MavsBoard

(02-23-2022, 10:04 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status...6041240591

I think it varies on a case by case basis. I think Zion's attitude is the only reason why the Pelicans seemingly can't keep Zion. I don't think there was a thing they could do from the outset.

(02-23-2022, 12:16 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I think it varies on a case by case basis. I think Zion's attitude is the only reason why the Pelicans seemingly can't keep Zion. I don't think there was a thing they could do from the outset.

What's the point of the draft?  Zion might have superstar talent but he's no superstar.  Pretty depressing, especially considering they've had pretty good talent around him.  Most teams would kill to have a core of Zion + Ingram, + CJ.

(02-23-2022, 12:26 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]What's the point of the draft?  Zion might have superstar talent but he's no superstar.  Pretty depressing, especially considering they've had pretty good talent around him.  Most teams would kill to have a core of Zion + Ingram, + CJ.

For the most part it's because the draft works for the most part!

Usually when these star players move on, it's on their 3rd contract and 2nd time hitting free agency. By then, it's been around ~7-8 years since they were first drafted. These stars have seen how the teams operate and what they value. If they decide to move on it's normally because they have aspirations of wanting to win (*and have an easier time doing so), and not because they don't want to be in the city that drafted them from the get-go. If it's been 7-8 years and a team has failed to make noticeable improvements, then that's their fault for creating a situation that incentivizes the star to want to leave (ala Anthony Davis and CP3). 

Zion appears to not have ever wanted to be in New Orleans. Despite the talent they've surrounded him with. That is a much rarer case. The only other time I've seen that happen off the top of my head was Steve Francis and the Vancouver Grizzlies. Dude forced his way out of there as soon as he could.

(02-23-2022, 01:59 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]The only other time I've seen that happen off the top of my head was Steve Francis and the Vancouver Grizzlies. Dude forced his way out of there as soon as he could.

Kobe was another.

https://theathletic.com/3128535/2022/02/...-30-teams/

This guy takes a bit of a different approach to power rankings and uses net rating as a big part of his measuring stick. A blurb and then his post on the Mavs.

Quote:Back in Week 9 of the Power Rankings, we took a look at the quarter-by-quarter net rating breakdowns, including some clutch-game situation information. We checked out how teams were in net rating in the first, second, third and fourth quarters individually, and how that game flow might affect some of the ways they’ve managed to dig themselves out of holes or put themselves even deeper into it. I also included the clutch-situation net ratings, those rankings around the league and their respective records in those clutch games.
Let’s check in on how much progress or regression has happened for these teams, then I’ll put them in an order of power, almost a ranking of it, for each team.

Just a reminder, the Power Rankings this season don’t just rank the 30 teams. We’ve divided these teams up into tiers, which any of the teams can move in and out of all season long. Here are the six tiers that teams can fall into:

• Rebuilding franchise – Self-explanatory.
  
• Tired of rebuilding franchise – They’re not trying to keep rebuilding but they’re just not good enough to avoid it.
  
• Play-In Tournament gives them life – Normally, this team would be headed toward Tank-a-palooza, but the Play-In Tournament is keeping them alive.
  
• Playoff hopefuls – Too good to be firmly considered a Play-In Tournament team, but not good enough to really make noise in the postseason.
  
• On the brink of contention – A piece away from believing they can win the title.
  
• Contender – Self-explanatory.
  
  

As always, I am sure we will all agree on the placement of all 30 teams, especially your favorite team.

Here’s how the Power Rankings work:

• It’s up to my discretion how the rankings shake out each week. For some teams, they’ll be hit in the short term. Others will be given the benefit for the long term. Yes, it is entirely subjective.
  
• I do not believe in the transitive property with these teams. If Team X beats Team Y and Team Y beats Team Z, it doesn’t mean Team X is automatically better than Team Z. 
  
• If I have a team ahead of another team, there’s no reason to ask why they’re ranked above the team you like. The answer is pretty simple: I think that team is set up better for success.
  
• Yes, I watch the games. And yes, I watch your favorite team.
  
• Only 15 teams will be deemed worthy of a GIF or video each week. That’s to limit how much we eat up your data and computer’s processor.
  
• This is supposed to be fun, so let’s have fun with it. 
  

