MAVS NEWS:

[DanSchwartzgan]

AD was just the salary match in the trade.  Nico just wanted Christie.  

17.0 Pts
5.2 Rbs
3.2 Asst
.509 FG%
.545 3%
.826 FT%
.673 TS%
17.2 PER
.160 WS/48

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/smu-mu...urgh-game/


Nico can't go anywhere with out
hearing these chants.

[michaeltex]

You are 100% right. They gave him an extension like Naji’s contract, not Green. My bad! 


What is interesting is that Martin is on that same Naji type contract, which means the Mavs have a budget for the role they wanted Grimes, and now Martin, to play.

I'm not saying this was a driving factor in the Grimes trade, but now DAL doesn't have to waste time or bandwidth waiting on Grimes to decide on who he wanted to sign with and see if DAL matched. Kind of like the DJJ deal last summer, instead of waiting, just cut bait and use the space to find another suitable player while there is still an inventory to chose from. 

Also Turner is immediately available for trade opportunities, even pre-FA, like during draft night.

[mvossman]

I'm not saying this was a driving factor in the Grimes trade, but now DAL doesn't have to waste time or bandwidth waiting on Grimes to decide on who he wanted to sign with and see if DAL matched. Kind of like the DJJ deal last summer, instead of waiting, just cut bait and use the space to find another suitable player while there is still an inventory to chose from. 

Also Turner is immediately available for trade opportunities, even pre-FA, like during draft night.

That seems to be the mindset, but I'm not convinced its the right way to go.  I think this team would have been better off spending the extra mil for DJJ, and they are giving up assets for this trade flexibility.  I know its not the same thing, but this is the same kind of thinking that led Nico to not extend Brunson.

[F Gump]

One thing that bears watching re the Mavs roster imo is that Hardy is way out of the rotation. Even with them being so short-handed, he has played (in the last 5 games) 0, 0, 0, 9, and 5 minutes. Last night Williams, who is smaller than Hardy, played 15. (SD's minutes also dropped to 18 last night.)

Hardy is an all-offense player, get as many shots as possible with not much regard for anything else. With Luka gone, you'd think there is a huge need for more offense. Yet he sits.

My guess is that Kidd, now that Luka is gone, is hanging his hat on defense, and trying to instill a mentality that you MUST defend or else your minutes get cut (or erased).

Any other theories?

[Smitty]

One thing that bears watching re the Mavs roster imo is that Hardy is way out of the rotation. Even with them being so short-handed, he has played (in the last 5 games) 0, 0, 0, 9, and 5 minutes. Last night Williams, who is smaller than Hardy, played 15. (SD's minutes also dropped to 18 last night.)

Hardy is an all-offense player, get as many shots as possible with not much regard for anything else. With Luka gone, you'd think there is a huge need for more offense. Yet he sits.

My guess is that Kidd, now that Luka is gone, is hanging his hat on defense, and trying to instill a mentality that you MUST defend or else your minutes get cut (or erased).

Any other theories?

I think they're in need of a true point guard. Exum is the only one on the roster. Both Kyrie and Spencer are combo guards. Hardy is small and can't defend, dribble, or pass. Can't initiate offense and simply turns the ball over too much. He's an old school shooting guard, which the Mavs have several that are better for that role. Williams is closer to a true point guard and can defend. Without Exum last night, that's where Kidd was forced to go.

[Winter]

One thing that bears watching re the Mavs roster imo is that Hardy is way out of the rotation. Even with them being so short-handed, he has played (in the last 5 games) 0, 0, 0, 9, and 5 minutes. Last night Williams, who is smaller than Hardy, played 15. (SD's minutes also dropped to 18 last night.)

Hardy is an all-offense player, get as many shots as possible with not much regard for anything else. With Luka gone, you'd think there is a huge need for more offense. Yet he sits.

My guess is that Kidd, now that Luka is gone, is hanging his hat on defense, and trying to instill a mentality that you MUST defend or else your minutes get cut (or erased).

