Dallas Mavericks 2015-2015 NBA Preview: Nowitzki, Ellis Has New Shooting Partner In Parsons

One final run for Dirk Nowitzki and for the Dallas Mavericks. Led once again by the veteran German gunner, the Mavericks are primed to be a playoff contender in the upcoming 2014-2015 NBA Season. How everyone fit together— especially with new acquisition Chandler Parsons, who was pirated from Texas rival Houston Rockets in the offseason, and the reacquisition of Tyson Chandler, who came in a trade with the New York Knicks will be vital for Dallas’ campaign.

Dallas Mavericks Roster (Projected Starters in Bold)

PG - Jameer Nelson, Raymond Felton, Devin Harris, Gal Mekel

SG - Monta Ellis, Doron Lamb, Ricky Ledo

SF - Chandler Parsons, Al-Farouq Aminu, Richard Jefferson, Jae Crowder

PF - Dirk Nowitzki, Greg Smith, Eric Griffin, Charlie Villanueva, Ivan Johnson

C -Tyson Chandler, Brandan Wright, Bernard James

Offseason Additions: Jameer Nelson, Raymond Felton, Chandler Parsons, Richard Jefferson, Tyson Chandler, Al-Farouq Aminu

Offseason Losses: Shawn Marion, Jose Calderon, Vince Carter, Samuel Dalembert, DeJuan Blair

Season Outlook: Some key guys remain in Dallas— players like Nowitzki (21.7 PPG), Ellis (19.0 PPG), Wright (9.1 PPG) but the rest are new Mavericks but should fit right in with Rick Carlisle’s system on both ends. Jameer Nelson (12.6 PPG in 10-year career) was the forgotten man with the Orlando Magic but should provide some stability at the point guard spot. There is no set starting PG in the Mavericks line-up and Nelson along with Felton and Harris will try to run the team which has lots of weapons.

One player that can provide scoring is Parsons (14.1 PPG and 5.2 RPG in years with Rockets), who instantly becomes the no. 1 option from behind the arc. Ellis’ penetration should make the wings dangerous on offence but it’s on defence where they can struggle. Last season, they had Marion, despite the age, as the key stopper from the wings and Dallas this year doesn’t have that kind of lockdown defender.

Watch Parsons heat it up with Houston in this clip:

(YouTube/NBA)

While age is already catching up with him, Nowitzki remains a dangerous threat. Alongside a shot-blocking presence like Chandler, the frontcourt will see a nice balance of offence and defence.

Bench play is where Dallas will struggle. They have no Vince Carter anymore who can provide that spark when the starters rest. Aminu, Smith, Villanueva, Crowder will help the front line but their wings need to contribute when one or two of Ellis/Parsons goes to the bench.

Dallas knows the challenge ahead; they belong in the division considered the toughest in the NBA, the southwest division. The San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets are no doubt playoff contenders while the up and coming young guys from the New Orleans Pelicans could move up this season as well. The Mavericks know this and will want to find chemistry very early in the season and get all-important wins the first two months of the upcoming 2014-2015 NBA Season.