MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

  Mavs.png (Size: 19.38 KB / Downloads: 224)

Who had Spencer playing more minutes than Luka, who is not even top 5 in minutes played this year?

The Mavs being 21-16 nearly at the halfway point, 4th in the West, with their starters Luka, Kyrie, Klay, PJW, Lively only playing in 14 games (119 minutes) together is an incredible feat. 

Kudos to Nico and Kidd.

The Mavs need to weather the storm. Hopefully the sickness that bit the team is long gone. Kyrie comes back by the OKC game 1/23. Then Luka and Exum for the Cavs 2 Feb.

I think the Mavs can go 6-6 to finish January. 

Remaining games:

Vs. POR
Vs. DEN
Vs. DEN
@ NOP (b2b)
Vs. OKC
@ CHA
Vs. MIN
@ OKC (b2b - Kyrie return?)
Vs. BOS
Vs. WSH
@ NOP
@ DET

6-6 leaves you 5 games over .500. If you win the remaining 33 games at a .700 rate (23-10), then you reach 50 wins.

There's some hopium for the day!

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Who had Spencer playing more minutes than Luka, who is not even top 5 in minutes played this year?

The Mavs being 21-16 nearly at the halfway point, 4th in the West, with their starters Luka, Kyrie, Klay, PJW, Lively only playing in 14 games (119 minutes) together is an incredible feat. 

Kudos to Nico and Kidd.

The Mavs need to weather the storm. Hopefully the sickness that bit the team is long gone. Kyrie comes back by the OKC game 1/23. Then Luka and Exum for the Cavs 2 Feb.

I think the Mavs can go 6-6 to finish January. 

Remaining games:

Vs. POR
Vs. DEN
Vs. DEN
@ NOP (b2b)
Vs. OKC
@ CHA
Vs. MIN
@ OKC (b2b - Kyrie return?)
Vs. BOS
Vs. WSH
@ NOP
@ DET

6-6 leaves you 5 games over .500. If you win the remaining 33 games at a .700 rate (23-10), then you reach 50 wins.

There's some hopium for the day!

Great post!  Yes, 3 of the top 6 weren't on last year's roster.  Nico is earning his salary.

[Mavs2021]

AP´s AI says Kyrie will play tonight. Who am I to doubt the machine.

Irving, Mavericks to host Avdija and the Trail Blazers

[Smitty]

Dallas Mavericks Injury Report vs. Portland Trail Blazers:

Daniel Gafford: Questionable (Left Ankle Sprain)
Luka Dončić: Out (Left Calf Strain)
Kyrie Irving: Out (Lumbar Back Sprain)
Danté Exum: Out (Right Wrist Surgery)
Jazian Gortman: Out (G League)
Kessler Edwards: Out (G League)

But “back sprain” seems better than bulging disk.

[Smitty]

@GrantAfseth

Quentin Grimes is among the NBA's most efficient off-the-dribble shooters. His 1.179 points per possession rank him fifth among 97 players with 75+.

Grimes produced only 0.64 PPP on these shots during his career-best scoring season in 2022-23, averaging 11.3 points.

[SleepingHero]

Who had Spencer playing more minutes than Luka, who is not even top 5 in minutes played this year?

The Mavs being 21-16 nearly at the halfway point, 4th in the West, with their starters Luka, Kyrie, Klay, PJW, Lively only playing in 14 games (119 minutes) together is an incredible feat. 

Kudos to Nico and Kidd.

The Mavs need to weather the storm. Hopefully the sickness that bit the team is long gone. Kyrie comes back by the OKC game 1/23. Then Luka and Exum for the Cavs 2 Feb.

I think the Mavs can go 6-6 to finish January. 

Remaining games:

Vs. POR
Vs. DEN
Vs. DEN
@ NOP (b2b)
Vs. OKC
@ CHA
Vs. MIN
@ OKC (b2b - Kyrie return?)
Vs. BOS
Vs. WSH
@ NOP
@ DET

6-6 leaves you 5 games over .500. If you win the remaining 33 games at a .700 rate (23-10), then you reach 50 wins.

There's some hopium for the day!

I subscribe to this post.

[Smitty]

Jason Kidd when asked about Kyrie Irving's back injury: " He looks great. Seems mentally in a great place. Physically, he looks great. I would say that, hopefully, soon he starts to do some basketball stuff and see how his back reacts to that."

[Chicagojk]

Just curious, I saw Kyrie cheering on the bench last night, but I don't think I saw Luka. I have seen some games where Luka is there. Sometimes he is there for a half. Did anyone else see him on the bench last night? Just curious if anyone has seen any comments why he isn't on the bench. As the team leader, I would think you would want him there for leadership. Thoughts?

[david75090]

Saw Luka at the game previous to this one. He was sitting and doing some sort of dribbling while sitting. It could be that he's not being shown, while being around there somewhere.

