07-03-2024, 12:39 PM
some Mavericks thoughts in a column
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/7/3/2...s-warriors
What’s your favorite under-the-radar deal so far?
Chau: Naji Marshall to Dallas on a three-year, $27 million contract is unbelievable value for the Mavs. On their own, Marshall’s outrageous 7-foot-1 wingspan and lateral fluidity make him an incredibly versatile defender, never mind the hellaciousness that he brings on that end. If he can shoot his 3s at or near last year’s percentages on all the wide-open looks he’ll be fielding from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, he’ll more than fill the void left by the departing Derrick Jones Jr.
Whose 2025 Finals chances do you like more right now: Dallas Mavericks or Oklahoma City Thunder?
Kram: Thunder. Dallas and Oklahoma City both scored exactly 636 points in their second-round clash, which was decided by free throws in the final seconds of Game 6. The two teams were basically even in the playoffs, after OKC was superior in the regular season. And while the Mavericks have spent the summer shuffling around roughly equivalent players, the Thunder added Alex Caruso and Hartenstein without sacrificing any first-round picks that they could use for further upgrades. The answer is the Thunder, and it’s not all that close right now.
Chau: It’s been five years since Sam Presti made the Paul George trade that landed him his future superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and more than a handful of first-round picks. Five years later, with the fruits of an epic rebuild plain to see, it’s safe to say that he’s really good at this. The Thunder have become a defense-oriented, five-out juggernaut out West—and that was before they added Caruso. And now, they’ve finally shored up their biggest weakness with the signing of junkyard-dog center Hartenstein. It’s not just the 2025 Finals. With any luck, they’ll be contending for the next half decade.
Dollinger: We haven’t seen a team lose in the Finals and make it back the next season since LeBron was in Cleveland. The Mavericks went on a fairy-tale run as a fifth seed that made it to the Finals, but the Thunder were dominant all season, posting 57 wins while leaning heavily on their younger players. Add another year of experience and some Presti-perfect additions, and Oklahoma City could very well be a full-blown juggernaut next season. Dallas has added some smart reinforcements, but banking on Irving (32 years old) and Thompson (34) to hold up is no sure thing.
Pina: Thunder. This is a no-brainer. The Mavericks have the best player, but the Thunder have a much deeper team and way more on- and off-court flexibility. In adding Caruso and Hartenstein, OKC solved last year’s most glaring problems while building what should somewhat easily be the best defense in the league. They’re deep enough to have an answer for pretty much any problem. They’re talented enough to overwhelm. They have shotmaking, 3-point shooting, and an attack-the-rim mentality. Good luck to the rest of the Western Conference.
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/7/3/2...s-warriors
What’s your favorite under-the-radar deal so far?
Chau: Naji Marshall to Dallas on a three-year, $27 million contract is unbelievable value for the Mavs. On their own, Marshall’s outrageous 7-foot-1 wingspan and lateral fluidity make him an incredibly versatile defender, never mind the hellaciousness that he brings on that end. If he can shoot his 3s at or near last year’s percentages on all the wide-open looks he’ll be fielding from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, he’ll more than fill the void left by the departing Derrick Jones Jr.
Whose 2025 Finals chances do you like more right now: Dallas Mavericks or Oklahoma City Thunder?
Kram: Thunder. Dallas and Oklahoma City both scored exactly 636 points in their second-round clash, which was decided by free throws in the final seconds of Game 6. The two teams were basically even in the playoffs, after OKC was superior in the regular season. And while the Mavericks have spent the summer shuffling around roughly equivalent players, the Thunder added Alex Caruso and Hartenstein without sacrificing any first-round picks that they could use for further upgrades. The answer is the Thunder, and it’s not all that close right now.
Chau: It’s been five years since Sam Presti made the Paul George trade that landed him his future superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and more than a handful of first-round picks. Five years later, with the fruits of an epic rebuild plain to see, it’s safe to say that he’s really good at this. The Thunder have become a defense-oriented, five-out juggernaut out West—and that was before they added Caruso. And now, they’ve finally shored up their biggest weakness with the signing of junkyard-dog center Hartenstein. It’s not just the 2025 Finals. With any luck, they’ll be contending for the next half decade.
Dollinger: We haven’t seen a team lose in the Finals and make it back the next season since LeBron was in Cleveland. The Mavericks went on a fairy-tale run as a fifth seed that made it to the Finals, but the Thunder were dominant all season, posting 57 wins while leaning heavily on their younger players. Add another year of experience and some Presti-perfect additions, and Oklahoma City could very well be a full-blown juggernaut next season. Dallas has added some smart reinforcements, but banking on Irving (32 years old) and Thompson (34) to hold up is no sure thing.
Pina: Thunder. This is a no-brainer. The Mavericks have the best player, but the Thunder have a much deeper team and way more on- and off-court flexibility. In adding Caruso and Hartenstein, OKC solved last year’s most glaring problems while building what should somewhat easily be the best defense in the league. They’re deep enough to have an answer for pretty much any problem. They’re talented enough to overwhelm. They have shotmaking, 3-point shooting, and an attack-the-rim mentality. Good luck to the rest of the Western Conference.