2020-2021 Season thread

[EricaLubarsky]

Key dates
Nov 30 - Players show up for testing
Dec 1 - 10 - camp
Dec 12 - @Milwaukee
Dec 14 - @Milwaukee
Dec 17 - Minnesota
Dec 22 - Regular season begins
March 5-10 - Allstar break
May 18-21 - play in tournament
May 22 - Playoffs start

Roster
---regular roster---
1) KP
2) THJ
3) Johnson
4) Richardson
5) Powell
6) Kleber
7) Doncic
8) DFS
9) Boban
10) Brunson
11) Burke
12) Green (guaranteed 1st rounder)
13) Iwundu
---inactive---
14) Barea
15) WCS
---two-way players-----
16) Tyrell Terry
17) Tyler Bey
---camp fodder not here when the season starts---
18) Devonte Patterson
19) Freddie Gillespie
20) Nate Hinton

Preseason Schedule
12/12 - @Milwaukee
12/14 - @Milwaukee
12/17 - Minnesota

[VA-Mavs-Fan]

Thanks for posting. Should be very interesting. I would like to see the rookies get some PT this year, but maybe that seems unlikely, with no camp, and with quite a few new players who are pretty good (e.g., JRich, Iwundu, JJohnson). Do we know that Tyrell Terry and Tyler Bey will be 2-way contracts? How long will we own their rights if we sign them to a 2-way contract? Obviously we would like to lock up these 2 guys for 4 years, if we can. thanks

[MFFL]

I really doubt the rookies get much PT but at least being with the big league club all year will pay dividends

All I ask is that ONE of the 3 rookies turns out to be a rotation regular. Don't care which one. Asking for two or more of them to be rotation guys would be greedy

[Dallas41]

why would WCS be inactive?

I think he's going to clearly out play Powell this year.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

why would WCS be inactive?

I think he's going to clearly out play Powell this year.

It's literally a list of players. Who should I put as inactive?

[EricaLubarsky]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7t972bBJQ

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7t972bBJQ

And of course Stephen E thinks the Clippers are still the biggest threat to the Lakers

Is anyone ever been more of a front runner than Stephen E?

[rimrocker]

I tend to agree with Steven A. but Mavs have several months to prove him wrong.
Clips definitely have the stars and a good supporting cast and on paper I don't think there is any question they are better than Mavs.

I do not agree with him that it isn't even close. Mavs have the upside to get incredibly better to compete with them and Clips are right there as far as I'm concerned. If I remember correctly the Mavs were damn close to winning 2 of the Lakers games and if healthy and another year under their belt, they should be that much better. Mavs superstar is another year closer to prime, Lakers superstar is another year further from prime. The big difference is KP vs AD. Mavs will close on that gap as Luka matures and LeBron fades, the question is how long that will take.

[VA-Mavs-Fan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpN-...nnel=RiroBalls
I agree with this video - If Giannis leaves Bucks, Mavs are probably the favorites. Also, go back and look at some of the glowing comments by Giannis after Luka was drafted and then a year ago - Giannis thinks Luka is maybe the most talented player in the NBA. I like what the Mavs did - really added 3D wings, etc., became much better team, but i think we have a path to have a max slot for Giannis (easiest is if JRich declines player option).

[NeedlesKane]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

why would WCS be inactive?

I think he's going to clearly out play Powell this year.

Exactly what I was thinking! lmao

[NeedlesKane]

Why do you have Nate Hinton as camp fodder, rather than two-way? As for now, I am nearly certain he's a two-way player.

Also why do you even have inactives, seriously?

[SMC0007]

Where's Roby on the list?

[NeedlesKane]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Where's Roby on the list?

Isn't he with the Thunder?

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by NeedlesKane

Why do you have Nate Hinton as camp fodder, rather than two-way? As for now, I am nearly certain he's a two-way player.

Also why do you even have inactives, seriously?

I’ll just not post at all. K Bye.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by NeedlesKane

Isn't he with the Thunder?

What about Erik Dampier then?

