SDT #1 (Scrimmage Day Thread) Mavs vs. Lakers

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Yeah unfortunately I'm not expecting any particularly exciting roster moves this offseason. I think it's going to be another year of roughly the same level of talent. We'll probably have to wait until next offseason to get a chance for significant improvement.

We gotta make the two picks count and depend on KP becoming something more than a borderline starter.

[particleman]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

We gotta make the two picks count and depend on KP becoming something more than a borderline starter.

The good news is that, at least based on what I've been reading, though the draft is weak at the top, it's actually really deep with 3 & D wings. It looks like the ideal draft to grab a couple of quality role players.

[GQ2003]

Originally Posted by particleman

The good news is that, at least based on what I've been reading, though the draft is weak at the top, it's actually really deep with 3 & D wings. It looks like the ideal draft to grab a couple of quality role players.

If we keep both picks I'm hoping for the BeyBey combo of Saddiq Bey at #18 and Tyler Bey at #31. Both would be really good fits for what Dallas needs.

Saddiq Bey:

https://youtu.be/1NTzHAv952s

Tyler Bey:

https://youtu.be/siGdCUxgG18

[particleman]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

They thought Wright would be one or both of those. To this point in the season, he has not.

I know that the offense has been a bit clunky at times with Wright playing the point, but his defense is still very good and his numbers are actually crazy efficient. If you'd told me coming into the season that he'd be shooting 38.5% on threes, I'd have been ecstatic. If he gets a little more confident/aggressive and stops hesitating on open looks, I still think he can be exactly what we need at that position.

[particleman]

Originally Posted by GQ2003

If we keep both picks I'm hoping for the BeyBey combo of Saddiq Bey at #18 and Tyler Bey at #31. Both would be really good fits for what Dallas needs.

Saddiq Bey:

https://youtu.be/1NTzHAv952s

Tyler Bey:

https://youtu.be/siGdCUxgG18

Yeeessss! Those are the guys I've been focusing on, too, but there are SO many long wing 3 & D prospects in that range: Josh Green, Patrick Williams, Jaden McDaniels, Robert Woodard, Paul Reed, etc.

Mostly I just hope we keep both picks unless we can somehow package them for a crunch-time scorer/shot-creator. Trading up or trading out seems pointless, otherwise.

[GQ2003]

Originally Posted by particleman

Yeeessss! Those are the guys I've been focusing on, too, but there are SO many long wing 3 & D prospects in that range: Josh Green, Patrick Williams, Jaden McDaniels, Robert Woodard, Paul Reed, etc.

Mostly I just hope we keep both picks unless we can somehow package them for a crunch-time scorer/shot-creator. Trading up or trading out seems pointless, otherwise.

I agree.

I just hope they use this draft to actually make the team better instead of trading down/out and wasting our time. Still can't believe they passed on Bol Bol and Eric Paschall for some dude out of Nebraska last year.

[KillerLeft]

Originally Posted by particleman

I know that the offense has been a bit clunky at times with Wright playing the point, but his defense is still very good and his numbers are actually crazy efficient. If you'd told me coming into the season that he'd be shooting 38.5% on threes, I'd have been ecstatic. If he gets a little more confident/aggressive and stops hesitating on open looks, I still think he can be exactly what we need at that position.

It's still possible on the 3&D part, sure. I haven't given up on that. And, I agree his defense has been a plus. The thing is, until he actually becomes a threat to shoot, not just fairly efficient, but an actual threat, he really can't be on the floor enough for the team to benefit from his defensive skills. Let's hope he gets more confident, as you say.

Now, as a secondary playmaker, which is what they tried to force feed us through the first 30-40 games this year? No, I HAVE given up on that.

[KillerLeft]

IMO, what they truly need is a legit modern NBA 4. Someone a little bigger than DFS, but faster and more athletic than KP, so that KP can just play center full time, and DFS can play the 3 most of the time.

I like Kleiber a lot, but I think I've decided that he's a GREAT bench player, and not a starter.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

Now, as a secondary playmaker, which is what they tried to force feed us through the first 30-40 games this year? No, I HAVE given up on that.

Yeah, the offense with him running the point is unwatchable. No hope there.

IMO, what they truly need is a legit modern NBA 4. Someone a little bigger than DFS, but faster and more athletic than KP, so that KP can just play center full time, and DFS can play the 3 most of the time.

I like Kleiber a lot, but I think I've decided that he's a GREAT bench player, and not a starter.

