05-14-2025, 11:17 AM
I just watched the first half of the Memphis play in game for the first time. What a disaster. Seems like Kidd substituted every 2 minutes and the combinations were all over the map. One thing was crystal clear. The Mavs desperately need a veteran point guard. They opened with point PJW. What a mess. Point AD was just as bad. None of the guards/forwards were competent in the role. Exum didn't work. Williams played totally out of control. Martin and Naji tried to create offense. Max Christie. Dinwiddie got minutes. Basically seemed like it was "point whoever has the ball" for long stretches. Just chaos.
Defensively, they couldn't keep anyone out of the lane and seemed like Dallas had no plan. I think the lack of offensive structure allowed Memphis to rebound and play downhill but watching that game was a stark reminder that defense on paper is different than defense in practice. PJW tried to guard the point of attack and fouled. When Dallas went small Memphis pulled AD away from the rim and scored at will on dump offs. The first half was a defensive disaster as much as it was offensively.
Flagg has great potential but I think it will be asking way too much to make him a guard and a primary offensive initiator on Day one.
Rather than try to trick things up I think the Mavs should simplify. Rick Carlisle was a genius putting guys in position to be successful. Tight reins. Against Memphis it seemed like Kidd was asking everyone to do too much. That could be solved by bringing in the right veteran to run the show and get everyone organized.
As much as I hate to say it, Chris Paul does fit the bill.
Defensively, they couldn't keep anyone out of the lane and seemed like Dallas had no plan. I think the lack of offensive structure allowed Memphis to rebound and play downhill but watching that game was a stark reminder that defense on paper is different than defense in practice. PJW tried to guard the point of attack and fouled. When Dallas went small Memphis pulled AD away from the rim and scored at will on dump offs. The first half was a defensive disaster as much as it was offensively.
Flagg has great potential but I think it will be asking way too much to make him a guard and a primary offensive initiator on Day one.
Rather than try to trick things up I think the Mavs should simplify. Rick Carlisle was a genius putting guys in position to be successful. Tight reins. Against Memphis it seemed like Kidd was asking everyone to do too much. That could be solved by bringing in the right veteran to run the show and get everyone organized.
As much as I hate to say it, Chris Paul does fit the bill.
![[-]](https://www.mavsboard.com/images/collapse.png)