MAVERICKS 116, ROCKETS 106

[DanSchwartzgan]

Mavs returned to offense as it was last season, first game I can say offense was good and the shots just didn't go in. I liked everyone played.

In case anyone cares, the Mav's played two bigs 28 of 36 minutes through three quarters (even while getting all 15 guys in the game).  In the fourth is was the opposite...single big 10 of the 12 minutes.  

I agree with the comments about Sterling Brown so far this season.  Paying him 2 years at $3 million means he was a lottery ticket just like Frank and Moses.  I like the idea of developmental minutes for either Frank or Green.  I think this role is different than the Bullock role as they are trying to get some ball handling from this spot.  Ultimately, there may be a need to fill this role from outside the roster at the TDL if none of Brown, Frank or Green have stepped up.  

The way Bullock gets more minutes is more DFS at PF.  Otherwise, he gets squeezed by the two-center lineups (and THJ and DFS being so experienced and highly regarded).

It will be interesting to see how Kidd uses Moses, Willie and Boban.  All bring a spark in their own way.  Willie seems to be on a very short leash early in the season.

Lineup data is highly skewed at this point because KP is killing the numbers of those he's playing with.  O-Rating of 82 and TS% of .397.  His Box +/- is -6.9.  DFS isn't exactly tearing it up either.  In fact, Finney, KP and Sterling all have negative VORP's

On to SA who plays a beefy center surrounded by perimeter oriented forwards and guards.  Does Kidd stick to his two-center guns or adjust smaller to match?  SA takes more 2's than anyone in the league and makes a high percentage of them.  The bench duo of Vassell and Walker have been good.  I'm a little surprised T. Young isn't playing much.  It wouldn't shock me to see him showcased a bit at some point.