PRESEASON GAME 2: LAC (1-2) @ DAL (2-0) | 122-114 win

[DanSchwartzgan]

https://twitter.com/bobbykaralla/status/...0359759873

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG_cQAZMtJ8

[omahen]

I liked this game more than the first one. Looking at first halfs of both games Utah created way too many open looks from three for my taste but their bad shooting enabled Mavs to win. Second game was the other way around. I think defense was much better but Clippers hit some tough shots and shot welll overall. Mavs of course looked like they play with a chip on their sholders. 

Omoruyi had a really nice game and Jones showed more so far than McLaughlin. Who to cut remains open imho. Burke can be a scoring punch while Franks only strength remains defense. Personally I wouldn't mind at all if they find a taker for WCS. As it is now, I would cut Terry - easy to do for a new office, cleaning up after the old one.

[Chicagojk]

I enjoyed the game last night.  Entertaining.  

I loved how we involved KP in the offense.  And he was good protecting the rim.  He looks much more free out there.  My concern is how a good shooting team spreads Dallas out with KP and Powell out there.  Although if KP can get those early transition post ups against smaller players that could help teams going all small. 

Eugene was excellent.   He looks to have a nice feel to his game.   He is an older rookie but his game is also mature for a rookie.   

I thought Green was much better last night.   Even when he was blocked at the rim, I want him to be aggressive when given the chance.  I disagree with those who say he has no feel for the game.  I think his feel is good for such a young and raw player.    Where he needs to get better at is open three point shooting and creating offense off the dribble.   He is a good passer but if he is not a guy who can run a pick an role and create for himself that passing ability is muted.   I expect his three point shooting will be below average for the next year or two, but it is not as bad as his percentage showed last year.   

Carlik Jones with another solid game.  Lets see if he can keep on taking advantage of his opportunities.

Trey Burke and WCS are NBA players but at this point I would not be bummed if we moved on from either.  WCS is more of a risk to losing as he could potentially get rotation minutes this year.   But if everyone is healthy, are you looking at a 10 minute a game player?   Eugene may be able to provide more flexibility to the roster instead of keeping another big.   For instance if KP is out, would Eugene or WCS be more valuable to the team?   Although it has only been two preseason games.  Burke will probably not get rotation minutes so could you use Carlik as a emergency 2-way guy when needed if you found a way to clear up a space or two?   

I think Moses Brown development is worth an end of the roster spot.  

I like Powell and maybe this is unfair but the defense certainly looked worse when he was the sole big man in the second half.

[Chicagojk]

I enjoyed the game last night.  Entertaining.  

I loved how we involved KP in the offense.  And he was good protecting the rim.  He looks much more free out there.  My concern is how a good shooting team spreads Dallas out with KP and Powell out there.  Although if KP can get those early transition post ups against smaller players that could help teams going all small. 

Eugene was excellent.   He looks to have a nice feel to his game.   He is an older rookie but his game is also mature for a rookie.   

I thought Green was much better last night.   Even when he was blocked at the rim, I want him to be aggressive when given the chance.  I disagree with those who say he has no feel for the game.  I think his feel is good for such a young and raw player.    Where he needs to get better at is open three point shooting and creating offense off the dribble.   He is a good passer but if he is not a guy who can run a pick an role and create for himself that passing ability is muted.   I expect his three point shooting will be below average for the next year or two, but it is not as bad as his percentage showed last year.   

Carlik Jones with another solid game.  Lets see if he can keep on taking advantage of his opportunities.

Trey Burke and WCS are NBA players but at this point I would not be bummed if we moved on from either.  WCS is more of a risk to losing as he could potentially get rotation minutes this year.   But if everyone is healthy, are you looking at a 10 minute a game player?   Eugene may be able to provide more flexibility to the roster instead of keeping another big.   For instance if KP is out, would Eugene or WCS be more valuable to the team?   Although it has only been two preseason games.  Burke will probably not get rotation minutes so could you use Carlik as a emergency 2-way guy when needed if you found a way to clear up a space or two?   

