GAME 53 DIRKIE: Gafford by a mile

[DallasMaverick]

What makes you say this?
Gafford is a legitimate threat to start (although I am opposed to this idea, basically because if I were Kidd I wouldn't shatter Lively's confidence-- the order of things must be established. DLive is the future and deserves a starting role, and Gafford needs to know he is in support role).

I haven't seen much of Gafford, and as a Mav, it's only one game, so this evaluation is just for one game: Gafford provides the toughness inside. I'm not saying Lively isn't (broken nose and all, still finished the game), but to me, Gafford is the "get-out-of-my-way" type of nasty. Lively's a rookie so maybe he develops that too, but for now, Gafford has the edge in toughness.  Whereas Lively would relish the matchup against Chet, Gafford seems like he doesn't care who's in front of him.

The real question for me is -- who stays in the last 5 minutes of a highly contested game when both Lively and Gafford are healthy.

Depends on matchups, and how the opposing team wants to play offense. If Gafford’s lack of foot speed and lateral mobility aren’t being exploited, he plays. If Lively’s lack of bulk isn’t being exploited, he’s probably in there.

Decisions likely to be made in real time.