Game 61: Philadelphia 76ers (34-25) vs. Dallas Mavericks (34-26)

[dirkfansince1998]

PJ starting to get the THJ greenlight from three is not a good sign. I want him using his athleticism and length to get buckets in the paint...if there's an open three within the flow of the offense then shoot it but he's starting to take these early shot-clock threes. Maybe all the talk of being the #3 scorer is getting to his head.

This team is in big trouble...I believe the current lineup has been figured out by opponents. Short-term, the next move would be to start DJJ at SF and then you might see better versions of Green and THJ collectively when they come off the bench together. DJJ is the best overall perimeter defender on the roster so you take that and live with his hot/cold 3-pt shooting. This is a similar lineup they had at the start of the season before injuries forced them to change things up.

But in the end, with Kidd and his staff, this team is headed nowhere fast. Sean Sweeney was the defensive coordinator previously (the defense was never good) and then moved to the offensive coordinator (the offense was not good either). And now they moved him back to defensive coordinator. This coaching staff is just terrible.

DJJ/PJ/Lively is as bad as it gets when it comes to spacing. Either need a stretch five (Kleber) next to DJJ/PJ or replace one of them with a better shooter (Green, current starting five).

Looking at +/- and lineup numbers post all star break:

- Mavs are getting killed when THJ is on the floor
- Same for Green and Lively when they aren't playing with the starters
- Gafford isn't looking good
- Twin tower lineups with Kleber at PF are terrible.
- Kyrie running the offense with Luka on the bench isn't as good as it used to be
- DJJ is featured in the best bench combinations
- Exum is still the +/- GOAT

Mavs have two things that are working. Starting five and small ball with Kleber/PJ. That's it. Everything else is a mess.