(01-23-2025, 09:56 AM)F Gump Wrote: At this point, the Mavs don't have to embrace a tank. They are losing because they don't have a choice - they just suck, and the losses pile up accordingly. It's a question of whether they will even have a choice to be good, if they wish.

(01-23-2025, 01:08 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: I've been meaning to make a post, but I am working 14-15 hour days every day. And there are times when I just can't make a game thread. 

My bad. I strive to do it, but I really just can't sometimes. 

But also! Anyone can make a gamethread at any point. My usual free time is around 12-3am and games are done by then. So to anyone reading this, if you don't see a gamethread please don't be shy and make one! I promise I'll give your post a "like" so you can get some fake internet points from me.

(01-23-2025, 11:07 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Anyone pay for Iztok's anaylsis.  I was wondering what he thinks about the long term of Lively in this section below?  This is so huge.  Luka's health is number 1,2 & 3 for the future aspirations of the Mavs.  #4 is probably keeping Kyrie close to his current level of play the next few years.  #4 or # 5 is Lively's development.  If he is a guy who can't get healthy, the upside of this team drops down a peg or two.  He is vital.  #6 is probably setting youself up for the post Kyrie period.  Hopefully this is not something we need to think about anytime soon.  Although, when it does happen it will probably be in that period where we don't control our first round picks. 

The short-term impact and long-term concerns of Lively’s injury

(01-23-2025, 10:02 AM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: I think thats called organic tanking? But you're absolutely correct. They are so bad right now, it doesnt even matter.

(01-23-2025, 12:02 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: The ping pong ball gods shine light upon the ethical tankers.

(01-23-2025, 12:09 PM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: I'm still waiting for the ping pong balls to work in our favor.  We got so screwed in the 90s that i still have nightmares over it.

(01-23-2025, 12:33 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: It won't happen, but it would be pretty rad for last year's WCF winning team to have just traumatic enough of a season to slide into one of the statistically least-likely-to-win-the-lottery spots and then miraculously win Cooper Flagg.

(01-23-2025, 12:09 PM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: I'm still waiting for the ping pong balls to work in our favor.  We got so screwed in the 90s that i still have nightmares over it.

(01-23-2025, 12:47 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: Exactly, they owe us.

(01-23-2025, 01:16 PM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: The 3 J's were fun, for the few games they lasted together. 

But had the ping pong balls just fell the way they were supposed to we could have had a team of Shaq or Alonzo Mourning (92), Penny Hardaway or Chris Webber (93) and Kidd or Grant Hill (94)

I'm pretty sure a team of Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill goes to the finals at least once in the 95, 96, 97 years.  After that, Penny and Hill started to fall off with injuries and never really recovered. But imagine those guys battling Malone/ Stockton to get in the finals those years. Only to face the Bulls that ended up 3 peat champs. 


But knowing the Mavs it very easily could have been Christian Laettner (92), Shawn Bradley (93), and Glenn Robinson (94).

(01-23-2025, 01:29 PM)mvossman Wrote: Have we ever gotten a pick better than where we were supposed to?  I was sure we would get screwed on what turned out to be the Lively pick.

(01-23-2025, 01:39 PM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: We have never moved up in the lottery. 

We got completely effed in 1993. Had the best odds but were jumped by 3 teams who had the 5th, 7th, and 11th best odds. We picked Mashburn 4th.  Webber, Shawn Bradley, and Penny went ahead of us. Brutal.


1992 might have been just as bad. We had the 3rd best odds, but were jumped by the Hornets who had 8th best odds, but moved to #2. We picked Jim Jackson 4th.  But most likely would have ended up with Mourning picking 3rd. Because the TWolves would have still went Laettner at 2 over Mourning.