(07-21-2025, 04:02 PM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: The NBA would set up shop again in Seattle before Vancouver I believe. Even though only 145 miles separates them.

(07-24-2025, 09:08 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: As we head into the dead days of the nba, I was thinking who has the most to prove next year.  I sort of view next year as a developmental year to set up the following year.  Maybe they surprise or disappoint and continues can be made.

1) Anthony Davis- can he stay healthy.  Can he be a majnly power forward.  Can he really amplify our centers.  Lively and Gafford are not long in the tooth Dwight Howard or fringe rotation player Jace McGee.  They are both good to really good players.  Can AD really shine with these type of players.  Can he be the best player on a contender?  My guess is no, but it will be a year for him to shine.

2) pj washington- I hope he signs his extension.  His role this year will be different.  He may only play half of his minutes at PF.  I don’t think he is a small forward but can he play it effectively for solid minutes?  On defense he probably is not going to be asked to defend a lot of bigger players.  So can he guard the quick wings or guards on the perimeter.  I think he is better defending pf types.  So it will be key how he guards smaller players.  Lastly can he match his three point percentage from last year.  I still feel like teams are perfectly willing to let him shoot despite a better than average percentage.

Nico- he gets no respite for an injured Kyrie.  He was gifted Flagg.  They are still really short on creation.  If this team is where I expect them to be next year, Nico’s job should be on the line.  He thinks this team is a contender.  Time to show it.  No big trade to try to prove him right either.

I had Kidd on my list earlier in the summer but he was able to get an extension by some shrewd moves.  I still think he has a lot to show with this odd group of good players.

(07-24-2025, 09:08 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: As we head into the dead days of the nba, I was thinking who has the most to prove next year.  I sort of view next year as a developmental year to set up the following year.  Maybe they surprise or disappoint and continues can be made.

1) Anthony Davis- can he stay healthy.  Can he be a majnly power forward.  Can he really amplify our centers.  Lively and Gafford are not long in the tooth Dwight Howard or fringe rotation player Jace McGee.  They are both good to really good players.  Can AD really shine with these type of players.  Can he be the best player on a contender?  My guess is no, but it will be a year for him to shine.

2) pj washington- I hope he signs his extension.  His role this year will be different.  He may only play half of his minutes at PF.  I don’t think he is a small forward but can he play it effectively for solid minutes?  On defense he probably is not going to be asked to defend a lot of bigger players.  So can he guard the quick wings or guards on the perimeter.  I think he is better defending pf types.  So it will be key how he guards smaller players.  Lastly can he match his three point percentage from last year.  I still feel like teams are perfectly willing to let him shoot despite a better than average percentage.

Nico- he gets no respite for an injured Kyrie.  He was gifted Flagg.  They are still really short on creation.  If this team is where I expect them to be next year, Nico’s job should be on the line.  He thinks this team is a contender.  Time to show it.  No big trade to try to prove him right either.

I had Kidd on my list earlier in the summer but he was able to get an extension by some shrewd moves.  I still think he has a lot to show with this odd group of good players.

(07-24-2025, 09:28 AM)mvossman Wrote: If this team misses the playoffs again after falling backasswards into Flagg, can he really keep his job?

(07-24-2025, 11:24 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I'm almost 100% sure the answer is yes. I offer no opinion on whether that's a good or bad thing, nor do I even care at this point. I only mean that I see no indication of anything even remotely smoldering under his seat. 

I think the more relevant question is this: if the Mavs miss the playoffs again, will the new owners continue to allow their team to pay luxury tax money? THAT is what we should be worried about, imho.

(07-24-2025, 11:24 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I'm almost 100% sure the answer is yes. I offer no opinion on whether that's a good or bad thing, nor do I even care at this point. I only mean that I see no indication of anything even remotely smoldering under his seat. 

I think the more relevant question is this: if the Mavs miss the playoffs again, will the new owners continue to allow their team to pay luxury tax money? THAT is what we should be worried about, imho.

(07-24-2025, 01:18 PM)mvossman Wrote: Crazy.  Hard to imagine what it would take to get fired then.  As Gump pointed out if luxury tax is an issue you can thank that stupid Grimes trade as it will trigger repeater tax penalties.

(07-25-2025, 03:28 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: First I have seen of this

Is Kai Jones still in the mix? Love the way he played last season.

Curtis: Jones should be in the same boat as Edwards since they both entered the NBA in 2021. However, the athletic big man missed the 2023-24 season and will enter his fourth season next year. He remains eligible for a two-way contract, but the Mavericks have a plethora of big men and arguably the most formidable frontcourt in the league. With Powell exercising his player option, it would be surprising if the Mavericks carried five players capable of playing the center position on the roster by the start of training camp.

https://archive.ph/nqKi5

(07-27-2025, 03:29 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: I know Flagg hasn’t done anything yet but pretty cool looking at Vecenie’s first mock for 26 and seeing almost every prospect being 19 already.  With some freshman being 20.  Flagg won’t turn 19 until December. 

Also Amen Thompson is going to be a stud and is really young, but he is 3 years older than Flagg. 

Also AD is 6 years older than Luka but Luka is 8 years older than Flagg.  Crazy how things change.

(07-28-2025, 07:21 AM)Smitty Wrote: With only two new faces this year, I'm curious what we think their stat line will be. Context matters, of course, but I was thinking through what I expect from each guy, and what I'd consider overperforming vs underperforming. Here's how I see it shaking out:

DLO: 70 GP, 30.0 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.0 TOV/g, 0.5 BPG, 45%FG, 38%3PT, 82%FT

Flagg: 75 GP, 30.0 MPG, 16.0 PPG, 4.0 APG, 7.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 2.0 TOV/g, 1.2 BPG, 46%FG, 36%3PT, 80%FT

(07-28-2025, 09:06 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: That would be a  good first year for Flagg and would set up a nice jump up the following season, I think.

Looking at the DLO numbers, I think that is too high.   Although, we are short on guards.   18 points and 6 assists just seems like too much Dlo for me.

(07-28-2025, 07:21 AM)Smitty Wrote: With only two new faces this year, I'm curious what we think their stat line will be. Context matters, of course, but I was thinking through what I expect from each guy, and what I'd consider overperforming vs underperforming. Here's how I see it shaking out:

DLO: 70 GP, 30.0 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.0 TOV/g, 0.5 BPG, 45%FG, 38%3PT, 82%FT

Flagg: 75 GP, 30.0 MPG, 16.0 PPG, 4.0 APG, 7.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 2.0 TOV/g, 1.2 BPG, 46%FG, 36%3PT, 80%FT