2020-2021 MAVS NEWS: Archived

[Chicagojk]

Like why wouldn't it work? It would at least fix the offense, presumably. That was our starting lineup last year until Powell got hurt. Mavs made these lineup changes to try to improve defensively while still maintaining a pretty potent offense. I think right now we have neither. Also given that the Mavs have had a string of terrible first quarters that seems to me to fall on the starters who play most of the minutes in the first quarter.

So ya I think given where things are now would be the time to start tinkering with the starting lineup again. Mavs are sort of stuck at 7th place anyway. I don't think you'd be worse off with trying last year's lineup.

THJ and Powell both give you energy. THJ replaces Maxi's shooting and gives you a little more creation (no more or less than what J Rich gives you). You give up some defense but Powell can rotate to help with close-outs on shooters. We already are terrible at this so its like how worse can it get? Powell at least helps crashing the offensive glass. A lot of times KP is too far from the board to crash it. Also on offense I think Powell's presence sort of turns KP back into a spacer/shooter which wouldn't be the worst thing.

Powell also gives Luka some easy offense with his rim-running. Anyways this is probably my favorite idea at the moment. I wouldn't mind trying other lineups too but since we have a large sample size with this lineup having success last year it seems like the first one I would go to honestly. Our bench would certainly do fine with Brunson, J Rich, Maxi, & JJ.

Previously I didn't want to bench J Rich bc I knew that would hamper Mavs ability to keep him but at this point he's a goner so I'd rather see what things look like with THJ back in the starting lineup since the Mavs need to determine their future with him.

I think I would be in favor of this as well.   Might as well try.

I am so tired of starting games and have four guys waiting around the perimeter to shoot a three.  It is so boring.  When they hit a few shots, things are fine.  When they don't, the offense seems to be running in mud.    Most nights, I just hope they keep pace until Jalen and Hardaway come into the game.  The Mavs are way to reliant on both Jalen and Hardaway having good offensive games.  When they are off, this teams looks to have no other secondary ways to attack defenses.

I would also be fine testing out Powell as a starter.  As you mention, at least he is cutting, can rim run, and may even get a few offensive rebounds.  Right now, in our starting lineup a three goes up and  sometimes no one else is inside the three point line.  That bugs me like crazy.  

It was weird.  Last night the bench appeared to be cheering hard when the Mavs were struggling.   So that would tell me it is not a chemistry issue, but something appears off.   Maybe Luka is just tired from being involved in almost every play when he is on the floor.   Or maybe there is something with the starters.     Although I don't think Kleber, Richardson or DFS would be causing problems.   But maybe something else is there.