Someone like Ibaka would be absolutely perfect for us. A 3&D big man who can rebound and bang in the post. He's already 30 though and is probably unavailable anyway. Is there anyone else on the horizon that has a similar skillset?

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

IMO, what they truly need is a legit modern NBA 4. Someone a little bigger than DFS, but faster and more athletic than KP, so that KP can just play center full time, and DFS can play the 3 most of the time.

I like Kleiber a lot, but I think I've decided that he's a GREAT bench player, and not a starter.

Paul Reed would fit that need pretty well and could possibly be had at 31.
Long 6’9” and one of the best defenders in the draft. Great lateral speed for his size but also blocks shots and decent rebounder. Seems to have similar game as Aminu.

Shooting form is a nightmare though and not super athletic but seems to have a strong motor.

[NeedlesKane]

How much do I miss basketball? Watching this game for a 3rd time. Don't you dare judge me!

[turin]

Originally Posted by NeedlesKane

How much do I miss basketball? Watching this game for a 3rd time. Don't you dare judge me!

I must be having way too much fun diving and spearfishing this summer. I was so bored, I stopped watching before the end of the first 10 minute quarter. :-/

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

IMO, what they truly need is a legit modern NBA 4. Someone a little bigger than DFS, but faster and more athletic than KP, so that KP can just play center full time, and DFS can play the 3 most of the time.

I like Kleiber a lot, but I think I've decided that he's a GREAT bench player, and not a starter.

Its been three years with Maxi on the Mavs...its Kleber

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by turin

I must be having way too much fun diving and spearfishing this summer. I was so bored, I stopped watching before the end of the first 10 minute quarter. :-/

First half was enough for me. Lets see how the regular season feels. Was weird with the crowd noise.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

IMO, what they truly need is a legit modern NBA 4. Someone a little bigger than DFS, but faster and more athletic than KP, so that KP can just play center full time, and DFS can play the 3 most of the time.

I like Kleiber a lot, but I think I've decided that he's a GREAT bench player, and not a starter.

What even is a "modern NBA 4" in 2020? I don't think the NBA even knows what that means. I just look at the top 8 teams and who they play at PF.

1 - Bucks - 6'10" Giannis is a total freak who plays like a SG. Just totally a unique player
2 - Lakers - Davis - 6'10" PF/C tweener but also a totally unique player.
3 - Raptors - Siakam - 6'8" dude is supernaturally strong, long, and athletic, but other than his physical gifts, he plays like a 2/3 and doesn't have NBA height
4 - Clippers - 6'9" Harkless
5 - Celtics - Taytum is 6'8" who plays l like a 3/4 tweener
6 - Nuggets - 6'7" Millsap
7 - Jazz - 6'8" Bogdanovic is another 3/4 tweener
8 - Heat - are playing 6'7" Butler as their PF who is another 3/4 tweener

The problem is that KP is a 7'3" PF in 2020's NBA where there really aren't traditional PFs at all. We thought the trend was to get bigger and more able to shoot jumpers and KP was supposed to be the ultimate version of that, but then the league got rid of the PF altogether and just started playing SFs who could blow past the Garnetts and Dirks. We have a bunch of guys with the size for the smaller players (Doncic, DFS, Jackson, MKG) while Kleber/Powell/KP can match up with the few teams in the league that have PFs over 6'9"

The problem is that we don't really have any amazing defenders at any position and KP, who was supposed to be a superstar PF has to play C because he's just too big and slow to match up with the long SFs that teams play at PF. It's not that we don't have PFs. We have plenty (Doncic, DFS, Jackson, MKG, Kleber, Powell). It's that we don't really have any defensive players at all at any position.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

What even is a "modern NBA 4" in 2020? I don't think the NBA even knows what that means. I just look at the top 8 teams and who they play at PF.

