Official Preseason thread-- Media Day, practice reports, preseason games and more - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

EricaLubarsky · 09-29-2013, 09:13 PM

Starting tomorrow morning. Repost all the goodies. Ellis in a Mavs jersey. Do we have a big five? (Calderon, Ellis, Marion, Dirk and Dalembert) or is it the big four? Big three?

Let's look at all the new faces and share our joy that the season is still beginning in one form or another.

9/30 Media Day (1:30pm)
10/1 first practice
10/4 First open scrimmage
10/7 first preseason game - Pelicans (7:30pm)
10/9 @ Grizzlies (7:00pm)
10/14 Magic (7:00pm)
10/16 @ Pacers (6:00pm)
10/19 @ Bobcats (6:30pm)
10/21 Rockets (7:00pm)
10/23 Hawks (7:30pm)
10/25 Pacers (7:30pm)
10/29 regular season begins, preseason ends.

Murphy3 · 09-30-2013, 08:55 AM

Why in the hell do you create official threads that encompass something so freaking broad as the pre-season? What in the hell do you think this is? This is a Mavs forum.. this isn't a Dallas Cowboys forum. You don't need to create a freaking official pre-season thread on a Mavs forum. Use your freaking head.

LSMF · 09-30-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Why in the hell do you create official threads that encompass something so freaking broad as the pre-season? What in the hell do you think this is? This is a Mavs forum.. this isn't a Dallas Cowboys forum. You don't need to create a freaking official pre-season thread on a Mavs forum. Use your freaking head.

You're joking, right?

LSMF · 09-30-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Starting tomorrow morning. Repost all the goodies. Ellis in a Mavs jersey. Do we have a big five? (Calderon, Ellis, Marion, Dirk and Dalembert) or is it the big four? Big three?

Let's look at all the new faces and share our joy that the season is still beginning in one form or another.

9/30 Media Day (1:30pm)
10/1 first practice
10/??? First open scrimmage
10/7 first preseason game - Pelicans (7:30pm)
10/9 @ Grizzlies (7:00pm)
10/14 Magic (7:00pm)
10/16 @ Pacers (6:00pm)
10/19 @ Bobcats (6:30pm)
10/21 Rockets (7:00pm)
10/23 Hawks (7:30pm)
10/25 Pacers (7:30pm)
10/29 regular season begins, preseason ends.

Man, I'm excited. I hope these guys work hard all season so we can do big things this year. Last season was tough, but as tough as it was we still finished at .500. This season our roster is much improved, and we have guys that are trying to prove themselves in one way or another. Honestly, I'm not sure if we have a big three. Dirk is who he is, a monster. Monta Ellis is going to drop buckets, we know this. What we don't know is who is going to be that consistent third scorer. Marion? Calderon? Vince Carter? Devin Harris? That really will be key for us this season. With the way this team seems to be structured, it might be anyone of those role players that can be that third scorer on any given night. Should be fun to watch. I know most of us were pissed because we were slept on all offseason because we didn't get Dwight Coward, but it's excellent we get to fly under the radar once again. Let them keep sleeping on us, and then get that rude awakening when we embarrass them in the playoffs.

Murphy3 · 09-30-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSMF

You're joking, right?

Nope..not at all. Why in the hell would there be a designated Official Preseason thread in a Mavs forum? Is this site so freaking busy that it needs a designated all encompassing preseason thread?

LSMF · 09-30-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Nope..not at all. Why in the hell would there be a designated Official Preseason thread in a Mavs forum? Is this site so freaking busy that it needs a designated all encompassing preseason thread?

Come on Murph, there's nothing wrong with this thread. The offseason is over, so why would we be discussing the things that are going to be happening in the upcoming days/month in the offseason thread? This is an exciting time, brother. Let's not argue over such trivial things.

Murphy3 · 09-30-2013, 10:55 AM

The point is..this is a Mavs forum. It's idiotic to lump everything in involving the freaking pre-season in one thread. It would be different if someone wanted to talk Mavs on a Cowboys forum..then you might dedicate one thread. But this is a Mavs forum. What's next?.. One Official Regular Season thread?

MavsFTR · 09-30-2013, 11:16 AM

Get over it, jackass.

MavsFTR · 09-30-2013, 11:17 AM

So excited. I say this every year, but t's been a long off-season.

dirt_dobber · 09-30-2013, 12:34 PM

Opposing defenses are going to have some real problems covering this squad. Better shooters / scorers when compared to last years team.

