MAVS NEWS:

[Dahlsim]

Lively looks 10 feet tall

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/20906249...66/photo/1

That Lively pic is interesting. He looks crazy giant there. It makes me wonder if his injury prone experience so far in the NBA could tied to continued late growth spurt.  Even his head and body look so much bigger here than Cooper Flagg who himself has reportedly grown a bit since entering the league? 
https://twitter.com/Mavs_FFL/status/2090642673245753563 

Lively himself, said at Mavericks media day in September 2025 that he had grown a couple of inches since the prior season and estimated that he was now about 7'2" to 7'3". That would put him roughly two inches above his previous 7'1" listing. 
https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/ne...mavericks- 

"Lively came into last season listed at 7'1", so if he has grown to 7'3", that would be huge for the Mavericks. In a division that includes the 7'3" Victor Wembanyama on the San Antonio Spurs, having someone who can match up with him.
This height change will also matter for Lively's offensive game. They've worked on developing his hook game around the basket, and those extra few inches could help get his shot off over smaller defenders. They also think he can stretch his game out to the three-point line this season, and he'll be able to shoot over anyone if that's the case.

Its easy to forget now that when Joel Embiid had a major late body growth spurt, getting much bigger from high school to college, not just tall but adding huge weight and muscle when he entered the league.  
Now after successful medical work early on that cost him most of his first 2 NBA seasons, although he's had injury problems none of it has been those foot and back stress fracture issues. Those injuries could easily have cost his entire career but he's went on to become an MVP, Gold Medalist, Allstar etc.  
https://www.businessinsider.com/joel-emb...ury-2014-6  

So I'm wondering about Lively and what's going on with his body. 
Could he still become a real star center for a Coop team that has to face Wemby for a long time to come? 
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons