Building Around Cooper: A Backward-Looking Thought Experiment

[Smitty]

Lu Dort average 31mpg on a Championship team last year. smh

I hate to keep standing on this soapbox but starter, bench, guard, wing, 3&D, your mom’s tenpenny granny. What’s the difference?

Dort’s got flaws but dude can play

We get too hung up in roles that were defined in the 1960’s. Kidd says he just wants basketball players. Why don’t we listen?

Let’s say Flagg starts knocking down 3’s at 38%. Are you telling me he can’t play with PJ Washington?! Dude. PJ can guard 1-5. He’s a downhill driver. Strong in the paint. Can get 15ppg and 25+ if you dont guard him. Rebounds. Sets the tone with force. Sure I’d love if PJ were a knockdown shooter but he makes up for it in other areas. Taken together, there are plenty of better overall players… but PJW can play. He needs stars around him but that’s why he not a star. PJW is a HIGH END role player. Maybe the best role player on this team. You don’t dump him because he’s not a star. Kyrie and Flagg are stars. And hopefully the Mavs land another one in the draft.

Totally agree. The elephant in the room is we took an MVP caliber player and turned him into a (talented) rookie who sometimes still gets lost trying to find the restroom. Flagg has the potential to be as good or better than Luka but you can’t swap an MVP for a rookie and expect a seamless transition. Luka made guys better and beyond the 30+ triple doubles, that’s why he’s 1st All NBA.

The Mavs just don’t have enough talent on the roster to realistically blame PJW or Gafford. To put it another way, I’ll really start complaining about PJ when the Mavs have five wings who are clearly and consistently better than him. Until then, I’m focused on finding an elite player in the draft.

Say it with your chest! Great stuff here vfromlmf. Glad to know there's another one in the trenches with me. Agree with everything here but felt like one of your comments in particular needed a little more attention...