https://twitter.com/HarrisonWind/status/...6298336256
24.6ppg. 63.4% FG. 70% 2-point FG. 70.1% TS.
Unreal. Have never seen anyone like him. In my opinion his touch around the rim and from midrange is GOAT level. Even adjusted for era the greatest bigs of all time aren´t in the same league when it comes to scoring efficiency.
Combining the TS% of dunk only guys like Deandre Jordan or Rudy Gobert with first option volume. He should be even more dominant but his pass first mentality can be selfless to a fault. There is no reason why he shouldn´t take at least 20 shots per game. His career high is 18. This season less than 15.
Something to watch tonight. D-EPM is 77. His On Court and On Minus Off are both pluses. He's a career 15/7 per 36. Eubanks is UFA this summer. Might be an inexpensive switchable bench big:
7. Drew Eubanks, switch machine? What?
Over three-plus anonymous seasons with the Spurs, Eubanks injected his brief stints with a certain violent flare. He dunked with rage, and swatted at shots as if the ball had done something bad to his family.
The Portland Trail Blazers saw something more -- including an ability to switch against pick-and-rolls.
Eubanks switched on only 59 total picks last season in San Antonio, per Second Spectrum. That changed the minute Portland snapped him up on a 10-day contract.
Eubanks is switching on 12 pick-and-rolls per 100 possessions this season -- a hair more often than Bam freaking Adebayo, the switch king. Only five rotation players top that figure: Nicolas Claxton, Mohamed Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Usman Garuba, and Larry Nance Jr. Portland has allowed a miniscule 0.88 points chance when Eubanks switches onto ball handlers.
Quicker guards can get by Eubanks, but he sticks close enough to bother their shots from behind:
Missed layups turn into transition chances. That switch by Eubanks on defense means the matchups are scrambled when Portland gains possession; it's hard to corral fast breaks with everyone trying to figure out who to guard.
Switching also places Eubanks at the top of the defense -- ideal position to rim-run. He sprints the floor, sucking in the defense and generating open 3s for teammates:
Eubanks is fine in more conservative schemes too; opponents have hit just 51.7% of shots in the restricted area with Eubanks as the closest defender -- one of the half-dozen or so lowest marks in the league among rotation bigs, per NBA.com. Portland has sunk to 23rd in points allowed per possession, but that has nothing to do with Eubanks. He has proven a solid find.
(12-16-2022, 10:38 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]2. When the Dallas bigs go for two!
What a slog this season is becoming for Team Holding Pattern. Every third game, they catch the rhythm of their conference finals run -- mostly because they happen to hit 3s. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Reggie Bullock find their strokes, and for a blissful few hours the "So, what exactly are we doing around Luka Doncic?" existentialism fades.
The Mavs lead the league in free throw rate, so they're not entirely dependent on 3s -- but damned if it doesn't feel that way. Doncic supplies a lot of those free throws himself, and on too many nights the Mavs get nothing in transition or at the rim. Threes are fickle. The rim is king. It is reliable, and the Mavs are starved for more reliability.
When defenses trap Doncic, his screening partners should do more of this:
Hardaway and Dorian Finney-Smith are open when Maxi Kleber catches that pass. Kleber and the Dallas bigs are not required by law to pass to those shooters. Hunt the tin! (In fairness, Dwight Powell is a voracious rim-runner and Christian Wood has spent less time loitering around the arc.)
No one is calling for some sea change; the Luka-and-3s machine works in the aggregate. But recalibrating 5% of their offense toward rim pursuit would help against the best teams.
None of this addresses the Mavs' need for a second creator better than Spencer Dinwiddie and a third option better than ... present-day Dirk Nowitzki? Derek Harper? Jason Kidd?
I had hopes for the Doncic/Dinwiddie/Wood triumvirate, but Dallas is minus-34 in 106 minutes with those three on the floor. Kidd is reluctant to use Wood as the only big man. The Doncic/Wood/Kleber trio has been fantastic, but the foursome of Doncic, Dinwiddie, Wood, and Kleber has logged just 14 minutes. Is that something?
What's that? Kleber -- the most well-rounded and therefore least replaceable Dallas big -- is out at least six weeks? Ugh.
This team is confusing and strange. Doncic's body language is reaching "LeBron before the 2018 trade deadline" levels of sullenness.
Ugh! Well that is depressing.
Having Green out is really tough. He was at least something fresh. The rest of the team feels so stale. It is amazing they can be so stale when they have such a unique player leading them.
There is media/analyst talk that the Mavs' best path forward might be to fully embrace the James Harden model in Houston. As we know, that was a style that led to lots of regular season success, but not so much in the playoffs.
