06-11-2022, 01:39 PM
(06-11-2022, 01:31 PM)omahen Wrote: I think you have to look at a team, not just individual pieces. THJ as a player can be a solid contributor in the right situation. But I don't think this is Mavs as they are constructed. THJ is bad on defense and there is no way you can have good defense playing him next to two of Dinwiddie, Brunson and Luka. Proven last two offseasons against Clippers.
THJ would play way more minutes than Green or Frank, which means Mavs defense would be considerably worse. He would provide more on offense, but less on defense. That is why I don't think he would really make a difference.
I respect your opinion and see the point you're making about fit.
I just have never bought into the whole "THJ sucks at defense" mantra around here. I think he's slightly below Bullock (whose defense is extremely overrated) on the defensive end, but I don't think of THJ as some sort of defensive handicap. He's better than Dinwiddie and Brunson on that end, imo, and much better than Luka (when Luka gets into the headspace of not trying to defend, which still happens too often, if we're being honest).
I have said many times that I'm OK with the Mavs using THJ in a trade, and now that Brunson and Dinwiddie are here, both ensconced in roles that make sense, I almost expect it. I agree with your point about how THJ isn't THE player we'd pick to add into the team we just saw make it to the WCF. I agree with that.
However, this notion that he's not a player significant enough to count as a major injury is bonkers. He would've helped them, had he been healthy. Hell, the team thinks so much of him they still had him on the leadership council (or whatever) at the end of the season.