MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

ESPN offseason grade:

Grade: B-

Dallas doesn't get credit for picking Cooper Flagg, a move any team would have made after winning the lottery. The Mavericks did well in landing D'Angelo Russell, armed only with their taxpayer midlevel in free agency after agreeing to a new contract with a smaller starting salary for injured point guard Kyrie Irving. But Dallas still has a surplus in its frontcourt, having opted not to make any trades involving veteran players thus far. That likely pushes Flagg and P.J. Washington to perimeter roles.

[KillerLeft]

That likely pushes Flagg and P.J. Washington to perimeter roles.

Yuck.

[Smitty]

Yuck.

PJW in certain matchups is more than capable on the perimeter. Someone on twitter put out a poll on who would guard SGA the most, then who would guard Luka the most, etc., and the overwhelming answer was PJ, rightfully so. 

Now, would smaller players give him more trouble, sure. Would I want him playing all ~30 minutes in that role? No. But he's more than capable and has shown to be a positive guarding those types. 

Offensively, his drive game is okay, with the go-to floater, and he shot 38% from three, which is more than respectable at over 4 attempts per game. He needs to tighten up his handle, but I'm perfectly fine with him attacking closeouts.


I'm not going to put a limit on what Flagg can or can't do just yet. If the experts are throwing out Tatum and Bird as comps, we'll just have to wait and see.

[DallasMaverick]

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

For the first half the season, I'd have DLO about where you do, but less for the second half.

For the first half of the season, I'd have CFlagg significantly lower, but perhaps about the same as you do for the second half.

[michaeltex]

I'm interested in how Flagg is embraced by the vets already on the team.

I hate to use another Luka comparison, but his first season, at least up until the KP trade, it felt like he was getting frozen out by the other vets. Specifically Jordan, Matthews and Barnes. I remember Luka having to high 5 himself after everyone left him hanging during a timeout. I know rookies still have to prove it, no matter how good their college career, but that type of isolation kind of bothered me. I guess the trades sent a message about who the team star really was, but the interactions were painful to watch sometimes.

I hope CF has a better transition. I guess not having a perceived language barrier will help, but I think bringing the positive attitude everyone talks about will certainly help with team engagement.

[Scott41theMavs]

I'm interested in how Flagg is embraced by the vets already on the team.

I hate to use another Luka comparison, but his first season, at least up until the KP trade, it felt like he was getting frozen out by the other vets. Specifically Jordan, Matthews and Barnes. I remember Luka having to high 5 himself after everyone left him hanging during a timeout. I know rookies still have to prove it, no matter how good their college career, but that type of isolation kind of bothered me. I guess the trades sent a message about who the team star really was, but the interactions were painful to watch sometimes.

I hope CF has a better transition. I guess not having a perceived language barrier will help, but I think bringing the positive attitude everyone talks about will certainly help with team engagement.

Those three asshats really had poop for brains when it came to Luka. If they had been able to distinguish the holes in their hind ends from holes in the ground, they would have recognized that Luka was alpha-quality from day one. Part of that was on the coaching staff, tbh.

[Chicagojk]

Tim Cato on the Zach Lowe show today. Haven’t listened to it yet

[Chicagojk]

ESPN offseason grade:

Grade: B-

Dallas doesn't get credit for picking Cooper Flagg, a move any team would have made after winning the lottery. The Mavericks did well in landing D'Angelo Russell, armed only with their taxpayer midlevel in free agency after agreeing to a new contract with a smaller starting salary for injured point guard Kyrie Irving. But Dallas still has a surplus in its frontcourt, having opted not to make any trades involving veteran players thus far. That likely pushes Flagg and P.J. Washington to perimeter roles.

That is fine if they don't want to count Flagg (or any other high lottery pick).  that is fine.  It doesn't work that way though.   I am very happy with the offseason.  The obviously thing left is the PJ extension though.   I have no idea how this season goes.   It could go well or they could really struggle.  

Extending Kyrie while making room for DLO, the Gafford extension, hopefully PJ extension, the Exum signing, two solid two way developmental guys and of course Flagg.   I have no issue with this offseason.

Even though I am not a big DLo fan, I am glad we got him.   Probably more so to give us a feel how lacking we are at creators.   Dlo is not as good as Kyrie and they play different.  I think both are score first guards, so I think It will give us a good idea if we are extremely lacking with creation.  It should give us a good look at the beginning of the season and then at 30-35 games after Flagg gets games under his belt.   It will be a good test to see if a scoring guard with Kyrie works with a less talented Dlo filling in that role early in the season.  If it is inefficient and ugly we will know early that they probably need to look for another starter who can create over the next year.

[SleepingHero]

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

If DLO can provide anything close to what he gave the Nets then this team is going to surprise some people. 45/38/80 is an insanely efficient season paired with some solid creation. 

