(07-20-2023, 01:16 PM)cow Wrote: I think it is a pinch of what you are describing and a pinch of not making trade in a position of weakness that would result in an overpay.  In that regard, I'm encouraged by whatever iteration of the MBT this is.

-They know they don't want McGee
-They aren't sure what they have in Holmes but have some hope.
-They know what they have in Powell and now that he's on a much more reasonable number, we shouldn't have much of a problem with the player even if his role isn't ideal.
-Maxi is an injury concern and probably can't give you starters minutes in the regular season.
-Lively is going to take some time to adjust and earn minutes.
-Drummond didn't want to come here because he didn't want to be a 3rd or 5th wheel in a weak position group.
-The Suns turned down the Mavs trade offer for Ayton.
-The Mavs turned down Atlanta's draft night trade for Capela.

I think a lot of that tells us that management isn't happy with the state of our center rotation and they have made attempts to improve but aren't going to take the first deal that comes along.  I really appreciate the patience and restraint they've shown.  You probably can remake this into a championship roster overnight.  Further, we have a long way to go until the trade deadline and there are Dame and Harden sized logjams right now that might be further limiting our options.

(07-20-2023, 01:18 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Yes. I like Lively. I have no clue what Holmes has left in the tank. Still happy about the summer. But I think the usual over the top offseason hype is going to make it a lot harder for both. Don´t want to imagine how fans would react if Lively/Holmes are sold as the 23/24 starter only to be replaced by Powell a few weeks into the season.
I think in this case less pressure and reasonable expectations are the way to go. If only to avoid the usual hype --> high expectations --> backlash dynamic.

(07-20-2023, 01:04 PM)mvossman Wrote: I don't think they signed Powell to a 4 mil contract to start, and even if he does its very likely he get well under 20 minutes a game due to the (potential) depth at the position.  He hardly played at all those first couple of weeks to start last season and it took McGee completely pooping the bed to get him out there.  I don't know what we are getting from Holmes, but I bet its more than we got from McGee.

(07-20-2023, 02:23 PM)F Gump Wrote: I agree with all of this. I think the complaints about Powell being the starter are knee jerk overreactions. He was re-signed to mostly help Lively figure out the PNR nuances, not to start. He's certainly not getting starter money. He'll play only to the extent he is better than the alternatives.

(07-20-2023, 02:23 PM)F Gump Wrote: He'll play only to the extent he is better than the alternatives.

(07-20-2023, 02:33 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Correct.

And he’ll be better than the alternatives. Easy to see that coming.

(07-19-2023, 10:20 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I got part way through the "Take Dat Wit You" podcast with Followill and Dameris today.  

They think starters (if we are done) will be Powell, Williams, Green, Kyrie and Luka.  They think Maxi will close at center with Williams, Kyrie and Luka.  Not sure who the fourth closer will be.  Probably someone from among Curry, Green, Hardy or THJ (if he's still here).  They think OMax has an impact this season.  They are less sure that Lively will.  They see Seth and Hardy competing for minutes

Dameris made a kind of snide comment when talking about Capela possibility still being alive.  He said Mav's won't be making a move this next week.  My tea leaf read of this is the earliest this happens is when Bufkin is eligible to be traded on 8/2 (so the week after).  From what I've seen other places, it may not be Hunter going to Toronto.  It might be Capela and kids (some combo of three out of Bufkin, Griffin Jr., Bey and Johnson).  Still not sure what good two years of THJ does for Toronto, but clearly they don't need Capela.

(07-20-2023, 02:38 PM)omahen Wrote: This part with Powell I don't understand. You are preaching patience. Ok, I can accept that strategy, although Irving doesn't fit into it. Mavs as they are are not a contender. I can't see it. So the goal should not be to win a couple of games more, but to better position themselves to become a contender. I am not talking tanking. But I am talking about more minutes for the young guys, even if they are making some mistakes, and increasing value of players that will likely be traded. Powell will finish his career with Mavs, so play him in the role that is meant for him. Starter is not it.

(07-20-2023, 02:33 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Correct.

And he’ll be better than the alternatives. Easy to see that coming.

(07-20-2023, 03:00 PM)mvossman Wrote: Not sure he will be better and not sure that will be enough.  If Holmes can hold his own and do some of the things Powell struggles with (defensive rebounding and rim protection) than I think he will stick as starting center, even if Powell has a better impact.  I think they really don't want to start Powell if they can help it, but I will admit that Holmes is the only reasonable alternative.  If he can just not suck then he will likely continue to start and we will have a committee at center.

(07-20-2023, 03:06 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Trust me, I get your perspective.

And nobody will be happier than me if Holmes reclaims his career here. But…

I don’t hate Powell like the average troglodyte Mavs fan does. I think that somehow (fans being bored, mostly), he has reached a point where he’s actually underrated. I also think that it’s far more likely Powell is able to do what he has always done than it is to assume a guy who fell completely out of his rotation last year will suddenly merit a high minute role. 

I think FANS really want Powell replaced, but I think the MAVS simply wanted to improve their center situation. Two different ways of stating the same thing, but with a different tone. I sure hope the Mavs aren’t so determined not to play Powell (like the fans seem to be) that they aren’t open to him being the best option.

(07-20-2023, 03:15 PM)Smitty Wrote: You have more confidence and belief in Powell than even the Mavs do, if the rumors are to be believed.

(07-20-2023, 03:38 PM)Smitty Wrote: Maybe I envision Powell in a different, effective role, a little differently than you do and I hope the Mavs do also. 

(07-20-2023, 03:59 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: You're still acting like I WANT Powell to be the main center. 

It doesn't matter what role you, I or the Mavs envision for Powell if there's nobody here better than him to play the role he has been playing, which, INCIDENTALLY, was only "starter" in the most technical of ways. 

It is very likely that Powell will prove to be a better, more consistent player than Holmes. That's all I'm really saying here. If I'm wrong, then that's GREAT! They'll have TWO good options to soak up minutes. But ultimately, it's irrelevant because KLEBER is the one that matters and Lively is coming, eventually.