[Thanks to KAE for today's game preview -ed.]

Before I get to my analysis of Dallas let me be the first to say welcome back to Larry Hughes. May you hopefully play out of your mind and generate much interest on the trading block... Or spend the rest of the season on the far end of the bench. Either way, welcome back.

The Dallas Mavericks march into the United Center on Thursday night in complete disarray with a record of 2 and 5. Fresh off a Tuesday loss to the Lakers, and with zero significant moves in the off season (unless you think Shawne Williams was a significant move), they resemble very little of the 51 win team from only one short year ago. They did however nearly hand the Lakers their first loss of the season, but fell short when they couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn in the second half… Not how a champion does it, Dirk!

Most of the criticism of the '08 Mavs stems form their inability to implement an up tempo style to better suit the game of Jason Kidd. After picking up Kidd in the middle of last season, one does have to wonder just what kind of identity these Mavs hoped to assume. Personally I find it hard to imagine Dirk running wind sprints for 35 minutes a game, I mean why bother running when you can pretty much get off a clean shot anytime you like (on that note, it must be nice to have a seven footer who can also shoot the three)… That’s how a champion does it, Dirk!

Per usual, Dallas sports a lack luster defense that has given up an average of 99.3 points per game (21st in the NBA), which is suddenly a major headache for former league MVP Dirk Nowitzki “Defensively we’ve just got to do a better job defending our guy and not breaking down so many times. If you’re getting broken down all the time, it puts our big guys in foul trouble.”… Way to blame it on the guards ,Dirk, sounds like dissension in the ranks of Dallas, and I like the sound of that!... You are a champion among a sea of contenders, Dirk!

For average Bulls fans looking for a reason to watch two sub .500 teams in an early season match-up, look no further than the aforementioned Jason Kidd. It should be most interesting to see how Derrick Rose matches up with the elder statesman who ranks 3rd all time in triple doubles with 101 (the most recent coming last Tuesday). Many have compared the games of these two electric players ad nauseum. Both are strong PG’s, with great interior offense, spectacular court vision, and entirely average jump shots at best. Kidd however is already a hall of fame player without question, and has been known to torch the Bulls in clutch situations in the past. This one in particular stands out like a skid mark on my brain.

Let’s all hope that Rose can start his own highlight reel of clutch shots on Kidd and the Mavs tonight...

more after the jump...

These two teams did meet twice in the preseason, with Rose going nuts in the second meeting for 30 pts and 7 assists while Kidd was held scoreless with 11 assists. BUT, that was the preseason, and they don’t hang banners or give out trophies and rings when the preseason comes to an end.

Our REAL record against his team last season was 0 wins and 2 losses with scores of 94 - 102 and 98 - 103 respectively.

In game one we lost to the three headed scoring monster of Dirk (25), Howard (27), and Terry (18), despite a passionately inspired effort [is there any other kind? -ed.] by Noc who made 15 of 16 free throws and scored 30 points on the night. Kidd was still on the Nets, but Dampier put the smack down on us in the paint with 10 boards and 6 blocks… Yeah that’s right, I said Dampier. Ridiculous.

In game two we gave up 29 pts to Dirk. Kidd barely missed a triple double with 11pts, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. AND, wouldn’t you know it, Dampier victimized us for 16 rebounds and 7 blocks!!! Apparently we had no answer (in either game) for the 13 year veteran from Jackson Mississippi who is currently averaging 4 points, 5 rebounds, and just under a block on every OTHER team in the NBA… Please VDN, don’t let this entirely average center pad his stats on us tonight… I can’t believe I just wrote that, but if history is our guide here, well… He’s probably a good pick up for your fantasy team tonight.

Cherry picked Dallas stats/rankings :
20th in FG%
20th in Points
7th in 3pt Attempts, but 25th in 3pt %
28th in FT attempts

Obviously, Dallas has struggled in some very telling stat categories. This all paints a picture of a team that has settled for a plodding half court offense (content to launch 3 pointers and rarely drive to the hoop), which bodes well for the Bulls, but let’s be honest, if our front court is soft we could very easily become the cure to their offensive problems.

The Bulls have an average roster experience of 3.5 years (including injured scrubs Ruffin and Hughes), and Dallas, by contrast, has an average roster experience of 7 years (and ZERO rookies among them).

Finally, for all you Luol 4th quarter haters out there, apparently Josh Howard has made a habit of disappearing in the 4th quarter too.

Dallas probable starters:
PG - Jason Kidd
SG - Jason Terry
PF - Dirk Nowitzki
SF - Gerald Green (Josh Howard is day to day with a wrist injury)
C - Erick Dampier

Chicago probable starters:
PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Ben Gordon
PF: Tyrus Thomas
SF: Luol Deng
C: Joakim Noah

Drew Gooden (sprained right ankle) turned his ankle when he tripped over a fallen Ben Gordon on Friday against Phoenix. His status is listed as day-to-day.

My prediction:

Dallas - 95 - Bulls 98 for the home court victory... Why? Because Dirk is no champion tonight!

Blogging with the enemy: http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/ (be nice if you go there, it’s only like five or six guys, and from what I can see they already hate the 08’ Mavs).

ON TV: 7:30 pm on CSNC