(12-08-2024, 12:34 PM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: I don't see why Trae Young is listed on here. Atlanta has been playing well; they're only loss was to the Mavs. They beat the Bucks twice, Cavs, and Celtics winning 6 straight. Young has had two games with at least 20 assists. Dyson Daniels leads the league in steals and deflections, and Jalen Johnson is really developing into a very good PF. I don't know if it's sustainable, but for the moment they can take advantage in the weaker East.

(12-09-2024, 12:24 AM)Dundalis Wrote: Not sure that's representative of the difference defensively between Lively and Gafford though. Gafford had the superior defensive rating last season and better net rating. Gafford's defensive rating is 5 points worse this season than last. Lively is clearly the better all round defender, but I do expect the data to even out a lot more as the season goes on. Gaff has more weaknesses that can be exploited compared to Lively, but he is still absolutely a positive interior defender, and defended field goal differentials still bears that out.

(12-09-2024, 11:27 AM)mvossman Wrote: Not sure if its really an apples to oranges comparison of Lively to Gafford net and defensive rating last year.  Most of Lively minutes were prior to the trade when the Mavs were struggling with a lot of injuries, and a lot of Gafford's minutes were when Lively was out and the team was otherwise healthy.  There were few games in that sample when both were playing.

In the playoffs (where Gafford's limitations are more exploited) Lively had a significantly better net rating and defensive rating as he does this season.  Given that Lively was rookie last year with a very steep learning curve, I think the playoff and current season data is probably more indicative of what those two are.

(12-09-2024, 12:05 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Well, and not to mention that Lively is still improving at a rapid rate, even as we sit here typing this. Foot quickness and change of direction are there for him and will be for a while. Those are real, tangible problems for Gafford, and aren't things that improve later in a player's career. 

I don't mean to suggest that Gafford has no utility on defense. He's obviously a good shot blocker (again, when he happens to be in the paint at the same time as the ball) and I think he's pretty disciplined about running back in defensive transition when his minutes are low enough. But, anyone who watches the NBA at all knows that those multiple drag screens make drop coverage kind of tough to employ if you want to win, and it's just a fact that the Mavs kind of have to play that way when Gafford is in the game. Lively offers much, much more optionality in terms of playing at the level of the screen, switching (which the Mavs are doing more this season), etc.  Also, we talk so much about rim protection around here, but the OTHER shot teams want, and honestly, probably the more dangerous one, is the open three created by getting the defense into rotation. Gafford is the weakest link in that chain on this team by a comfortable margin to my eye, at least among those actually in the rotation. Luka has moments where he's pretty bad in this area, too, but his moments seem more focus/effort related, and he's carrying a huge weight on the other end. Gafford literally can't move well enough to defend 2-4 areas of the court on one possession without giving the offense something they like. 

Not trying to bash the dude, because he's an offensive force in the paint that's super hard to deal with for the opposing defense. He's a top-5 backup center, easily. I'm just happy to see the roles/minutes trending in the right direction. There will obviously be situations like foul trouble, injury, whatever, where Gafford is asked to give them more time, and I think he'll come through more often than not.

(12-09-2024, 12:53 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Mavs back at fourth with Houston and Memphis winning yesterday. 

I really  hope both teams bring it tomorrow at OKC.  It really may feel like a playoff game in December.  Just like the Memphis game felt like.

(12-09-2024, 12:26 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: Two different tools in the box.  One's a hammer, the other's a wrench.

(12-09-2024, 01:15 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Exactly right. But, the fallacy is that both tools are useful with the same frequency.

(12-09-2024, 02:13 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: True. Maybe you use the hammer a lot more, and if forced to choose one, you’d pick it.

But, boy, are there times that wrench is handy!

(12-09-2024, 02:39 PM)JamesConway912 Wrote: Kleber (illness) out for the OKC game, Marshall and Washington now both questionable also due to illness.

Hardy remains out due to his ankle sprain.

(12-06-2024, 01:00 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: He now has a lower shooting efficiency for the season than Jaden Hardy. Literally only Kleber from our regular rotation is worse. Teams will gladly let him take shots. He has missed plenty of open looks, too. He was not brought in here to be literally the worst shooter on the team. Everybody was projecting a bounce back season with +40% 3pt shooting; from playing off Luka and Kyrie. 

But now we have to pretend he contributes to winning via being the gravitational pull, although Kidd has to emergency sub him during every 3rd quarter and finish the game with a different line-up.

Last six games he´s shooting 28% from the field. You know what be happening here, if THJ took 10 shots per game at 28%.

Mavs didn´t/don´t pay him $17M p.a. to be this. No need to sugarcoat this. I have seen enough to know this Kyrie/Luka/Klay thing won´t work. It might work incredibly well with Klay off the bench.

(12-09-2024, 02:59 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Dude, this illness thing has to get resolved. Now it has spread to PJ???

(12-09-2024, 04:08 PM)JamesConway912 Wrote: It’s rough. Also unfortunate that it has hit the forwards so much. Without PJ AND Maxi AND Naji you loose three options at the spot next to the 5.

If all three end up being out I’d go with Grimes in the starting lineup and then hope Omax has another stint like the one against Toronto in himself.

Kyrie
Grimes
Klay
Luka
Lively

+ Dinwiddie, Gafford

That‘s still a darn good group but only seven guys. Or you start Dinwiddie instead of Grimes if you’re afraid of early foul trouble I could see that as well.

(12-09-2024, 04:16 PM)michaeltex Wrote: Questionable is better than doubtful and a lot better than out. I'm guessing at least two of Naji, PJ and Maxi are available Tuesday.

(12-09-2024, 05:03 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: I mean an upper respiratory illness

Come On Very Identifiable Doctor

(12-09-2024, 04:53 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Hope so, and I hope PJ is one of the available ones!