Any other theories?

I thought Dinwiddie's minutes might be closely tied to tonight's back-to-back game, but that excuse doesn't exist for Hardy who hasn't played much at all lately.

I suspect that the "we think defense wins championships" trade was a wake-up-call for players, and I also suspect that the coaches have made it even more clear this team has to re-learn some things. So yes, your theory is probably correct.

Hardy will likely get some minutes tonight to see if he got the message. 

My eyes tell me that this team would likely see some statistical defensive improvement if it had any center rotation at all.

[Nowitzki Way]

One thing that bears watching re the Mavs roster imo is that Hardy is way out of the rotation. Even with them being so short-handed, he has played (in the last 5 games) 0, 0, 0, 9, and 5 minutes. Last night Williams, who is smaller than Hardy, played 15. (SD's minutes also dropped to 18 last night.)

Hardy is an all-offense player, get as many shots as possible with not much regard for anything else. With Luka gone, you'd think there is a huge need for more offense. Yet he sits.

My guess is that Kidd, now that Luka is gone, is hanging his hat on defense, and trying to instill a mentality that you MUST defend or else your minutes get cut (or erased).

Any other theories?

Hardy hasn't grown as a player.  He looked horrible in his 5 minutes yesterday. He's not a ball handler and plays no defense.

I had high hopes for Hardy after year 1 and 2.  I felt like he could be a 6th man type candidate in the mold of Hardaway Jr. or Clarkson. A guy who comes off the bench and lights it up on offense. He hasn't shown he can be consistent in the one category he's supposed to be good at.  I very surprised he wasnt traded at the deadline.

[DallasMaverick]

One thing that bears watching re the Mavs roster imo is that Hardy is way out of the rotation. Even with them being so short-handed, he has played (in the last 5 games) 0, 0, 0, 9, and 5 minutes. Last night Williams, who is smaller than Hardy, played 15. (SD's minutes also dropped to 18 last night.)

Hardy is an all-offense player, get as many shots as possible with not much regard for anything else. With Luka gone, you'd think there is a huge need for more offense. Yet he sits.

My guess is that Kidd, now that Luka is gone, is hanging his hat on defense, and trying to instill a mentality that you MUST defend or else your minutes get cut (or erased).

Any other theories?

Maybe Hardy will provoke the kind of debate we had over Christian Wood, where some are convinced he’s the second coming of Jordan Clarkson, and others believe he provides only empty stats.

He’s a good enough scorer that some team will certainly take a flyer on him. So he’s definitely a tradeable asset. Just not sure he has a place in the newly formed Mavs culture.

[F Gump]

I think they're in need of a true point guard. Exum is the only one on the roster. Both Kyrie and Spencer are combo guards. Hardy is small and can't defend, dribble, or pass. Can't initiate offense and simply turns the ball over too much. He's an old school shooting guard, which the Mavs have several that are better for that role. Williams is closer to a true point guard and can defend. Without Exum last night, that's where Kidd was forced to go.

All of that analysis on Hardy sounds right (except, if he was playing PG, he would be big for the position).

Your observation that what they need is a true PG, with Hardy not being good enough so getting confined to the SG mix (where there are many better options) also makes sense. And I would combine that with the addition of Christie -- he's forced his way into MAJOR minutes which then has a domino effect on the minutes for everyone else who might have gotten minutes at SF or SG.

However, as they get healthier (hopefully), it sure does look like Hardy may continue to be the odd man out.

It sure would help if Exum can go tonight.

[F Gump]

He’s a good enough scorer that some team will certainly take a flyer on him. So he’s definitely a tradeable asset. Just not sure he has a place in the newly formed Mavs culture.

I sure hope you are right on all that. I would love for the Mavs to actually get some value for him -- I am coming to the concern that when they go to move him this summer (and I accept that as a given), he could have negative trade value, at multiple years at $6M per.