[GQ2003]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

I tend to agree with Steven A. but Mavs have several months to prove him wrong.
Clips definitely have the stars and a good supporting cast and on paper I don't think there is any question they are better than Mavs.

I do not agree with him that it isn't even close. Mavs have the upside to get incredibly better to compete with them and Clips are right there as far as I'm concerned. If I remember correctly the Mavs were damn close to winning 2 of the Lakers games and if healthy and another year under their belt, they should be that much better. Mavs superstar is another year closer to prime, Lakers superstar is another year further from prime. The big difference is KP vs AD. Mavs will close on that gap as Luka matures and LeBron fades, the question is how long that will take.

I could be wrong but I think the gap between the mavs and clippers has definitely been closed. The reason we struggled so much with the Clippers and their Eastern conference doppelganger (Boston) and even the Knicks for that matter is because we had no playable wings outside of DFS. Our offseason additions make us a completely different team. The Clippers lost Harrell, Jamychal Green and Landry Shamet but added Kennard and Ibaka. I imagine the Clippers aren't done but I look at them about the same as last year.

The mavs lost Curry and non-contributors like Wright, Jackson & MKG while adding Richardson, Johnson, Iwundu, Brunson, Powell, WCS and KP to the group that pushed them to 6 games in the bubble. That's not even mentioning the rookies. If they gel under Carlisle and stay healthy, I definitely don't see them as better than us. I see both teams about the same but Dallas has better coaching and young talent that will get better with time.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by MFFL

And of course Stephen E thinks the Clippers are still the biggest threat to the Lakers

Is anyone ever been more of a front runner than Stephen E?

Until proven otherwise, Clippers are the biggest thread. That doesn't mean they will meet them in the WCF but they have Kawhi on their team and they have built a solid team around him.

[NeedlesKane]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

What about Erik Dampier then?

You mean Erika (formally Erick) Dampier?

[NeedlesKane]

@EricaLubarsky I think I missed something. I didn't mean to upset you. My apologies.

Also I ended it with "seriously" because I did not think SMC0007 was being serious with his posts.

[tap2390]

Calling it now, Hardaway Jr. is going to have a hell of a season. The man has been putting in nonstop work. I think he’s out to earn a HUGE contract,

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by NeedlesKane

@EricaLubarsky I think I missed something. I didn't mean to upset you. My apologies.

Also I ended it with "seriously" because I did not think SMC0007 was being serious with his posts.

I don't think EL was being serious either. Fwiw.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by tap2390

Calling it now, Hardaway Jr. is going to have a hell of a season. The man has been putting in nonstop work. I think he’s out to earn a HUGE contract,

Well by all means let's do it, I just hope he has been tooling up his defense more. Good for him and good for us.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by tap2390

Calling it now, Hardaway Jr. is going to have a hell of a season. The man has been putting in nonstop work. I think he’s out to earn a HUGE contract,

Wouldn't surprise me but I do remember there was a lot of talk about his workouts last off-season. He might just be a hard worker.
I'm not sure if Richardson will help THJ's game or take away from it.
If those two click (in the SL I assume), the Mavs would become very balanced and serious contenders. I just hope Richardson doesn't disappoint as much as Wright did last season.

[rimrocker]

We have more than addressed defense needs but I'm wondering if we comprised some bench scoring in the process.

Most likely starters imo:
Luka/THJ/JRich/DFS/KP

Rotation bench players:
Brunson/Burke/Iwundu (or Green)/Maxi/Powell/WCS

Situational:
Boban/Johnson/Barea/Green (or Iwundu)/Terry

Brunson and Burke will have to carry the bench load offensively.

[NeedlesKane]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

We have more than addressed defense needs but I'm wondering if we comprised some bench scoring in the process.

Most likely starters imo:
Luka/THJ/JRich/DFS/KP

Rotation bench players:
Brunson/Burke/Iwundu (or Green)/Maxi/Powell/WCS

Situational:
Boban/Johnson/Barea/Green (or Iwundu)/Terry

Brunson and Burke will have to carry the bench load offensively.

