MAVS NEWS:

[KillerLeft]

I don't see why Trae Young is listed on here. Atlanta has been playing well; they're only loss was to the Mavs. They beat the Bucks twice, Cavs, and Celtics winning 6 straight. Young has had two games with at least 20 assists. Dyson Daniels leads the league in steals and deflections, and Jalen Johnson is really developing into a very good PF. I don't know if it's sustainable, but for the moment they can take advantage in the weaker East.

I haven't checked out ATL very much yet this season. But, if/when I do, I'd start with Hollinger, because he lives there and follows that team really closely. He's kind of like a less team-friendly version of what Stein is for the Mavs. So, while I don't know why there's any reason to be more "disappointed" in Young than people were last season, my guess is that Hollinger is pretty on top of this one.

[mvossman]

Not sure that's representative of the difference defensively between Lively and Gafford though. Gafford had the superior defensive rating last season and better net rating. Gafford's defensive rating is 5 points worse this season than last. Lively is clearly the better all round defender, but I do expect the data to even out a lot more as the season goes on. Gaff has more weaknesses that can be exploited compared to Lively, but he is still absolutely a positive interior defender, and defended field goal differentials still bears that out.

Not sure if its really an apples to oranges comparison of Lively to Gafford net and defensive rating last year.  Most of Lively minutes were prior to the trade when the Mavs were struggling with a lot of injuries, and a lot of Gafford's minutes were when Lively was out and the team was otherwise healthy.  There were few games in that sample when both were playing.

In the playoffs (where Gafford's limitations are more exploited) Lively had a significantly better net rating and defensive rating as he does this season.  Given that Lively was rookie last year with a very steep learning curve, I think the playoff and current season data is probably more indicative of what those two are.

[KillerLeft]

Not sure if its really an apples to oranges comparison of Lively to Gafford net and defensive rating last year.  Most of Lively minutes were prior to the trade when the Mavs were struggling with a lot of injuries, and a lot of Gafford's minutes were when Lively was out and the team was otherwise healthy.  There were few games in that sample when both were playing.

In the playoffs (where Gafford's limitations are more exploited) Lively had a significantly better net rating and defensive rating as he does this season.  Given that Lively was rookie last year with a very steep learning curve, I think the playoff and current season data is probably more indicative of what those two are.

Well, and not to mention that Lively is still improving at a rapid rate, even as we sit here typing this. Foot quickness and change of direction are there for him and will be for a while. Those are real, tangible problems for Gafford, and aren't things that improve later in a player's career. 

I don't mean to suggest that Gafford has no utility on defense. He's obviously a good shot blocker (again, when he happens to be in the paint at the same time as the ball) and I think he's pretty disciplined about running back in defensive transition when his minutes are low enough. But, anyone who watches the NBA at all knows that those multiple drag screens make drop coverage kind of tough to employ if you want to win, and it's just a fact that the Mavs kind of have to play that way when Gafford is in the game. Lively offers much, much more optionality in terms of playing at the level of the screen, switching (which the Mavs are doing more this season), etc.  Also, we talk so much about rim protection around here, but the OTHER shot teams want, and honestly, probably the more dangerous one, is the open three created by getting the defense into rotation. Gafford is the weakest link in that chain on this team by a comfortable margin to my eye, at least among those actually in the rotation. Luka has moments where he's pretty bad in this area, too, but his moments seem more focus/effort related, and he's carrying a huge weight on the other end. Gafford literally can't move well enough to defend 2-4 areas of the court on one possession without giving the offense something they like. 

Not trying to bash the dude, because he's an offensive force in the paint that's super hard to deal with for the opposing defense. He's a top-5 backup center, easily. I'm just happy to see the roles/minutes trending in the right direction. There will obviously be situations like foul trouble, injury, whatever, where Gafford is asked to give them more time, and I think he'll come through more often than not.

[DallasMaverick]

Well, and not to mention that Lively is still improving at a rapid rate, even as we sit here typing this. Foot quickness and change of direction are there for him and will be for a while. Those are real, tangible problems for Gafford, and aren't things that improve later in a player's career. 

I don't mean to suggest that Gafford has no utility on defense. He's obviously a good shot blocker (again, when he happens to be in the paint at the same time as the ball) and I think he's pretty disciplined about running back in defensive transition when his minutes are low enough. But, anyone who watches the NBA at all knows that those multiple drag screens make drop coverage kind of tough to employ if you want to win, and it's just a fact that the Mavs kind of have to play that way when Gafford is in the game. Lively offers much, much more optionality in terms of playing at the level of the screen, switching (which the Mavs are doing more this season), etc.  Also, we talk so much about rim protection around here, but the OTHER shot teams want, and honestly, probably the more dangerous one, is the open three created by getting the defense into rotation. Gafford is the weakest link in that chain on this team by a comfortable margin to my eye, at least among those actually in the rotation. Luka has moments where he's pretty bad in this area, too, but his moments seem more focus/effort related, and he's carrying a huge weight on the other end. Gafford literally can't move well enough to defend 2-4 areas of the court on one possession without giving the offense something they like. 

Not trying to bash the dude, because he's an offensive force in the paint that's super hard to deal with for the opposing defense. He's a top-5 backup center, easily. I'm just happy to see the roles/minutes trending in the right direction. There will obviously be situations like foul trouble, injury, whatever, where Gafford is asked to give them more time, and I think he'll come through more often than not.

