08-05-2024, 07:05 AM
(08-04-2024, 10:17 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: The Mavs signed DJJ around this time last year. Did we all think he had the ability to guard the opponents best player?
DJJ had a career year here mostly just of how well he fit. I'm going to miss him mostly because I would've rather stayed with the devil you know than the devil you don't know.
But there is a very real scenario that Naji is just a better fit all around if he can continue to hit 3s at a near 40% clip. On paper Naji does what we loved from DJJ AND has a reliable 3.
According to Pelican fans, Naji was a key defender and they viewed him as a core rotation player. They were not happy the Mavs got him for that price.
I waffle back and forth because again, I would've rather kept DJJ as we KNOW he fits. But he had some fatal flaws that reared its way on the biggest stage. To attempt to upgrade that position at a cheaper cost could prove to be the best move all along.
Plus DJJ didn't exactly make it easy to re-sign him. In fact he basically forced his way out chasing the bag and using his leverage. The Mavs didn't play that game.
I said before FAgency, that he was going to test the market for more cash, after a career year. They all do. No hometown discounts here. That bag he was chasing was ultimately the same deal Marshall got to come to Dallas. In hindsight, he was just chasing his tail...