(02-28-2025, 07:02 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: PJ is listed as doubtful tomorrow.  Ouch.  I think I saw a comment online that Kidd said there was a high level of concern with PJ's ankle.  Just seems like if the off week during the all star game didn't fix it that he may be out for a little bit.  I think this season is a lost cause.  I think the team knew it right when Gafford got injured and Kidd skipped the press converence.  They are just hoping for a miracle and be able to stick around.  Just so tough with the lack of good big players.

(02-28-2025, 03:16 PM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: Anyone using an Apple TV box along with a subscription to Mavs TV?

I tried Fubo but it is ass.  Keeps buffering even though I have 1 gig fiber internet.

(02-28-2025, 05:39 PM)audiosway Wrote: I’m a huge fan of Naji and I think they are working with him on shooting. He has shown an improvement to his 2 point percentage this year. But his 3 point shot is down from last year. He was at 38.7% from 3 last year. So, he can shoot. I think his confidence is down. I’m fine with him being more developed in games like last night. He is on a 3 year deal and is a very good passer, rebounder, and team defender. 

He just turned 27 and still has time to improve. It’s been nice seeing Kidd get the young guys into games that are more winnable. Smart coaching. People always complained about not developing and letting younger players learn on the court. This is what it looks like. Going to be interesting to see how improves.

I agree that he isn’t ready for playoff ball yet. But his rebounding and how sees the floor is pretty fun to watch.

(03-01-2025, 09:31 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: The Luka trade was a robbery by a team committed to winning at all costs against a team just trying to make money and facilitate gambling interests. What’s even more puzzling is the Grimes trade. The Mavs essentially threw in a top of the 2nd round pick in a deep, deep draft, a player who’d be a first rounder any other year for the privilege of downgrading their roster with an older inferior player who’s already injured and not likely to really be healthy in the near future. It’s pure lunacy. Nico is an idiot. Without Lindsey holding his hand, his signature moves have been not making a serious effort to retain Brunson, trading a first for the ridiculous Christian Wood, losing DJj, and getting robbed of an all time great player. It’s like he’s trying to sabotage he team. The Mavs are fucked for a decade.

(03-01-2025, 11:18 PM)nicholasthefan Wrote: Luka with 30 plus last night, Grimes with 40 plus tonight. I am really enjoying the culture and vibe of Caleb Martin and AD though. Great fashion on the bench. 

Also, Christie is a project. Has some good energy but he is raw. Somehow I feel like we just got thrown back all the way to 2015. Just happy to be in the hunt of the playoffs. At least we had Dirk back then. Sorry for the negativity... but man this is freaking crazy compared to just a couple months ago.

(03-01-2025, 09:31 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: The Luka trade was a robbery by a team committed to winning at all costs against a team just trying to make money and facilitate gambling interests. What’s even more puzzling is the Grimes trade. The Mavs essentially threw in a top of the 2nd round pick in a deep, deep draft, a player who’d be a first rounder any other year for the privilege of downgrading their roster with an older inferior player who’s already injured and not likely to really be healthy in the near future. It’s pure lunacy. Nico is an idiot. Without Lindsey holding his hand, his signature moves have been not making a serious effort to retain Brunson, trading a first for the ridiculous Christian Wood, losing DJj, and getting robbed of an all time great player. It’s like he’s trying to sabotage he team. The Mavs are fucked for a decade.

(03-01-2025, 06:33 AM)meistermatze Wrote: So, I did some soul-searching after my identity crisis as a Mavs fan, and my heart decided to stay on board. I don't know how you guys handled it, but after the Luka news broke, I came here to read everything, grieve, and make sense of it. However, I didn’t watch any games because I just couldn’t, and I also didn’t know if I could or would continue watching the NBA altogether.

But the other day, I had a day off and spent it rewatching all the games I missed (mostly opening coverage and the 4th quarters). And like I said, I realized I’m still invested in this organization and want them to succeed.

