05-28-2022, 02:01 PM
For me, the Slovenian olympic team is a model how to play with Luka. You need 3-D wings around him, the more they can put the ball on the floor, the better. They can push the transition, something Mavs don't do for whatever reason. They always look and wait for Luka. Players on Slovenian team are far less skilled but had no problems pushing in transition and it didn't seem to bother Luka at all. I would say Mavs have this position covered ok. Could be better and I think they need another big wing, but it is ok.
Center is the crucial player, imho. Slovenian team featured Tobey, who was perfect for the role offensively, because he could PnR, PnP or pass from high post when popping. He could also punish smaller defenders. The PnR with Luka just creates a ton of space for the center and Mavs don't really have an option to exploit it on the current roster. Kleber mostly just pops and shoots a three if open, his passing is very suspect. Powells only move is roll to the basket and dunk, which is completely taken away by playoff defense, as we have seen. I think there are two guys in the NBA that fit the described role on center - Wood and Collins.
Collins is an undersized center but a guy like Kleber would be basically ideal match next to him. Spread the floor and allow Collins to play PnR with Luka. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a way for Mavs to get Collins. Hawks are looking at star trades and Collins will likely be the prize to get that guy.
I agree with the takes, that Wood value shouldn't be much over 1 FRP, especially if he clearly indicates he wants out. Houston already has 2 FRP in this draft though, but perhaps they can package their #17 and #26 for something higher. I really liked what I saw from Wood in a couple of games against Mavs last season. There are some question marks regarding his personality, work ethic and defense. I have no idea about that, but Mavs probably do.
Rest of centers are starting to deviate from ideal, imho. Turner can play defense, but he doesn't really PnR and his rebounding is questionable. I think Indy will play him as their featured center at least until TDL, unless he cleary indicates he wants out. Holmes can only PnR and doesn't shoot, but he has that nice floater from roughly free point range. Gobert can only PnR, the rest of offense is at Powell level. Vucevic could fill that role offensively, but he is a horrible defender. I think guys like Drummond or McGee can only be useful in regular season. Looney proved to be a fantastic defender, but other than that he would be at Powell level of offense in Mavs system.
Center is the crucial player, imho. Slovenian team featured Tobey, who was perfect for the role offensively, because he could PnR, PnP or pass from high post when popping. He could also punish smaller defenders. The PnR with Luka just creates a ton of space for the center and Mavs don't really have an option to exploit it on the current roster. Kleber mostly just pops and shoots a three if open, his passing is very suspect. Powells only move is roll to the basket and dunk, which is completely taken away by playoff defense, as we have seen. I think there are two guys in the NBA that fit the described role on center - Wood and Collins.
Collins is an undersized center but a guy like Kleber would be basically ideal match next to him. Spread the floor and allow Collins to play PnR with Luka. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a way for Mavs to get Collins. Hawks are looking at star trades and Collins will likely be the prize to get that guy.
I agree with the takes, that Wood value shouldn't be much over 1 FRP, especially if he clearly indicates he wants out. Houston already has 2 FRP in this draft though, but perhaps they can package their #17 and #26 for something higher. I really liked what I saw from Wood in a couple of games against Mavs last season. There are some question marks regarding his personality, work ethic and defense. I have no idea about that, but Mavs probably do.
Rest of centers are starting to deviate from ideal, imho. Turner can play defense, but he doesn't really PnR and his rebounding is questionable. I think Indy will play him as their featured center at least until TDL, unless he cleary indicates he wants out. Holmes can only PnR and doesn't shoot, but he has that nice floater from roughly free point range. Gobert can only PnR, the rest of offense is at Powell level. Vucevic could fill that role offensively, but he is a horrible defender. I think guys like Drummond or McGee can only be useful in regular season. Looney proved to be a fantastic defender, but other than that he would be at Powell level of offense in Mavs system.