I think Moses Brown development is worth an end of the roster spot.  

I like Powell and maybe this is unfair but the defense certainly looked worse when he was the sole big man in the second half.

Forgot to add, my views of this team are still similar to prior to free agency.  If Kp bounces back, this team is a deep team.   My issue is we can't be confident to rely on KP.   And even if they are a deep team, they are one player away.  It doesn't need to be a top 20 player, but more like a top 50-60 player.    Preferably someone who can create by himself.   If you found a way to get this type of player, maintain most of your depth pieces and have KP bounce back, than I think this team can compete with almost anyone (maybe not a healthy Brooklyn).   We still need that one final piece though.

[mavsluvr]

How do you know [Kidd is still working with Green in practice]?   Please tell me its not through social media.

Brian Dameris reported in his pod that the developmental coaching staff is indeed working with Green to try to get him up to rotation-level as a player. Brian acknowledged that it is disappointing that Josh has not been able to crack the rotation, and that the team has instead had to bring in Sterling Brown to compete for that role. For now, Brown is winning due to his ability to shoot threes, but it's a long season, and things could turn around. Brian did not include Green in his list of players who are on the bubble to be cut, so there's that. As to whether he gets traded, who knows? 

But the good thing is, they apparently still deem him worthy of their development efforts.

[soog]

Yeah put me on “Team Positive”.  Lots of good stuff here.  

KP’s aggressiveness was the biggest highlight.  It was obvious in both ends of the court.  Aside from the offense trying to get him the ball, he also attacked on defense.  My biggest gripe about him last year is that he would shy away from contact when he was on defense and wouldn’t even challenge a lot of shots.  Two steals and three blocks shows what I believe is more of a change in mental state than physical.  Maybe it is just confidence going into this season fully healthy?

Omo was great, too.  And it’s not like he was just knocking down open jump shots.  A lot of his shots were off of hard cuts in the lane.  Showed poise with a little hesitation move in the lane.  Body control on the reverse layup from a Luka assist in traffic.  Aggressiveness on defense with a steal while picking up full court.  A full court assist on a fast break.  Power and athleticism on at least one dunk. Oh and rewatch his rebound on the Boban 3 attempt - he pushed his guy about 6 feet from the other side of the basket to get that.  We have to remember that some of this was done against guys who won’t be in the NBA in a week, but I’m sold on this guy.

Then there is also the camaraderie.  All of them look excited to be together - even Luka and KP are on the same page

[TXBamanut]

As one of the only persons who never left KP Island I have only one thing to say...

https://media.giphy.com/media/cO39srN2EU.../giphy.gif

Accentuating that one.  That's one of the BIGGEST sources of hate for an injured player playing through injury.  If he sat out, then it would be he sucks he sits out...

[soog]

Brian Dameris reported in his pod that the developmental coaching staff is indeed working with Green to try to get him up to rotation-level as a player. Brian acknowledged that it is disappointing that Josh has not been able to crack the rotation, and that the team has instead had to bring in Sterling Brown to compete for that role. For now, Brown is winning due to his ability to shoot threes, but it's a long season, and things could turn around. Brian did not include Green in his list of players who are on the bubble to be cut, so there's that. As to whether he gets traded, who knows? 

But the good thing is, they apparently still deem him worthy of their development efforts.

Who was on that list of bubble players?

[ItsGoTime]

Not gonna put any stock in preseason games at all. Teams are trying to figure out which end of bench guys they're trying to keep.

[soog]

Not gonna put any stock in preseason games at all. Teams are trying to figure out which end of bench guys they're trying to keep.

Well that’s no fun.  I’m going to put too much stock in everything I see, no matter how insignificant!

[MrGoat]

Not gonna put any stock in preseason games at all. Teams are trying to figure out which end of bench guys they're trying to keep.