Two different tools in the box.  One's a hammer, the other's a wrench.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs back at fourth with Houston and Memphis winning yesterday.

I really hope both teams bring it tomorrow at OKC. It really may feel like a playoff game in December. Just like the Memphis game felt like.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Mavs back at fourth with Houston and Memphis winning yesterday. 

I really  hope both teams bring it tomorrow at OKC.  It really may feel like a playoff game in December.  Just like the Memphis game felt like.

Mavs handled them pretty good last time they played. I can't judge OKC totally until Holmgren comes back. He'll make a big difference with Hartenstein.

[KillerLeft]

Two different tools in the box.  One's a hammer, the other's a wrench.

Exactly right. But, the fallacy is that both tools are useful with the same frequency.

[DallasMaverick]

Exactly right. But, the fallacy is that both tools are useful with the same frequency.

True. Maybe you use the hammer a lot more, and if forced to choose one, you’d pick it.

But, boy, are there times that wrench is handy!

[JamesConway912]

Kleber (illness) out for the OKC game, Marshall and Washington now both questionable also due to illness.

Hardy remains out due to his ankle sprain.

[KillerLeft]

True. Maybe you use the hammer a lot more, and if forced to choose one, you’d pick it.

But, boy, are there times that wrench is handy!

Nah. Gafford is an objectively less valuable tool than Lively in basically every situation. I agree with the tool analogy in terms of style, for sure, but the reality is that it's a hammer vs. some type of combination tool that includes aspects of a wrench, drill, saw and even a hammer.

[KillerLeft]

Kleber (illness) out for the OKC game, Marshall and Washington now both questionable also due to illness.

Hardy remains out due to his ankle sprain.

Dude, this illness thing has to get resolved. Now it has spread to PJ???

[mvossman]

He now has a lower shooting efficiency for the season than Jaden Hardy. Literally only Kleber from our regular rotation is worse. Teams will gladly let him take shots. He has missed plenty of open looks, too. He was not brought in here to be literally the worst shooter on the team. Everybody was projecting a bounce back season with +40% 3pt shooting; from playing off Luka and Kyrie. 

But now we have to pretend he contributes to winning via being the gravitational pull, although Kidd has to emergency sub him during every 3rd quarter and finish the game with a different line-up.

Last six games he´s shooting 28% from the field. You know what be happening here, if THJ took 10 shots per game at 28%.

Mavs didn´t/don´t pay him $17M p.a. to be this. No need to sugarcoat this. I have seen enough to know this Kyrie/Luka/Klay thing won´t work. It might work incredibly well with Klay off the bench.

This seems like an overly negative take.  He is shooting 37% on large volume (10 three attempts per 36).  That is commanding plenty of defensive attention.  Unless you are Westbrook bad shooting, volume is probably a bigger driver of spacing than percentage.  His on court impact looks fine too.  He has a +9 net rating with one of the highest offensive ratings on the team (higher than Luka and Kyrie).  There are times when it makes sense to sub him for somebody like Grimes (who can also space the floor and is a better perimeter defender) but its not like Klay is hurting the team right now.

[JamesConway912]

Dude, this illness thing has to get resolved. Now it has spread to PJ???

It’s rough. Also unfortunate that it has hit the forwards so much. Without PJ AND Maxi AND Naji you loose three options at the spot next to the 5.

If all three end up being out I’d go with Grimes in the starting lineup and then hope Omax has another stint like the one against Toronto in himself.

Kyrie
Grimes
Klay
Luka
Lively

+ Dinwiddie, Gafford

That‘s still a darn good group but only seven guys. Or you start Dinwiddie instead of Grimes if you’re afraid of early foul trouble I could see that as well.

[michaeltex]

It’s rough. Also unfortunate that it has hit the forwards so much. Without PJ AND Maxi AND Naji you loose three options at the spot next to the 5.

If all three end up being out I’d go with Grimes in the starting lineup and then hope Omax has another stint like the one against Toronto in himself.

Kyrie
Grimes
Klay
Luka
Lively

+ Dinwiddie, Gafford

That‘s still a darn good group but only seven guys. Or you start Dinwiddie instead of Grimes if you’re afraid of early foul trouble I could see that as well.

Questionable is better than doubtful and a lot better than out. I'm guessing at least two of Naji, PJ and Maxi are available Tuesday.

[KillerLeft]

Questionable is better than doubtful and a lot better than out. I'm guessing at least two of Naji, PJ and Maxi are available Tuesday.

Hope so, and I hope PJ is one of the available ones!

[Mavs2021]

I mean an upper respiratory illness

Come On Very Identifiable Doctor

[KillerLeft]

I mean an upper respiratory illness

Come On Very Identifiable Doctor

Took me a while, lol

[Knutsen]

Hope so, and I hope PJ is one of the available ones!

Maybe they shouldn’t have kept Naji around the team while he was sick… Just a matter of time until the next one gets infected.

[SleepingHero]

Mavs PR (@MavsPR) on X
The @NBA announced today that Luka Dončić was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from 12/2/24 through 12/8/24.

His 14 career Player of the Week Awards since 2019-20 mark the most by any Western Conference player over that stretch of time.

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/18...3356448101

Mavs had a 1v1 king of the court competition in practice today and seeing Kyrie and Luka in that atmosphere is so freaking cool. Even Omax got in on the action.