(06-01-2024, 09:43 AM)BigDirk41 Wrote: I see zero reason for DJJ or PJ to be moved to the bench next year. Both have been great this season and in the playoffs. Both players have shot higher 3 point percentages in the playoffs than in the regular season. Both players increased their ppg in the playoffs also. That's exactly what you want from your role players is to elevate their games when it matters the most. Hardy and Maxi have also raised their 3 point %. The only need for this team is the right type of role players to add to the team or possibly a 6th man if we don't think Hardy is ready for that role. I personally think Hardy is ready for that role. It's more about retaining all our top talent and improving if there is a chance.
You move DJJ or PJ to the bench because you have acquired superior talent. You don't move them for the sake of moving them. The Mavs looking to just stay pat is simply not understanding the way the league will move on without you, no matter what you've previously accomplished. Plenty of great teams have stood pat after success only to be left behind. I don't care that DJJ and PJ have elevated their games in the playoffs, because Luka literally elevates almost everyone in the playoffs, because his gravity increases in the playoffs as defenses key in on him more than in the regular season, leaving even more open space for these roles players than they are used to having. My thoughts go to what if Luka actually had good shooters around him during these periods, how good the offense would be. A Herb Jones type would prob be shooting 50% from 3 in these playoffs next to Luka and Kyrie because he'd be so consistently wide open. I recognize that as much as some of these role players deserve credit, a lot of what they are doing is purely due to Luka and Kyrie. They are team elevators of the highest order. Luka has the best team around him he's ever had, but IMO that's a very low bar when you look at what Tatum or Jokic or Giannis have had. Now finding the right players might be difficult, and high level 3 and D's aren't easy to get, but we should very much be on the lookout for any opportunity IMO. And to be clear I'm not saying this because I think PJ or DJJ aren't good. But I'm looking to have this team keep up with or keep ahead of a bunch of teams that are likely gonna be much better moving forward.