Compromised bench scoring by giving up Curry? He's the only one we lost who I feel like really contributed anything to the team. Next best player to him that we lost? Prolly Delon Wright and his 6.9 ppg in 21.5 mpg unless JJ Barea doesn't make the cut. His contributions offensively are better last season with 7.7 ppg in 15.5 mpg. Oh wait... Justin Jackson was better than him offensively with 5.5 ppg in 16.1 mpg. Lee? Reaves? Cleveland? Kidd-Gilchrist? I feel like none of those guys really contributed anything.

Biggest loss is easily Curry's 12.4 ppg in 24.6 mpg.

Mavericks played 75 games last year. Curry played 64, Wright played 73, and Jackson played 65. These guys were at least dependable.

18,175 minutes played by the team in those 75 games. Those 3 played 4,191 minutes. So about 23.06% of the time those guys were on the floor. Also they put up 22.06 ppg over the course of the full season combined. I didn't just add their ppg together. Otherwise it'd be 24.8 ppg and not indicative of their team production collectively over the course of the full season.

Can 3 of the new guys put up a combined 22.06 ppg in 55.87 mpg? If not, I hope they provide some lockdown defense. Regardless, I am excited.

Edit: I really think that Richardson, Iwundu, and Johnson alone can reproduce that offensive production. In fact, I think that they'll be slightly better over the course of the full season but will likely struggle to put together as many minutes.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

We have more than addressed defense needs but I'm wondering if we comprised some bench scoring in the process.

Most likely starters imo:
Luka/THJ/JRich/DFS/KP

Rotation bench players:
Brunson/Burke/Iwundu (or Green)/Maxi/Powell/WCS

Situational:
Boban/Johnson/Barea/Green (or Iwundu)/Terry

Brunson and Burke will have to carry the bench load offensively.

Do you need bench scoring with that starting lineup? Seriously, if we aren't burying teams in the first quarter, then something has gone terribly wrong.

But I do think it will take a small hit. Still, that starting lineup is moy bonito.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Is the stuff about WCS outperforming Powell a joke I missed? Or is it a belief that Powell will be so bad coming off injury that the literal last man we signed in free agency(maybe Iwundu is actually the last) will be better than him?

Not being rude, just asking as I've missed a lot over the last few weeks not being on here as much. We chased the corpse of Gasol over WCS before bringing him back. And DP was praised for working harder than anybody in the bubble last year despite his injury. He has been routinely praised as the hardest worker on the roster ever since he got here. Edit- Plus the obvious... he is highly highly efficient when healthy on offense. So it would have to be glaringly obvious for him to be beat out by WCS IMO.

So is the belief that he will be like the corpse of Wesley Matthews once he's healthy and so bad he's going to be out of the league soon or that WCS is basically overlooked by the entire NBA and he's just flat out better? Or am I missing a sarcastic joke?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Is the stuff about WCS outperforming Powell a joke I missed? Or is it a belief that Powell will be so bad coming off injury that the literal last man we signed in free agency(maybe Iwundu is actually the last) will be better than him?

Not being rude, just asking as I've missed a lot over the last few weeks not being on here as much. We chased the corpse of Gasol over WCS before bringing him back. And DP was praised for working harder than anybody in the bubble last year despite his injury. He has been routinely praised as the hardest worker on the roster ever since he got here. Edit- Plus the obvious... he is highly highly efficient when healthy on offense. So it would have to be glaringly obvious for him to be beat out by WCS IMO.

So is the belief that he will be like the corpse of Wesley Matthews once he's healthy and so bad he's going to be out of the league soon or that WCS is basically overlooked by the entire NBA and he's just flat out better? Or am I missing a sarcastic joke?

That's what I would think. I don't think Powell will be worthless, but players just don't come back to form after that injury. Esp players that rely on athleticism the way Powell does.

And I think the Gasol thing was more to please the fans versus actual production. Plus, we need more vets, and I'm sure they took at look at Milsap as well.

