MAVS NEWS:

[michaeltex]

We're #6! We're #6! We're #6! 

Hey, gotta find something positive in this big pile of manure...

[Chicagojk]

It is weird watching the Mavs and hoping to lose.  They have some really good moments and I think they are going to be too competent to tank the rest of the season.   Then they have these just awful few minutes.  It happens two or three times a game.   It is not just one or two lineup configurations.  I also don't think Kidd is trying to tank games.  It just happens.  Maybe that is just the definition of a bad team, but it is pretty remarkable how it pops up almost every game.  

The defense was really bad last night.  Playing without a big is certainly a factor but several guys have really dropped down a level or two on defense this year.

[michaeltex]

It is weird watching the Mavs and hoping to lose.  They have some really good moments and I think they are going to be too competent to tank the rest of the season.   Then they have these just awful few minutes.  It happens two or three times a game.   It is not just one or two lineup configurations.  I also don't think Kidd is trying to tank games.  It just happens.  Maybe that is just the definition of a bad team, but it is pretty remarkable how it pops up almost every game.  

The defense was really bad last night.  Playing without a big is certainly a factor but several guys have really dropped down a level or two on defense this year.

Well, the guys aren't stupid. Some have extensions in hand and don't have to worry about working next season while some are looking for the next contract, but don't want to get hurt in the process. There is still pride in their play, but, overall, I bet the team just wants it to be over.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Am I the only one who's going to be pissed seeing constant ads for AD's prank TV show that he apparently filmed while being a bum on the Mavs' bench???

Sorry, but I'm old enough to remember when basketball players focused on basketball and not their TV shows and podcasts.

[michaeltex]

I tried to find some positives in having AD on the team after THE TRADE, but the injuries and anticipation of injuries took all the joy away. So I was more than happy to see him and his huge contract (and huge extension expectations) become someone else's problem.

So I'm of the f*** him and the horse he rode in on opinion, as we say in Texas. He's yesterday's news.

[Chicagojk]

Good night for the tank. A loss and wins by New Orleans and and unexpectant win by Memphis. Utah lost but they are pros at this doing it the last 3 years.

As far as the game another ugly one. No flow on offense and just awful defense. 13 more games.

Hawks are hot now but they have impressed me. May be missing a big but man are they long. Adding CJ with Walker gives them two very good offensive players and eliminates and offensive stagnation that they could have with lack of shooting. They will be a fun team if they make the playoffs.

[Scott41theMavs]

Best. Tank. Night. Ever.

[F Gump]

Best. Tank. Night. Ever.

It feels like a lottery win - out of the blue. I wasn't even hoping either of these wins by the competition might happen. What a great surprise!

[Chicagojk]

After a hopeful bump, Cooper is at 28% from three on a little more than 3 attempts a game.  This summer that obviously needs to be a focus.  It would do wonders if he could get up 5-6 per game at 36% from three next year.  

He really needs to shoot them in flow.  Too many times is passes a pretty good shot only to try to hammer into the lane.  He is not getting the foul calls.  Long term, you can just try to bang at the rim over and over.  Not great for longterm.    He is only 19, so that will come.    His footwork is off sometimes on his shots and seems to settle for more difficult threes.   

If this team adds another good creator, Cooper will need to be ready and willing to shoot those open threes next year.

[michaeltex]

After a hopeful bump, Cooper is at 28% from three on a little more than 3 attempts a game.  This summer that obviously needs to be a focus.  It would do wonders if he could get up 5-6 per game at 36% from three next year.  

He really needs to shoot them in flow.  Too many times is passes a pretty good shot only to try to hammer into the lane.  He is not getting the foul calls.  Long term, you can just try to bang at the rim over and over.  Not great for longterm.    He is only 19, so that will come.    His footwork is off sometimes on his shots and seems to settle for more difficult threes.   

If this team adds another good creator, Cooper will need to be ready and willing to shoot those open threes next year.

I can't be too hard on Coop. It's been a long, ugly season and he's been challenged with doing new things (point-Coop) while stepping up (at 18) to NBA level play and while trying to keep his spirits up amid the worst season he's ever experienced. 