[Smitty]

All of that analysis on Hardy sounds right (except, if he was playing PG, he would be big for the position).

Your observation that what they need is a true PG, with Hardy not being good enough so getting confined to the SG mix (where there are many better options) also makes sense. And I would combine that with the addition of Christie -- he's forced his way into MAJOR minutes which then has a domino effect on the minutes for everyone else who might have gotten minutes at SF or SG.

However, as they get healthier (hopefully), it sure does look like Hardy may continue to be the odd man out.

It sure would help if Exum can go tonight.

I meant he's small for a SG at 6'3. Every other SG on the roster is 6'5+. He's the smallest on the roster besides Kyrie at 6'2.

   

I'm with you on hoping Exum can go tonight. I fear that Kyrie won't be playing due to it being a back-to-back and logging 40 minutes last night. If neither can go, the Hardy fans might get their wish. Lot of Dinwiddie, Williams, and Hardy minutes as the Mavs limp into the break.

[DallasMaverick]

I sure hope you are right on all that. I would love for the Mavs to actually get some value for him -- I am coming to the concern that when they go to move him this summer (and I accept that as a given), he could have negative trade value, at multiple years at $6M per.

It’s a definite possibility, that he’ll be viewed as a negative contract.

…but he can score, sometimes in bunches, which teams historically have been willing to pay for. So all it takes is one team who sees some potential, and thinks they can coach him up to thrive in their particular system…

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

Pretty sure we're at the point now we're Hardy is going to end up being shipped to a team with cap space with that Philly 2030 SRP attached. Most likely to help the Mavs get up to the 54M needed in a KD trade (not a fan, just reading tea leaves).

[WillE]

My guess is that Kidd, now that Luka is gone, is hanging his hat on defense, and trying to instill a mentality that you MUST defend or else your minutes get cut (or erased).

Any other theories?

One could only understand Kidd.

I mean, his manager just went all in for the defense over offense mind set. Even his manager's manager baught into this. So the smartest choice for him to keep his job is to follow their lead and consequently demand their wishes. If not now, then never.

So while Hardy had a decent January, it's a new reality now in Mavsland and you either fit in or will be gone sooner or later.

[Scott41theMavs]

Hoop Central
(@TheHoopCentral)
Max Christie as a Mav:

15 PTS - 9 REB - 3 AST - 5/8 FGM
15 PTS - 6 REB - 4 AST - 6/13 FGM
23 PTS - 2 REB - 2 AST - 5/10 FGM
15 PTS - 4 REB - 3 AST - 5/10 FGM
17 PTS - 5 REB - 4 AST - 6/12 FGM

Once again, more luck than sense that we actually got a good, young, healthy player out of the deal. 

Would sure be nice to have both him and Grimes right now, but noooooo, Caleb Martin is a win-now player. His towel-waving was actually what pushed us over the hump last night.

[Scott41theMavs]

It’s a definite possibility, that he’ll be viewed as a negative contract.

…but he can score, sometimes in bunches, which teams historically have been willing to pay for. So all it takes is one team who sees some potential, and thinks they can coach him up to thrive in their particular system…

I remember Tony Dumas, who could really rack up points for losing Mavs teams. Would look like a superstar at times.

After being traded away with Kidd, iirc, he was out of the league within no more than a year.

[DallasMaverick]

I remember Tony Dumas, who could really rack up points for losing Mavs teams. Would look like a superstar at times.

After being traded away with Kidd, iirc, he was out of the league within no more than a year.

Roddy B had some nice games.

[Jmaciscool]

For my fellow gamers...

Nico runs a team like he's playing an MMO:

1. Try to do as much damage as quickly as possible.
2. Give tanking a try.
3. Let someone else worry about the healing.

[LukaMVP]

Nico must have been told by someone to do everything he can to prepare a relocation of the franchise, and then the seemingly stupid moves he made wouldn't look stupid at all.