2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[KillerLeft]

Though you can tell that don't catch many Mavs games or aren't paying attention.  They rave about THJ and he's kind of turned into an every other game/every third game type of performer.

The other guy was Jonathan Tjarks, one of the biggest Mavs fans there is. Not saying that makes his opinions more or less valid, but he definitely watches.

[cow]

I'm not saying J Rich is a bad player. I would rate his performance with the Mavs about 5.5-6.5, with 5 being medium. 

But when they were selling him to the fans, Carlisle said they wanted a guy who could guard point guards and who could take over the ball-handling some to enable Luka to play off the ball. He hasn't really done either of those things to any great extent. Not sure he is able to give what they want from that spot in the lineup. 

He doesn't seem to consistently offer anything special on either end. But there are probably teams who could use a pretty decent all-around two-way player. And I haven't given up on him improving. Playing next to Luka is probably his best opportunity to showcase himself.

I hated the trade at the time and I definitely get a case of amnesia when it comes to JRich's play (I can never recall his missed 3s and you think I'd be able to considering he's shooting at 30%) but he seems okay as a ball handler to get his own shot.  He seems rather adept at getting to his midrange or to the cup.  He'll also make a defensive play or two a game that really stands out.  Pretty sure he had a nice block last game.  

That said, I hope he is a one and done with us.

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The other guy was Jonathan Tjarks, one of the biggest Mavs fans there is. Not saying that makes his opinions more or less valid, but he definitely watches.

Thanks, I didn't recognize his voice.  It just seemed like they were both overly harsh on JRich and gave THJ a pass.

[mvossman]

If he can't improve his offense the 2nd half of the season over where it's been, he should opt in and try to hit the market again after a rebound season (or he should squeeze his current overpaid contract out for all it's worth) 


 I mean ... he's  getting really close to Kris Dunn territory of defensive specialist guard who can't carry his weight on offense.   JRich's career PER is now 12.6 and Kris Dunn's is 11.9.  And Kris Dunn got 2/10 on the market.

Dunn is a bad comp.  He has been off on his 3 so far this year, but he is generally roughly league average for his career (with reasonable expectation that will increase with Luka) on a healthy number of attempts.  It's enough to provide spacing and not tank the offense.  Dunn does not provide any spacing, which would kill this offense.

I can't imagine JRich opting in even if he continues to play this poorly (which is unlikely given his history).  There is just too much money out there.  Absolute worst case he will get the MLE.

[SleepingHero]

Can we construct a deal with Orlando for Gordon?

Another intriguing 4 team deal I am playing with: KP+Brunson for Collins+Ball+Zubac

The thing is, for me, I don't think the Mavs are looking for franchise changing trades right now. Especially not after the limited sample size we've seen. So I think if they were trying to trade KP (I don't think they are), it'd come in the summer at the earliest.

I think right now they're looking for smaller impactful deals where they can get specialists for cheap.

[StepBackJay]

The other guy was Jonathan Tjarks, one of the biggest Mavs fans there is. Not saying that makes his opinions more or less valid, but he definitely watches.

Also BS does watch a lot of Mavs bc he loves Luka and he is generally Mavs-friendly, loves Dirk.

[cow]

Also BS does watch a lot of Mavs bc he loves Luka and he is generally Mavs-friendly, loves Dirk.

Simmons has a command center.  So I don't think he's ever focusing on one game, especially not in the regular season.

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

Also BS does watch a lot of Mavs bc he loves Luka and he is generally Mavs-friendly, loves Dirk.

Also good buddies with Bob Voulgaris dating back to forever.   And he just had an hour long sitdown with Cuban about a month ago.  

I guarantee you he has better connections to the Mavs than anyone other than a very small number of local beatwriters who have been in the Mavs building for years.

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

Dunn is a bad comp.  He has been off on his 3 so far this year, but he is generally roughly league average for his career (with reasonable expectation that will increase with Luka) on a healthy number of attempts.  It's enough to provide spacing and not tank the offense.  Dunn does not provide any spacing, which would kill this offense.

I can't imagine JRich opting in even if he continues to play this poorly (which is unlikely given his history).  There is just too much money out there.  Absolute worst case he will get the MLE.

I mean, career 35% from 3 isn't great from a combo guard, but the problem is that's what he is best at on offense.. he's below average at distributing the ball, below average at getting to the line, below average at scoring off the dribble.   He's just kinda like that "utility player"  in baseball who hits .220 and plays 4 different position but all of them at a mediocre or sub mediocre level.    I really wonder what the consensus opinion of JRich would be if he had played his career in Charlotte or Sacramento rather than having built a reptaution with Pat Riley, Spoelstra and "Heat Culture".

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

I don't think Pels are sellers anymore so I don't know about Redick, but I'm all for making any low cost moves to get some shooting in here.  Mavs were 22nd in the NBA in 3 Point% heading into tonight, and now we see that was actually probably over-inflated by the inordinate amount attention Luka gets leaving everyone else with  wide open looks.   We're probably much worse than that.

