MavsBoard

(05-10-2022, 02:41 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]The Phoenix bench that we've outscored 127-109 over the last 4 playoff games?

You are mistaken if you think the Dallas bench is better. Put the rosters side-by-side and say that with a straight face.

(05-10-2022, 03:59 PM)loki Wrote: [ -> ]Technically he's playing 9, but it feels more like 6 plus 3 guys who probably shouldn't be out there except there are no other options.

You can color it that way, if you want. And, it can't really be argued. But, every team's fans think the same way about their teams, I can promise you that. 

I think the two guys you can most easily put in that box are Ntlikina (or Green) and Bertans, and yet Kidd is finding ways of making them both look like positives on the court. In the playoffs.

(05-10-2022, 03:59 PM)loki Wrote: [ -> ]Technically he's playing 9, but it feels more like 6 plus 3 guys who probably shouldn't be out there except there are no other options.

That's exactly right. Had Hardaway been healthy you would likely close the gap. But even Dinwiddie has weakened in the post season. So as it stands, you get Bertans for a few minutes, Frankie for a few, Kleber for a lot, and Dinwiddie for a lot. Our best rim protector is who? You really have to hope one of the bench players has a very good game, but none of them have much play-off experience.

And while it's entirely true that the bench is more meaningful in the regular season, the regular season could mean more wins with a better bench, and hence, a better seeding. Miami really is a good example of that. They've played through all sorts of injuries because of their bench.

(05-10-2022, 03:53 PM)loki Wrote: [ -> ]I don't think you need to have crazy depth for the playoffs, but it would certainly be nice to have another dependable wing. Every time DFS picks up a 1st quarter foul I start sweating.

Tim Hardaway, Jr. says hello.

(05-10-2022, 02:24 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]Let's talk ish once we win this series.

No fun in that.  Bob Sturm always says/tweets (in fact I think he did again today) something like “when you win, you will never lose again and when you lose, you will never win again”

That’s sports fandom in a nutshell…at least mine!

(05-10-2022, 04:17 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]Tim Hardaway, Jr. says hello.

(05-10-2022, 04:03 PM)Winter Wrote: [ -> ]You are mistaken if you think the Dallas bench is better. Put the rosters side-by-side and say that with a straight face.

We've clearly outplayed their bench this series.

Would you trade Maxi/Dinwiddie/Green(or Frank)/Bertans for Payne/Shamet/Johnson/McGee?

I’m with Stranded. I don’t think the Suns’ bench guys get minutes here. Maybe Cam Johnson. Nobody else is rotation worthy. 

And that’s even if I don’t count THJ or Maxi. [Edit: Cause I view Maxi as a starter essentially.]

(05-10-2022, 05:02 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe Cam Johnson.

I was pretty worried about him going into this series because I figured out defensive rotations would probably leave him more open than others and he's been alright at taking advantage of his open looks but I really overestimated him as a defender.  Luka seems to be hunting him every time he steps foot on the floor.

(05-10-2022, 04:10 PM)Winter Wrote: [ -> ]That's exactly right. Had Hardaway been healthy you would likely close the gap. But even Dinwiddie has weakened in the post season. So as it stands, you get Bertans for a few minutes, Frankie for a few, Kleber for a lot, and Dinwiddie for a lot. Our best rim protector is who? You really have to hope one of the bench players has a very good game, but none of them have much play-off experience.

And while it's entirely true that the bench is more meaningful in the regular season, the regular season could mean more wins with a better bench, and hence, a better seeding. Miami really is a good example of that. They've played through all sorts of injuries because of their bench.

I'm confused about the "best rim protector is who" question.  There is no question that is Maxi.

I think adding a starting center in the offseason will address any bench issues we have.

(05-10-2022, 05:02 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]I’m with Stranded. I don’t think the Suns’ bench guys get minutes here. Maybe Cam Johnson. Nobody else is rotation worthy. 

And that’s even if I don’t count THJ or Maxi. [Edit: Cause I view Maxi as a starter essentially.]

McGee would get minutes easily which is  why we should sign him in the offseason.

Cam Johnson would be a huge upgrade to whatever forward we have on the bench. He's having trouble guarding Luka but who doesn't. The guy is still giving Dinwiddie a lot of trouble on defense. He's basically close to his season averages after 4 games. Efficient shooting.

Bertans gave us a few good games but let's not get carried away. If he makes his shots then he's an asset. If he can't make his shots then he's a liability on the floor and Kidd is just trying to use him to buy a few minutes of rest. With players like Bertans, Ntilikina/Green, Powell - you are just hoping that they give you 2 good games in a 7-game series.

(05-10-2022, 08:07 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]McGee would get minutes easily which is  why we should sign him in the offseason.

In my humble opinion, there is no chance that clown would play in front of Dwight, let alone Maxi.

Cam Johnson was regarded as a sixth man of the year candidate
McGee is a player with playoff experience (with a championship) who is currently getting minutes in playoff games
Cameron Payne has been a substantial backup in two playoff seasons.
Torrey Craig will get minutes now that he's healthy
Diallo is on the injured list.

Let's be real. You'd rather have these guys in playoff game. That's more ammunition than we have.

I will say that most people have underestimated our two wings, and, until Utah, largely underestimated Brunson. So we've made up for it by playing those players heavy minutes. This is not a case of our bench outplaying their bench. It's a case of our starters outplaying their bench.

(05-10-2022, 08:57 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]In my humble opinion, there is no chance that clown would play in front of Dwight, let alone Maxi.

Dwight wouldn't and shouldn't see the floor if we had McGee.

Three things:

1) Luka NEEDS to get his body right this off-season.

2) I have officially joined the "bench DP" crowd. DB deserves all of his minutes.

3) SD has been such a big disappointment and has been made almost completely ineffective by playoff basketball. If the Mavs are investing long term in JB, then I would explore the trade market for SD.

(05-10-2022, 10:13 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]Dwight wouldn't and shouldn't see the floor if we had McGee.

McGee was +1 in 3 mins. Dwight was -4 in 8. You see this as a difference-making move?

I had Phoenix in seven. It’s going to take a monumental game Thursday to get there. I think a seventh game in a situation where the winner would truly have a realistic shot at going on to win the title is just the kind of game Luka needs at this stage in his development.

(05-10-2022, 11:46 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]McGee was +1 in 3 mins. Dwight was -4 in 8. You see this as a difference-making move?

Yes.  Dwight is our starter.  McGee backfills Ayton.  You see the difference?  Now let's look at the entire series and see who has made more of an impact.   And finally, let's compare salaries.

(05-10-2022, 11:29 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]3) SD has been such a big disappointment and has been made almost completely ineffective by playoff basketball. If the Mavs are investing long term in JB, then I would explore the trade market for SD.

Still trying to figure out how SD managed to posterize Gobert. Where did that explosiveness go? Now every drive ends with him limply flinging the ball in the general direction of the rim.