(01-27-2021, 11:25 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: If we believe Luka is a true MVP candidate (I do), and the Mavs have found a good enough running mate in KP (I do), then the Mavs are true contenders already no? Flawed, but contenders.
In that sense the Mavs need to get guys like Rose to actually fix their flaws. If we're constantly trying to develop younger guys in the hope they pan out to the vets that are available the Mavs might miss their opportunity to contend anyways.
Also I think the Mavs are too young. We need more vets.
The Mavs are ready to win it this year IMO, when everyone back to full strength and team chemistry can reform. I think the team might peak, at absolutely best time, just before playoffs, the way things are going currently. For having players out, better that it happens now, and not before playoffs.
There is a tendency on this forum for a young 3rd star player. I dont necessary view it this way. No problem in getting that veteran star, such as Vucevic, to help Luka/KP getting the first title/titles, for the 1st part of this team, and when that veteran player is too old in some years, turn to another star at this point to provide that 2nd part of this team.
In that sense, with Luka/KP we have the long future, but no problems building two generation of teams around them. The idea of pairing with only young players so they follow Luka/KP all the way until they retire, is nice, but not very much realistic. Doing this over two generations of players is perhaps better, and this way you always have that presence of veteran star, to calm things down.
As we see it now, we likely have an issue in our team, it is most likely with KP IMO, but we dont know, it hypothethical. Having that veteran star, that knows how to calm things down, use experience, is crucial. We see JJ in that role, only thing is he is not that near that kind of talent as Vucevic or several other potential players. His presence on and off the court is felt, and this is really needed when you have two young stars. IMO THJ cant provide that leadership/veteran presence at all. Vucevic would be one of the ideal fits, but also Gobert and others.