 pick in the draft ahead of Turner.  Kid is playing well and putting those pre-draft attitude concerns to rest.
• JET hit a 3, moving him to #8 on the all-time 3's made list.  Kidd is #3 and Peja is #4 on that list.