ROSTER TALK: Mavs favs for Vogel if no HC job exists. Kyrie handshake deal?

[KillerLeft]

IMO, I'd be inclined to find a compliment to Wood. If we remove Wood, we're still getting murdered on the boards

I might be wrong about all of this, but I think there's something I see coming that might impact opinions for those on both sides of this ongoing Wood debate.

I can envision him being the PERFECT offensive complement for Luka at center. Not good, perfect.

I can envision him being well above average, defensively, at center as he learns and as the league shifts even further into the "skill era." His foot speed, length and athletic ability are all perfect for that position (not ideal for forward, imo) and will take him as far as developing basketball IQ and motor will allow him to go. If you're optimistic about his IQ and motor, you might be ready to commit immediately. If you're not optimistic about those things, or if there's a specific type of center (big, bruising type) you think is necessary, you might still be extremely skeptical about his fit. Because his IQ and motor are even issues, conversationally, there is room for "in-between" thinking here, too. 

Let's say the most optimistic eventuality plays out:

1) He's going to be a great pnr partner with Luka for YEARS, and in loads of useful ways that help the entire team. 

2) He's going to be one of the few centers in the league who can create offense by posting up or (even more rare) FACING UP. 

3) Not only will he not be a defensive liability, he will be uncommonly suited to be a strength of your team on that end, particularly against playoff teams with sophisticated offenses. 

BUT...

Though he's a good rebounder for his player type, and for my money a significant improvement over the group of bigs the Mavs had available in the playoffs last season, I feel that when the dust clears, even in the most optimistic version of how things can go, rebounding will still be an area of perceived "weakness" for the Mavs, and will be an annoying part of their profile as a team at times. 

Now, something is always going to be an issue. You're never going to get the perfect roster, balanced in every possible way so that you can go 82-0 and win 6 straight championships. That's just not realistic. Personally, I am FINE with rebounding being that issue. It's enough for me to know that Wood is at least better than average on that end, and that some improvement over last year's rebounding would be possible with him. I'm ok with the idea that it still wouldn't be an area of real strength for the Mavs because, frankly, I don't think it matters as much as #'s 1, 2 and 3 above. But, I know not everyone feels that way.

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You’ve certainly harped on this concept a lot this year but I’m pretty inclined to disagree with this opinion and most of my reasoning you already laid out. I think DFS has proven that he is great to play the 4, I’ve never really felt he ever has size issues and I think he’s much better suited there than at the 3. The teams that are going after the vanderbilts and ruis of the league are the same ones who would be going after DFS for all the same reasons so I’m surprised this board is stuck on needing this skill set that already seems to exist on this roster via one of our few high level role players.

I think a lot of this is due to how you view Hardaway and are such a staunch defender of him. He’s a decent player and I try not to be too hard on him but the idea that his role isn’t the obviously role that needs upgrading is odd to me. Were talking about potentially moving DFS to the 3 where Hardaway is and the biggest problem there is that whoever we put into this role with our current roster (Hardaway/Bullock/DFS) is going to be a player that can’t play make or create their own shot to save their life. To me when I watch that it’s clear that we’re really just a two way wing away from being taken seriously (assuming we can keep Wood around) and that two way wing can be smaller or bigger than DFS in my opinion, but it can’t be another one dimensional player like Vanderbilt.

I don’t want to be thrown into your “group think” opinion on Hardaway and come off as I’m bashing him but if you don’t think we can clearly upgrade that spot and be a MUCH better team than I feel you’ve gone way too far in the other direction.

Agreed on the Green points, I really want him to be a two way player we can place next to Luka for years.

Also agreed on the Poeltl thoughts and your general view on centers and their worth.

I'm not sure I fully follow your argument...at least where you disagree with me. I'm not sure I'm saying what you think I'm saying. My post had literally nothing to do with Hardaway, if that helps. 

I think it's likely DFS is better at the 4 than he is at the 3 and said as much, I believe.