MAVS NEWS:

[KillerLeft]

I agree with this.  There were times in preseason where his shot looked so rushed.

Consistency will be inportant and I expect it will be a bumpy ride.  I think toughness and confidence are also key.  It comes a time where you say I won’t be denied and force the coach to keep u on the court

https://x.com/kevinoconnor/status/211244...deo/1?s=46

I agree with this, too, but I don't understand the panic (not from you, but judging by the preseason game threads). We all knew this was a young player with rough edges that would need smoothing. I saw more than enough from his sporadic good shooting, instinctive cutting, rare athletic/size profile and his ability to just flatly run the floor in transition to feel pretty good about him as an investment, especially given what they gave up to get him. He's one of the players I'm most excited to watch this season.

[michaeltex]

I agree with this, too, but I don't understand the panic (not from you, but judging by the preseason game threads). We all knew this was a young player with rough edges that would need smoothing. I saw more than enough from his sporadic good shooting, instinctive cutting, rare athletic/size profile and his ability to just flatly run the floor in transition to feel pretty good about him as an investment, especially given what they gave up to get him. He's one of the players I'm most excited to watch this season.

I agree that he needs some time, although I wonder why, going in to his 3rd season, he still needs to let the game "slow down" for him. Maybe it's just the overhang of being a #1 pick and feeling like he has to live up to that status. Maybe he just needs some treadmill time pre-game to lower his energy levels. Another factor is what kind of atmosphere there was in the ATL locker room. Personally, I think he'll come around as the team bonds during the season and he finds his rhythm.

On a larger scale, I'm still waiting to get a sense of this team's identity. I know it's "Coop's Team", but the preseason was such a jumble of partial rosters, resting/injured players and inconsistent play, it's hard to get a feel for the team. Established teams like OKC, SAN or HOU have an identity and can afford to spend the pre-season evaluating low rotation and 2-way players. DAL, IMO, is more like an expansion club with all the new faces and players returning from extended injury absences (and some still out). I know it's probably going to be ugly for a bit, and I'm looking forward to seeing how all the parts meld together, but watching Coop's growth and Kyrie's return are primary reasons to sit through some of the bad basketball that's about to happen. 

But maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy. I think I'm entering my "Get off my lawn" phase.

[numnuts23]

Mavs favorite to land Clayton Jr. when he clears waivers

[KillerLeft]

I agree that he needs some time, although I wonder why, going in to his 3rd season, he still needs to let the game "slow down" for him. Maybe it's just the overhang of being a #1 pick and feeling like he has to live up to that status. Maybe he just needs some treadmill time pre-game to lower his energy levels. Another factor is what kind of atmosphere there was in the ATL locker room. Personally, I think he'll come around as the team bonds during the season and he finds his rhythm.

On a larger scale, I'm still waiting to get a sense of this team's identity. I know it's "Coop's Team", but the preseason was such a jumble of partial rosters, resting/injured players and inconsistent play, it's hard to get a feel for the team. Established teams like OKC, SAN or HOU have an identity and can afford to spend the pre-season evaluating low rotation and 2-way players. DAL, IMO, is more like an expansion club with all the new faces and players returning from extended injury absences (and some still out). I know it's probably going to be ugly for a bit, and I'm looking forward to seeing how all the parts meld together, but watching Coop's growth and Kyrie's return are primary reasons to sit through some of the bad basketball that's about to happen. 

But maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy. I think I'm entering my "Get off my lawn" phase.

For Risacher, I think what we're dealing with is someone who was not as experienced and trained in basketball as most first round picks. He was a little more on the "raw" side of the spectrum than the average lottery talent and was (unfortunately) drafted 1st overall because of the alluring physical package and potential. If you're going to take a risk like that, you have to be willing to follow through with patience and long leash, and that's just to find out what you've got, really. It would be like if O-Max had been a lottery pick for the Mavs. Not a good idea, but GUARANTEED to fail if you don't go out of your way as organization to give it as big of a chance to succeed as possible. 

