Game 73: Dallas Mavericks (35-37) vs. New York Knicks (44-26)

[Chicagojk]

First half was great...especially with Naji Marshall tiptoeing with quick mincing steps through the trees in the paint to score almost every time.

Come out in the third and Naji was glued to the corners waiting for somebody to throw the ball to him.  You could see he was frustrated, holding out his hands and actually jumping up and down, pleading for the ball.  It was only nearing the 4th quarter that Naji was slowly moving back to initiating the offense...and scoring.

I can only conclude that Naji was TOLD to plant in the corners and wait for the ball.  Maybe because that somebody wanted to get the rest of the team involved.  But it didn't work.  By the time "the rest of the team" gravitated back to Naji it was too late.

Naji Marshall is becoming a force...

He is playing great.  His touch in the paint is remarkable.  Totally unexpected.    

I still want to wait until we have a full roster.  When we are healthy, his role will not be a primary scoring threat.  How does his game adapt.   It is great he has made a few threes lately, but I am interesting what those lanes look like when we have a big or two in the game.   Right now, I think you can sort of put his numbers in the Quinten Grimes comparison.  Both guys are not primary scorers but due to their situation they have been asked to be one.   Credit to both as they both have been efficient.

I also want to see how his defense looks when his offensive load goes down.   As good as his offense has been, I don't think his defense has been great.  Maybe that will change when he plays with shot blockers.