(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, 09:29 PM)F Gump Wrote: There was no such announcement, and Franko's analysis of the issue is spot on.

Where the idea came from? It was this tweet by Sidery that was taken as reporting, but imo was only speculative assumption. There was no report, no link, just this, which retells in a summary what a podcast said about Lively.

https://x.com/esidery/status/1808119839203999981

Evan Sidery Jul 2
The Mavericks believe Dereck Lively has the potential to become an elite defensive anchor similar to Kevin Garnett or Joakim Noah, per @espn_macmahon (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brian-windhorst-the-hoop-collective/id293376147?i=1000660892043). 

Dallas is expected to start Lively full-time next season with Daniel Gafford moving to a bench role.

-------

That tweet was posted here, and everyone took it as gospel and something the Mavs had already decided and announced, rather than speculative guessing. Interestingly, no one else in media (especially Stein) has mentioned the idea, ever.

Going back to the podcast, it was just speculation by Tim McMahon, not reporting. "Tim M expects Dallas to start Lively next season" would have been more accurate reporting, and he didn't say exactly when he thought Lively might be promoted. He was talking about the defense overall, and the loss of DJJ and how the Mavs would adjust (starts at about the 14:30 mark in the link above) and then he drifted onto other players and their impact on the issue. His exact words were: "I do think Lively ends up starting, and they're gonna--- I've been told they think Lively has like Joakim Noah, Kevin Garnett type of defensive potential, in terms of not just being your traditional anchor, but being an 'all over the floor' type of presence. They're putting a lot on him to prop up a defense that..." and then he trailed off and starting talking about other players.

That was "the announcement" -- with a reality that nothing has changed since the season end, and everyone is just guessing what they think is ahead.
 
My impression was that, because it fit expectations, it was taken here by most as something official and as set. AFAIK that is where it all began.

I've lightly pushed back from time to time here on the belief that Lively has been anointed to start, including in our discussion about Maxi's role, but didn't push the flimsiness of the idea. And it's a fool's errand to try to prove a negative, especially when we can just wait n see. 

As for the possibility, I really think the better idea would be to continue having Lively as the backup, because of his slight frame. He had multiple injuries last season. Let his minutes grow, but let him get to work against backups and starters after they are tired. And try to keep him from being pushed into injuries.

(08-07-2024, 05:38 AM)RGP1981 Wrote: When is the Mavs' training camp starting?

Google tells me that liposuction patients typically require six weeks before they can be comfortable enough to engage in intense activities.

I think Luka should consider it, to lose the 30+ pounds he need to drop. There's no shame in it... and slim, lean, healthy Luka will be unstoppable.

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

(08-07-2024, 08:11 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: I think I would bet money that Lively starts the season as the starter, but to be honest I am more interested in him ramping up the minutes a little more and finishing games rather than who starts.  In time, Lively will need to start.  I think you can get away with it for another year if you desire.    I sort of like having a game changer coming off the bench.  I really don't think it matters who starts if the starter is replaced 4-5 minutes into the game.

There will come a time soon that Lively is one of the top leaders and his status will demand a starting spot.  Maybe that is now.  If not, I don't think Lively is a guy who will let this bother him.  It could be a different story in year 3 though.

(08-07-2024, 08:11 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: I think I would bet money that Lively starts the season as the starter, but to be honest I am more interested in him ramping up the minutes a little more and finishing games rather than who starts.  In time, Lively will need to start.  I think you can get away with it for another year if you desire.    I sort of like having a game changer coming off the bench.  I really don't think it matters who starts if the starter is replaced 4-5 minutes into the game.

There will come a time soon that Lively is one of the top leaders and his status will demand a starting spot.  Maybe that is now.  If not, I don't think Lively is a guy who will let this bother him.  It could be a different story in year 3 though.

(08-06-2024, 09:29 PM)F Gump Wrote: There was no such announcement, and Franko's analysis of the issue is spot on.

Where the idea came from? It was this tweet by Sidery that was taken as reporting, but imo was only speculative assumption. There was no report, no link, just this, which retells in a summary what a podcast said about Lively.

https://x.com/esidery/status/1808119839203999981

Evan Sidery Jul 2
The Mavericks believe Dereck Lively has the potential to become an elite defensive anchor similar to Kevin Garnett or Joakim Noah, per @espn_macmahon (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brian-windhorst-the-hoop-collective/id293376147?i=1000660892043). 

Dallas is expected to start Lively full-time next season with Daniel Gafford moving to a bench role.

-------

That tweet was posted here, and everyone took it as gospel and something the Mavs had already decided and announced, rather than speculative guessing. Interestingly, no one else in media (especially Stein) has mentioned the idea, ever.