He puts the Mavs in the "On the brink of contention" group at #10 and ahead of such teams as the Nuggets (11), Celtics (12) and Nets (13 and start of the Playoff Hopefuls group). We are behind the Cavs (9), Jazz (8) and 76ers (7). There are only 3 teams in the Contenders group: The Bucks (3), Heat (2) and Suns (1). Here is as much of the writeup as I can copy/paste as he has a table imbedded into the article for the net rating stats:

Quote:10. Dallas Mavericks (Previously 12th), 35-24, +3.6 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Heat, Win at Pelicans

Takeaway: The fourth quarters and the clutch situations are still issues for the Dallas Mavericks. They haven’t been able to improve that over the last 10 weeks, and their having the worst net rating in the clutch seems almost bewildering. We tend to think of Luka Dončić as a guy who can pull teams through the tight moments. The silver lining is even though they are the worst in the clutch with their net rating, they still have a 14-15 record on the season. It just hilariously doesn’t work out for them when the clutch goes bad. But look at the progress in the first three quarters of the games. Those are significant turnarounds in each of the first three quarters, and a big part of their dominance now in the first quarter is coming out to establish themselves on both ends of the court, especially as their defense continues to improve on the season. The Mavs aren’t going away, and with Luka in good shape now, we’ll probably see him with a full head of steam at the end of clutch games to help change that for Dallas.

(02-23-2022, 02:51 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]https://theathletic.com/3128535/2022/02/...-30-teams/

This guy takes a bit of a different approach to power rankings and uses net rating as a big part of his measuring stick. A blurb and then his post on the Mavs.


He puts the Mavs in the "On the brink of contention" group at #10 and ahead of such teams as the Nuggets (11), Celtics (12) and Nets (13 and start of the Playoff Hopefuls group). We are behind the Cavs (9), Jazz (8) and 76ers (7). There are only 3 teams in the Contenders group: The Bucks (3), Heat (2) and Suns (1). Here is as much of the writeup as I can copy/paste as he has a table imbedded into the article for the net rating stats:

I think I saw somewhere that we were 0-8 in clutch games with Luka out.  That probably has a lot to do with our clutch net rating being so bad.

(02-23-2022, 03:21 PM)mvossman Wrote: [ -> ]I think I saw somewhere that we were 0-8 in clutch games with Luka out.  That probably has a lot to do with our clutch net rating being so bad.

For sure a safe bet that we win at least 50% of those games and that gets us off the #30 ranking.

(02-23-2022, 03:21 PM)mvossman Wrote: [ -> ]I think I saw somewhere that we were 0-8 in clutch games with Luka out.  That probably has a lot to do with our clutch net rating being so bad.

That's a good point. Luka has missed multiple games only twice this season, that being from 11/17-11-21 and 12/12-12/31. He's missed a single game two times. That being 12/04 against MEM and 12/07 against HOU. 

During 11/17-11/21 the Mavs record in clutch games were: 0-2

During 12/12-12/31 the Mavs record in clutch games were: 0-5. 

In the individual games where Luka missed the Mavs never played a clutch game. That means the Mavs record with Luka in the clutch is a more respectable 14-8. That would put them at 6th in the league in terms of winning%. 

In fact, since January, the Mavs are tied for 3rd (along with CLE, and CHI) in clutch record, behind only MEM and PHX.

(02-23-2022, 01:59 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]For the most part it's because the draft works for the most part!

I'm just putting myself in the shoes of a would-be NOP fan.  You lost a generational talent in Davis, got lucky with ping pong balls and got another generational talent who had rumors floating around as soon as his second season about wanting out.  And I think their front office has done a good job of getting talent around him so he has all the chance in the world to win.  I wish the league and talking heads would shun players in this situation.  I don't expect everyone to be Dame or Dirk, but Zion is the opposite extreme compounded by his health and weight issues.

(02-23-2022, 05:55 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]I'm just putting myself in the shoes of a would-be NOP fan.  You lost a generational talent in Davis, got lucky with ping pong balls and got another generational talent who had rumors floating around as soon as his second season about wanting out.  And I think their front office has done a good job of getting talent around him so he has all the chance in the world to win.  I wish the league and talking heads would shun players in this situation.  I don't expect everyone to be Dame or Dirk, but Zion is the opposite extreme compounded by his health and weight issues.

