MAVS NEWS:

[Winter]

Hardy has become an afterthought.

[Smitty]

Hardy has become an afterthought.

There will be some blowouts in this stretch without the Bigs. He’ll get some burn then. Big summer for him. He’ll either put in the work necessary or he’ll cash his 12M the next two years and be out of the league on early retirement.

[Winter]

It really feels like his decision-making is flawed.

Making an "assist" is not something he seems to enjoy. He's a bit too enamored with scoring while other parts of his game are left wanting.

[Smitty]

It really feels like his decision-making is flawed.

Making an "assist" is not something he seems to enjoy. He's a bit too enamored with scoring while other parts of his game are left wanting.

His eyes go straight to the floor when he catches the ball. He has 2 moves that he uses to try and get to a spot. If they don’t work, he panics or is already out of control and turns the ball over. He’s a streaky shooter, like most young players. When his outside shot is falling, he looks like an NBA player on that end... But then he gives it up on the defensive end and we’re left here debating his ceiling, floor, role, longevity.

One observation from last game, I thought he looked heavier and a bit out of shape. I don’t know if he’s getting DNP’s because he’s not working hard or he’s just not that good, but something to keep an eye on.

[Chicagojk]

His eyes go straight to the floor when he catches the ball. He has 2 moves that he uses to try and get to a spot. If they don’t work, he panics or is already out of control and turns the ball over. He’s a streaky shooter, like most young players. When his outside shot is falling, he looks like an NBA player on that end... But then he gives it up on the defensive end and we’re left here debating his ceiling, floor, role, longevity.

One observation from last game, I thought he looked heavier and a bit out of shape. I don’t know if he’s getting DNP’s because he’s not working hard or he’s just not that good, but something to keep an eye on.

He looks heavier to me too and not as quick.  He just looks out of it on the bench too.  Not sure if he is dealing with something off the court or just in a bad spot seeing his minutes evaporate.  He is a better player than he is showing.  It is just tough to see him having a role longterm though.  I hope whatever he is dealing with gets better.  There has been time a he has been very productive.  The other parts of his game has not developed as I had hoped though.

[Chicagojk]

Let me add that i am bummed about Gafford. I really like him as a player. Not perfect by any means, but I love big guys who play hard and Gafford does that all the time. In addition he makes big team energy plays all the time. It just sucks he got hurt on a sort of a freak injury.

[OBX Maverick]

It really feels like his decision-making is flawed.

Making an "assist" is not something he seems to enjoy. He's a bit too enamored with scoring while other parts of his game are left wanting.

Agree…

The other thing I see with him, which strikes me every time he handles the ball, is that while he has a decent handle, his dribble appears extremely long. As a result, when he’s in any kind of traffic, you’re just waiting for the ball to be stripped out. 

Also, his confidence appears at a low point. Don’t think Kidd will allow him to work his way out either, especially with Williams showing up ready to play each night. Hardy definitely has some growing up and work left to do to be a consistent NBA player.

[mvossman]

A couple of thoughts on Lonzo and the points you raise ...

1 Yes I am weighing this season more heavily than those of the past.

2 HOWEVER -- In light of the severity of his injury, don't we have to? He missed 2 1/2 seasons because of it. Don't we have to assume that what we see now far outweighs what he did before as an indicator of what he offers?

3 I see possible red flags in the current shooting numbers. Now 83% of his shot attempts are 3s (and almost all of those 3 attempts are catch-and-shoot) - has he lost the ability to create a good shot and get to the rim? Add the fact he's only making 34%, and it makes me wonder if he's lost that first step that's crucial to a PG. Before I trade for him, I would have to figure that question out by watching all his games to see how he's moving and what he can (and cannot) do now.  I don't want a player who just floats on the perimeter and has no inclination (or ability) to attack the defense.

4 I'd have no interest at all in including a pick for him. I think he's only a backup caliber anymore, although he has been starting recently for CHI. (Results have not been any better for him in those starts.) Rumors said CHI turned down a 1st for him at TDL, but then more rumors said they would have been giving up a 2nd and likely having to take ongoing salary at his 20M salary range, so I think his could be a low price. I can see Hardy (young offense guy making only 6M, who perhaps would be seen as having upside) being the asset, and Powell being the expiring filler.