In year 1, ATL did that, and honestly Risacher's rookie season went pretty well. Not 1st overall well, but pretty well for a rookie. For whatever reason (I've seen speculation about the coach and offensive system changing in between) they just demonstrated no interest in him whatsoever during his second season. It was "sink or swim," and while playing a new role for which he wasn't well-suited. Predictably, he sank. 

The Mavs, alternatively, did NOT invest the first overall pick in the guy, have all the flexibility in the world with him in the coming months (whether they pick up his option or not, honestly), and from my POV have exactly zilch to lose by giving him lots of runway to carve out a role on the court. He's holding nothing or no one back by being here, as he's the most intriguing talent of a certain type on the roster by far and the team is going to struggle this season with or without him. Personally, I think it's a genius roll of the dice on the Mavs' part. I don't know if it will pay off, but it's fun to hope that it will. 

I agree about the identity point, and while I can't speak for you or anyone else, that feeling originates for me from what I consider to be a total lack of ability to generate easy, effective and efficient offense. In my observation of the NBA, I have come to the conclusion that this is the catalyst for inching a team towards "competitive" 99% of the time. They badly need to identify a lead guard and build a system that enhances their players' strengths. I saw no evidence of it in the preseason, but that doesn't mean anything, really. I'm hopeful May is up to it.

[Smitty]

Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports)
Mavericks coach Dusty May said that he assumes Tarik Biberovic (right heel) is OUT tomorrow against the Houston Rockets.

Max Christie (sore foot) was a FULL GO at practice and Santi Aldama (right knee) was limited.

May said he doesn’t think Aldama will be ready but he’s close.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs favorite to land Clayton Jr. when he clears waivers

I would like this.   I don't think Clayton was very good in Utah.  Especially being an older rookie.    He didn't really stand out in Memphis to keep him around.  He was really good in Florida's championship run.  

I think Dallas would be a perfect place to take a chance with.  In fact, I think a Dallas two way may be a better bet than a real roster spot with Sacramento.   I know he may not have full say with that though.   There would be real chance of minutes with Dallas this year with a potential eventually getting a roster spot if he impresses.

[Chicagojk]

Lively, Aldama, tarek and Caleb out for tomorrow’s game.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am out on a Caleb extension next year

[myconsumerclub]

https://www.nba.com/standings Mavs are currently in first place.

[KillerLeft]

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am out on a Caleb extension next year

Nicely done!

[SkenfromLMF]

I would like this.   I don't think Clayton was very good in Utah.  Especially being an older rookie.    He didn't really stand out in Memphis to keep him around.  He was really good in Florida's championship run.  

I think Dallas would be a perfect place to take a chance with.  In fact, I think a Dallas two way may be a better bet than a real roster spot with Sacramento.   I know he may not have full say with that though.   There would be real chance of minutes with Dallas this year with a potential eventually getting a roster spot if he impresses.

That said, is there anyone that made the 15 you would be willing to part with in order to claim him off waivers?
Financially Cisse is the only one that makes sense to roll the dice on, but then it would be paramount to find a C that can replace what Cisse did from the 2-way region, maybe stack that with 2 guys, if the need is greater than keeping Jett howard.

[Scott41theMavs]

That said, is there anyone that made the 15 you would be willing to part with in order to claim him off waivers?
Financially Cisse is the only one that makes sense to roll the dice on, but then it would be paramount to find a C that can replace what Cisse did from the 2-way region, maybe stack that with 2 guys, if the need is greater than keeping Jett howard.

The rumor is we’re waiting for him to *clear* waivers to sign him to our open 2-way slot.

[KillerLeft]

The rumor is we’re waiting for him to *clear* waivers to sign him to our open 2-way slot.

That tracks with cutting Poulakidas, too. 