Going back to the podcast, it was just speculation by Tim McMahon, not reporting. "Tim M expects Dallas to start Lively next season" would have been more accurate reporting, and he didn't say exactly when he thought Lively might be promoted. He was talking about the defense overall, and the loss of DJJ and how the Mavs would adjust (starts at about the 14:30 mark in the link above) and then he drifted onto other players and their impact on the issue. His exact words were: "I do think Lively ends up starting, and they're gonna--- I've been told they think Lively has like Joakim Noah, Kevin Garnett type of defensive potential, in terms of not just being your traditional anchor, but being an 'all over the floor' type of presence. They're putting a lot on him to prop up a defense that..." and then he trailed off and starting talking about other players.

That was "the announcement" -- with a reality that nothing has changed since the season end, and everyone is just guessing what they think is ahead.
 
My impression was that, because it fit expectations, it was taken here by most as something official and as set. AFAIK that is where it all began.

I've lightly pushed back from time to time here on the belief that Lively has been anointed to start, including in our discussion about Maxi's role, but didn't push the flimsiness of the idea. And it's a fool's errand to try to prove a negative, especially when we can just wait n see. 

As for the possibility, I really think the better idea would be to continue having Lively as the backup, because of his slight frame. He had multiple injuries last season. Let his minutes grow, but let him get to work against backups and starters after they are tired. And try to keep him from being pushed into injuries.

(08-07-2024, 09:23 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I think Kidd will throw us a curveball to start the season whether it is Lively or Thompson.  I'm not a fan of the experimenting he does to start each season but two deep playoff runs the last three seasons says I should shut up and let him do his job.  The investment in depth tells me they may take regular season record more seriously (for seeding purposes), but who knows.

One thing about experimenting (if they continue to do it) is you don't start out with what you plan to finish with.  You start out with something different, try a few things and eventually land on the best thing.  If he starts out with Luka, Irving, Thompson, PJ and Lively for a few weeks and then goes to something else, then it is a demotion for the player who moves to the bench.  But, if he tests out starting Naji or Grimes or Gafford and then moves to the obviously better player then it feels like we spent some time trying things and eventually landed on what everyone knew was the best lineup.

Personally, I'd probably keep bringing Lively off the bench.  I liked your point about having a 'game-changer' off the bench.  I don't think Thompson will be the full time starter here for the entirety of his contract.  But, I suspect he starts to begin the season and either transitions later this season or next season (maybe in conjunction with Lively moving to the starting lineup).  I do think it is easier for Dallas to bring him off the bench than it was for GS to do so.  I could see Naji looking really good as a starter when Klay misses 2-3 weeks with an injury and that being the catalyst for a change.  But, it doesn't necessarily have to be soon (or even this season).  It doesn't have to happen at all as Kidd is not afraid to use "pseudo-starters" and then bring them out 4 minutes into the game.  That might also be what happens with Thompson so the crowd can cheer for the 'star' player during introductions.

(08-07-2024, 07:37 AM)Knutsen Wrote: I like your outside-the-box thinking, even if it‘s pretty offensive in that case. Has there ever been a professional athlete who has done this?

With the level of activity Luka has he‘d be slim automatically if he would stay to a clean diet for a couple of months.

(08-08-2024, 09:38 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: https://twitter.com/KevinGraySports/status/1821318002853241163

@KevinGraySports
Mavericks are blessed to have a young leader and stud like Dereck Lively II, the sky is the limit for him after an impressive rookie season; here he’s working out with Myles Turner at Nike EYB…#MFFL

(08-08-2024, 10:03 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Note the push shot in the lane and the corner 3.  Things we didn't see in his rookie year.

(08-08-2024, 09:38 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: https://twitter.com/KevinGraySports/status/1821318002853241163

@KevinGraySports
Mavericks are blessed to have a young leader and stud like Dereck Lively II, the sky is the limit for him after an impressive rookie season; here he’s working out with Myles Turner at Nike EYB…#MFFL

(08-08-2024, 10:03 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Note the push shot in the lane and the corner 3.  Things we didn't see in his rookie year.

(08-07-2024, 06:50 PM)RGP1981 Wrote: Thank you, I'm all about solutions.

Not sure if there have been other professional athletes who have done this. People generally keep these things private.

He might be able to lose the 30+ pounds naturally but what are the odds of that happening? Liposuction could give him a jump start, so he can better prepare or focus on other things... like conditioning? Even the conditioning work he then does will be easier at a lower weight.

(08-08-2024, 01:20 PM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: There is ZERO reason to hand Lively the starting role.