08-07-2021, 03:53 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-07-2021, 03:53 PM by KillerLeft.)
(08-07-2021, 03:42 PM)DallasBasketball Wrote: If the goal is to get production from him in the veteran leadership role and with a Barea/Harris production of the past, do you see that as a possibility going into the season after this, when he will be 36?
Yeah, so I'm with you. I think he's a vastly underrated player.
But, because of Miami's setback of a season this year, coupled with his removal from their starting lineup, there is a perception that he's in decline. There are probably some numbers that show that, too. But, what I believe is that they moved him out of Tyler Herro's way - no more, no less. I'd say it's reasonable to wonder if this decision (followed by Herro not immediately taking the next expected step) was part of the cause of Miami's fairly disappointing season, myself. Others look and see that he was almost not brought back, then demoted, and all this on a team that was already not as good as we thought, so he must not be a desirable player. Maybe the truth is in between.
All I know is that he was a difference maker in the bubble (though not in the finals after that foot injury). That doesn't seem like that long ago to me, but to be fair it wasn't just last season and his IS at an age where decline is going to happen.
So, yes, I can see him being valuable at 36, but I'm not comfortable with predicting it. I wanted him last summer in the deal that didn't happen (right after that bubble playoffs) and I still want him now. I have no idea if we'll want him the season after next, so he's not the type of acquisition I'd be super pumped about at or around the TDL, probably. Hell, by then we might have a totally different opinion of the Mavs, not just Dragic, the player. Who knows.