The Mavs like Biberovic more than Poulakidas (obviously) and realize they might have the single worst lead guard situation in the NBA (depending on what you expect from Kyrie). If this move for Clayton, JR works out it will be a nice little piece of business around the margins imho.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Lawal was always going to get one of the two-ways.  Clearly there is a need for a PG whether it was Clayton Jr. or someone else.  I don't mind this at all, but, I also don't expect it to be all that significant either.  So, that's two of the three slots.  

I think the competition for the "shooter" spot was between Howard and Poulakidas.  Howard apparently won.

[KillerLeft]

Lawal was always going to get one of the two-ways.  Clearly there is a need for a PG whether it was Clayton Jr. or someone else.  I don't mind this at all, but, I also don't expect it to be all that significant either.  So, that's two of the three slots.  

I think the competition for the "shooter" spot was between Howard and Poulakidas.  Howard apparently won.

I agree, except...last year taught us that when the roster is this starved for a particular skill set (ball-handling guard), a two-way spot can be significant. I think there's a fairly strong chance Clayton (or whomever replaces him in that spot later in the season, maybe) plays just as much as Nembhard did last season. Remember when a two-way guy was the only true lead guard on the roster and we were all convinced he was good?

[mvossman]

I agree, except...last year taught us that when the roster is this starved for a particular skill set (ball-handling guard), a two-way spot can be significant. I think there's a fairly strong chance Clayton (or whomever replaces him in that spot later in the season, maybe) plays just as much as Nembhard did last season. Remember when a two-way guy was the only true lead guard on the roster and we were all convinced he was good?

The roster is starved for ball handling, but I don't think its as bad as last season.  I think Kyrie/Larry/Sasser is a significant upgrade from Dlo/Nembhard/Williams.  Clayton could get some run, but I doubt it will be 60 games at 20 minutes per.

[KillerLeft]

The roster is starved for ball handling, but I don't think its as bad as last season.  I think Kyrie/Larry/Sasser is a significant upgrade from Dlo/Nembhard/Williams.  Clayton could get some run, but I doubt it will be 60 games at 20 minutes per.

It's a good point, but all it takes is one significant injury and one of the two new guys not panning out right away (scary and plausible what ifs) and they're right back where they were.

Further, I think the fact that they're canvasing for help in this department could mean (could) that they don't like the options they have as much as we assume/hope/pray they do. I think it's possible they think Clayton Jr is a potentially better option than at least one of names you mention. 

Regardless, I'm just happy they've identified this type of player as a place they need to invest, even on this small level.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I agree, except...last year taught us that when the roster is this starved for a particular skill set (ball-handling guard), a two-way spot can be significant. I think there's a fairly strong chance Clayton (or whomever replaces him in that spot later in the season, maybe) plays just as much as Nembhard did last season. Remember when a two-way guy was the only true lead guard on the roster and we were all convinced he was good?

Which is why I said "clearly there is a need for a PG whether it is Clayton Jr. or someone else". My point was that Poulakida probably lost his spot to Howard, not Clayton even though the order of operation might say otherwise.

[KillerLeft]

Which is why I said "clearly there is a need for a PG whether it is Clayton Jr. or someone else".  My point was that Poulakida probably lost his spot to Howard, not Clayton even though the order of operation might say otherwise.

I get how it might seem that both Clayton Jr and Howard played roles in the exit of Poulakidas, but for me his future was over here the second they signed Biberovic, honestly. 

But thanks for clarifying - I focused on the wrong part of your point.

[SkenfromLMF]

I agree, except...last year taught us that when the roster is this starved for a particular skill set (ball-handling guard), a two-way spot can be significant. I think there's a fairly strong chance Clayton (or whomever replaces him in that spot later in the season, maybe) plays just as much as Nembhard did last season. Remember when a two-way guy was the only true lead guard on the roster and we were all convinced he was good?

I remember thinking that a two way guard was convincing us he was the best we had available...

[KillerLeft]

I remember thinking that a two way guard was convincing us he was the best we had available...

Haha, fair. I used a little hyperbole there with "we were all."