MAVS NEWS:

[DanSchwartzgan]

https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/...-about-the

I didn't see where anyone posted the next installment on the offense.  https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/...me-a-top-5

I think the answer to his question is yes, they can become a top 5 offense.  As most everyone this summer has said, the question is 'at what cost - defensively'.  Iztok concentrates this article on 3 point gravity (volume and percentage and ability to draw defenders away from the paint).  Add more gravity to what are already two of the best attackers in the league and two of the best rim runners in the league and it should be a formula for a very good offense.

I'll mention two other things I think Dallas accomplished offensively this summer.  Thompson and Grimes both have some ability as movement 3 point shooters.  We have this in our playbook and ran THJ off of a screen or pin down at times.  I suspect we'll get more of it with Thompson as a way of diversifying the offense and to keep him doing more than just standing around waiting for a pass from Luka.  In fact, in much the same way that we almost always have a rim runner in the game, we might come close to always having one of Thompson/Grimes in the game should Grimes live up to expectations (hopes).

It think the other undersold thing about our offense is improved passing.  Naji is just a much better passer/initiator than DJJ.  He won't finish fast breaks the way DJJ could, but he can run the break as a ball handler.  Kidd often had DJJ or Green initiate certain plays and it always looked a bit uncomfortable for them.  I don't think it will be an issue for Naji or Grimes.  Thompson is also a better passer than THJ.  Grimes isn't as creative or effective a passer as Green, but he doesn't suck at it either.  The net of the three in and the three out is a much better passing game among the non-stars.

I think we improved our 3 point gravity, our passing and added more movement shooting than we've had in the past.  Those things all make our post up game and our PnR game even more effective than they already were.  Green and DJJ were very good getting out on the break.  I'm not sure we are as good there, but I think we have more people who can look up and make great passes ahead on the break.  So, I don't necessarily see a net drop off there.  Our defensive numbers may drop off some from what they were during the last quarter of the season (that was probably inevitable).  But, part of the reason that we may have to account for as we look at the numbers is our offense is just going to devastate teams some nights.  When that happens and the D just coasts the rest of the night with a 25 point lead, the data won't be the same as it would have been in a tighter game.  I think it will be a very fun brand of basketball to watch.