Not as much of a drop off in talent when substituting a pg this year as well.

Any word on Devin Harris's targeted return?

MavsFTR · 09-30-2013, 12:37 PM

Drop off in talent with pg? Seems more like a vast improvement at the pg position to me.

Eman · 09-30-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavsFTR

Drop off in talent with pg? Seems more like a vast improvement at the pg position to me.

He meant drop off from starting point guard (Collison) to backup point (beaubois?)

Now it's Calderon/Devin/Mekel/Larkin we have loads of options at PG. and the drop off from Calderon to Devin Harris is not so great.

Eman · 09-30-2013, 12:53 PM

I'm excited to see how Monta fits in. It will be nice to have a scoring threat (besides Dirk) we haven't had since maybe Finley?

Dirk's Knee · 09-30-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Starting tomorrow morning. Repost all the goodies. Ellis in a Mavs jersey. Do we have a big five? (Calderon, Ellis, Marion, Dirk and Dalembert) or is it the big four? Big three?

Let's look at all the new faces and share our joy that the season is still beginning in one form or another.

9/30 Media Day (1:30pm)
10/1 first practice
10/??? First open scrimmage
10/7 first preseason game - Pelicans (7:30pm)
10/9 @ Grizzlies (7:00pm)
10/14 Magic (7:00pm)
10/16 @ Pacers (6:00pm)
10/19 @ Bobcats (6:30pm)
10/21 Rockets (7:00pm)
10/23 Hawks (7:30pm)
10/25 Pacers (7:30pm)
10/29 regular season begins, preseason ends.

They're having a public scrimmage on Oct 4th. Though it's more of a publicity thing. http://www.mavs.com/community/events/mavstoberfest/

If there is a big 3, it's going to be Dirk, Calderon, and Ellis. But more likely just the Dynamic Duo. I'm having dreams that the Calderon/Dirk pairing will be even more deadly than the Kid/Dirk pairing. Ellis is a bit of a question mark for me until he proves otherwise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

Opposing defenses are going to have some real problems covering this squad. Better shooters / scorers when compared to last years team.

Not as much of a drop off in talent when substituting a pg this year as well.

Any word on Devin Harris's targeted return?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavsFTR

Drop off in talent with pg? Seems more like a vast improvement at the pg position to me.

Actually given Harris will be out for a while, I think there will likely be a pretty big drop off between Calderon and Mekel/Larkin as rookie PGs typically need a year or 2 to really adjust to the NBA style of play. That said, I haven't seen them yet. Fingers crossed, you never know...

dirt_dobber · 09-30-2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eman

Now it's Calderon/Devin/Mekel/Larkin we have loads of options at PG. and the drop off from Calderon to Devin Harris is not so great.

exactly.

having to watch Mike James last year was brutal.

SMC0007 · 09-30-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavsFTR

Drop off in talent with pg? Seems more like a vast improvement at the pg position to me.

From starter to backup Is my guess. But it's a moot point either way.

SMC0007 · 09-30-2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk's Knee

They're having a public scrimmage on Oct 4th. Though it's more of a publicity thing. http://www.mavs.com/community/events/mavstoberfest/

If there is a big 3, it's going to be Dirk, Calderon, and Ellis. But more likely just the Dynamic Duo. I'm having dreams that the Calderon/Dirk pairing will be even more deadly than the Kid/Dirk pairing. Ellis is a bit of a question mark for me until he proves otherwise.

Actually given Harris will be out for a while, I think there will likely be a pretty big drop off between Calderon and Mekel/Larkin as rookie PGs typically need a year or 2 to really adjust to the NBA style of play. That said, I haven't seen them yet. Fingers crossed, you never know...

I'm not sure about this. Mekel is no rookie. He knows how to play and it will show.

Dirk's Knee · 09-30-2013, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMC0007

I'm not sure about this. Mekel is no rookie. He knows how to play and it will show.

Gotta take your word for it as I've never seen him play. But there's also a significant difference between the European leagues and the NBA. Remember Antoine Rigaudeau?

jthig32 · 09-30-2013, 01:52 PM

Mekel is indeed a rookie and anyone expecting to see a seasoned veteran is setting themselves up for disappointment.

SMC0007 · 09-30-2013, 01:58 PM

I think anyone who expects to see him win an MVP is setting themselves up for dissaopintment. But that also has nothing to do with it.

