(04-30-2021, 10:48 AM)mavsluvr Wrote: Thanks, IGT.Ya, for the most part he CAN score from anywhere on the court, however I think his accuracy (and hence ability) gets pretty volatile anytime he isn't playing the catch and shoot or pump fake, single rhythm dribble, shoot role (he can shoot and make those under defensive pressure decently for the most part and shoots them wide open very well).
Just to clarify, I am assuming that you disagree that he is capable of carrying the team on any given night, but that you agree that he can score from anywhere. If not, we could have a discussion on what areas of the court he is incapable of scoring from, but for now, I will base the discussion on our agreement to that extent.
Also to be clear, I don't say that he can carry the team EVERY night, just that it is possible on any given night. Normally, he is not called upon to do that, but when Luka is not on the court, he is usually the first or second option. Scoring 42 points in a game without the benefit of Luka on the court making all those great passes is extraordinary, even against a bad team.
I agree that the Mavs think Tim is a good locker room guy, but I don't think they would re-sign him if that were the only thing he was contributing. He is too expensive for that.
He is on the floor primarily for his ability to score. Not just to shoot, but to score in a variety of ways. Even with his slumps, I think he's still averaging over 15 ppg. He is also very durable, which is a more valuable attribute than is often discussed. I think he has only missed a game or so this season.
His skills are less easily replaceable than a lot of people think. If you can get a Kawhi or LeBron or Steph instead, by all means, you do it, but if you look at what seems to be available out there, it's not clear that someone obviously better is realistic.
I am not here trying to be a Tim Hardaway apologist, just trying to understand the situation in a clear-eyed manner. In assessing the value his skills are likely to command, and how easy he would be to replace, it is my impression from this thread that some fans think he is essentially fungible with the average NBA guard and that no one will be interested in paying him much this summer. (I understand that you did not take those positions, IGT.) I seriously question whether either of those propositions is correct.
If the Mavs re-sign him, I think Tim, Sr. would definitely deserve some swag for attending games, lol.
I don't see him as an automatic finisher at the rim when there are any defenders close. I don't see him as much of a distributor/ball handler. I don't see him as an even average defender. Sure, he can every once in a while go off on a team, but even then, I don't remember the last good game he had against a quality opponent (not that we've had a lot of them lately), and to that extent, he shrank in the playoffs last year.
Those reasons are why I believe he has found himself on the bench this season, because the bench is for guys exactly like him.
I think there is a team that would probably pay him a lot for a perceived talent that he doesn't have...at least hasn't really shown it on this team, but I really hope the Mavs are smarter than to pay him more than 3/36-40, and in all honesty, I'd prefer that final year be a team option or lesser guaranteed money. That is to say 2 other things, I think the Mavs do pay him more than that, and they bid against themselves on the contract.