08-25-2021, 05:52 PM
Dameris and Followill provide a new update on the Mavs.
Roster-building. Mavericks training camp roster has been released. That’s a world record for an early release — the roster is usually released the day before camp begins. They interpret this as an informal announcement that the Mavs are done with roster-building for the summer, in the absence of something unexpected occurring.
Nate Hinton. Dameris cites rumors that the Mavs are not thrilled with what they saw from Nate Hinton in SL, so it is possible that his spot may become available, either to another guy on the camp roster or an outside player. MF says Hinton is well thought of as a character guy, but the ultimate question is whether he can play well enough or not.
Jared Dudley. Signed as an assistant coach, on the front of the bench with Kokoskov. Has spent the last couple of years as more of a locker room voice than a contributing player. Played 12 games last season with the Lakers. They think he is a well-respected guy around the NBA, and they like the signing. The proposition that he will be on the front of the bench was a “curveball,” as they thought that would be St. Jean, who already has some coaching experience. Possibly, Dudley demanded a front-of-bench role to come here.
Front Office. More changes occurring, as the department continues to be re-organized. Look for the structure to be less of a “patchwork” affair, and more of a defined structure with organized communications and other processes.
Barea. Will be a part-time guy with the Mavs this season. Lives in Miami, but will fly in frequently. Is expected to work with Doncic, as a Luka-whisperer, among other assistance. That “whisperer” relationship may or may not be as important now, depending on the relationship that Luka and Kidd develop. Boban is a good friend of Luka’s, but more of a hang-out-at-the-bar type than a guide, which Barea can be. Barea had a very good grasp of Rick-speak and could interpret for Luka, and he will probably have a good feel for Kidd, as well.
Kristi Tolliver. Signed on as another assistant. They like the signing.
Jason Terry. Was expected to be with the Mavs at SL, but instead will coach the Nuggets’ G-League team. Has major aspirations to be a head coach, so that intention is probably better served as head coach of a G-League team than as the fifth or sixth assistant coach at the Mavs. Still someone to keep an eye on for the Mavs’ coaching future.
Porzingis -- Role and Health
Kidd and Casey Smith went to Latvia to visit with KP. Mostly a “showing-the-love” trip. But also discussing the best role for him on the team. MF would like to see KP’s role changed, even if it means he takes more mid-range shots. KP also would like some opportunities to play with his back to the basket, and MF supports allowing that. Kidd says KP is healthy. Honestly, KP’s last season was disappointing in a number of respects, and the podcasters see KP’s performance as the biggest factor in whether the team is able to up their game this season. They hope he can return to bubble form. The Mavs may be able to develop that with some adjustments in the system.
They hope the decompressed schedule will reduce the need to load-manage KP. His history of injuries are contact injuries, as opposed to overuse injuries, so there shouldn’t be a health-related reason that he can only play a very limited number of games. They think 65-70 games would be a good goal for him. Anything over 70 would be ecstasy-inducing.
KP’s health situation will still be crucial in determining his performance on the defensive end, because his lack of mobility has inhibited his ability to protect the rim, which was critical in the playoffs. His limitations required a traditional center (Boban) to be played alongside him. Whether he can recover his mobility will have an effect on how the Mavs determine their lineups. Offensively, if he wants to post defenders up, he needs to work on his upper body strength. These are reasons that it was important for Casey Smith to be along on the trip.
Recommending regimens for international players is a very different thing than working with guys like DFS, who are in the gym all the time. The coach and trainer are basically making suggestions, and leaving the player to implement them or not. The podders hope that KP will develop a fadeaway, a la Dirk, so that he can better exploit mismatches.
Radio. MF laments the loss of interest in the Mavs by ESPN radio, which used to be a great Mavs station, but thinks the Eagle will do a good job. The good news is that there should be more local Mavs news on the radio in the coming season than there was in the last couple seasons at 103.3. The Eagle will provide an improved product, a local presence, and a stronger signal.
Press Conference. Coming on Friday. All the newly signed or re-signed coaches and players will be there except Boban, who is otherwise occupied. MF will be there, but doesn’t know yet if he will be doing interviews. Bullock’s name is, per himself, pronounced. “Bull Lock,” with the “o” fully vocalized. Until then!