For context if we combine points created for both Luka and DLo (L: 28ppg+8apg= 44, DL: 18+6=30) that is about 68% the production Luka gave us. Obviously not anywhere close to the gravity provided, but in terms of raw production, that's about as good as we can hope for.

Now if Flagg can give us 16/7/4 on good efficiency right out of the gate I'd be over the moon.

If we combined both DLo+Flagg that is basically MVP Luka territory (34/10/10 45.5/37/81). 

Suffice to say I pray we get that sort of production. It'd be exactly what this team is needing.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Tim Cato on the Zach Lowe show today.  Haven’t listened to it yet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T5xvao2SCk&ab_channel=TheZachLoweShow

[Chicagojk]

haven't listened to it yet, but if true below than I agree. I want to see fun basketball again. Although, in reality it probably is a gap year. See what they have and make a move or two when you understand. The following year is when you may see a really good team.

https://x.com/MavsFilmRoom/status/1950062268319662366

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Townsend] Dallas Mavericks name former Timberwolves, 49ers executive Ethan Casson as team president. He will report to Mavericks CEO Rick Welts and oversee much of the franchise’s day-to-day business operations

[Chicagojk]

[Townsend] Dallas Mavericks name former Timberwolves, 49ers executive Ethan Casson as team president. He will report to Mavericks CEO Rick Welts and oversee much of the franchise’s day-to-day business operations

So probably working to get a new stadium?  Welts is a pro.  I am glad he is with Dallas.   Personally, I would be more interested to learn if Dumont has some trusted voices on basketball matters.   That may still be a glaring hole.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

bring back Dennis Lindsey

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

haven't listened to it yet, but if true below than I agree. I want to see fun basketball again.  Although, in reality it probably is a gap year.  See what they have and make a move or two when you understand.  The following year is when you may see a really good team. 

https://x.com/MavsFilmRoom/status/1950062268319662366

https://youtu.be/4T5xvao2SCk?t=4858

1:20:58 mark is where that discussion starts

[ballsrchr]

haven't listened to it yet, but if true below than I agree. I want to see fun basketball again.  Although, in reality it probably is a gap year.  See what they have and make a move or two when you understand.  The following year is when you may see a really good team. 

https://x.com/MavsFilmRoom/status/1950062268319662366

Some good stuff after 1 hour and 6 minutes.  Well...maybe all of it was good stuff.  I only worry about the Mavs.  They first talked about Luka and his apparent conditioning.  THEN...they got into the Mavs...for quite awhile.  I found it pretty interesting.  Some different perspectives.

[F Gump]

There's a lot of buzz about Luka now getting into top physical condition. If his improved conditioning holds, it will be quite a show in LA, and we will wish he had been willing to make that sort of commitment as a Mav.

But I am wondering -- is any of this lighting some kind of fire under AD, and perhaps Kyrie too, to prove that the MAVS (not LA) got the better end of this deal? The best NBA players are the best because they work hard at their game and are ULTRA-competitive, and I have a feeling the Mavs stars might take all these "Luka is committed and working hard to prove the Mavs messed up" summer stories personally and use them as fuel to be way better.

[Jmaciscool]

There's a lot of buzz about Luka now getting into top physical condition. If his improved conditioning holds, it will be quite a show in LA, and we will wish he had been willing to make that sort of commitment as a Mav.

But I am wondering -- is any of this lighting some kind of fire under AD, and perhaps Kyrie too, to prove that the MAVS (not LA) got the better end of this deal? The best NBA players are the best because they work hard at their game and are ULTRA-competitive, and I have a feeling the Mavs stars might take all these "Luka is committed and working hard to prove the Mavs messed up" summer stories personally and use them as fuel to be way better.

I could see that with AD since he was the target of the trade. His attitude since the trade has been exceptional IMO, seems fully committed to Dallas. I'm sure he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder for being traded in the way that he was (similar to Luka).

[Chicagojk]

Davis should have high motivation. He got some heat in LAL for being hurt and not really taking the reign as the number 1 player in LAL after the championship and Lebron got older. AD was one of the highest rated prospects to enter the NBA and for the most part has delivered. Although since the trade, he has taken a lot. Not as much as Nico but him getting hurt again and being traded for a better, younger player and having people talk how awful the trade was should surely provide extra motivation. I think he really wanted to show what type of player he was. He just got hurt again trying to show it. Ha.

I think legacy is also a motivation. What does it do for their all time rankings if AD and Kyrie win a second championshoip? How about Klay winning his 5th? AD is aleady a top 75. Is he top 40 if he wins two? Some people thought Klay should have been a top 75. If he wins a second, does he secure a spot? If Kyrie has a 4-5 good years with another ring, is he a top 75?

[Chicagojk]

Some Gafford dunks

https://x.com/HoopsMotion/status/1950227225246109802

Curious how you think teams will defend Dallas. Will they put the center on AD or one of our centers? Dallas on defense is another story on how they defend the perimeter, but I wonder how teams will try to defend Dallas.