BTBP NBA Power Rankings: December Edition
By Adam McGee
Dec 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) celebrates with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) after scoring during overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Mavericks won 115-112. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
9. Dallas Mavericks
What if the Dallas Mavericks are better off for missing out on DeAndre Jordan? There’ll be no 22 missed free throws on this team, as the current crop of Mavericks is filled with high IQ veterans, who will play their roles steadily, and under the guidance of Rick Carlisle perform to well above the sum of their parts.
Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 50-40-90 shooting numbers at 37 years of age. Deron Williams is efficiently orchestrating the team’s offense, looking revitalized compared to his play in Brooklyn. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of all though is the play of Zaza Pachulia (*wipes away tears*) who has become a double-double machine since being traded from the Bucks in the aftermath of the Jordan fiasco. The Mavs are no pushover.
Next: 8. Memphis Grizzlies