07-22-2024, 12:39 PM
(07-22-2024, 12:34 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I wouldn't already write off Hardy's potential to grow into a role just because Dinwiddie was signed. In fact I don't think there will be any issues. The Mavs still need an offensive creator on the bench that can come in and score at will.
The way I see it the Mavs have 2 defined roles for their guards: The orchestrator and the scorer.
Luka is the orchestrator. He has the ball most of the time. Has a massive responsibility to not only score buckets but also set other guys up. Any guard who comes in off the bench to play this role has to do their best Luka impression, which just means you're setting guys up/scoring when needed.
The scorer is an easier role and is basically a traditional SG. You score buckets and you aren't that worried about setting others up. Kyrie is the scorer when Luka is on the court. He is probably one of the best in the league given his efficiency and shot diet.
But what makes Kyrie so valuable is that he can float between Orchestrator and Scorer seamlessly. And the Mavs are looking to recreate this system off the bench. Looking at our guards:
Exum- Leans more toward an orchestrator.
Hardy- Leans more toward a scorer.
Grimes- Leans more toward a scorer.
Dinwiddie- Can either be an orchestrator or scorer.
The addition of Dinwiddie I don't think has any bearing on Hardy's minutes and it really shouldn't be. I don't want Hardy being the Orchestrator. He's a bucket getter. Let him go get buckets.
Seeing this, Hardy's biggest competition is Grimes. And both of those guys are going to be RFA's looking for paydays next summer. I think the Mavs wanted this friendly competition to see who gets the contract. I think the Mavs aren't going to pay both of them serious money and the player who can show they can fill that 6th man scoring role will be the one to get the contract. The other will be used in a trade to replace the Maxi role.
I don't see it this way at all.
I think Hardy and Dinwiddie are basically the same, exact player, just at different points in their development. Neither of them is a "PG" in the way this board has been trying to claim matters (but it doesn't matter, anymore). Hardy is more talented, but far less experienced, so Dinwiddie is going to be the easier choice for Kidd all season, which is unfortunate, imo.
They can play together, but it's not at all ideal. Neither of them playing with Kyrie is at all ideal. Any of those three will work next to Luka most of the time, but all three are defensive liabilities.
I was ready to live in a world where the guys rotating as bench guards were Hardy, Grimes and Exum, in whatever order. Dinwiddie taking any time away from any of those three is a bummer for me, sorry.