[Mavs2021]

Jason Kidd's latest update on Dante Exum:

"I think he's out to the 3-point line shooting now. A lot of positives there. It's just a matter of getting the scheduled appointment to check to see how the wrist is doing and go from there. He's in great shape. He's done a lot of solo.

Real talk: I can´t be the only one that completely forgot about Dante Exum. We have all these POA defender, playmaker trade discussions and not once has anybody even mentioned Exum.

[mvossman]

Jason Kidd's latest update on Dante Exum:

"I think he's out to the 3-point line shooting now. A lot of positives there. It's just a matter of getting the scheduled appointment to check to see how the wrist is doing and go from there. He's in great shape. He's done a lot of solo.

Real talk: I can´t be the only one that completely forgot about Dante Exum. We have all these POA defender, playmaker trade discussions and not once has anybody even mentioned Exum.

The problem is its tough to rely on a guy who has played fewer games than Maxi last two seasons.

[KillerLeft]

The problem is its tough to rely on a guy who has played fewer games than Maxi last two seasons.

Agreed, but the way the team's overall general health is going these days I'll admit to a little excitement about the prospect of another healthy body in the mix relatively soon.

[DallasMaverick]

Jason Kidd's latest update on Dante Exum:

"I think he's out to the 3-point line shooting now. A lot of positives there. It's just a matter of getting the scheduled appointment to check to see how the wrist is doing and go from there. He's in great shape. He's done a lot of solo.

Real talk: I can´t be the only one that completely forgot about Dante Exum. We have all these POA defender, playmaker trade discussions and not once has anybody even mentioned Exum.

What have you done for me lately?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Just curious, I saw Kyrie cheering on the bench last night, but I don't think I saw Luka.  I have seen some games where Luka is there.  Sometimes he is there for a half.  Did anyone else see him on the bench last night?  Just curious if anyone has seen any comments why he isn't on the bench.  As the team leader, I would think you would want him there for leadership.  Thoughts?

HOW DARE YOU TRASH OUR FRANCHISE PLAYER? I'M LEAVING

[F Gump]

Exum could be helpful. I know his playoff production last year was disappointing, but his regular season was really good. I'm not ready to write him off, because maybe whatever set him back in the playoffs was just an anomaly at a time when the team didn't have the luxury of letting him work through issues.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Exum could be helpful. I know his playoff production last year was disappointing, but his regular season was really good. I'm not ready to write him off, because maybe whatever set him back in the playoffs was just an anomaly at a time when the team didn't have the luxury of letting him work through issues.

I mean Kyrie withered in the finals and we didn't kick him out.  I like Exum's game.  You never know what he may have been going through.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/JaredSGreenberg/status/187...3387934906

Kyrie listed as questionable vs Denver Tuesday night.

[KillerLeft]

https://x.com/JaredSGreenberg/status/187...3387934906

Kyrie listed as questionable vs Denver Tuesday night.

Well, I guess that's better than out.

[Chicagojk]

tough to make conclussions when the full team has barely played much together and I have no stats to back this up, except for the eye test.

I have been pleasantly suprised with Marshall's offensive reportoire, while at the same time being disappointed with this on the ball defense. It just feels like he has not made much of an impact there. Thoughts?

If so, I wonder if it is either him or Grimes next year. If Grimes plays well over the next few months and is re-signed is it better to use Marshall and a first for a 3/4 3 and D type? It would be really nice for that guy to be able to fill in 20 minutes at 4. Maybe this is extreme, but I am still having trouble figuring out the long term fit(next two years) of Klay, Grimes and Marshall if they can't play 4 or be a second ball handler that Kidd likes to have.

[Chicagojk]

When I look at the Mavs now, I see 3-4 core guys.  Luka, Ky, Lively and possibly PJ.  I would probably put PJ a tad outside this though.  Then they have a nice mix of good/solid players.  Looking forward though, I think there are clear needs.

PF- Ideally it would really work if this player could play some 3 or 5 (one of these) and be a plus defender.  Unless this is Omax, I am not sure this player is on the roster

defending wing-  Time will tell if we can have a good defense this year, but this may be an area of need next year. A classic 3 and D wing who can guard guards would be what I am looking for.

Backup guard- Maybe this is Dinwiddie.  Maybe it is Exum.  It just feels like Kyrie is more of a scorer than point guard.  The backup guard is tricky here.  You need to be able to play with both Luka and Kyrie.  Both demand you play a different role when you are on the court with them.  I don't know if he can stay healthy or if he would want a smaller role, but I think Lonzo Ball would be perfect for that role. 

https://x.com/Will_Gottlieb/status/1879545324618096876

If he could stay healthy, I really think he could be a Andre Igoudola lite type player.