Elton Brand and Chris Kaman provide a new dimesion to the Dallas Mavericks offense – NBA News
After a difficult offseason and free agency, the Dallas Mavericks are all set to enter into the regular season with confidence in the team they have assembled. The Mavericks lost out on their bid to acquire free agent point guard
Deron Williams, who resigned with the Brooklyn Nets. In fire fighting mode, the Mavericks added Elton Brand, O.J. Mayo and Chris Kaman to the team to give it more variety and depth, while still managing to hold on to cap space for the next free agency. And
the Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is excited about his new signings, particularly Elton Brand and Chris Kaman.
“I have to say it’s the first time since I’ve owned the Mavs when I’ve walked downstairs and saw our centers taking jump shots and that I didn’t cringe,” said Cuban.
Brand and Kaman are the two players who will be splitting time amongst themselves at the centre position next season. And for two solid centres, both have good jump shots and good range as well from the floor. Last season, the
Mavericks had Erick Dampier and Brendan Haywood playing at the five, and their lack of a good jump shot limited the Mavericks offence. This time around, the Mavericks have two solid shooters who do the majority of their scoring through jump shots.
“We have a new dynamic this year and we really think it’s going to help our offensive game,” said Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle.
Elton Brand is one of the best big men when it comes to jump shots in the league. According to Hoopdata.com, Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant are the only two people who attempted more shots than Brand from the 10-15 foot range last
season. Brand was 45.6 percent from that range last season, which ranks among the top ten centers and power forwards in the league.
Kaman is a specialist from the 15 to 23 foot range, and hit 45 percent of his shots from that range last season. He also does a lot of work in the 10-15 foot range, and took more attempts from that range than any other centre in
the league other than Al Jefferson last season. With Brand and Kaman handling the center position next season, Dallas and Nowitzki will have a new arsenal at their disposal, which can make them a strong team with multiple offensive options.
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