06-04-2022, 09:29 AM
(06-03-2022, 11:53 AM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: . . .
I like the 3 Guards; I like our Wings; I like Maxi;
[1] I don't like Powell as a starter; [2] I don't like Bullock/Maxi pulling 40+ mpg; I don't like how much Maxi has to do as a 2-way player.
AND [3] I don't like how Boston is showing how much further we need to improve this rotation in order to compete at the highest level making this run appearing as a flash rather than a foundation.
With you on all of this. But . . .
1. Powell is harder to upgrade than people here seem to think. At least that’s how I see it. Not at all confident guys like Gobert, Wood, Turner, Holmes, etc. don’t get played off the court in the playoffs just like Dwight. The likelihood of Marquis Chriss maturing into that role seems every bit as likely as a trade solution to me. Not that it’s highly likely. But it’s possible.
2. Re Bullock/Maxi pulling 40 minutes, did you mean Bullock/DFS? The extended Maxi problem is simply the Powell problem restated. Reggie and Doe-Doe getting worn down is a problem easily remedied by the re-emergence of THJ and incremental improvements from either Josh Green or Frank Ntilikina. Don’t have to make a trade to fill this hole in my opinion.
3. The depth-like-Boston issue is solved by resolving the Reggie/Doe-Doe overuse issue. The Mavs have assembled a nice 7-player core (Luka, Jalen, Doe-Doe, Maxi, Reggie, Spencer, THJ) with serious potential among their young and improving fellas (Frank, Josh, Marquis). No reason to think they’re more than 2 years away right now, if they can figure out how to handle the center spot.
Back to issue 1, we’ve already discussed this from so many different angles. The one I most agreed with was the search for another Maxi. Just clone him and his contract and I’m in. Play each Maxi 24 mins. Acquire the new one with the TPE. Able to switch on the P&R. Able to protect the rim. Able to stretch the floor. Doesn’t break the bank. Perfect. But in fairness to Maxi, I’m not sure there’s another player in the league who can bring those same 4 things to the table. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to find 3 of the 4.