With two caveats:

1) Not only did they make a piss-poor trade overall, but the way they handled it and the aftermath (that kill-me-now cringe press conference, throwing fat Luka under the bus, kicking people out of the arena… the list goes on) was, and still is, embarrassing and will hurt this organization for a LONG time. I will not forget.
2) I wanted Luka to drop 60 on us, and I smiled every time he went at the Mavericks' bench. Luka is a killer, and we did him dirty—no matter how fat or out of shape he was. I want him to destroy the Mavs every time from now on—except in big games, obviously.

But why am I still invested, you may ask? It’s not just laziness or sticking to what I know. I’ve come to love the Mavs over the last 20 years, and I’ll have to ride it out till the end. PLUS, although I would probably punch Nico if I ever met him, I believe in his vision for this team. Even short-handed, they are playing gritty basketball, and more often than not, it’s solid, team-oriented play. If Davis were healthy right now, we'd be a lock for one of the top five seeds, I think. Not to mention all the other injuries.

Alas, missing Davis will be our main concern moving forward—and the final reason why this trade was, and always will be, a mistake. I just hope we get to hang one banner for the price of this whole shitshow when everything finally comes together next year.

Some observations regarding players:

Kyrie has been amazing, and I think he was on board with trading Luka. He leads by example, and if we don’t kill him by playing him 40+ minutes, he’ll stick around with AD for the next couple of years. If they stay healthy, they’ll form a formidable duo, and we’ll be dangerous.

IF AD comes back (and we get healthy overall), as crazy as it sounds, this team could be extremely dangerous in the playoffs. So I haven’t given up all hope for a miracle just yet. But health is always a big ask for this team (AD and Lively show it time and time again), so it’s very unlikely that this season gets salvaged.

Exum has been a pleasant surprise. I almost forgot about him, but his defense is amazing, and it feels like he has worked on his overall game—even his left hand. He could be a very important piece for us moving forward because he brings exactly what Kyrie lacks: defense, size, and different playmaking abilities.

Christie has been fantastic, and I truly believe in him as a legit two-way player in this league. I even see All-Star potential (yes, I said it!).

Hardy has had his chances. His confidence is shot, which is why he looks worse than ever. But come on, man, you’re not 18 anymore. The guy just doesn’t have it. I don’t want to see him playing anymore.

O-Max—I’m almost done with him, too. I don’t see any development. He still runs around like a headless chicken, has no touch whatsoever, and NO body control. Even on simple rebounds, he almost falls down every time he jumps or moves. I like the kid, and I see his defensive potential, but the rest is SO raw. I don’t think this is fixable—it’s just a waste of a roster spot.

Klay has stepped up since the trade, and I think that shows he also had his issues with Luka. If he didn’t, he would have quit on this team. I mean, if the narrative was true that he came here only for Luka and wasn’t on board with trading him, he should be outrageously devastated right now—but he’s not.

(03-02-2025, 12:17 AM)F Gump Wrote: "Nico is an idiot." -- No question. His negotiating is horrendous and he has to go, before he botches something else.

(03-02-2025, 12:25 AM)myconsumerclub Wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGbCKFcxueE just added Kai Jones 6'11

(03-02-2025, 01:18 AM)hakeemfaan Wrote: What is left now?  The picks were already mortgaged to win now with Luka and Kyrie. Now no Luka. Most picks are also gone. 

This is equivalent to the SMU death penalty. It will take a long time to recover.  But hey Nico said he doesn’t think long term. What happened with getting a Luka immediately after having a decade of Dirk is not normal.  Even bigger market teams liken the Bulls and the Knicks (until recently) have struggled for two decades or more after an Ewing and a MJ.

(03-02-2025, 01:37 AM)F Gump Wrote: The talent loss, that's the part that's hardest to recover. Getting a roster full of talent is hard to build, and once you have it, it's a real big thing if you let it get away, because it takes FOREVER to build from the ground up. Years. Usually many. So once at or near the top of the league, you gotta make sure you find a way to keep bringing good talent in each time some good talent goes out.

(03-02-2025, 02:51 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: @All_Things_Mavs
The Dallas Mavericks are signing Kai Jones to a two-way contract, per @ChrisBHaynes
.