Mavs 108, Rockets 133

[burekemde]

Thanks for the analysis, burekemde.


Just to boil it down, I'm not quite clear on the point you are supporting. 

For most of your post, it sounds like you are trying to prove that THJ is a trash player who provides negative value, and should not appear on the court. 

Then you end by saying he should be brought off the bench to build on leads. 

I had thought that your previous posts indicated that you recognized THJ's value as a strong offensive player, but now it seems that you have changed your mind, and decided he is little better offensively and much worse defensively, than the other Mavs. 

Color me a little confused about your viewpoint. Happy to be enlightened.

Seems this is misunderstood. He is very valuable indeed by the offense he brings. Just that I think that JRich has more value for the team than THJ. And DFS as well. THJ is stronger offensively, but by a much smaller margin, than the gap between them in the defensive abilities. That is not the same as he has negative overall value. Coming off the bench, I think he is/will have the best value, and this is a positive thing.

I do believe Carlisle has also realised this lately by benching him, and the result was great. So I guess I am not alone in this. And I think this has also lifted the team.

There will almost certainly be games where the offense without THJ doesnt run well, and THJ will come in and contribute to the comebacks, and build on the leads as well in other games where the offense without him runs well. There might/should come periods where he will start again for sure, especially when opponents dont have that big wing. But I do believe the general success of the team will be greater by giving more minutes, and more of the crucial minutes, to JRich and DFS, especially in playoff time.

Another thing that is an issue is the mentality that the Mavs can only play with pure shooters etc. I dont buy this at all. There are many ways to win. And building dynasties in sports usually involves getting dedicated players, playing defense as well as offense. There are many formulas to win, and many of them involve playing defense. We definitely as a team need to adjust the philosophical views of this especially since the two star players are showing two-way abilities.