09-09-2021, 10:59 AM
Brian Dameris and Mark Followill give us a few updates.
Working out Monta Ellis, Lance Stephenson, Isaiah Thomas
These guys could theoretically offer instant offense off the bench, which is an area of need for the Mavs. The only player currently on the roster who provides that is Brunson.
Notwithstanding the need, Brian and Mark read the situation as more of a case of Nico doing these three guys a solid by helping to generate interest in them, rather than as an intent to choose one of them for the roster. All of them come with red flags. Monta hasn't been in the league for a VERY long time. Lance has personality-related baggage, and hasn't played since the 18-19 season. Isaiah was cut down by injuries, is very small, and played only 43 games combined in the last two seasons.
The chances that any of these players will actually make it on to an NBA court and help a team are not high. If the Mavs decide they want to give any of them a chance, they might extend them a make-good training camp invite, but the podcasters don't look for even that much to happen.
Porzingis
The good news on KP is that he is already back in Dallas. That should give him a leg up in terms of getting ready for the season.
KP's performance suffered a massive drop-off last season, and he and the team will work to get him back to the player he used to be. In addition to his health problems, KP was quite unhappy with the role that Bob’s analytics indicated for him (for example, being relegated to serving as a decoy in the playoffs). That is what may have led to his asking to be traded if the old regime was going to stay in place. It was NOT that he had a problem with Luka.
These cold facts remain.
(1) KP can’t play center if he can’t protect the rim.
(2) He can’t maximize his impact as an offensive player if he can’t serve as a threat around the basket and provide vertical spacing.
KP used to be very good at these aspects of the game, but his performance has fallen off, possibly due to health reasons. The team will have a major focus on getting him back up to speed health-wise.
In terms of coaching, Kidd will be looking to fashion a new role for him. The podcasters speculate that Kidd might use KP in some similar fashions as Dirk was used back in the day — maybe more of a midrange game, more isolation plays, etc. Those strategies are not favored by the analytics crowd, but if that’s what it takes to get the most out of KP, maybe that’s what they need to do. The podders don't think that kind of role would have to drag down the offense. He can break free with some of his preferred stylings as the best player in a second unit, for example, where he is not taking those kinds of opportunities at the expense of a better shot by Luka or another teammate.
Luka and KP will also have to work on developing their on-court chemistry in the new system. If they could develop a two-man game, that would be great. In any event, KP is the key to the team taking another step this season.
https://www.patreon.com/mavspod/posts
Working out Monta Ellis, Lance Stephenson, Isaiah Thomas
These guys could theoretically offer instant offense off the bench, which is an area of need for the Mavs. The only player currently on the roster who provides that is Brunson.
Notwithstanding the need, Brian and Mark read the situation as more of a case of Nico doing these three guys a solid by helping to generate interest in them, rather than as an intent to choose one of them for the roster. All of them come with red flags. Monta hasn't been in the league for a VERY long time. Lance has personality-related baggage, and hasn't played since the 18-19 season. Isaiah was cut down by injuries, is very small, and played only 43 games combined in the last two seasons.
The chances that any of these players will actually make it on to an NBA court and help a team are not high. If the Mavs decide they want to give any of them a chance, they might extend them a make-good training camp invite, but the podcasters don't look for even that much to happen.
Porzingis
The good news on KP is that he is already back in Dallas. That should give him a leg up in terms of getting ready for the season.
KP's performance suffered a massive drop-off last season, and he and the team will work to get him back to the player he used to be. In addition to his health problems, KP was quite unhappy with the role that Bob’s analytics indicated for him (for example, being relegated to serving as a decoy in the playoffs). That is what may have led to his asking to be traded if the old regime was going to stay in place. It was NOT that he had a problem with Luka.
These cold facts remain.
(1) KP can’t play center if he can’t protect the rim.
(2) He can’t maximize his impact as an offensive player if he can’t serve as a threat around the basket and provide vertical spacing.
KP used to be very good at these aspects of the game, but his performance has fallen off, possibly due to health reasons. The team will have a major focus on getting him back up to speed health-wise.
In terms of coaching, Kidd will be looking to fashion a new role for him. The podcasters speculate that Kidd might use KP in some similar fashions as Dirk was used back in the day — maybe more of a midrange game, more isolation plays, etc. Those strategies are not favored by the analytics crowd, but if that’s what it takes to get the most out of KP, maybe that’s what they need to do. The podders don't think that kind of role would have to drag down the offense. He can break free with some of his preferred stylings as the best player in a second unit, for example, where he is not taking those kinds of opportunities at the expense of a better shot by Luka or another teammate.
Luka and KP will also have to work on developing their on-court chemistry in the new system. If they could develop a two-man game, that would be great. In any event, KP is the key to the team taking another step this season.
https://www.patreon.com/mavspod/posts
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