Game 44: Dallas Mavericks (17-26) @ New York Knicks (25-17) | 4:00pm

[HoosierDaddyKid]

So this Knicks team are the favourites to win the East? If Tatum plays 25 MPG at 80% of his former self, Boston will beat them.

I guess nobody thinks what Detroit is doing is sustainable. Detroit has led the East all year. They are the 2nd best defensive rated team behind OKC, and 2nd in offensive rebounds. They're playing Boston tonight. The Knicks aren't as good of a defensive team under Mike Brown as they were under Thibs. Brown has them shooting more 3's. Great win for the Mavs. They may be turning the corner a bit.

[GATA]

Zero reason to “tank”. We will be awarded the worst possible pick. This team needs to go on a run

[Chicagojk]

Like most teams, if you make your threes you can be competitive against most teams.  Dallas almost shot 50% from three last night and made 15 threes.   The issue is they don't have many great shooters, so it doesn't happen much.    In the second half, scoring was rough.  The Knicks just didn't have it last night though.   

I think you are also see why it is important to have young and deep teams.   I am not saying Dallas is good, but when you have older teams just trying to get the playoffs, these young, hungry teams can eat your lunch.  I am looking at teams like PHX.    I think when the playoffs near, that is when the good teams will be good.   Although, right now in the winter you see some of these older teams that would want to be somewhere else rather than competing against a hungry team in a regular season game.

[Winter]

Dallas has benefitted from Klay deciding his shot is just as good as it was in 2018, and Christie deciding he actually likes shooting the ball.

Although not spectacular, Cisse and Powell have been good enough, to keep the offense working properly. Powell is doing a lot of different things - like offering his walnuts to Towns so he can get to the free throw line.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/IanBegley/status/2013411358339960891

One of the worst losses of the season for the Knicks. The Mavs were finally making shots
.

[Chicagojk]

The Knicks just seem to be missing something, and I am not sure what exactly it is or how they fix it.  

My initial thought is they are missing a guard to start next to Jalen.   OG and Mikal were very quiet last night.   I think both are probably not right for being more than you want...eventhough they are paid like it.   I think they are both good sized wings who can do a lot.   They just lack juice.   Kat's play has also decreased this year.   Hart is probably best as a heavy minute energy bench player.   Not sure who that guard is or what they would have to give up, but If they could find without giving up their core that could be something that works.   To me, they are too Jalen centric when they are in their groove.  This is coming from a huge Jalen fan too.   It might be because that is their only option, but with a wide open east I bet they look to be aggressive.  Right now, I don't know where I would rank them in the east currently.  Even with a lot of the teams really not breaking away.

[myconsumerclub]

If Brandon was shooting 40% for us last season why can't he reach that same level again?

So far our three point shooters are Max, Klay, Ryan and Hardy who barely gets any P time and probably wont in the future.

Our only decent rotation of 3 point threats is Ryan Max and Klay. They maybe can get us to where we stretch the other teams defense.

Brandon is looking like he only does well when he plays at least 20 minutes a game and when he is in there for less play time he does not seem to do as well.

If Kyrie comes back strong and hits 40% + that helps.

But when that happens it probably means we will see Brandon even less. At 19% his 3PFG % is garbage for a guard.

We have too many guys that are half ass on 3 pointers. Cooper is going to need to focus his time on developing a better game shooting the 3 as well. So is PJ and NAJI.

We need to get another first round pick to draft some talent with.

Later in the 1st we could snag the kid from Germany and if we can add on some 2nd round picks to draft some of the centers that fall into the 2nd round like the 2 brothers from Europe we may get our team back to being more formidable at the 5 and have a F/C that can hit 3's and keep Cooper at the 3.

I assume we will use our 1st pick in the draft on a PG. That is why we need a 2nd pick and we hopefully can get a few 2nds before the TDL as we sell off some of our guys.

If we add that then we can see what Lively will do when and if he returns to healthier status and if he fails to stay healthy enough to play we will have some potential replacements in development.

Some of you may talk about us ruining our tank with a 3 game winning streak. Do not give up hope on team tank just yet. I know we have only had 2 4 game losing streaks so far this year but we have not been getting serious about the tank yet. Just take a look at our future schedule.

NEXT 10 games:

Jan 22 vs GSW

Jan 24 vs LAL

Jan 25 @ MIL 11th seed in the east

Jan 28 vs MIN

Jan 29 vs CHA 12th seed in the east and the weakest team we play over the next 10 games.

Jan 31 @ HOU They probably put a lot more effort in to winning the next time we play them.

Feb 3 vs BOS

Feb 5 vs SAS

Feb 7 @ SAS

Feb 10 @ PHX

We may see some natural improvement in our tanking effort over the remaining 38 game schedule.

I see one 3 game stretch with IND, BRK, and SAC, a couple games against CHA and one left with NOP and that is about all I see that we can look to for some easier wins. we have 2 games left with each of these teams as well MEM ATL LAC.

That is the 12 games we can most likely win over the next 38 games.

