Sefko: Mavericks are seeing why Darren Collison was a back-up PG in Indiana

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Darren Collison (left) as a UCLA Bruin with teammate Russell Westbrook in 2007.
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Mavericks beat writer Eddie Sefko answered your questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

Mike ... What is Collison's problem, and is it correctable?

Eddie Sefko: We're seeing the reasons why Indiana turned the PG job over to George Hill and brought in Augustin from Charlotte to fill Collison's backup spot. The kid's got quickness and talent but he's too careless with the ball for Carlisle's liking and his defense comes and goes. Basically, I think Collison would be a terrific backup point guard for any team, even a title contender, if he keeps the right attitude. But as a starter, well, what we've seen is probably what you get.

Alex ... Why is OJ mayo such a bad man on man defender? I saw the game the other day against the heat, wade was crushing him, pumpfaking, getting by with ease!

Eddie Sefko: The guy's just a so-so defender. That gives him a lot in common with many NBA players. What he and the Mavericks have to hang their hat on is that they can be a good defensive team if they play the system the way it's meant to be played. So far, they've only done that occasionally. Remember, Carlisle turned Dirk and Jason Terry into reasonable defenders. That should indicate that anybody can be schooled in the defensive arts.

exclaimpoint ... It seems like after that game @ Houston Rockets, the other teams has completely taken OJ Mayo out of the game scoring wise, and Mavericks has been losing badly because of it. I believe Mayo would benefit from Dirk return because all the attention will direct towards him.

Eddie Sefko: Agreed. There's a reason why all the teams the Mavericks have lost to recently are fighting for a championship. They're good defensively. Having Nowitzki back is going to make life easier for everybody, Mayo included.

Jacob C ... The Mavs really liked Cunningham this summer and said they would have drafted him with their own first rounder a few picks earlier. What exactly did the Mavs like so much about him, and is there any chance we'll see it in play this season?

Eddie Sefko: Well, if you can't say anything good ... Actually, they still love his athleticism and depending on the way this season progresses from here on, it wouldn't surprise me if he comes around and is getting meaningful minutes on the big-boy team before the season is done.


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