Personally, I absolutely HATE that type of basketball. I find it unwatchable.
(Although, with Luka's usage being so sky high leading to such repetitive offense, I am already veering towards the Mavs being boring and hard to watch. It's just not a fun exercise to spend a few hours to see.)
(12-16-2022, 12:50 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]There is media/analyst talk that the Mavs' best path forward might be to fully embrace the James Harden model in Houston. As we know, that was a style that led to lots of regular season success, but not so much in the playoffs.
Personally, I absolutely HATE that type of basketball. I find it unwatchable.
(Although, with Luka's usage being so sky high leading to such repetitive offense, I am already veering towards the Mavs being boring and hard to watch. It's just not a fun exercise to spend a few hours to see.)
Doesn't feel like we are too many steps away from that Harden offense which makes the commentary scratch my head. I guess we really don't have the players to go the opposite direction, but it sure would be interesting to see Luka in a system like Golden State's.
(12-16-2022, 12:50 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]There is media/analyst talk that the Mavs' best path forward might be to fully embrace the James Harden model in Houston. As we know, that was a style that led to lots of regular season success, but not so much in the playoffs.
Personally, I absolutely HATE that type of basketball. I find it unwatchable.
(Although, with Luka's usage being so sky high leading to such repetitive offense, I am already veering towards the Mavs being boring and hard to watch. It's just not a fun exercise to spend a few hours to see.)
Totally agree. There have been times (one long winning streak about 2/3 of the way through last year comes to mind) when the ball has moved here, and those moments have given me hope. But more often than not, the offense already IS something that resembles the Harden Rockets model.
I'm not convinced it can't work in the playoffs just because those Rockets never won, but it doesn't seem like this current mix of Mavs are up to making it look good enough, and I absolutely co-sign the opinion that it sucks all the fun out of following the team.
(12-16-2022, 12:50 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]There is media/analyst talk that the Mavs' best path forward might be to fully embrace the James Harden model in Houston. As we know, that was a style that led to lots of regular season success, but not so much in the playoffs.
Personally, I absolutely HATE that type of basketball. I find it unwatchable.
(Although, with Luka's usage being so sky high leading to such repetitive offense, I am already veering towards the Mavs being boring and hard to watch. It's just not a fun exercise to spend a few hours to see.)
Yeah, I don't feel it appealing at all. I always wanted us to move more towards the Golden State offense but we just keep moving towards the Rockets offense. I would like to be a fly on the wall during these conversations. Rick appeared to think this was the best way to win. I thought it would change with Kidd, but it hasn't. Maybe it is too late as Luka is set in this style, but I hope it changes.
The only thing worse imo is getting another really good creator and doing your turn, my turn type of offense.
(12-16-2022, 01:11 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, I don't feel it appealing at all. I always wanted us to move more towards the Golden State offense but we just keep moving towards the Rockets offense. I would like to be a fly on the wall during these conversations. Rick appeared to think this was the best way to win. I thought it would change with Kidd, but it hasn't. Maybe it is too late as Luka is set in this style, but I hope it changes.
The only thing worse imo is getting another really good creator and doing your turn, my turn type of offense.
I think Rick was a combination of factors. Luka was just too good for some of Rick's mind games and Rick was the ultimate chicken shit into chicken salad guy so he allowed the Luka centric offense since it was the style that best fit the roster. Maybe I'm overly harsh on Kidd because he has those same roster challenges, but he seems to have no desire to coach an offense. Who knew the whole "give the ball to Luka" was 100% serious.
I really think Luka is coachable and can thrive anywhere, you just have to have a coach willing to challenge him on that end of the floor.
(12-16-2022, 01:11 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, I don't feel it appealing at all. I always wanted us to move more towards the Golden State offense but we just keep moving towards the Rockets offense. I would like to be a fly on the wall during these conversations. Rick appeared to think this was the best way to win. I thought it would change with Kidd, but it hasn't. Maybe it is too late as Luka is set in this style, but I hope it changes.
The only thing worse imo is getting another really good creator and doing your turn, my turn type of offense.
On the latter point, I very much disagree, and think its comparative downside is exaggerated, in most cases. You really NEED added options to make plays, so there's a reality in which you do have someone else controlling the ball - and you can describe that as your turn, if you wish, but in reality if you don't want to have Luka having the ball all the time, then someone else MUST have it.
I think Brunson was really a great model for that other really good creator, because he didn't force the ball out of Luka's hands in a "it's my turn now" manner, but rather created a different option of attack at all times. A defense had to make choices.
