Game 63: Miami Heat (35-26) vs. Dallas Mavericks (34-28)

[dirkfansince1998]

I thought Gafford did what I was hoping for last night.  Now I admit it has been bumpy so far since the trade.  When the trade was made, I said that didn't think I would have done the trade for what we gave up.  But it happened.

I want him to play like 20 minutes a night (sometimes more) and just muck things up.  Cause issues at the rim with dunks, rebounds, and some rim protection.  This team could really use more easy baskets near the rim and some kind of presence.  I hope he provides that.  Let him focus on the things he does well and help him or limit the situations where he struggles.  If he plays hard, I think there is a valuable role for him.  We will see though.

Maybe it doesn't work and the price they paid could be dangerous in a few years.

Edit- just noticed Gafford hasn't missed a shot the last two games.  So, if you combine him and Hardaway shots, they are shooting around 50% combined.   

It doesn't really work like that. There are limitations that make a player unplayable in certain matchups or due to the overall structure of the roster. Maybe he would look better on a team like the Celtics with great spacing and four all defense level perimeter defenders next to him but he is playing on the Mavs. Next to two star players that are net negatives on defense. On a team that is already challenged when it comes to lateral quickness and perimeter defense. With mediocre spacing from SF/PF (Washington, Kleber, DJJ). Not a good setup for a big that cannot really defend the perimeter and doesn't provide any spacing.

If you look at the numbers the Mavs offense is nine points worse with him on the floor. Despite his great FG%. Defense is net neutral. The stuff that he is doing well isn't enough to overcome his short comings (at least on this team). The same lineups performed way better with Powell playing center. A fact that many people like to ignore.

Sorry for the rant but it just feels like we are talking in circles. Mavs chasing dinosaurs. Mavs fans asking for dinosaurs. Expecting them to help the Mavs. Only to end up with another big net negative. People talked themself into McGee. Now Gafford. Even Holmes was hyped as a potential solution.

We can be happy to have Lively and I really hope that instead of trying to turn him into another drop defense disaster the Mavs find a coach that takes advantage of his foot speed before it's too late.