Cheers to Devean George who exercised his no-trade clause to prohibit Mavericks General Manager Donnie Nelson from sending half of his roster and future to New Jersey for Jason Kidd and his ridiculous salary. With one bold move George effectively saved the Mavericks title hopes, Avery Johnson’s bench, the future of NBA in Dallas and Mark Cuban’s wallet/sanity.
Yet, it was George who had a career worst performance last night as he was heckled and booed by his home team’s fans. Why did he field all the boos? Apparently, Mavs fans put more stock in having a 35 year-old Hall-of-Famer than they do about winning games and contending for a championship.
Statistically, Jason Kidd is the worst shooter in the NBA of all players who have at least 340 attempts. Kidd has made just 36% of his 549 shots this season. How bad is he? The second worst shooter in the league, Sebastian Telfair shoots 39%, or three whole percentage points better than Kidd! Sure he can distribute and run a fast break. But what good is that when the other team doesn’t have to guard you and your new team does not run a transition offense?
Although Kidd’s defense is still respectable, he is slow by Western Conference standards. He is excellent in the post against guys like Baron Davis and Chauncey Billups but he would be roasted in a seven game series against the likes of Tony Parker, Chris Paul and Steve Nash. Admittedly, Kidd is a great rebounder but that is negated by his lack of ball control. Currently he has the third most turnovers in the league.
Ironically, shooting and defending quick point guards are exactly Harris’ strengths. The 24 year-old shoots better in all measured categories, including an impressive (by point guard standards) 48% from the field. Defensively, Harris is the best in the game against the likes of Parker and Paul. He was dismantled by Baron Davis in last year’s playoffs, but he was and is a good match-up on Monta Ellis. Also, let’s not forget the job he did on Nash and Parker the previous year when the Mavericks made the Finals.
Devean George also spared Coach Avery Johnson of an incredibly thin bench. We’re talking thin. Players six thru eight in the rotation would have been Jose Juan Barea, Brandon Bass and Eddie Jones. Not to mention they would not have one single shot-blocker. Who was Avery to turn to after Erick Dampier when it comes to guarding the likes of Duncan, Shaq, Boozer, Ming and the rest of the West’s dominant big men?
It undoubtedly took a lot of courage for George to step up and cancel the much-publicized trade. George has earned this right. He has been a part of the league for nine seasons, three of which he was a member of a championship team. He’s never been a reliable starter and he’s certainly never been a star, but he is a veteran nonetheless. Guys like him have earned the right to say “No, actually, I won’t go to a New Jersey team who has two stars who both play my position.” To be treated the way Dallas treated him last night is terrible. On the flip side, just imagine the “THANK YOU” he received from Devin Harris and DeSagana Diop.
The Maverick player reactions to George will ultimately determine whether or not this continues to be a successful season for the team. If they are the group of “professionals” they claim to be, they will rebound significantly while getting more spirited play from Harris, Diop, and George. Unfortunately, a black cloud from the blockbuster-that-didn’t-happen may continue to follow this franchise throughout the second half.
Photo Courtesy of nba.com