1 - Bucks - 6'10" Giannis is a total freak who plays like a SG. Just totally a unique player
2 - Lakers - Davis - 6'10" PF/C tweener but also a totally unique player.
3 - Raptors - Siakam - 6'8" dude is supernaturally strong, long, and athletic, but other than his physical gifts, he plays like a 2/3 and doesn't have NBA height
4 - Clippers - 6'9" Harkless
5 - Celtics - Taytum is 6'8" who plays l like a 3/4 tweener
6 - Nuggets - 6'7" Millsap
7 - Jazz - 6'8" Bogdanovic is another 3/4 tweener
8 - Heat - are playing 6'7" Butler as their PF who is another 3/4 tweener

The problem is that KP is a 7'3" PF in 2020's NBA where there really aren't traditional PFs at all. We thought the trend was to get bigger and more able to shoot jumpers and KP was supposed to be the ultimate version of that, but then the league got rid of the PF altogether and just started playing SFs who could blow past the Garnetts and Dirks. We have a bunch of guys with the size for the smaller players (Doncic, DFS, Jackson, MKG) while Kleber/Powell/KP can match up with the few teams in the league that have PFs over 6'9"

The problem is that we don't really have any amazing defenders at any position and KP, who was supposed to be a superstar PF has to play C because he's just too big and slow to match up with the long SFs that teams play at PF. It's not that we don't have PFs. We have plenty (Doncic, DFS, Jackson, MKG, Kleber, Powell). It's that we don't really have any defensive players at all at any position.

Unfortunately true . We are all offense. Basically going to live and die by the 3 ball. If it's falling in crunch time, we will win games.

Oladipo and or VanVleet would be a great style addition. We need 2 way players like that.

[KillerLeft]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Its been three years with Maxi on the Mavs...its Kleber

Dude, sorry. It's not like me to make such a dumbass mistake. I made it all day, too.

[KillerLeft]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

What even is a "modern NBA 4" in 2020? I don't think the NBA even knows what that means. I just look at the top 8 teams and who they play at PF.

1 - Bucks - 6'10" Giannis is a total freak who plays like a SG. Just totally a unique player
2 - Lakers - Davis - 6'10" PF/C tweener but also a totally unique player.
3 - Raptors - Siakam - 6'8" dude is supernaturally strong, long, and athletic, but other than his physical gifts, he plays like a 2/3 and doesn't have NBA height
4 - Clippers - 6'9" Harkless
5 - Celtics - Taytum is 6'8" who plays l like a 3/4 tweener
6 - Nuggets - 6'7" Millsap
7 - Jazz - 6'8" Bogdanovic is another 3/4 tweener
8 - Heat - are playing 6'7" Butler as their PF who is another 3/4 tweener

The problem is that KP is a 7'3" PF in 2020's NBA where there really aren't traditional PFs at all. We thought the trend was to get bigger and more able to shoot jumpers and KP was supposed to be the ultimate version of that, but then the league got rid of the PF altogether and just started playing SFs who could blow past the Garnetts and Dirks. We have a bunch of guys with the size for the smaller players (Doncic, DFS, Jackson, MKG) while Kleber/Powell/KP can match up with the few teams in the league that have PFs over 6'9"

The problem is that we don't really have any amazing defenders at any position and KP, who was supposed to be a superstar PF has to play C because he's just too big and slow to match up with the long SFs that teams play at PF. It's not that we don't have PFs. We have plenty (Doncic, DFS, Jackson, MKG, Kleber, Powell). It's that we don't really have any defensive players at all at any position.

I agree with a lot of this, but vehemently disagree that KP is or should be a 4, not only in this version of the league, but in any version since the turn of the century.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

I agree with a lot of this, but vehemently disagree that KP is or should be a 4, not only in this version of the league, but in any version since the turn of the century.

He was drafted as the new Dirk. Tall. Mobile. Able to shoot over players. The skills of a PF in a huge, agile, coordinated body.

If KP isn't and shouldn't be a PF, then neither should the greatest PF of the 2000s (Dirk).

[particleman]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

He was drafted as the new Dirk. Tall. Mobile. Able to shoot over players. The skills of a PF in a huge, agile, coordinated body.

If KP isn't and shouldn't be a PF, then neither should the greatest PF of the 2000s (Dirk).

Do you think Dirk would struggle to stick at PF if he were entering the league today?

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

He was drafted as the new Dirk. Tall. Mobile. Able to shoot over players. The skills of a PF in a huge, agile, coordinated body.

If KP isn't and shouldn't be a PF, then neither should the greatest PF of the 2000s (Dirk).

Dirk would likely be drafted as a center these days, though. In the days of Shaq, Tyson Chandler was thought to be a natural PF when he was drafted. Porzingis, himself said he prefers to play center, and really started to get comfortable as a Mav when he was moved there.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Dirk would definitely be a 5 in today's NBA. As KP should be. It's no coincidence that KP started playing like an all-star again the moment Powell got injured, after struggling so much before. KP needs to be stretch 5, and he and Luka need to just run a constant stream of pick-and-rolls.