And it should be said that nobody is saying WCS is going to average 20/10, but he was productive in his limited minutes last season. No reason to think he won't be this season as well.

But quite frankly, I feel like people are even more disillusioned about Powell even before the injury. I know he does well in some advanced stats and is a killer roll man, but he is still a very limited role player. Don't want to hate on him though as I want all Mavs to do well (even poor Jackson and Wright before they were sent away).

[Bryan_Wilson]

I've never been the biggest Powell fan either but WCS would have to have a major impact on the game to supplant him. And the only way I see that happening is if Powell is hampered... which means whether it's WCS or Powell we will need a better option there in a year as neither will be what you want from a guy who gets consistent minutes on a contender.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

I've never been the biggest Powell fan either but WCS would have to have a major impact on the game to supplant him. And the only way I see that happening is if Powell is hampered... which means whether it's WCS or Powell we will need a better option there in a year as neither will be what you want from a guy who gets consistent minutes on a contender.

I can’t imagine Powell will be as good as he was before the injury considering his style of play and what he brings.
WCS was brought in to replace Powell so I see WCS as an insurance big for Powell and KP and could very well become trade bait if both appear to come back full strength and stay healthy. WCS might be included in a deal to acquire a better option.

I personally think WCS brings more than DP even when both are at full strength and would like to see WCS get a good opportunity to prove that this season.

[NeedlesKane]

I just watched some Dwight Powell highlights. Not gonna lie... forgot how much his game has improved. Still... I just don't see WCS as the last option. If he is... the rest of the league should be concerned.

[GQ2003]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Is the stuff about WCS outperforming Powell a joke I missed? Or is it a belief that Powell will be so bad coming off injury that the literal last man we signed in free agency(maybe Iwundu is actually the last) will be better than him?

Not being rude, just asking as I've missed a lot over the last few weeks not being on here as much. We chased the corpse of Gasol over WCS before bringing him back. And DP was praised for working harder than anybody in the bubble last year despite his injury. He has been routinely praised as the hardest worker on the roster ever since he got here. Edit- Plus the obvious... he is highly highly efficient when healthy on offense. So it would have to be glaringly obvious for him to be beat out by WCS IMO.

So is the belief that he will be like the corpse of Wesley Matthews once he's healthy and so bad he's going to be out of the league soon or that WCS is basically overlooked by the entire NBA and he's just flat out better? Or am I missing a sarcastic joke?

Its a couple things that has started this conversation. The first part is optimism that WCS, with his second year in a system that really highlights guys with his skillset, will allow him to realize some of the potential that made him a top 10 lottery pick. Remember, he was brought in mid-year with no training camp and also didn't come to the bubble. Plus if we're being honest, he was already better than DP on the defensive end regardless of how hard DP played.

The second part of this theory is that DP coming off a serious achilles injury won't come back from injury as the same player. DP had two things that basically made up his game, his athleticism and his effort. An achilles injury isn't an acl or ankle and is known for taking away the athleticism from those that suffer the injury. If DP comes back as a below the rim player then he won't have nearly the impact on the floor that a WCS would have regardless of how hard DP works.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

We just can't run Powell to death if he isn't performing the way we did with Matthews. That is my biggest concern. Don't want the contract to dictate playing time.

[SMC0007]

The video clips of WCS shooting 3s and running drills has people excited and optimistic. Understandably so because it looks great. But again, and again, DP and DFS are very likely going to have to play themselves out of their current roles. WCS isnt better than DP right now, people start getting a little over hyped from highlights and video. I think its easy to see how WCS should be a better player but he has to prove it.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

The video clips of WCS shooting 3s and running drills has people excited and optimistic. Understandably so because it looks great. But again, and again, DP and DFS are very likely going to have to play themselves out of their current roles. WCS isnt better than DP right now, people start getting a little over hyped from highlights and video. I think its easy to see how WCS should be a better player but he has to prove it.

