MAVS NEWS:

[Jason Terry]

The point of "small ball" was never, ever, ever the "small" part. It was and will always be about "skill ball." It's just even today, there is a shortage of big players who can MOVE like smaller players. So, most of the time teams have to go smaller to get BETTER. 

That's why you don't give up on Kleber when you have him, and why you don't trade guys like O-Max before you know how good they'll be. Can you IMAGINE if they could rotate O-Max in with Kleber and Washington???????

Our big small ball lineups will be amazing going forward. Maxi, PJ, Omax (and Jones Jr) are all capable of being part of elite small ball lineups. All have played the 4 and 5 so are interchangeable. 

Lively is the real game changer. He has the quickness and motor to play “skill ball” 5. If he could develop a 3 ball we would be unstoppable. And Lively would be an all star 

As time goes on, i think Gafford will be viewed as a luxury and not a necessity. Before Luka is on the big max we can afford this. He may get the squeeze one day depending on how Lively and Omax develop. As well as how long Maxi can remain effective.