MAVS NEWS:

[omahen]

I originally liked the Dinwiddie signing, but at the moment I am leaning towards Killer's thinking that he is just taking away developmental/adjustment minutes from Grimes and Hardy.  Hopefully Naji can take over the third playmaking role and Din can fall further down the depth chart.

I am very happy with this team. I think they created a very credible team and I could easily see them in the finals again. Mavs have really improved in skill. All their guys, other than centers, can now put the ball on the floor when given space and do something with it. While they are not level of defenders DJJ or DFS were, they are far more versatile on offense. They are also a very deep team and minutes are difficult to get for everyone. Especially because starters are playing heavy minutes so far, there are only so many of them to be had for bench guys. 
 
I think only Boston is still a great and extremely difficult team to beat, while I still don't really trust the young OKC, until they prove me otherwise in the playoffs. Although they currently of course look very dominant. I think Mavs are better than all the other teams in a playoff series. 

I don't think there is a plan to have Naji as a creator. He can put the ball on the floor, but I don't see him as capable of running an offense. One thing I am thinking about - did SD actually "take" Maxi minutes (but not his role) since he got injured? I think Naji and Grimes are not really playing more unless they are really hot (each had one such game so far) and SD started playing when Maxi went out. Although it is also true Hardy also lost his minutes.

I am a bit suprised at low minutes for Grimes. He is not efficient on offense (so far), but he is a good defender. But again, minutes are difficult to get with the deep team Mavs have. Hope it doesn't become an issue (dissatisfaction with a small role).