Remember when JJ Reddick went public that Pelicans' management had lied to him, then traded him?  I wonder if it's a pattern.  

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/3117...-mavericks

Perhaps Zion is discouraged with the quality of leadership.

(02-23-2022, 05:55 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]I'm just putting myself in the shoes of a would-be NOP fan.  You lost a generational talent in Davis, got lucky with ping pong balls and got another generational talent who had rumors floating around as soon as his second season about wanting out.  And I think their front office has done a good job of getting talent around him so he has all the chance in the world to win.  I wish the league and talking heads would shun players in this situation.  I don't expect everyone to be Dame or Dirk, but Zion is the opposite extreme compounded by his health and weight issues.

I think we largely fall in line here. Zion should be shunned for this. Its disgusting. If he had a permanent record he should get a giant stain on it for him asking out of NOP this soon after he himself hasn't put forth even a modicum of effort.

(02-23-2022, 06:02 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: [ -> ]Remember when JJ Reddick went public that Pelicans' management had lied to him, then traded him?  I wonder if it's a pattern.  

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/3117...-mavericks

Perhaps Zion is discouraged with the quality of leadership.

Not writing that off entirely but the timing of him wanting out seems a little premature to establish his happiness with the city/organization/team construction.   And if that is the criteria, we might as well get rid of half the teams in the league, including our very own.  

Riddick was also on First Take and blasted Zion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KSsAws0rTQ

(02-24-2022, 01:14 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1496603027196854276

The buzz is Kemba wouldn't take any further discount, having already taken one in OKC, to be bought out there.  That, and/or NY wants to have his contract for use in a trade this summer.  

BTW, Kemba plus Reddish gets you to the area where they can match the 125% rule for a S&T for Brunson at a starting number of $19mm that avoids BYC with Dallas being a taxpayer.

Or Kemba plus Toppin gets you to the area where they can match the 125% rule for a S&T for Brunson at a starting number of $18mm that avoids BYC with Dallas being a taxpayer.  

The numbers require a second Mav as part of the outgoing...either Brown or Burke.  Add picks as you feel it necessary.

Unrelated, the NBA Front Office Podcast yesterday discussed a report (no citation) that Holmes would likely be traded this summer.  Both of the guys tabbed Dallas as the likely destination.  They mentioned Bullock as a logical match or maybe something involving THJ with more outgoing coming back from Sac (like Holmes plus Mo Harkless).  I like the latter deal for both teams.  Dallas saves $3.8mm in the swap.  I could see sending the pick and Bertans to a cap room team to save another $18.2mm if getting under the tax is a priority.  I believe they can pay Brunson in the $18-$19mm range and stay under the tax between those two deals, upgrade the C position and create a sizable TPE.  There is more matching flexibility obviously to trading player plus pick for another player, but maybe saving money allows them to use the TP-MLE or the TPE at the deadline where not having that flexibility keeps them from doing anything.

Holmes/Powell
DFS/Maxi
Bullock/Green/Harkless
Brunson/SD
Luka/SD

(02-24-2022, 04:22 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]The buzz is Kemba wouldn't take any further discount, having already taken one in OKC, to be bought out there.  That, and/or NY wants to have his contract for use in a trade this summer.  

BTW, Kemba plus Reddish gets you to the area where they can match the 125% rule for a S&T for Brunson at a starting number of $19mm that avoids BYC with Dallas being a taxpayer.

Or Kemba plus Toppin gets you to the area where they can match the 125% rule for a S&T for Brunson at a starting number of $18mm that avoids BYC with Dallas being a taxpayer.  

The numbers require a second Mav as part of the outgoing...either Brown or Burke.  Add picks as you feel it necessary.

Unrelated, the NBA Front Office Podcast yesterday discussed a report (no citation) that Holmes would likely be traded this summer.  Both of the guys tabbed Dallas as the likely destination.  They mentioned Bullock as a logical match or maybe something involving THJ with more outgoing coming back from Sac (like Holmes plus Mo Harkless).  I like the latter deal for both teams.  Dallas saves $3.8mm in the swap.  I could see sending the pick and Bertans to a cap room team to save another $18.2mm.  I believe they can pay Brunson in the $18-$19mm range and stay under the tax between those two deals, upgrade the C position and create a sizable TPE.

