GDT: game 3/82 - Mavs (1-1) at Pels (2-1) 6:30pm TNT

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Our 2 best defenders are getting beat a lot. Wood maximizing Luka mins is a no brainer, but something else has to give. Everyone needs to defend better still.

But they overthink the big man position. It seems to be an ongoing issue now for 10+ years. Like starting Powell next to KP when KP is a fricken' 7'3 shot blocker.

Just seems like a bizarro trust issue. Trust that Wood can man the middle. Let him prove he isn't going to be a total liability on defense. Because starting a guy who is 6/4 over a guy who is 24/9 is just plain stupid.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

But they overthink the big man position. It seems to be an ongoing issue now for 10+ years. Like starting Powell next to KP when KP is a fricken' 7'3 shot blocker.

Just seems like a bizarro trust issue. Trust that Wood can man the middle. Let him prove he isn't going to be a total liability on defense. Because starting a guy who is 6/4 over a guy who is 24/9 is just plain stupid.

Trust can only go so far. Wood has to show up on defense to earn that trust.

It's going to take some patience and figuring out who can plays better together and what that best 5 might be...but that being said, Wood is your 2nd best player and obviously (and historically albeit a small sample size) the best combo a net rating among 2 players on the court at the same time.

3 games in, everyone take a break. It was pretty obvious the Mavs didn't have their heads on right to start this one and dug a hole they managed to get out of, but not winning many games playing defense like that.

I suspect our known commodities to start picking up their play. Maxi is actually balling out for us on defense and effort with no one following suit. DFS has been quiet where we need him to be more of an enforcer, I'm locking your best dude down type. Then again, it would also help if he and Bullock could hit wide open 3s...

I think it ends up shaking out to be Luka/Dinwiddie/Bullock/DFS/Wood with THJ and either McGee or Maxi being the variable depending on matchups or how they end up shaking out these rotations.

I'm also going to guess they pull a Nelson Cruz/Orioles and promise the starting role to McGee only to eventually move him to DH/the bench where he thrives. McGee has been overrated here (myself included) in that he's an excellent role player and gives needed size, but does not have the other skills that necessitate starting. The guy can get his 15 mins off the bench.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by saclare

Trust can only go so far. Wood has to show up on defense to earn that trust.

I'm sorry, but a guy who is second only to Luka in PER in the entire NBA doesn't need to earn any sort of trust to start games. They can find other ways to cover for him on defense.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I'm sorry, but a guy who is second only to Luka in PER in the entire NBA doesn't need to earn any sort of trust to start games. They can find other ways to cover for him on defense.

Im going to repeat that. Currently in the league, the top 2 guys in PER IN THE NBA:

Luka
Wood


And we're 1-2, masterful work. Rotations gotta be fixed soon. This team could be so much better, but its still super early.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I'm sorry, but a guy who is second only to Luka in PER in the entire NBA doesn't need to earn any sort of trust to start games. They can find other ways to cover for him on defense.

Ok...I was specifically speaking to a new guy on a new team that has an idea of what they want to do defensively to start games.

It's obvious that hasn't quite worked, but we are also nitpicking a very small sample size.

A new player absolutely has to adjust and earn the trust of their new team. Now it's up to Kidd to recognize and make the necessary adjustments himself.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

But they overthink the big man position. It seems to be an ongoing issue now for 10+ years. Like starting Powell next to KP when KP is a fricken' 7'3 shot blocker.

Just seems like a bizarro trust issue. Trust that Wood can man the middle. Let him prove he isn't going to be a total liability on defense. Because starting a guy who is 6/4 over a guy who is 24/9 is just plain stupid.

I mean McGee hasn't been the defender I hoped he would thus far. I'd still honor the promise to start him but after 3 games, I'd sit Bullock and bring him in with THJ and Josh. They seem hell bent on SD starting and bringing him back in to run the point when Luka sits.

Nothing changed in regards of 2 way players. Dfs and Bullock are 100% reliant on being set up. This lineup isn't setting any tone defensively. It seems to be purely based on tenure with Dfs, Bullock and a lure to get McGee.

[washedklean77]

The Mavs simply shit the bed. But credit to the Pelicans as they played with urgency and wanted the game more than the Mavs. A 3-3 record n October appears to be a reality for these Mavs.

It's a long season.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by washedklean77

The Mavs simply shit the bed. But credit to the Pelicans as they played with urgency and wanted the game more than the Mavs. A 3-3 record n October appears to be a reality for these Mavs.

It's a long season.

We were 16-18 on December 29th last year and went to the WCF