Fwiw I like the end of the bench guys better this season than I did last preseason

Especially Carlik, Hunt, and Omoruyi

A good sign for Nico as GM if anything else

[ItsGoTime]

Well that’s no fun.  I’m going to put too much stock in everything I see, no matter how insignificant!

I don't disagree that that was a wet blanket and there has been plenty of negativity in the game threads. I just can't get too hyped, or too down on anything I see during preseason.


However, 22/9/2!!!!!!!!!!

[DanSchwartzgan]

 

Eugene was excellent.   He looks to have a nice feel to his game.   He is an older rookie but his game is also mature for a rookie.   

I thought Green was much better last night.    
 
Trey Burke and WCS are NBA players but at this point I would not be bummed if we moved on from either. 

WCS is more of a risk to losing as he could potentially get rotation minutes this year.   But if everyone is healthy, are you looking at a 10 minute a game player?   Eugene may be able to provide more flexibility to the roster instead of keeping another big.   For instance if KP is out, would Eugene or WCS be more valuable to the team?   
 
I think Moses Brown development is worth an end of the roster spot.  

I like Powell and maybe this is unfair but the defense certainly looked worse when he was the sole big man in the second half.

Brian Dameris reported in his pod that the developmental coaching staff is indeed working with Green to try to get him up to rotation-level as a player. Brian acknowledged that it is disappointing that Josh has not been able to crack the rotation, and that the team has instead had to bring in Sterling Brown to compete for that role.  

But the good thing is, they apparently still deem him worthy of their development efforts.

I see Willie, S. Brown and Burke as veteran insurance policies while the team tries to develop Moses, Green and Frank (I'd much rather invest time and effort in him than Terry).  I'm all for Dallas using roster spots for those three guys (and a two-way on EO with a shot at making the big roster a year from now) to see what they have.  I'm not sure any of them are NBA starters.  But, spending $90mm on your top three players (and $30mm on your next three plus whatever it takes to retain DFS and Brunson) means you have to find some low cost contributors.  They can go young and cheap or old and Vet. Min.  I like at this stage of the team's development that they are still trying to develop some young guys.  

Willie, Sterling and Burke are at best 9th, 10th and 11th man types.  They aren't needed for your 8 man playoff rotation, yet they can be plugged into bench roles if needed.  But, they aren't so expensive that you feel terrible if they sit several games in a row while you give Moses, Green and Frank some developmental minutes.  I do agree EO could get some call-ups with the Mav's on nights when KP needs to rest (or KP or Maxi suffer an injury).  I could see Moses passing Willie at some point and I see a pretty good three way battle for table scraps at bench two between Sterling, Frank and Green

As to Powell as a stand-alone center, even "Dan the Powell-lover" hates that lineup.  But, I am fairly pleased with what I'm seeing of Powell and KP together as starters.  The "O" will be just fine, but defense is the issue.  I don't recall seeing any drop coverage yet.  We have good size at all five positions and we are either fighting through screens or switching.  You will occasionally get KP on a PG or Hardaway on a big.  But what we are doing is less predictable than in the past and more of a playoff approach IMHO.

I also like the increased pace and ball movement and emphasis on attacking the basket.  Having Luka walk the ball up every possession gave teams too much time to set their D.  We aren't exactly running and gunning, but it looks like we won't continue to be one of the slower paced teams in the league either (24th last season).  KP is getting lots of easy looks out of the increased pace.  We are also getting PNR's out of KP and Powell...again, much less predictable than in years past.  

Something I spend time thinking about is where the next bit of improvement comes from.  Who do you upgrade if given the chance?

Powell?  I think the team considers center to be a position by committee spot.  I suspect Powell is 24 minutes a game and the upgrade you might get here HAS to be able to do what Powell does well and fit with KP.  Would we like better D and outside shooting?  Absolutely.  Who is that guy?  As much as people rag on Powell, getting significant improvement in one area might cost you something in another.

