(02-20-2025, 11:06 AM)Winter Wrote: I think DJJ is actually a little better now then he used to be. He got more minutes in Dallas and improved. He got more minutes in LAC and improved again slightly - so far.

But he wasn't coming back to Dallas unless he got those minutes. If we can believe the rumors, he wanted to start games. So there was no getting him back I don't think.

I personally think Klay and Naji are fine. I don't need DJJ back to like this team we have.

(02-20-2025, 11:31 AM)mvossman Wrote: Nobody is arguing that we needed to keep DJJ in order to like the current team.  I was simply pointing out the change in direction from DJJ to Klay as soon as Nico had no other influences (and then we went down a rathole of DJJ vs Naji).  We had a formula that got us through the Western conference, which was an incredible accomplishment.  I thought it was strange to break up that formula to go after a 34 year old player when the timeline was 10+ years.  This is about a pattern of behavior that continued with the Luka trade and I am afraid will continue in the offseason.  History says you cannot make these kind of massive changes to a roster and win right away.  So if you are constantly changing, you are constantly not winning.  We have already turned the timeline from 10+ years to a 2-3 year window.  I fear our two stars will already be past their prime by the time we are ready to make noise in the playoffs, and more significant moves (like KD) will reset the clock again.

(02-20-2025, 07:22 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: @ShamsCharania
The Grizzlies are releasing Johnny Davis to create roster space, sources said. Davis, the No. 10 pick in 2022, is expected to receive some interest as a free agent.

Could be a good summer league target

(02-21-2025, 02:15 PM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: All the rumors I’ve seen are that Houston has been holding on to their assets in case Booker becomes available.

(02-21-2025, 02:09 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Bill Simmons
@BillSimmons
·
43m
The Body Language Doctor almost needed medical attention in Austin last night after sitting near the Suns bench and watching them in person for 2+ hours. Wow. That’s an unhappy basketball team and there’s no counter-argument. Sorry.


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It is looking like we are past moving Kevin Durant.  It may be time for a complete reset and move Booker too.  Would you trade Lively and picks and other things for Booker?

Houston continues to make smart decisions.  Didn't they give the nets pick back this year for some of the Suns picks?  The nets continue to not operate very smartly.  They currently have the 6th best odds for the worst record.

(02-21-2025, 03:43 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: I think the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets are instructive to us. Maybe Clippers also. Maybe Lakers.

What happens when a team goes "all-in" (Particularly when they go for the three-superstar-plus-minimums), but then aren't good enough to compete for a championship?

Many times, they've given up draft capital to acquire said superstars. Often, they've ventured well into cap territory, so they have very little flexibility about changing course mid-stream, whether through free agency, trades, or the draft.

Wouldn't you rather have one or two superstars, and several quality MLE-level guys? Their ages can be spaced out a bit, so you've got a mix of youngsters with potential plus veterans who can win now.

(02-21-2025, 03:43 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: I think the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets are instructive to us. Maybe Clippers also. Maybe Lakers.

What happens when a team goes "all-in" (Particularly when they go for the three-superstar-plus-minimums), but then aren't good enough to compete for a championship?

Many times, they've given up draft capital to acquire said superstars. Often, they've ventured well into cap territory, so they have very little flexibility about changing course mid-stream, whether through free agency, trades, or the draft.

Wouldn't you rather have one or two superstars, and several quality MLE-level guys? Their ages can be spaced out a bit, so you've got a mix of youngsters with potential plus veterans who can win now.

(02-21-2025, 04:31 PM)mvossman Wrote: There is no doubt.  Which is why it is going to be brutal when Nico sends everything for KD.

(02-20-2025, 10:15 AM)mvossman Wrote: If he overachieved in Dallas then why is he playing better in LA?  He is shooting 37% from 3, scoring 15 points per 36 with a 60% TS.  He is turning into DFS.  If we had this years version of him, there would have been even less reason to let him go.

(02-21-2025, 03:43 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: I think the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets are instructive to us. Maybe Clippers also. Maybe Lakers.

What happens when a team goes "all-in" (Particularly when they go for the three-superstar-plus-minimums), but then aren't good enough to compete for a championship?

Many times, they've given up draft capital to acquire said superstars. Often, they've ventured well into cap territory, so they have very little flexibility about changing course mid-stream, whether through free agency, trades, or the draft.

Wouldn't you rather have one or two superstars, and several quality MLE-level guys? Their ages can be spaced out a bit, so you've got a mix of youngsters with potential plus veterans who can win now.

(02-21-2025, 04:39 PM)audiosway Wrote: The easy answer is more touches and playing with a PG that has a much lower usage rate. The other real answer is different scheme and different role. He has improved slightly based on the bigger role he got with Dallas.

The real sticking point though is that while DJJ had a great year with Dallas they aren't winning a title starting him. Or DFS for that matter. I like both of those guys. The Mavs got to the finals and looked like world beaters until Boston turned it on. That series was ugly. They lost on offense and defense in that series.

Your argument of keeping DJJ and running it back with the whole team would be valid if the games in the finals had been close. The 4 games Dallas lost were by a total of 50 points. They broke 100 once in 5 games. Slight incremental improvements from DJJ aren't fixing that. That series was likely a wakeup call for Nico and Kidd.

(02-21-2025, 03:43 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: I think the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets are instructive to us. Maybe Clippers also. Maybe Lakers.

What happens when a team goes "all-in" (Particularly when they go for the three-superstar-plus-minimums), but then aren't good enough to compete for a championship?

Many times, they've given up draft capital to acquire said superstars. Often, they've ventured well into cap territory, so they have very little flexibility about changing course mid-stream, whether through free agency, trades, or the draft.

Wouldn't you rather have one or two superstars, and several quality MLE-level guys? Their ages can be spaced out a bit, so you've got a mix of youngsters with potential plus veterans who can win now.

(02-21-2025, 05:12 PM)mvossman Wrote: More touches does not explain why he is more efficient.  Getting more touches and being more efficient clearly means he is playing better.

Strong disagree that you can't win a title starting DJJ or DFS.  Most of the recent NBA champions had a player that was not any better than DFS (or what DJJ is doing this year).  Pope with Denver, Loony with GS, the Bucks started PJ freaking Tucker.  The Lakers started Pope, Danny Green (a DFS clone) and Javale freaking McGee.  

I think you are over focusing on one series.  The Mavs were worn down and played poorly.  Boston was at the height of their power.  They already don't look like the same team as last year.  If I had to pick a favorite for championship right now it would probably be OKC, a team we actually beat in the playoffs.

I would argue that when you make it through the very difficult West to the finals, that is the perfect time to make incremental changes.  You had a rookie center and key pieces just added at the TDL.  Improve around the edges (Timmy for Grimes, Naji, Dinwiddie) and give the starting unit more time to actually play together.  

Besides I keep hearing these "reasons" for making moves.  Let DJJ walk for Klay because we need the offense to complete with Boston.  Then a few months later send out your offensive engine because "defense wins championships".  I still feel like the provided narrative is whatever excuse Nico can come up with to get his guys.

(02-21-2025, 07:04 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: You could argue we don't have any superstars now. 

AD might qualify if he were healthy more often. I wouldn't call Kyrie a superstar, especially after the egg he laid in the Finals last year.

(02-21-2025, 04:25 PM)audiosway Wrote: Couldn't agree more. That's why I really like Lively, PJ, Gaff, and Naji in there. Not just G league guys filling spots. That doesn't work anymore. Not with the current cap situation.