If we win all 12 of those games we go 12 and 26 over the final 38 games to finish at 30 and 52. That was good enough to tie for the 8th worst record in the league last season. Right now we have the 8th worst record in the league even with our latest 3 game surge in the win column.

Some of these 12 games may be losses.

The rest of our schedule may bring a lot more losing so our tank may just be refueling to get its tank on.

I would not worry about the tanking too much, this 3 game win streak may be our last winning streak for a while.

[Chicagojk]

I guess nobody thinks what Detroit is doing is sustainable. Detroit has led the East all year. They are the 2nd best defensive rated team behind OKC, and 2nd in offensive rebounds. They're playing Boston tonight. The Knicks aren't as good of a defensive team under Mike Brown as they were under Thibs. Brown has them shooting more 3's. Great win for the Mavs. They may be turning the corner a bit.

I was wondering if they could do what Indy did last year in the playoffs?  They are sort of unique to play against.   They have a star and a young guy who made a jump.  I thought they showed themselves really well against the Knicks last year.  The Knicks were lucky to escape.  

I just don't know if they have the coach close to Carlisle though.    I think they will be aggressive at the trade deadline.  I don't think they break up the core, but they need to add a playoff shooter.    I think there will be some options for them.

I think Detroit and Boston have been the best teams I have seen in the East that I can envision in a playoff series.  That is crazy about Boston.   I wonder if they look to add a post player at the deadline?   Stevens is so good.  He always finds value.  I wonder if they try to bolster a Tatum return with another big?  It is quite amazing they are positioned so well after last season ended.   Stevens just doesn't miss.

[Chicagojk]

Highlights from Dwight Powell last night.   I think they missed 1-2 as well

https://x.com/MavsFilmRoom/status/2013635835531280750

[KillerLeft]

The Knicks just seem to be missing something, and I am not sure what exactly it is or how they fix it.  

My thoughts are that coaching matters, and they just changed from one of the best to one of the worst.

[DallasMaverick]

The Knicks just seem to be missing something, and I am not sure what exactly it is or how they fix it.  

My initial thought is they are missing a guard to start next to Jalen.   OG and Mikal were very quiet last night.   I think both are probably not right for being more than you want...eventhough they are paid like it.   I think they are both good sized wings who can do a lot.   They just lack juice.   Kat's play has also decreased this year.   Hart is probably best as a heavy minute energy bench player.   Not sure who that guard is or what they would have to give up, but If they could find without giving up their core that could be something that works.   To me, they are too Jalen centric when they are in their groove.  This is coming from a huge Jalen fan too.   It might be because that is their only option, but with a wide open east I bet they look to be aggressive.  Right now, I don't know where I would rank them in the east currently.  Even with a lot of the teams really not breaking away.

I think they went “all-in” with the Bridges trade, have no financial flexibility, no draft assets, and they’ve just hit their ceiling, which isn’t good enough.

They thought the problem was Thibs, so they changed coaches, but that hasn’t helped either.

[mvossman]

If Brandon was shooting 40% for us last season why can't he reach that same level again?

So far our three point shooters are Max, Klay, Ryan and Hardy who barely gets any P time and probably wont in the future.

Our only decent rotation of 3 point threats is Ryan Max and Klay. They maybe can get us to where we stretch the other teams defense.

Because last season was a very small sample.  He only played 33 games and less than 15 minutes a game.  He also doesn't shoot enough to be much of a floor stretcher anyways.  He is an end of the bench guard who is getting more playing time than normal due to situation.

Nembhard doesn't really space the floor that well either because he doesn't take enough 3s (4 per 36).

Max and Klay are the only healthy legit floor spaces (and Hardy in garbage time).  There is no doubt this will need more shooting in the future.

[KillerLeft]

Because last season was a very small sample.  He only played 33 games and less than 15 minutes a game.  He also doesn't shoot enough to be much of a floor stretcher anyways.  He is an end of the bench guard who is getting more playing time than normal due to situation.

Nembhard doesn't really space the floor that well either because he doesn't take enough 3s (4 per 36).

Max and Klay are the only healthy legit floor spaces (and Hardy in garbage time).  There is no doubt this will need more shooting in the future.

Totally agree, though I think with Nembhard and Williams it should be a priority to increase their volume of 3's gradually and hope for the best, efficiency wise, assuming either/both even prove to be worth the continuing investment of their current roles in general. Kyrie should help a little with this, too, though I think we'd all prefer him to be one of the guys benefiting from improved spacing, like Flagg, more than creating it. Still, in an ideal world, almost everyone out there is a willing shooter, so he'll help, as will Flagg developing a quicker release, himself.

[Chicagojk]

Also props to the scouting dept.  The two way guys have played well.   

Last year they picked up Kessler Edwards (former second round pick) and he played well.  I believe he is back in the G league but showed that he deserved that spot last year.  This year they look like they have done it again with ten day guy Jeremiah Earl.   Sticking in the league is another story.   Although, if you consistently make good decisions, sometimes one surprises you.