Roster-building. Mavericks training camp roster has been released. That’s a world record for an early release — the roster is usually released the day before camp begins. They interpret this as an informal announcement that the Mavs are done with roster-building for the summer, in the absence of something unexpected occurring.
Nate Hinton. Dameris cites rumors that the Mavs are not thrilled with what they saw from Nate Hinton in SL, so it is possible that his spot may become available, either to another guy on the camp roster or an outside player. MF says Hinton is well thought of as a character guy, but the ultimate question is whether he can play well enough or not.
Jared Dudley. Signed as an assistant coach, on the front of the bench with Kokoskov. Has spent the last couple of years as more of a locker room voice than a contributing player. Played 12 games last season with the Lakers. They think he is a well-respected guy around the NBA, and they like the signing. The proposition that he will be on the front of the bench was a “curveball,” as they thought that would be St. Jean, who already has some coaching experience. Possibly, Dudley demanded a front-of-bench role to come here.
Front Office. More changes occurring, as the department continues to be re-organized. Look for the structure to be less of a “patchwork” affair, and more of a defined structure with organized communications and other processes.
Barea. Will be a part-time guy with the Mavs this season. Lives in Miami, but will fly in frequently. Is expected to work with Doncic, as a Luka-whisperer, among other assistance. That “whisperer” relationship may or may not be as important now, depending on the relationship that Luka and Kidd develop. Boban is a good friend of Luka’s, but more of a hang-out-at-the-bar type than a guide, which Barea can be. Barea had a very good grasp of Rick-speak and could interpret for Luka, and he will probably have a good feel for Kidd, as well.
Kristi Tolliver. Signed on as another assistant. They like the signing.
Jason Terry. Was expected to be with the Mavs at SL, but instead will coach the Nuggets’ G-League team. Has major aspirations to be a head coach, so that intention is probably better served as head coach of a G-League team than as the fifth or sixth assistant coach at the Mavs. Still someone to keep an eye on for the Mavs’ coaching future.
Porzingis -- Role and Health
Kidd and Casey Smith went to Latvia to visit with KP. Mostly a “showing-the-love” trip. But also discussing the best role for him on the team. MF would like to see KP’s role changed, even if it means he takes more mid-range shots. KP also would like some opportunities to play with his back to the basket, and MF supports allowing that. Kidd says KP is healthy. Honestly, KP’s last season was disappointing in a number of respects, and the podcasters see KP’s performance as the biggest factor in whether the team is able to up their game this season. They hope he can return to bubble form. The Mavs may be able to develop that with some adjustments in the system.
They hope the decompressed schedule will reduce the need to load-manage KP. His history of injuries are contact injuries, as opposed to overuse injuries, so there shouldn’t be a health-related reason that he can only play a very limited number of games. They think 65-70 games would be a good goal for him. Anything over 70 would be ecstasy-inducing.
KP’s health situation will still be crucial in determining his performance on the defensive end, because his lack of mobility has inhibited his ability to protect the rim, which was critical in the playoffs. His limitations required a traditional center (Boban) to be played alongside him. Whether he can recover his mobility will have an effect on how the Mavs determine their lineups. Offensively, if he wants to post defenders up, he needs to work on his upper body strength. These are reasons that it was important for Casey Smith to be along on the trip.
Recommending regimens for international players is a very different thing than working with guys like DFS, who are in the gym all the time. The coach and trainer are basically making suggestions, and leaving the player to implement them or not. The podders hope that KP will develop a fadeaway, a la Dirk, so that he can better exploit mismatches.
Radio. MF laments the loss of interest in the Mavs by ESPN radio, which used to be a great Mavs station, but thinks the Eagle will do a good job. The good news is that there should be more local Mavs news on the radio in the coming season than there was in the last couple seasons at 103.3. The Eagle will provide an improved product, a local presence, and a stronger signal.
Press Conference. Coming on Friday. All the newly signed or re-signed coaches and players will be there except Boban, who is otherwise occupied. MF will be there, but doesn’t know yet if he will be doing interviews. Bullock’s name is, per himself, pronounced. “Bull Lock,” with the “o” fully vocalized. Until then!
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