DFS?  He's kind of the odd man out offensively so far.  Not an all-world defender, but good.  Not a creator at all, but is there room for another creator among the starters (plus he's a great cutter).  Not a volume 3 point shooter, but hits a good percentage.  It is really hard to find guys at this possession and if they do what DFS does already and is better at any of those three things listed, they are $18mm guys.  If you look outside the obvious superstars, it is going to be hard to upgrade what DFS does.  OG and Bridges are better versions of the same thing, but are integral to their teams.  De'Andre Hunter...sure, but how is that going to happen?

Bench?  Rather than messing around with Green, Frank, Sterling and even Moses, might we be better served to get another bench scorer to compliment Brunson, Bullock and Maxi?   Since Bullock is a multi-position guy, this could be a two or a three.  Could also be a big next to Maxi.  The role Bobby Portis played last season comes to mind if you go with a big.  The role Scottie Barnes is likely to play behind Trent and OG (until he eventually starts) comes to mind as an example of a wing.  Huerter, Mann and Maxey are other names.  Clarkson/Dragic are also obvious examples at guard.  Basically, someone beside Brunson who can get the bench a basket when things dry up for a few possessions in a row.  Right now we have specialists and to get that kind of guy we have to use a starter with four bench guys.  We are one Brunson ankle twist from our benches ability to generate offense from crashing and burning.

[Thukydides]

Had a look at some defensive breakdowns. Same issues, but KP not being part of my twitter thread is pretty encouraging. https://twitter.com/Velleius_NBA/status/...RoDT5ofMOw&s=19

[mavsluvr]

Who was on that list of bubble players?

Moses Brown -- the lowest cost player to trade, financially speaking. But he has been good, so far. Mavs could make the choice to keep him until his contract is about to become guaranteed, and decide then whether to make him a "permanent" offer. 

Burke -- suggests they have been trying to trade him, but have encountered no takers. If they can find a buyer, Burke will be gone by opening night. If not, he still might be cut, although that would require eating his salary for this season and next. He does not play well, may have a ready replacement in Frankie, and is generating additional hassle for the team by refusing to get vaccinated and requiring them to set up a whole separate protocol just for him. 

Ntilikina -- Kidd has made several comments that Frank was brought in to provide "friendly competition" in training camp. Don't know yet what he can bring, and he may or may not make the team. 

Terry -- is continuing to struggle with personal problems. May not see much of him at all this season. Mavs have to decide whether his contributions are worth waiting for.

[omahen]

Something I spend time thinking about is where the next bit of improvement comes from.  Who do you upgrade if given the chance?

I think Mavs need a true 2 way player to become legit, while keeping KP (or trade him for another starter). Think JRue, Middleton type. Hopefully they can pull it off in next two years with better pick package they can provide. 2022 draft we theoretically have 2022, 2025 and 2027, offseason 2023 we have 2024, 2026, 2028 to offer. One of these seasons they have to go all in, imho. Willingness to stay in tax will be crucial. Not resigning both Brunson and DFS (unless they trade them) would be a huge step back imho.

[Thukydides]

KP defensive porn. That's just awesome. Mann could have taken the three earlier, but last year this would have been an easy layup for the Clippers 

https://twitter.com/Velleius_NBA/status/...2anIK774mA&s=19

[DanSchwartzgan]

I think Mavs need a true 2 way player to become legit, while keeping KP (or trade him for another starter). Think JRue, Middleton type. Hopefully they can pull it off in next two years with better pick package they can provide. 2022 draft we theoretically have 2022, 2025 and 2027, offseason 2023 we have 2024, 2026, 2028 to offer. One of these seasons they have to go all in, imho. Willingness to stay in tax will be crucial. Not resigning both Brunson and DFS (unless they trade them) would be a huge step back imho.

So, replacing DFS in the lineup?

Agree on the need to retain DFS and Brunson as we will have to have some outgoing salary to bring back a player like that.

[Kammrath]

So, replacing DFS in the lineup?

I like DFS a LOT....but he can absolutely be upgraded.

[ClutchDirk]

Any position but Luka or KP can be upgraded IMO...