5 In the bigger picture of whether he's the right player for the Mavs, I also have to get more looks at Exum and Williams, both of whom imo might make more sense (both as to salary, and fit). But gotta see more.

Its valid that the long down time and significant injury is cause for concern that he can repeat his shooting.  But you could also make the argument that its reason for him to be very rusty coming back.  The fact that he is only 27 and everything else (rebounds, assists, steals, blocks) looks similar (per 36) to what he was doing prior to the injury makes me think this is more rust and sample noise than he can't shoot any more.  I will concede we don't know yet if he can replicate his pre injury shooting, but there is not nearly enough sample to say that he can't.

The high percentage of shots being catch and shoot 3s has always been his game (its interesting that he is shooting much better on pull ups right now, which is probably due more to limited sample than anything else).  He is kind of the opposite of Luka.  He is not a PG that will break down a defense and get his own shot.  He is more about ball movement (with beautiful passes) transition play and off ball shooting.  Given the eventual plan to play two centers, I think his game might really fit.

I'm afraid Hardy + Powell is probably a negative asset package.  There is a lot to see before its even an option to trade for Ball.  Will he stay healthy, regain his shooting touch and be the same player he used to be?  Will Exum stay healthy and aggressive?  What does Caleb provide?  I would really like to see how the two center rotation plays out and what maybe works with that, but with all of the injuries I'm not sure we are going to be able to see that this season.

[DallasMaverick]

So... Do you think Lakers fans are emotionally re-connecting with Dalton Knecht?

Getting their hopes up for an awesome season next year?

[ThisIStheYear]

So Caleb didn’t waive his trade kicker limiting the Mavs flexibility? And Grimes is a younger, ascending, and superior player. Plus the Mavs gave up a top of the second round pick in the deepest draft in memory? And Martin is physically compromised. Sounds like an absolute fleece. Is Nico a masochist? It’s baffling.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

So Caleb didn’t waive his trade kicker limiting the Mavs flexibility? And Grimes is a younger, ascending, and superior player. Plus the Mavs gave up a top of the second round pick in the deepest draft in memory? And Martin is physically compromised.  Sounds like an absolute fleece. Is Nico a masochist? It’s baffling.

He's a Manchurian Candidate for Nike

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

He's a Manchurian Candidate for Nike

There's simply no other explanation.  Luka for AD is absurd, but can be explained away.  Grimes (and essentially Simmons) for Martin has no explanation.

[Kidnova]

Man, this organization is a mess right now.

Dallas Mavericks Assistant Coach Darrell Armstrong arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, sources say

[DallasMaverick]

Man, this organization is a mess right now.

Dallas Mavericks Assistant Coach Darrell Armstrong arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, sources say

Oof. Very sad. 

I really like the guy. Sorry he messed up.

[Chicagojk]

Man, this organization is a mess right now.

Dallas Mavericks Assistant Coach Darrell Armstrong arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, sources say

Someone is looking for a promotion.

[SleepingHero]

“According to the Dallas Police Department, officers responded to a call in the 1000 block of Ross Avenue at about 3:45 a.m. Saturday. Armstrong, 56, and the victim were in an argument when he hit the woman with a gun and threatened to shoot her, Dallas PD and sources told WFAA.”

Yeah, this is the worst 2 weeks in Mavs franchise history.

[mvossman]

Oof. Very sad. 

I really like the guy. Sorry he messed up.

He pistol whipped a woman in an alley in the middle of the night and threatened to kill her.  There are so many things wrong with that I would suggest it goes well beyond "he messed up".

[Winter]

He pistol whipped a woman in an alley in the middle of the night and threatened to kill her.  There are so many things wrong with that I would suggest it goes well beyond "he messed up".

Maybe a bit worse than that.

She found a text from another woman while in the apt. He had been drinking... and well.... you can read the rest.

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/maveri...a93109f123&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking_Sports_02162025_2&utm_term=Sports%20Breaking%20News

[burekemde]

but can be explained away. 

If there was something Pelinka put in Nicos coffee, only explanation. Agree with Grimes there was no coffee involved

[HoosierDaddyKid]

When it rains, it pours. Hope he can keep his job. You never know these days with this team.