Preseason Game 1: Dallas Mavericks (0-0) vs. OKC (1-0) | 7:30pm CST

[Knutsen]

Our bench five when everyone’s healthy is really good, isn’t it?

D-Lo
Christie
Marshall
PJ
Gafford

You could argue that they all could be starters on a lot of teams, couldn’t you? Will come in handy with our very injury prone starters in Kyrie, AD and Lively.

[Chicagojk]

True, and a few more real NBA players behind that bench.  Tough to play a 10 man rotation.   In that grouping is Marshall the odd man out?

[F Gump]

1 We have heard Flagg's really good on defense, but we got to see what that looks like, and he is going to be quite a menace. Quick, big, fast, long, good feel for what the offense is doing, can cover ground quickly, and great timing. If he's guarding you, you will have a hard time getting the shot off, and if not, he comes out of nowhere to block and bother shots. He is going to make opposing players hesitant. I don't know if the Mavs have ever had a player like this.

2 It was unfortunate the Mavs only had one NBA-caliber PG available (who only played about 15 mins). Besides Kyrie, they also lacked both BW and Exum (EDIT - oh, and DSJ was out also, I forgot about him entirely, and it might have been a great opportunity for him if he was available). As a result, Hardy was the first PG sub, but fairly bad. Nembhard (in the 2nd half, with the deep backups) looked undersized and very far away from ready to provide meaningful minutes. Lots of different players brought the ball up the floor, however, and they tended to run a lot and get into their offense fairly quickly, which is good.

[Knutsen]

1 We have heard Flagg's really good on defense, but we got to see what that looks like, and he is going to be quite a menace. Quick, big, fast, long, good feel for what the offense is doing, can cover ground quickly, and great timing. If he's guarding you, you will have a hard time getting the shot off, and if not, he comes out of nowhere to block and bother shots. He is going to make opposing players hesitant. I don't know if the Mavs have ever had a player like this.

2 It was unfortunate the Mavs only had one NBA-caliber PG available (who only played about 15 mins). Besides Kyrie, they also lacked both BW and Exum. Hardy was the first PG sub, but fairly bad. Nembhard looked undersized and very far away from ready to provide meaningful minutes. Lots of different players brought the ball up the floor, however, and they tended to run a lot and get into their offense fairly quickly, which is good.

Who is the best versatile defender the Mavs ever had, that we know who we measure him against - Shawn Matrix Marion…?

[Knutsen]

True, and a few more real NBA players behind that bench.  Tough to play a 10 man rotation.   In that grouping is Marshall the odd man out?

I don’t think so - or at least he will get every chance to prove himself. Reason is he‘s the best ball handler of our non-point guards and ballhandling is our biggest weakness after Luka and without Kyrie, isn’t it?

[michaeltex]

Thoughts based on one preseason game...

Flagg feels like he's going to live up to the hype, at a minimum. Makes contributions everywhere without having to dominate the ball. Patient and let the game come to him.

Lively looked pretty damn good. Didn't see him and AD getting into a traffic jam when playing together.

Happy to see Christie highlighted some. Seems like he disappeared late last season, but maybe he was just lost in the shuffle after the TRADE and subsequent injuries.

I liked Cisse's energy and contribution. If it keeps up, then it would be less painful losing Gaff in a TDL blockbuster, but that's pure speculation and more data is needed..

I keep having THJ flashbacks watching Hardy play. Something of a black hole whenever he gets the ball, doesn't do much on defense. He's clogging up the roster right now. Williams and Exum playing should nail him to the bench.

BTW, really disappointed in Exum's absence. They say the best ability is availability, but he (for whatever reason, personal or physical) is falling short.