AROUND the NBA: Pat Bev Suspended 4 Games Next Season| PHX Fires Vogel

[Scott41theMavs]

Also to note. Mavs centers have been awesome against bad teams, but not so much against most of the good teams. As an example of one of the later games, Gafford was not effective against Houston small ball. Mavs did great against OKC though. That is why I am not convinced Mavs will not be forced to small balll when a quality opponent goes small ball. I hope Mavs will be able to force their style of play, lock the paint, push the transition, gather offensive rebounds. But it is also possible teams will just give DJJ or PJ the "Giddey treatment", switch every screen taking away PnR, pack the paint and hope Mavs will not make enough shots from the outside. If I am the opposing coach, this is the first thing I would try.

I think Lively has the athleticism and lateral movement to give even small ball teams trouble on the defensive end, if Kidd will try it.