Game 56 DIRKIE:

[SleepingHero]

[cow]

Exum was the best player on the court.

[Chicagojk]

Exum was really good. I wish he could stay healthy. There are like 5 times every game that you wonder if he got injured.

Williams and Edwards deserve props though.

[SleepingHero]

Exum kind of blew my mind. Just destroyed Davion Mitchell. Couldn't miss. He looked like a star tonight.

Shoutout to Kessler Edwards. 15 point 2nd half, 3 threes, and was a defensive maestro tonight.

Also again, Max Christie was good. Not his most efficient shooting game but he just makes winning plays.

[SleepingHero]

Also Hardy... yeeeeesh.


Dude looks mentally checked out. 0-8 from the field. Fouling all over the place. Dropping passes. I don't know what's happened with him but he looks like a broken player right now.

[DallasMaverick]

It was interesting to see how they played defense. Everyone switches everything, but there’s no advantage gained by the opposing team by doing so.

On the other hand, rebounding requires a superhuman, often losing effort against their bigs.

But if they DO get a rebound, it can sometimes lead to a semi-fast break.

PJ or AD would be running amok, if healthy.

[Smitty]

Jason Kidd on Dante Exum:

“We missed him after day one of training camp…Not having him for most of the season, that’s a big hole but we’ve never complained. We waited for him to get back…I think the pace, his ability to finish, the physicality, and then the rebounding…”

Exum finished with 27 points while shooting 11-13 from the field.

[LukaMVP]

Dante is brilliant tonight. Christie also deserves credits and a nomination here imho for his efforts on both ends of the floor.

[ballsrchr]

This was a very well balanced team on the floor tonight. For the most part, great teamwork. 7 players in double figures.

Aside from the scoring Omax does/did he's a defensive disruptor. Not a finished product yet, but he's inching closer.

Kessler Edwards. Hey...I don't have anything bad to say about him. He's long and defensive minded...and can score a bit.

Dinwiddie! He's certainly nice to have when you need him. I'm not going to mention his shortcomings...because I've already done that ad nauseum.

Dante Exum. I've always been high on him, though I do hope he can stay healthy. The game he played tonight is not a total outlier. He's always been able to score...and play defense. Why he didn't in earlier games (like last year) I don't know...unless he was told not to.

Max Christie? So far this guy is the star of the trade. He has, or will, earn a solid starting job. Great decisions, good scoring, and good defense. What's not to like?

Naji Marshall. He's always looked awkward to me, sort of, but maybe a better description is a Tasmanian Devil basketball player. Very elusive with a big bite.

Brandon Williams provided some good minutes until he fouled out.

So...I figure that Exum and Christie are the two candidates for my Dirkie.

And I choose...Dante Exum.

[LukaMVP]

we're 4-1 now since Christie's debut and the only game we didn't win was lost by one point, while the teams we beat during that span included Celtics and rockets. Christie played 30+ minutes in all games (35+ minutes mostly). I think Christie's influence on the game far exceeds what's shown on the scoreboard tbh.

[Reunion Mav]

Jason Kidd on Dante Exum:

“We missed him after day one of training camp…Not having him for most of the season, that’s a big hole but we’ve never complained. We waited for him to get back…I think the pace, his ability to finish, the physicality, and then the rebounding…”

Exum finished with 27 points while shooting 11-13 from the field.

League Pass Premium for $25 a month shows in arena during time outs, no commercials, and a few more minutes of Followill plus if you wait the post game interviews without commentary. I saw that and other interviews. FYI for those outside Dallas.
Almost forgot. I voted Dante. I could get used to his rotation minutes.

[michaeltex]

I was surprised by Exum's game. I don't think we have seen that since before his injury late last season. He was certainly passive in the playoffs and early this season. If he can keep that up, there just might be a chance. Especially as we get the bigs back.

Can I say that I'm really liking Edwards? Plays long and isn't afraid to go inside. Had his 3pt shot working last night and made a really nice left-hand finish over a 7 footer at the rim. I've heard others speak well of him during summer league and pre-season, but this is the first time I've had a chance to really watch his play. Maybe the bench is even deeper that we thought?

I'm lovin' Christie. Plays with force. Stays within himself. Isn't afraid of the big shot. Natural skills plus time in the LA spotlight have this guy ready to play. Going to be hard keeping him out of the starting 5. If he keeps hitting 3s, it's going to put pressure on Klay.

