(03-01-2021, 01:57 PM)omahen Wrote: Do the opponents leave him wide open on the three? Because this is the only thing that is important. If defense leaves him wide open, than he kills spacing and can only play as on ball guard. But I could assume he knows how to punish defense if they leave him wide open and so defense stays honest - spacing is still there. As I said, didn't see SA enough to judge.

(03-01-2021, 01:59 PM)HanspardShowerVoice Wrote: LeBron James is the greatest point forward in the history of the game, and at the end of the day he's always been at his best playing next to another ball heavy guard ... be it prime Wade, or Kyrie, or playoff Rondo.    The times when LeBron in the playoffs is mortal when defenses know that he's the only on ball threat in the game (which is why the Lakers put a priority in getting Schroeder).    It's just too rudimentary way to play basketball against high level defenses when they have long stretches to gameplan and prepare in a 7 game series,  like the Harden Rockets found out.

(03-01-2021, 02:06 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Preaching to the choir, my guy. 

During last year's playoffs, I was ALL OVER THIS. Every single team who made it to the second round (including Houston, even) had more competent ball-handlers on the floor than the Mavs. Secondary playmaker was my title for awhile, before @"ItsGoTime" started getting cute with the title edit tool. 

But, it can't be just anyone. We've seen DSJ, Wright and now Richardson struggle to fit into this type of role next to Luka. It has to be someone really good at playing off-ball, too. 

I made this point awhile back, but every time you lock one player into place, the target for who fits next to them gets a little smaller, imo. The more rotation players you have written in pen, the more specific your needs get as to who can actually make the team better. I totally agree with your point. Playoff defenses will find a way to take Luka out of important possessions, and the Mavs MUST have a group on the floor who can take advantage of the resulting 4 on 3 situation. This is why I believe they wanted Kemba Walker.

(03-01-2021, 02:06 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: before @ItsGoTime started getting cute with the title edit tool. 

(03-01-2021, 02:35 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: That is Clutch, not me. I'm the evil title changer cause of the awards going to people who win the end of year predictions.

(03-01-2021, 12:32 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Is this because you're still trying to pair an inside player (roll guy) with Porzingis? Because I honestly don't think that's what he wants anymore. It's part of why I've been so out on him.

(03-01-2021, 03:00 PM)omahen Wrote: Since our center line is really bad, I would seriously consider trading for Horford. He only has one season left after this one (nice expiring to have) and he would certainly provide vet leadership. I would not pay FRP, but if couple of seconds are ok I would send Powell and Johnson packing.

Assuming there is no super star trade on the table.

(03-01-2021, 03:33 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Wiseman might make roster construction easier

(03-01-2021, 03:33 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I’m mainly pointing out that Markkanen is a poor fit with KP, but probably would be just fine next to Wiseman.

(03-01-2021, 03:46 PM)Kammrath Wrote: If the Mavs think Wiseman (50.4 percentile as pick and roll man, 1.11 PPP) can become an elite roll man then I am ALL IN on acquiring him. I think a defensively versatile big man who can be elite in the pick and roll with Luka is what you want as your 2nd pillar on this team. Hence why I wanted the Mavs to go all in on Gobert this summer.

(03-01-2021, 02:59 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Tbh, I changed your title to "Evil Title Changer"...not Clutch. Are you telling me you are NOT the person who has been putting "Tobias" into every version of my title? If so, the hunt continues.

(03-01-2021, 04:03 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I can't predict whether he'll have Gobert potential, because nobody can. But, I feel like he, like Gobert, has an incredible and insanely rare combination of size and mobility.

(03-01-2021, 02:06 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Preaching to the choir, my guy. 

During last year's playoffs, I was ALL OVER THIS. Every single team who made it to the second round (including Houston, even) had more competent ball-handlers on the floor than the Mavs.

But, it can't be just anyone. We've seen DSJ, Wright and now Richardson struggle to fit into this type of role next to Luka. It has to be someone really good at playing off-ball, too.

(03-01-2021, 04:33 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote: https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/C0G-VzLhYe4xLQDkr72E3xhvdIM=/1660x934/smart/filters:no_upscale()/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-dmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/UTAMBYDPLYMT5TT2OBNVTQHFRY.jpg

(03-01-2021, 04:33 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote: https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/C0G-VzLhYe4xLQDkr72E3xhvdIM=/1660x934/smart/filters:no_upscale()/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-dmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/UTAMBYDPLYMT5TT2OBNVTQHFRY.jpg

(03-01-2021, 04:35 PM)cow Wrote: Defenses licking their chops.

(03-01-2021, 04:47 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote: Or shaking in their boots (throwback). Brunson is Luka's best defensive pairing this season. Fact.

The on-court Doncic-Brunson pairing this season limits opponents to an average of 105.5 points per 100 possessions — 7.8 lower than the Mavericks’ team defensive rating (113.3). 

“He’s a great player,” Doncic said. “It’s easy to have chemistry like that.”

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/02/28/luka-doncic-is-22-jalen-brunson-is-surging-the-mavs-2018-draft-class-has-never-been-better/