MAVS NEWS:

[RGP1981]

Sigh, looks like Luka has been in his Tubby feels this summer...

https://x.com/HaterReport_/status/1827496817652568417

https://x.com/Boness305/status/1827411458470375575

He looks like he's waddling up and down the court... yup, waddling, not running.

Luka needs to be closer to 230 LBs (IMO)... but now it looks like he's gone up from 260 to 280 LBs?

PS: I didn't watch this game but I'm irritated seeing this stuff on X because Luka is my favorite player, and I had hoped that getting SMOKED so badly by Tatum, Brown and the Celtics would have lit a fire under his a55 to get fit and dominate.... but no, it hasn't.

Someone needs to make him realize that he can't get fit or in shape during the season... the time to put in the work is now, during the off-season.

[Knutsen]

Sigh, looks like Luka has been in his Tubby feels this summer...

https://x.com/HaterReport_/status/1827496817652568417

https://x.com/Boness305/status/1827411458470375575

He looks like he's waddling up and down the court... yup, waddling, not running.

Luka needs to be closer to 230 LBs (IMO)... but now it looks like he's gone up from 260 to 280 LBs?

PS: I didn't watch this game but I'm irritated seeing this stuff on X because Luka is my favorite player, and I had hoped that getting SMOKED so badly by Tatum, Brown and the Celtics would have lit a fire under his a55 to get fit and dominate.... but no, it hasn't.

Someone needs to make him realize that he can't get fit or in shape during the season... the time to put in the work is now, during the off-season.

The second video is hard… Doesn’t look a pro player in his physical prime in the mid twenties at all, Dirk is in much better shape even today.

But to be honest I expected to see him like that, after he had to rest for a couple of weeks to let his knee injury heal. It takes twice the discipline eating- and drinkingwise when you‘re recovering and don’t burn the same huge amount of calories each day as when your active, and Luka‘s even putting on weight during the season with a game every other day.

[Chicagojk]

It is really tough to make much out of those videos. That is how Luka moves in all star games. I would prefer him play more serious in all star game but I guess I also wouldn’t want him all summer trying to dunk over three players on every drive.

I hope Luka has gotten a good break from basketball and have recharged. My bigger concern is his condition during the season. I mean he still can play 40 minutes any game and carry the biggest load in the nba. That is saying something. But I have never seen such a young player who can so quickly add weight in the middle of the season. It is something he will need to be very careful with as he gets older.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dirk is a really gracious guy. I still haven't forgotten Dragic's disrespect for him when he played for the Suns.

Disrespect?  How so?  I don't remember.

[Scott41theMavs]

Disrespect?  How so?  I don't remember.

The Suns crushed the Mavs at some point late in Dirk's career while Dragic was playing for them, and Dragic was crowing afterwards about how their game plan was to attack Dirk incessantly every minute the Mavs dared to play him.

[Chicagojk]

https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/...i-marshall

[DanSchwartzgan]

https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/...i-marshall

If there has been a complaint about the offseason, it has been the idea that Marshall isn't the POA defender that Jones was.  I like how Iztok differentiates this.  If you define Point of Attack as isolation defense...shutting down your man...then Marshall is your guy.  The eye test agrees with this for me.  I think this will be especially beneficial in the playoffs when more physical play is allowed.  I also think the size of the other teams star matters.  The trend is toward larger isolation scorers.  Other than Curry, Murray and Fox, which smallish quick guard are we worried about in the West.  

Of course, PnR defense is also part of the Point of Attack.  Here Iztok gives Jones Jr. the nod because he can chase from behind and block a shot.  Part of that ability comes from the center that is keeping the PnR ball handler from getting to the hoop.  Dallas had plenty of that between Lively and Gafford.  It was a huge hole for the Pelicans.  Part of it is scheme dependent.  Are we switching or fighting through screens?  Some depends on which player is being brought into the screen.  McCollum is probably a worse defender than Kyrie.  Luka vs. Zion feels like a wash when Luka is engaged.  So, I think our superior center play compared to NO probably neutralizes some of the PnR advantage Iztok gives Jones vs. Marshall.

From the article:

"Compared to Jones Jr., Marshall is a better isolation defender, particularly against stronger wings like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard or players who score by bumping and creating space, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Marshall has a stronger chest that enables him to absorb contact and more disruptive handwork. On the flip side, Jones Jr. is a much more nimble and fluid athlete, making him better at chasing off screens, recovering, and contesting shots from behind in pick-and-roll situations."