(12-16-2022, 01:30 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]On the latter point, I very much disagree, and think its comparative downside is exaggerated, in most cases. You really NEED added options to make plays, so there's a reality in which you do have someone else controlling the ball - and you can describe that as your turn, if you wish, but in reality if you don't want to have Luka having the ball all the time, then someone else MUST have it.
I think Brunson was really a great model for that other really good creator, because he didn't force the ball out of Luka's hands in a "it's my turn now" manner, but rather created a different option of attack at all times. A defense had to make choices.
To add to this:
-It saves some wear and tear on Luka's body.
-It makes your offense harder to defend.
-It gives versatility for when injuries occurred.
To counter this:
-It still isn't pleasant basketball to watch.
The larger issue is the Mavs role players aren't very versatile and force the creators to create a shot for themselves or an open three. A better coached offense would use a lot more player movement to help disguise this but the only role player you want to dribble the ball on a frequent basis is Josh and he can be wildly inconsistent on the offensive side of the floor.
Quote:cow
I think Rick was a combination of factors. Luka was just too good for some of Rick's mind games and Rick was the ultimate chicken shit into chicken salad guy so he allowed the Luka centric offense since it was the style that best fit the roster. Maybe I'm overly harsh on Kidd because he has those same roster challenges, but he seems to have no desire to coach an offense. Who knew the whole "give the ball to Luka" was 100% serious.
I really think Luka is coachable and can thrive anywhere, you just have to have a coach willing to challenge him on that end of the floor.
I wish they´d have gotten Hardy, when he was an assistant at Boston. That guy is so clever. Last night the Jazz beat the Pelicans smallish line-up by switching Zion onto Conley and Clarkson. They´d take any (low percentage) three point shot then crashed the offensive glass with Kessler, Markkanen and Olynyk vs. just Nance and three guards. Also Kessler is the White Tyson Chandler. That guy is going to be a defensive stud. He´s 7´2 and moves like a ballerina. Already a better player than all the Cs on the Mavs.
Unless Utah goes on the greatest self-sabotaging run of all times, they´ll finish ahead of the Mavs. They are simply a better team with a better coach.
If Lillard stays healthy Portland now also seems a decent chance.
You know what happened there last season:
1. TANK.
2. SMART MID SEASON (talent downgrade) TRADE TO RE-STRUCTURE ASSETS/CAP (McCollum for Josh Hart + 1st round pick)
3. FREE DEVELOPMENT MINUTES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS (Simons/Little)
4. TOP 5 DRAFT PICK (Sharpe)
5. BIG POST SEASON TRADE (using the McCollum picks to acquire Grant)
6. WIN AGAIN
All a process of six months. Professional front office work. If only we were in a similar situation. But any moment now Lillard will call his best friend Nico and make it happen.
Portland is a great example. I thought they were dead in the water with the McCollum trade. I'm hopeful Hardy is our Simons but not hopeful about much else.
(12-16-2022, 01:40 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: [ -> ]I wish they´d have gotten Hardy, when he was an assistant at Boston. That guy is so clever. Last night the Jazz beat the Pelicans smallish line-up by switching Zion onto Conley and Clarkson. They´d take any (low percentage) three point shot then crashed the offensive glass with Kessler, Markkanen and Olynyk vs. just Nance and three guards. Also Kessler is the White Tyson Chandler. That guy is going to be a defensive stud. He´s 7´2 and moves like a ballerina. Already a better player than all the Cs on the Mavs.
Unless Utah goes on the greatest self-sabotaging run of all times, they´ll finish ahead of the Mavs. They are simply a better team with a better coach.
If Lillard stays healthy Portland now also seems a decent chance.
You know what happened there last season:
1. TANK.
2. SMART MID SEASON (talent downgrade) TRADE TO RE-STRUCTURE ASSETS/CAP (McCollum for Josh Hart + 1st round pick)
3. FREE DEVELOPMENT MINUTES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS (Simons/Little)
4. TOP 5 DRAFT PICK (Sharpe)
5. BIG POST SEASON TRADE (using the McCollum picks to acquire Grant)
6. WIN AGAIN
All a process of six months. Professional front office work. If only we were in a similar situation. But any moment now Lillard will call his best friend Nico and make it happen.
In all of your tanking examples you fail to mention (or gloss over) the fact that the teams superstar was injured for a majority of that season. Lillard was out most of last season. Kind of an important part to the strategy. You can't truly tank with an MVP candidate, and you can't tell your MVP candidate to try to lose games and hope to keep him.