10-09-2021, 03:23 PM
(10-09-2021, 04:33 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I think Sterling, Green and Frank will compete for backup two minutes. Someone needs to step up as the bench needs some shot creation outside of Brunson. As rotations tighten those minutes will evaporate. But Bullock, Hardaway and Brunson playing more minutes doesn't solve the bench creation issue. Brunson, Maxi, Bullock, some center and one of the colors still feels light to me. Good D, but not enough scoring. As I said in the game one thread, I think Kidd solves this by leaving THJ out there as the last starter to sit and brings Luka back as the first starter to return reducing the time we have a pure bench lineup on the floor.
Your conclusion that Kidd might only use a 9-man rotation in essence, with Brunson, Maxi, Bullock, and a "backup center" (that may not always be the same body), feels right. Playing a regular 10-man rotation, with 2 5-man shifts more or less, doesn't seem like the NBA norm, although I haven't tried to look closely and verify that impression.
And I think the observation that they will be wishing for some additional offense-creating is smart. Dragic would have helped, however he's apparently not on the way. But maybe that comes from Brunson (whom I think we are under-valuing by remembering his post-season and forgetting his regular season body of work), and it feels like Burke should have some of that in him, perhaps. I'm also thinking Carlik Jones may have potential in this area, and I'm guessing they might give him a 2-way slot so they can tap into that as needed.
One thing I'm looking forward to is seeing what Kidd can get out of younger players who need to develop. By all accounts, he was instrumental in building a foundation for Giannis, Middleton, and others. The Mavs do have a few young players who have shown a few flashes, and it would be great if some of them can become real NBA talent.