Maringa · 09-30-2013, 02:24 PM

What little Summer League action I saw of Mekel, people are going to want to gouge their eyes when they see him shoot the ball. Could have just been summer league, but people will miss Dominique Jones shooting when they see Mekel's shot.

I will say that I was impressed with his ball handling, distribution and running the offense - other than shooting.

Underdog · 09-30-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maringa

What little Summer League action I saw of Mekel, people are going to want to gouge their eyes when they see him shoot the ball. Could have just been summer league, but people will miss Dominique Jones shooting when they see Mekel's shot.

I will say that I was impressed with his ball handling, distribution and running the offense - other than shooting.

Yep, I've been tossing around the Rubio comparison for this very reason - Mekel is going to make some beautiful passes and miss some ugly shots... But his shot can improve.

At least he won't be making everyone around him worse, like the PGs we had last year.

DirkFTW · 09-30-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

At least he won't be making everyone around him worse, like the PGs we had last year.

Revisionist history. The PGs last year improved opposing players quite a bit!

Underdog · 09-30-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

Revisionist history. The PGs last year improved opposing players quite a bit!

Touché.

yahyes · 09-30-2013, 02:56 PM

This offseason went by super fast it feels like.

SMC0007 · 09-30-2013, 03:03 PM

Manage the game and don't give the ball away.

Bayliss · 09-30-2013, 03:22 PM

Thread worthless without pics.

BGMaverick9 · 09-30-2013, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Yep, I've been tossing around the Rubio comparison for this very reason - Mekel is going to make some beautiful passes and miss some ugly shots... But his shot can improve.

At least he won't be making everyone around him worse, like the PGs we had last year.

Just got done talking to Carlisle and Mekel himself about his journey (if it continues to develop, he might have his own Holger) and his work ethic to this point.

Going to be a fun series to write about.

Dirk's Knee · 09-30-2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Thread worthless without pics.

Bayliss · 09-30-2013, 03:50 PM

Yep. Not worthless.

(My bad. Murph, this thread is now **officially** not worthless....)

EricaLubarsky · 09-30-2013, 04:52 PM

Interview with Devin from Media Day.
http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/9/...h-devin-harris

Hopefully the pics will come out soon. I'm excited to see Ellis/Dirk together in white/blue

sig · 09-30-2013, 06:18 PM

I don't share the optimism about Mekel. He's the 4th PG on this team. Ellis will play PG with either Ellington or VC getting the SG minutes until Devin and Larkin return. It will take Larkin some time to get backup minutes too.

I do look forward the ovation Devin will get when he walks on the court for the 1st time returning as a Mav. He may not be a Mavs icon but was a nice player and fan fave to some extent in his short stint here.

EricaLubarsky · 09-30-2013, 06:53 PM

http://mavericks.scout.com/2/1330727.html

Some good stuff from Fish

EricaLubarsky · 09-30-2013, 06:55 PM

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/09...-day.html?rh=1

Some goofy pics. Dirk screwing up the ball spin, Dalembert doing the splits (?), and others.
They don't look like fierce competitors, but it does look like they know how to have fun and chemistry is important for a team with only 2/5 starters last year remaining and 6/15 faces returning

twelli · 09-30-2013, 08:25 PM

Best thread ever, Go Erica!

Quetzalcoatl · 09-30-2013, 11:33 PM

Thankyou for the pics!!!

yahyes · 10-01-2013, 02:33 AM

Now time for Carlisle to give this squad real talk preparing for their season.

Dirk's Knee · 10-01-2013, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Some goofy pics. Dirk screwing up the ball spin, Dalembert doing the splits (?), and others.
They don't look like fierce competitors, but it does look like they know how to have fun and chemistry is important for a team with only 2/5 starters last year remaining and 6/15 faces returning

At this point, seeing the guys smiling and having fun together is a much better sign to me than seeing them line up with scowls on there faces.

some1nw · 10-01-2013, 01:04 PM

Carlisle: "This was totally a defensive practice this morning – all defense. There was no offensive stuff."
shanelarkin is the last guy in the gym after practice. He's able to do spot shooting and light

EricaLubarsky · 10-01-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by some1nw

Carlisle: "This was totally a defensive practice this morning – all defense. There was no offensive stuff."
shanelarkin is the last guy in the gym after practice. He's able to do spot shooting and light

Good stuff. I'm not nearly as worried about offense as defense with this team. We just need to space the floor well and get Dirk/Ellis running the PnR/PnP. If we can be even a mediocre (10-18th) defensive team, this team could really make a push for a 7,6, or even 5 seed.