Mavs 108, Rockets 133

[KillerLeft]

It is no coincidence what when Jrich/Maxi/DFS went out, that double teaming Luka started, and it started actually working since Green etc can not hit the open 3s. You cant do that with the above 3 shooters in the game. They are good shooters, you just dont leave open. They dont need to be able to score 3s when well defended. Difference of those 3 to THJ, is that they play D. D wins championships.

You have a great understanding of the effect a defender who can convert catch and shoot opportunities has on spacing. They don't talk about "3 and D" players all the time in this sport for nothing. 

I humbly suggest that your view on how the offense works might need just a bit more nuance. No matter how good Luka is or eventually becomes, they will always need a guy like THJ, who is MORE than just a floor spacer. I mean, floor spacing is the result of him being out there, yes, but he's a threat, not just someone standing in the corner. He moves off-ball, can get shots off quickly off of pin downs, etc, etc, etc. This is a vitally important ingredient when Carlisle is cooking the stew. 

Is he the 6th best DEFENDER on the team? Maybe, but he's nowhere remotely close to being a "bad defender" in my opinion. Far from it, actually. Michael Porter Jr. is a bad defender. Trae Young is a bad defender. Hell, THJ is a MUCH better defender than Jason Terry was, imo. Better than Nash was, and probably better than Michael Finley was. 

Defense doesn't win championships without offense. It's the sum of everything that matters. Synergy. I believe it's clear that there is nobody on this roster who can provide what THJ does on the offensive end. Burke is probably the closest, but he's not THJ. The Mavs had a chance to part ways with THJ over the summer, but instead opted to move Curry. I think that speaks volumes about how they feel, and even if it doesn't, it certainly marries them to THJ for the immediate future.