[KillerLeft]

Also props to the scouting dept.  The two way guys have played well.   

Last year they picked up Kessler Edwards (former second round pick) and he played well.  I believe he is back in the G league but showed that he deserved that spot last year.  This year they look like they have done it again with ten day guy Jeremiah Earl.   Sticking in the league is another story.   Although, if you consistently make good decisions, sometimes one surprises you.

Agreed!

This is the one extremely positive change that I've noticed since Harrison took over from Cuban/Nelson. I don't know if it's his doing directly or not...maybe Finley? Not sure, but it's clear the "type" of young player this organization values has changed since the Dirk era, and I think for the better...though the pendulum might have swung a little too far in the opposite direction, given the lack of shooting and offensive creation on this team. But in general, athletic players seem to be what the Mavs are out there looking for and I'm here for that part of the new Mavs. It's not just the two-ways, either. Donnie Nelson never would've traded for PJW.

[DallasMaverick]

Totally agree, though I think with Nembhard and Williams it should be a priority to increase their volume of 3's gradually and hope for the best, efficiency wise, assuming either/both even prove to be worth the continuing investment of their current roles in general. Kyrie should help a little with this, too, though I think we'd all prefer him to be one of the guys benefiting from improved spacing, like Flagg, more than creating it. Still, in an ideal world, almost everyone out there is a willing shooter, so he'll help, as will Flagg developing a quicker release, himself.

Williams is so darned effective driving to the hoop.  Even though defenders know that's his first choice.

Hitting an occasional three seems like gravy.

Does anybody have stats on his shooting percentage at the rim, or in the paint?

[DallasMaverick]

Agreed!

This is the one extremely positive change that I've noticed since Harrison took over from Cuban/Nelson. I don't know if it's his doing directly or not...maybe Finley? Not sure, but it's clear the "type" of young player this organization values has changed since the Dirk era, and I think for the better...though the pendulum might have swung a little too far in the opposite direction, given the lack of shooting and offensive creation on this team. But in general, athletic players seem to be what the Mavs are out there looking for and I'm here for that part of the new Mavs. It's not just the two-ways, either. Donnie Nelson never would've traded for PJW.

Also interesting that they don't seem to target pure catch-and-shoot guys anymore.  They seem to like guys that can put the ball on the floor and put pressure on the rim.

[KillerLeft]

Also interesting that they don't seem to target pure catch-and-shoot guys anymore.  They seem to like guys that can put the ball on the floor and put pressure on the rim.

Right, but to a fault. It's not that everyone can floor the ball that's a problem, it's that it's ALL most of them can do.

[DallasMaverick]

Right, but to a fault. It's not that everyone can floor the ball that's a problem, it's that it's ALL most of them can do.

Seems like a guy just needs to shoot three pointers at a good enough rate that the defender has to respect him outside the line.  Naji is hitting 30.5% this season.  Is that enough?  He's another guy who's first choice is always to put his nose down and drive to the hoop.

Hardy 37%
PJ hitting 31%.
Flagg 29%
AD 27%
Nembhard 39.5%
Caleb Martin 22%
BWill 20%

[KillerLeft]

Naji is hitting 30.5% this season.  Is that enough?  He's another guy who's first choice is always to put his nose down and drive to the hoop.

No, that's not enough, and more to the point, the willingness to shoot is as important as the percentage, I'm learning, and possibly even more important. Marshall is one of the biggest problems with this team, despite his "strong" play, because he almost invariably pump fakes and drives, even when the defense doesn't bite and remains 6-8' closer to the paint than he. And, that "even when" has become "even though" because basically no one ever closes out on him anymore. 

You can't have a forward out there who refuses to shoot these days unless he's the featured player (like DeRozan or Butler, for example) and there's at least one BIG who can pull a defender to the corner or even above the break. Marshal is the biggest problem of this type on the roster, imo, but PJW, Williams, Martin and sometimes even Christie contribute to the problem. That's why every time he talks about Christie, you'll hear Kidd say some variation of "we need him to pull the trigger." He's a great shooter, but needs to get more shots up for the word to get around that he's a threat. Hopefully, recent progress has been made on that front. 

Marshall and PJW are both good players who could be great fits in the right situations, but unless something significant changes here, playing next to Flagg doesn't seem to be right for them. Williams shows promise using his first step with the ball, but unless the plan is to let him go completely Westbrook while he's out there (if the ball is in his hands, it's not in Flagg's) then he MUST develop a catch and shoot game to be a viable fit here. 

The roster trending in this direction is part of why Luka's game gradually became almost exclusively step back 3's here. Part of it was laziness, but don't sleep on the obvious truth that the second Carlisle left, creating driving space stopped being a priority. 

Given that Flagg, himself, isn't much of a willing outside shooter yet and even now, a year after the Luka trade, it's still not clear how much into spread pick and roll this team intends to lean...I honestly don't know that Gafford and Lively not being shooters is even the best thing moving forward, but I KNOW Marshall's and PJW's roles have to go to people who aren't scared to shoot for this team to make sense.