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The second video is hard… Doesn’t look a pro player in his physical prime in the mid twenties at all, Dirk is in much better shape even today.

But to be honest I expected to see him like that, after he had to rest for a couple of weeks to let his knee injury heal. It takes twice the discipline eating- and drinkingwise when you‘re recovering and don’t burn the same huge amount of calories each day as when your active, and Luka‘s even putting on weight during the season with a game every other day.

I believe Luka is going to have a battle with his weight, his whole career.. Look at Barkley, Zion, and a few other players that I can't recall at the moment. They have had problems controlling their weight.  All three have powerful, thick builds, but Chuck and Zion seem to be quicker up and down the court.

[Chicagojk]

Maybe this should be moved due to some of the comments, but things look to be fabulous for former Mavs insider:

https://www.reddit.com/r/billsimmons/com...upporters/

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/NationMffl/status/18291270...ZtxQtzYgUQ&s=19

@NationMffl
Klay Thompson on how he sees himself fitting into the Dallas Mavericks lineup:

“Me playing with Luka and Kyrie, that’s what was attractive, was seeing how, especially watching that championship series, I was really shocked to see the chemistry with the teammates. At this point in my career, I might not be able to run as fast as everyone, or jump as high, but I can still knock down open shots and I think I can be that missing piece for them. The [defense] can’t guard Kyrie and Luka. They can’t send as many double teams. They gotta worry about playing the backside. With Dereck Lively II, that’s what was also super attractive. Gafford is so good at catching lobs and finishing at the rim… I think we have a chance to do something special and win a championship.”

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1829309017836916799


Cubes apologizing to JB ?

[Chicagojk]

reddit Q&A with Tim Cato

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mavericks/comme...questions/

*He is not with the athletic any longer
*Predicts Hardy is not with the Mavs after the trade deadline this year (I think the moves this offseason probably makes this likely. I still think he is going to be a good NBA player though)
*Doesn't think Omax is ready for a rotation role but the team hopes he is the Maxi replacement (personally, I am not sure if I agree that is direct fit, but that isn't based off much research)
*Answers Grimes and Exum are biggest X factor for team to be successful.
*speaks a bit of his now famous article about mavs dysfunction

[mvossman]

If there has been a complaint about the offseason, it has been the idea that Marshall isn't the POA defender that Jones was.  I like how Iztok differentiates this.  If you define Point of Attack as isolation defense...shutting down your man...then Marshall is your guy.  The eye test agrees with this for me.  I think this will be especially beneficial in the playoffs when more physical play is allowed.  I also think the size of the other teams star matters.  The trend is toward larger isolation scorers.  Other than Curry, Murray and Fox, which smallish quick guard are we worried about in the West.  

Of course, PnR defense is also part of the Point of Attack.  Here Iztok gives Jones Jr. the nod because he can chase from behind and block a shot.  Part of that ability comes from the center that is keeping the PnR ball handler from getting to the hoop.  Dallas had plenty of that between Lively and Gafford.  It was a huge hole for the Pelicans.  Part of it is scheme dependent.  Are we switching or fighting through screens?  Some depends on which player is being brought into the screen.  McCollum is probably a worse defender than Kyrie.  Luka vs. Zion feels like a wash when Luka is engaged.  So, I think our superior center play compared to NO probably neutralizes some of the PnR advantage Iztok gives Jones vs. Marshall.

From the article:

"Compared to Jones Jr., Marshall is a better isolation defender, particularly against stronger wings like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard or players who score by bumping and creating space, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Marshall has a stronger chest that enables him to absorb contact and more disruptive handwork. On the flip side, Jones Jr. is a much more nimble and fluid athlete, making him better at chasing off screens, recovering, and contesting shots from behind in pick-and-roll situations."

I think it helps that Grimes is an upgrade over Green as a POA defender.  I like the balance we have now with PJ and Naji as big wing defenders, and Grimes and Exum as POA defenders.  Honestly, I think the biggest concern is the lack of POA defender in the starting lineup.  As you mentioned, that will be somewhat mitigated by having a legit rim protecting center.  Its one of the reasons I think Lively should start (if not immediately then soon) as I think he will be the most effective at covering this up.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I think it helps that Grimes is an upgrade over Green as a POA defender.  I like the balance we have now with PJ and Naji as big wing defenders, and Grimes and Exum as POA defenders.  Honestly, I think the biggest concern is the lack of POA defender in the starting lineup.  As you mentioned, that will be somewhat mitigated by having a legit rim protecting center.  Its one of the reasons I think Lively should start (if not immediately then soon) as I think he will be the most effective at covering this up.