The first few weeks of the season will be critical for WCSs future as a Mav. It might be the only opportunity he’ll get to prove himself.

Im not as excited about his offense as much as I am for what he can do for us defensively.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

The first few weeks of the season will be critical for WCSs future as a Mav. It might be the only opportunity he’ll get to prove himself.

Im not as excited about his offense as much as I am for what he can do for us defensively.

Yeah I don't want to be a party pooper but he's not going to be some changed guy to where he's shooting 3's and stuff like that. He's more than likely going to be the same player on offense. Now defensively is where he can improve and I hope that's the case. That's how he's going to get playing time on this team is if he can set the tone on that side of the ball.

[FromSloveniaWithLove]

All in all.. I don't care who is playing.. I just want that everybody WCS, DP, JR, etc. have a chance to prove that they can thrive and be excellent in Rick system. And I hope Rick give them a chance to prove themselves.

The only way to be a contender team in the west is.. Well.. There is a lot of ifs:
- Doncic has to be at MVP level through the whole season
- KP must stay healthy and be at his best all of the season
- THJ must be a reliable 3rd guy scorer - which I think he sadly won't be.
- Defense has to be out of the park - especially in the 4th quarter
- They have to be clutch in 4th quarter - they weren't last year

So there is a lot of things that could go wrong.. I'm not being pessimistic.. Mavs got a lot better... But I still think we are a peace or two away from a ring contending team. OR.. Rick has to prove he can be the best and outperforms other coaches... That means he needs to do a lot of things different than last year.. Which I think he won't. I'm not saying he is not good. But I just think his coaching is the same for the last decade. I mean.. If the players are getting better every year, coaches should too right? He has to be more dynamic..

[EricaLubarsky]

Camp starts Tuesday

[VA-Mavs-Fan]

This answers some Qs:


Shams Charania @ShamsCharania · 37 min
Guard JJ Barea is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.6M deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.


Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon · 33 min
Sources: J.J. Barea has agreed to a one-year deal with the Mavs for the veteran's minimum. This gives the Mavs 16 guaranteed contracts -- one over the regular-season roster limit -- so there will be a competition for a spot in camp.
The Mavs have not officially signed No. 31 overall pick Tyrell Terry, but he will fill one of the 15 roster spots. Source: Mavs plan to sign him to a contract similar to 2018 No. 33 pick Jalen Brunson, who has a 4-year, $6.1M deal. No. 36 pick Tyler Bey will be on a 2-way deal.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by VA-Mavs-Fan

This answers some Qs:


Shams Charania @ShamsCharania · 37 min
Guard JJ Barea is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.6M deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.


Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon · 33 min
Sources: J.J. Barea has agreed to a one-year deal with the Mavs for the veteran's minimum. This gives the Mavs 16 guaranteed contracts -- one over the regular-season roster limit -- so there will be a competition for a spot in camp.
The Mavs have not officially signed No. 31 overall pick Tyrell Terry, but he will fill one of the 15 roster spots. Source: Mavs plan to sign him to a contract similar to 2018 No. 33 pick Jalen Brunson, who has a 4-year, $6.1M deal. No. 36 pick Tyler Bey will be on a 2-way deal.

I don't get the Barea thing? I guess we just have the cash left and we reward Barea for being awesome. Maybe lights a fire under the young guys even though Terry will probably win out. I like that Rick wants to keep guys hungry. The only problem is that once Terry gets a deal, if we cut him, we lose his rights. We can't just bump him down to the G-League while retaining rights. Most likely, Barea just gets waived and signs on as a coach while collecting that guaranteed money as a reward for loyalty.

Also I love that Brunson contract. They don't always work out (Roby and others), but when they do, you lock up a guy for cheap and long. 4 years 6 mill is a bargain for a guy like Brunson who has averaged 20 mpg over his first two seasons. Successful teams need those guys who produce but aren't paid much. If Terry sucks? He didn't really hurt our cap since he's barely over a cap hold. If he's good, then you just secured a potential second-stringer/starter for minimum money for multiple years of Doncic's reign.