Holmes/Powell
DFS/Maxi
Bullock/Green/Harkless
Brunson/SD
Luka/SD

You mean creatively use assets to improve the team’s talent level? 

Waaait a minute…

I’ve seen this before. I’m not falling for the banana in the tailpipe again.

(02-24-2022, 04:22 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]The buzz is Kemba wouldn't take any further discount, having already taken one in OKC, to be bought out there.  That, and/or NY wants to have his contract for use in a trade this summer.  

BTW, Kemba plus Reddish gets you to the area where they can match the 125% rule for a S&T for Brunson at a starting number of $19mm that avoids BYC with Dallas being a taxpayer.

Or Kemba plus Toppin gets you to the area where they can match the 125% rule for a S&T for Brunson at a starting number of $18mm that avoids BYC with Dallas being a taxpayer.  

The numbers require a second Mav as part of the outgoing...either Brown or Burke.  Add picks as you feel it necessary.

Unrelated, the NBA Front Office Podcast yesterday discussed a report (no citation) that Holmes would likely be traded this summer.  Both of the guys tabbed Dallas as the likely destination.  They mentioned Bullock as a logical match or maybe something involving THJ with more outgoing coming back from Sac (like Holmes plus Mo Harkless).  I like the latter deal for both teams.  Dallas saves $3.8mm in the swap.  I could see sending the pick and Bertans to a cap room team to save another $18.2mm.  I believe they can pay Brunson in the $18-$19mm range and stay under the tax between those two deals, upgrade the C position and create a sizable TPE.

Holmes/Powell
DFS/Maxi
Bullock/Green/Harkless
Brunson/SD
Luka/SD

I was thinking about Holmes last night. He has a 15% trade kicker which will lower the price some. Maybe our pick is enough of a return for Sac. Holmes with the kicker is about $12.9 million this summer. From the mavs view we would want to move one of the 3 big salaries to accommodate Holmes and save tax. 

Mavs: Holmes and Harkless

Kings: Dinwiddie and Burke plus 22 FRP

This is almost a perfect salary match when you factor in Burke and Holmes trade kickers. Mavs get close to max salary matching savings (about $4 million plus the pick, so ~$6 million) 

The starting point pre-trade being $169.5 million with Brunson signed to a 4 yr $80 million contract starting at $18 million. 

This would have us around $163.5 million. Much better shape financially………Burke is the tough contract to move. Brown i think a team would take him at little to no cost. Move him using one of the many small trade exceptions around the league………use the roster spot on Dragic for 10 yr vet min ($2.8) and the roster is complete. 

Guards: Luka, Brunson, Dragic, Frank

Wings: DFS, Bullock, THJ, Green

Bigs: Maxi, Holmes, Powell, Bertans

This is a good team. Could even save more tax by finding a way to move Harkless. And in one year from this draft day trade we would have all 7 FRP’s back ready to roll

(02-24-2022, 04:22 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]Unrelated, the NBA Front Office Podcast yesterday discussed a report (no citation) that Holmes would likely be traded this summer.  Both of the guys tabbed Dallas as the likely destination.  They mentioned Bullock as a logical match or maybe something involving THJ with more outgoing coming back from Sac (like Holmes plus Mo Harkless).  I like the latter deal for both teams.  Dallas saves $3.8mm in the swap.  I could see sending the pick and Bertans to a cap room team to save another $18.2mm if getting under the tax is a priority.  I believe they can pay Brunson in the $18-$19mm range and stay under the tax between those two deals, upgrade the C position and create a sizable TPE.  There is more matching flexibility obviously to trading player plus pick for another player, but maybe saving money allows them to use the TP-MLE or the TPE at the deadline where not having that flexibility keeps them from doing anything.

Holmes/Powell
DFS/Maxi
Bullock/Green/Harkless
Brunson/SD
Luka/SD

Love a RH/DP center rotation for the Mavs. 

I do not like using a 1st to dump DB. I think DB is WAY too useful as a movement shooter to spend assets to get rid of. I would much rather keep him and play him.