[ItsGoTime]

I'm getting the feeling that JRich is the type of player that needs more time with his teammates to really show what he's got. I think if he had stayed in Phil, he'd have improved his numbers this year over last. I'm gonna keep thinking that until next year if he's still on the team. If by the allstar break next year he isn't coming into his own on the team, that's when I'll start believing he is what he is. 

He does bring defense on the team at a position that is needed with Luka being our PG, he is also a great FT shooting option in tight games where defense is needed. That 3% is dreadful though. We've put up with some really bad 3 pt shooters over the years though (looking at you DFS, and the attempt to make Powell into one, and even Maxi at first, Brunson, esp Luka and KP but we know with them why) and came away with statements like "I'll only trade him for a superstar".

[omahen]

I'm getting the feeling that JRich is the type of player that needs more time with his teammates to really show what he's got. I think if he had stayed in Phil, he'd have improved his numbers this year over last. I'm gonna keep thinking that until next year if he's still on the team. If by the allstar break next year he isn't coming into his own on the team, that's when I'll start believing he is what he is. 

He does bring defense on the team at a position that is needed with Luka being our PG, he is also a great FT shooting option in tight games where defense is needed. That 3% is dreadful though. We've put up with some really bad 3 pt shooters over the years though (looking at you DFS, and the attempt to make Powell into one, and even Maxi at first, Brunson, esp Luka and KP but we know with them why) and came away with statements like "I'll only trade him for a superstar".

It is really strange his 3pt % is so low, because he is an excellent 2pt and FT shooter. Perhaps it is just psychological slump he fell in. We also need to consider he doesn't take that many shots because there are many "hungry hands" in the team. Yesterday his offense would be great if only he would hit 2 threes more. Even with 1-8 from three he had 16 points. I still maintain he is providing what we need from his role. Defending PG/SG and providing adequate offense. And I still think his % will improve. If we take into account the rule of averages, his second half of the season will be awesome  

Btw: he is at 24 consecutive FT scored.

[ItsGoTime]

Btw: he is at 24 consecutive FT scored.

On this team, right now, that should never be discounted!

[StepBackJay]

I'm getting the feeling that JRich is the type of player that needs more time with his teammates to really show what he's got. I think if he had stayed in Phil, he'd have improved his numbers this year over last. I'm gonna keep thinking that until next year if he's still on the team. If by the allstar break next year he isn't coming into his own on the team, that's when I'll start believing he is what he is. 

He does bring defense on the team at a position that is needed with Luka being our PG, he is also a great FT shooting option in tight games where defense is needed. That 3% is dreadful though. We've put up with some really bad 3 pt shooters over the years though (looking at you DFS, and the attempt to make Powell into one, and even Maxi at first, Brunson, esp Luka and KP but we know with them why) and came away with statements like "I'll only trade him for a superstar".

I expect J Rich to get hot from 3 the 2nd half. These things tend to balance out. I just can't imagine him finishing a sub 30% from 3 this year. I believe he will get hot and prob finish around 35% for the season.

[ItsGoTime]

I believe he will get hot and prob finish around 35% for the season.

Oof, that's expecting a lot! If he does what it takes to get there, this team will be a monster come playoffs!!

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

Free throw percentage is great, but it really goes hand in hand with how often you get to the line.    If you're hitting 90% of your free throws but you're only shooting 2 attempts per game, it's not really moving the needle.

[JamesConway]

https://twitter.com/theathletic/status/1...49890?s=21

[ItsGoTime]

Free throw percentage is great, but it really goes hand in hand with how often you get to the line.    If you're hitting 90% of your free throws but you're only shooting 2 attempts per game, it's not really moving the needle.

All you need is to hit both at the end of a close game, or hit the Tech. KP and maybe THJ are the only two other Mavs that I feel comfortable taking those. But neither is gonna get the ball in the back court and dribble it out. When the team is fouling to stop the clock, I want the ball in JRich's hands.

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

538 has come out with a neat little toy to let you play around with how trades actually move your win percentage and playoff odds based on RAPTOR.   Kinda funny how many fringe trades really don't move the needle.   Have to say though, RAPTOR is really bullish on how much Andre Drummond would improve the team.     A swap of James Johnson + WCS + Josh Green --> Andre Drummond  would improve  the Mavs playoff odds from 78% to 88%.  

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-trades-2021/

[mvossman]

I mean, career 35% from 3 isn't great from a combo guard, but the problem is that's what he is best at on offense.. he's below average at distributing the ball, below average at getting to the line, below average at scoring off the dribble.   He's just kinda like that "utility player"  in baseball who hits .220 and plays 4 different position but all of them at a mediocre or sub mediocre level.    I really wonder what the consensus opinion of JRich would be if he had played his career in Charlotte or Sacramento rather than having built a reptaution with Pat Riley, Spoelstra and "Heat Culture".

If we are going to use a baseball metaphor, he is more like a good defensive shortstop who is a little below average at the plate.  That is a quality starter.  I think too much is being taken from a small 25 game sample which includes learning a new team and recovering from Covid.  Lets see what he is by the end of the year.  Don't have to make a call before then anyways (don't see him getting traded at deadline).

[ClutchDirk]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2934...n-gay-more