(08-04-2024, 03:03 AM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: DJJ had the ability to guard the opponents best player, and that is not really in Naji’s repertoire at this point. I also am worried about how to get Grimes/Naji into the rotation consistently without making Klay feel threatened for minutes.

IF Grimes can cover guards POA and Naji get the assignment on forwards we should be better, but one or the other being relegated to cheerleader will have us wishing to get DJJ back.

(08-04-2024, 03:03 AM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: DJJ had the ability to guard the opponents best player, and that is not really in Naji’s repertoire at this point. I also am worried about how to get Grimes/Naji into the rotation consistently without making Klay feel threatened for minutes.

IF Grimes can cover guards POA and Naji get the assignment on forwards we should be better, but one or the other being relegated to cheerleader will have us wishing to get DJJ back.

(08-04-2024, 10:17 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: The Mavs signed DJJ around this time last year. Did we all think he had the ability to guard the opponents best player?

(08-03-2024, 04:42 PM)From Dirk to Luka Wrote: I am curious what you base that on? 

Mavs fan only here (since Donaldson, Brad Davis) who knows little about other mid to low level NBA players/contributors, so it is truly just a curious question.

I'll hang up and listen.  

(08-04-2024, 10:17 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: The Mavs signed DJJ around this time last year. Did we all think he had the ability to guard the opponents best player?


DJJ had a career year here mostly just of how well he fit. I'm going to miss him mostly because I would've rather stayed with the devil you know than the devil you don't know. 

But there is a very real scenario that Naji is just a better fit all around if he can continue to hit 3s at a near 40% clip. On paper Naji does what we loved from DJJ AND has a reliable 3. 

According to Pelican fans, Naji was a key defender and they viewed him as a core rotation player. They were not happy the Mavs got him for that price. 

I waffle back and forth because again, I would've rather kept DJJ as we KNOW he fits. But he had some fatal flaws that reared its way on the biggest stage. To attempt to upgrade that position at a cheaper cost could prove to be the best move all along.

Plus DJJ didn't exactly make it easy to re-sign him. In fact he basically forced his way out chasing the bag and using his leverage. The Mavs didn't play that game.

(08-05-2024, 07:05 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: I said before FAgency, that he was going to test the market for more cash, after a career year. They all do.  No hometown discounts here. That bag he was chasing was ultimately the same deal Marshall got to come to Dallas.  In hindsight, he was just chasing his tail...

(08-05-2024, 08:44 AM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: IMO, the front office would rather Naji.  Even though a deal couldn't be signed during those few weeks, they could have come to an agreement with DJJ.  I look at it as the Mavs chose Naji.  I'm in agreement with that.

(08-05-2024, 02:43 PM)michaeltex Wrote: I think DJJ was indeed the first choice, but the instant he started getting cute with swapping agents, looking for more $$, anything that was going to extend the timeline on getting a deal done, DAL went instantly to option 2 (or maybe 1A?) to insure securing a quality player for the rotation.

Personally, I applaud Nico & co. decisiveness. That seems to be a trait with their talent acquisitions in the last two years and I'm absolutely on board with that.

(08-05-2024, 01:54 PM)mvossman Wrote: I'm not really sure the evidence supports that?  They offered DJJ a contract and when he said no he wanted to test the waters (including changing agents) they offered the exact same contract to Naji.  The evidence suggests DJJ was first choice and Naji was backup option.  Its possible it will turn out better the way it played out, but no need to rewrite history.

(08-05-2024, 05:09 PM)F Gump Wrote: There's no question the Mavs preferred DJJ over Naji. DJJ is a disruptor on defense, which gives him a niche usage that can be very valuable when needed. Naji is not at that level.

I think DAL is probably a much better fit for DJJ's skills than LAC, because DAL has lots of offense and doesn't need him to score. Not sure that will be the same in LA with PG gone.

But in DJJ's defense, he was being demoted with Klay coming to be the starter at SF and get the starter's minutes. The Mavs felt the need for more 2-way players and DJJ's lack of offense was exposed as an issue vs BOS. With Klay coming, there was still a backup role open had he stayed, but backups play fewer minutes and get a smaller role. The Mavs wanted to keep him, of course, and found the money to pay him, but DJJ wanted to stay a starter, with the bigger role, with more minutes, and LAC had an opening, so off he went. 

Naji - only a 19 mpg backup in NO - had been playing the role that DJJ didn't want and that DAL was looking to fill. He would have stayed in NO, but NO's money had run dry, and will be even more of an issue next summer. DAL was a good fit for him to get the money NO couldn't pay, and continue to do what he had done in NO. He won't be the same level of defender, but on paper he'll be more of a factor on offense than DJJ.

(08-06-2024, 11:11 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/5-early-august-questions-about-the

(08-06-2024, 11:22 AM)mvossman Wrote: Kind of strange that he missed the announcement that Lively is going to be the starter.

(08-06-2024, 01:10 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Has that been announced by the team or has it been strongly supported by plug in Mavs reporters?   I have been wondering how this plays out.  I agree with Iztok that Lively should see minute increase.   I also think it is probably likely Lively starts.   

I just feel that Gafford is a little more fragile mentally though just by some of his previous comments.   I wonder how he does coming off the bench .

(08-06-2024, 11:11 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/5-early-august-questions-about-the