Game 23: Dallas Mavericks (14-8) vs. Washington Wizards (2-17) | 6:00pm CST

[KillerLeft]

Welp, the Wizards are ok with leaving Thompson open in the weak side corner (at least before this timeout), but I suspect their coaches are reminding the team that Luka can make that pass anytime he wants as I type this.

[Smitty]

Klay waking up is a good sign. Get right kind of game.

[KillerLeft]

This hasn’t been the most focused effort on the Mavs’ part, but it doesn’t matter. Washington is just terrible.

[Jym]

Did anyone ever figure out why the Wizards gave Holmes a 2 year/$25.9 mil contract?

[Smitty]

If the Mavs win every quarter by 9, I’ll call it a success. Boring game really. Mavs playing with their food. Low intensity.

1Q +9
2Q +9

One more and we can rest Luka, Kyrie, PJ and Lively in the 4th.

[KillerLeft]

I assume Bey is WAS's buy-low shot at potentially replacing Kuzma, who they'd be moronic not to want rid of. Not saying he's untouchable, but I wouldn't assume he's overly available. I bet Kuzma gets traded at this deadline finally, though. Not to the Mavs, thank goodness.

When I wrote this I had totally forgotten that Washington just drafted Sarr. Bey might be gettable, actually, but I don’t know if he’s someone I would want for the Mavericks.

[The Jom]

Did anyone ever figure out why the Wizards gave Holmes a 2 year/$25.9 mil contract?

Financially neutral deal per this link.

[KillerLeft]

It turns out the ideal role for Hardy was staring us in the face this whole time: garbage time scorer. I’m not sure that’s worth his new contract, but at least we know he has a role in the league.

[The Jom]

Wow, that Omax rebound!

[KillerLeft]

You know… I’ve always been OK with the presence of a grizzled veteran at the end of the bench, like Morris. When they say he is a crucial part of a successful season, I listen and believe them, so I am OK with it and don’t complain about wasted roster spots like everyone else does.

That doesn’t mean I’m OK with forcing the ball to him during garbage time for five minutes straight. Brutal.

[Chicagojk]

Funny how a franchise can change in an instant. If Sac took Luka, mavs probably don’t love up and wind up with an uninspiring Wendell Carter. A DSJ and Carter pairing is just depressing. Anyway, I thought Bagley was going to be real good. He was so good in college. Never would have guessed while in his prime he is playing for the worst team in the league in mop up duty.

Washington is at least doing it right. Break that sucker up and be bad for a while. Really bad. Watching that game tonight reminds me when the Mavs were really bad and teams just went through the motions and still won comfortably. Tough watch for a fan.

[Chicagojk]

I think we can say Grimes is better than Josh Green right. Doesn’t have the speed Green has or maybe passing skills but just fits this team better. What a trade that was

[KillerLeft]

I think we can say Grimes is  better than Josh Green right.  Doesn’t have the speed Green has or maybe passing skills but just fits this team better.  What a trade that was

Way better. And, while you are probably right that Green is faster, it’s not like Grimes is anywhere near slow. Fastest guy on the team, probably. Better on Ball defender, and just a much more aggressive player, overall.

[Mavs2021]

This might have been the worst basketball team I have ever seen.

[Mavs2021]

Funny how a franchise can change in an instant.  If Sac took Luka, mavs probably don’t love up and wind up with an uninspiring Wendell Carter.  A DSJ and Carter pairing is just depressing.  Anyway, I thought Bagley was going to be real good.  He was so good in college.  Never would have guessed while in his prime he is playing for the worst team in the league in mop up duty.

I wonder whether the Mavs asked to see Bagley III play or the Wizards figured we need a back-up PF.  

He has played more minutes tonight than he has all season. 16/8 and only -12. Good showing.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

I think we can say Grimes is  better than Josh Green right.  Doesn’t have the speed Green has or maybe passing skills but just fits this team better.  What a trade that was

Green's passing is the result of him penetrating the lane and looking to pass first before scoring. This isn't a bad thing, but most times, this is infuriating, specially those times when he skips a layup for a pass to the outside shooters. It's like he thought of a pass even before he went on a drive. With Grimes, he makes the smart extra pass when he needs to, and often, just takes it upon himself to score (usually on layups).

Grimes off the dribble pull-up game is also better than Josh's. 

While Green is the faster player, I do not trust his handles. Grimes' control of the ball is way better. His spin moves takes defenders off-guard.

And in D? Grimes is way better. Green's defense is all hustle. Grimes defense is positioning and awareness.

Grimes is just the smarter, more dynamic, more skilled and more aggressive version of Green.

[The Jom]

I dunno, guys. JG this year has put up 66 threes in 21 games, making 30 (45.5%) of em.

QG in games has shot 72 in 20 games, making 31 (43.1%). I guess that’s more.

[KillerLeft]

I dunno, guys. JG this year has put up 66 threes in 21 games, making 30 (45.5%) of em.

QG in games has shot 72 in 20 games, making 31 (43.1%). I guess that’s more.

What are their minute totals?

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

I dunno, guys. JG this year has put up 66 threes in 21 games, making 30 (45.5%) of em.

QG in games has shot 72 in 20 games, making 31 (43.1%). I guess that’s more.

It's not just about shooting 3s.
Grimes overall game is better.

If you close out on Grimes, he can dribble pass you for a layup in traffic. The guy is nifty. A guy like Grimes (and Naji) would have been a weapon against Boston.

[F Gump]

This might have been the worst basketball team I have ever seen.

They are a success, then!! They built this team to try to get the pick to draft Cooper Flagg, if they can.

If they are awful (and they are), they have done exactly what they set out to do.