I feel bad for Hardy, but he's blowing any chances he's had. Got minutes because of the short bench, but was otherwise just a cipher.

Intrigued by B. Williams. Was his scoring ability something seen before? Again, knew the name, but haven't seen his game before.

Overall, a great finger in the dike while the rest of the roster rested/healed.

[ThisIStheYear]

Max should just be named a full time starter and never come off the bench again. Kidd is a much better coach when he doesn’t have to make too many lineup decisions.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Also Hardy... yeeeeesh.


Dude looks mentally checked out. 0-8 from the field. Fouling all over the place. Dropping passes. I don't know what's happened with him but he looks like a broken player right now.

Is it just me, or does Hardy's offensive game remind anyone else of Mo Ager?  It's like he has crazy video game ability, but a 4yo is at the controller.

[F Gump]

Despite the 0-fer by Hardy, I was encouraged by his game. That's because he did positive things like play defense, so made a contribution without his shot falling. 

It's only one game, but hopefully it indicates a growing awareness that can inspire more well rounded possibilities. 

My game vote is Exum, of course. He is better than people realize, and it's beginning to show. This was no accident.

[KillerLeft]

My game vote is Exum, of course. He is better than people realize, and it's beginning to show. This was no accident.

My only complaint has ever been his unwillingness to contribute, offensively. Kind of similar to Josh Green, in a way. But lately, as the PG and higher on the call sheet, he seems to be much more aggressive in looking to score. Love how he pushes the tempo in transition, too. 

If he keeps this up, he might just get the full second chance he was wanting when he signed here. Seems crazy to trade Luka and go to war with Exum as your primary PG, but I think that might just be what we're seeing play out and so far, I don't hate it.

[Smitty]

Despite the 0-fer by Hardy, I was encouraged by his game. That's because he did positive things like play defense, so made a contribution without his shot falling. 

It's only one game, but hopefully it indicates a growing awareness that can inspire more well rounded possibilities. 

My game vote is Exum, of course. He is better than people realize, and it's beginning to show. This was no accident.

I like your positivity re. Hardy. I hope I can get there soon. I really dislike being negative about players on my favorite team.

[mvossman]

My only complaint has ever been his unwillingness to contribute, offensively. Kind of similar to Josh Green, in a way. But lately, as the PG and higher on the call sheet, he seems to be much more aggressive in looking to score. Love how he pushes the tempo in transition, too. 

If he keeps this up, he might just get the full second chance he was wanting when he signed here. Seems crazy to trade Luka and go to war with Exum as your primary PG, but I think that might just be what we're seeing play out and so far, I don't hate it.

Last season he took 10 shots and 3.5 3s per 36 (which is Josh Green territory).  He was very efficient (64% TS) but low volume.  This season he is taking over 14 shots per 36 (that is more than a 40% increase) while maintaining that efficiency.  If he can continue this level of aggression he will be a completely different offensive player from last year, even if his efficiency falls off a bit.

[LukaMVP]

Max should just be named a full time starter and never come off the bench again. Kidd is a much better coach when he doesn’t have to make too many lineup decisions.

agree. as an integral part of our young core he definitely deserves a spot in the starting 5, and his D would make life easier for Kyrie. klay is a good player but he doesn't need to be a starter to contribute, a 6th man role is better suited for Klay on this current team tbh. max is already a de facto starting imho, getting starter minutes every night despite playing off the bench.

[F Gump]

Last season he took 10 shots and 3.5 3s per 36 (which is Josh Green territory).  He was very efficient (64% TS) but low volume.  This season he is taking over 14 shots per 36 (that is more than a 40% increase) while maintaining that efficiency.  If he can continue this level of aggression he will be a completely different offensive player from last year, even if his efficiency falls off a bit.

I think he has learned while sitting.

But it's also possible that the change in the roster has been a major factor. Luka being gone, all by itself, opens up shot opportunities to everyone else on the floor. In addition, last season Exum's minutes were rarely as the lead guard- he was typically being used as 2nd guard next to Luka or Kyrie, each of whom got the shots and way more time with the ball, and sometimes he was the 3rd guard deferring to both.

I do find the timing interesting as to when Exum came back. We heard pretty much nothing about when he might play, then once he's ready to go, they send Luka out the door. Did Kidd already have an inkling that this version of Exum was there and could be unlocked?