Yet he's still in ROY consideration, although the team performance has probably blown that up. After the ASB, everyone knew what the goal was and everyone is playing that way, just trying to get through game 82 healthy. A summer to clear his head and work on polishing some aspects of his game should do wonders. Kyrie will be back, DLive will be back, new blood will be added, so the team should go into this fall with much higher expectations.

I, for one, am looking forward to getting glimpses of what the team does over the summer to prepare for next year and not have a key member disappear for 3-4 months.

[Scott41theMavs]

I can't be too hard on Coop. It's been a long, ugly season and he's been challenged with doing new things (point-Coop) while stepping up (at 18) to NBA level play and while trying to keep his spirits up amid the worst season he's ever experienced. 

Yet he's still in ROY consideration, although the team performance has probably blown that up. After the ASB, everyone knew what the goal was and everyone is playing that way, just trying to get through game 82 healthy. A summer to clear his head and work on polishing some aspects of his game should do wonders. Kyrie will be back, DLive will be back, new blood will be added, so the team should go into this fall with much higher expectations.

I, for one, am looking forward to getting glimpses of what the team does over the summer to prepare for next year and not have a key member disappear for 3-4 months.

ROY consideration... what a calamity. The conversation should be where he ranks among rookies in the 75-year history of the league, not "this year." Multihand face palm.

[michaeltex]

If DAL lands a high pick, say #6 or better, is there any expectation for that new teammate will displace Coop as "the face" of the Dallas franchise? From what I can see, Coop has the ability to adapt, but another hot shot teenager, like Acuff for example, could usurp the role due to media attention on the shiny new toy.

Maybe Coop would prefer that and just let his game do the talking.

[michaeltex]

ROY consideration... what a calamity. The conversation should be where he ranks among rookies in the 75-year history of the league, not "this year." Multihand face palm.

No doubt. Unfortunately, they only give yearly awards.

I've heard comments that project Coop as better than LeBron, which is a really high standard. (even though I'm far from an LBJ fan). I think next year will really tell the tale with a year's experience and maturity coupled with a fully functional team that expects to win.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

ROY consideration... what a calamity. The conversation should be where he ranks among rookies in the 75-year history of the league, not "this year." Multihand face palm.

Yes, I think if voters do anything but vote Cooper for ROY then they are just being too cute by half and trying to be provocative. Cooper has been the best rookie all season. No doubt Kon has shown some greatness. But if anyone sees this season and thinks they'd rather have Kon over Cooper, they're lying. 

At worse, this should be like 1995 when JKidd and Grant Hill shared the award.

[cow]

Kon's had a wonderful season so I wouldn't be surprised or upset if he got the award. There stats aren't that far apart and if you take team success into consideration, it will be an interesting race even if I don't think Cooper should be punished for being in basketball hell. Sharing the award would be pretty neat.

[F Gump]

No doubt. Unfortunately, they only give yearly awards.

I've heard comments that project Coop as better than LeBron, which is a really high standard. (even though I'm far from an LBJ fan). I think next year will really tell the tale with a year's experience and maturity coupled with a fully functional team that expects to win.

I still think CF will win ROY. The voters seem to err on the side of "definitely looks like the next generational superstar, the next Lebron (or whoever)" over "had a good season." Everyone wants to be on his bandwagon for the projection he has clearly showed - no one wants to be that guy, who gets 10 years down the road, with CF a major monster, and say "I didn't vote for him as ROY." He's definitely emerged as a franchise player, probably even a generational star, and who else has shown THAT?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I would probably vote for Kon, since he's contributing to a winning team.

[Chicagojk]

I think if the season ended today, Kon wins rookie of the year.  I do think there is something of picking the player you feel will be the superior player long term, but Kon has been so good.  His story and the season of the Hornets have been so fun, that I think it is an easy way to make a case to vote for the underdog.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/noahweber00/status/2034760...96558?s=61

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

I would probably vote for Kon, since he's contributing to a winning team.

If that's the case then just scrap the Rookie of the Year Award and create one called "Best Team Surrounding a Rookie Award".

Plus, let's not get it twisted. The Hornets aren't exactly the '86 Boston Celtics. They're currently fighting for a spot in the Play-in