Ya, we'd ideally want a starting SG or SF to be our POA defender.  Klay and Kyrie makes this difficult when both in the starting lineup.

[RGP1981]

I think it helps that Grimes is an upgrade over Green as a POA defender.  I like the balance we have now with PJ and Naji as big wing defenders, and Grimes and Exum as POA defenders.

I like this balance too...

But for this balance to be in effect, the Mavericks can't be playing Kyrie-Klay-Luka for many minutes. Maybe 10-15 minutes max?

Kyrie or Klay
Grimes or Exum 
Luka or Klay
PJ or Naji
Lively or Gafford

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I like this balance too...

But for this balance to be in effect, the Mavericks can't be playing Kyrie-Klay-Luka for many minutes. Maybe 10-15 minutes max?

Kyrie or Klay
Grimes or Exum 
Luka or Klay
PJ or Naji
Lively or Gafford

I think you'll have many more minutes than just 10-15 of Kyrie-Klay-Luka.  This makes the Klay signing problematic, but shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

[F Gump]

I think you'll have many more minutes than just 10-15 of Kyrie-Klay-Luka.  This makes the Klay signing problematic, but shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

In normal situations (ie, not counting injuries, foul trouble, specialty moments, garbage time, etc), I think we will see FEWER minutes than that with all 3 playing. The defense will be too iffy with all 3, which effectively wastes the offensive excellence, plus there's only 1 ball. 

Instead I'm expecting Kidd to play them in rotating pairs. Keep 2 of them on the floor at all times. That uses up 96 minutes. It ensures there is always plenty of firepower. And 96 minutes seems like about the combined workload they will get in total. Maybe they start games with all 3 for ego reasons, but don't think it's gonna last very long. In time, I think either Kyrie or Luka has to embrace 6th man role.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

In normal situations (ie, not counting injuries, foul trouble, specialty moments, garbage time, etc), I think we will see FEWER minutes than that with all 3 playing. The defense will be too iffy with all 3, which effectively wastes the offensive excellence, plus there's only 1 ball. 

Instead I'm expecting Kidd to play them in rotating pairs. Keep 2 of them on the floor at all times. That uses up 96 minutes. It ensures there is always plenty of firepower. And 96 minutes seems like about the combined workload they will get in total. Maybe they start games with all 3 for ego reasons, but don't think it's gonna last very long. In time, I think either Kyrie or Luka has to embrace 6th man role.

I hope you're right, because I agree with you.  I look at it from a total minutes perspective, which is almost impossible to limit the 3 playing heavy minutes together.

[F Gump]

I hope you're right, because I agree with you.  I look at it from a total minutes perspective, which is almost impossible to limit the 3 playing heavy minutes together.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, because those two highlighted thoughts seem very contradictory to me.

My point is that I expect Luka-Kyrie-Klay will NOT be playing heavy minutes-per-game as a trio. In fact, those 3 players can get all their usual minutes in a game with around ZERO minutes of all 3 on the floor, if the Mavs chose to do that.

More importantly, imo having a lineup on the floor that can get stops - especially down the stretch of games - will actually be a higher priority than is recognized.

I think there's going to be a bit of the PHX team issues in play here, where an over-supply of offense has to bow to the need for enough defenders on the floor to get stops. Or else you'll be sorry. That means for the most part only 2 of Luka-Kyrie-Klay are playing at one time, not 3.

[Scott41theMavs]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, because those two highlighted thoughts seem very contradictory to me.

My point is that I expect Luka-Kyrie-Klay will NOT be playing heavy minutes-per-game as a trio. In fact, those 3 players can get all their usual minutes in a game with around ZERO minutes of all 3 on the floor, if the Mavs chose to do that.

More importantly, imo having a lineup on the floor that can get stops - especially down the stretch of games - will actually be a higher priority than is recognized.

I think there's going to be a bit of the PHX team issues in play here, where an over-supply of offense has to bow to the need for enough defenders on the floor to get stops. Or else you'll be sorry. That means for the most part only 2 of Luka-Kyrie-Klay are playing at one time, not 3.

The problem with this is that the conceptualization that the three stars on the team aren't going to start and finish games is profoundly wishful thinking in today's NBA. I agree that they're going to stagger those guys throughout the rest of the game, but there's zero conceivable way they ever play less than around 12 mpg together. That's simply not how it works. Which is not to say it's going to work.