(01-04-2024, 12:02 PM)omahen Wrote: A very thoughtful answer from Kidd about Lively and foul trouble

https://twitter.com/MFollowill/status/1742947845710225896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1742947845710225896%7Ctwgr%5Eacb0af6b3fbdea71ba0c24bd8a1bdae7b308800f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Fdallas-mavericks

(01-04-2024, 12:37 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: He's a good coach.

(01-04-2024, 07:05 AM)F Gump Wrote: 3 Was OMax worth being saddled with Holmes? Lots of crowing about that one. Yet hard to see why. We need talent, and the net result of that move seems to be we got an iffy rookie who has showed next to nothing PLUS a cap-choking player for 2 years. 

(01-04-2024, 01:38 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I'm actually quite surprised you feel this way after we've seen Omax, albeit in limited minutes, flash stuff that we see great 2-way wings do. 

OMax is certainly a project, and his ceiling will be limited to how well he will shoot a 3, but he's shown more than DFS had in his first 2 years imo. He's had several just barely missed layups and 3s that would make his counting stats a bit more stomachable. But his defense is as advertised and his ability to handle the ball is something I was very surprised about. 

He hustles like crazy and can move his feet incredibly well. I think that was worth eating Holmes for 2 years.

(01-04-2024, 01:47 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: https://twitter.com/MavsPR/status/1742959675501367583

It looks like the G-league team doesn't play again until Saturday.  Does that mean he can't play with the team on Friday?  With us being shorthanded, it would be weird not having him on the bench.    Thought it would be good to have him around for the long homestand too.  In case there are opportunity for real practices.

(01-04-2024, 10:04 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: Trade for Siakam. Pick up Hayward after he’s bought out.

(01-04-2024, 03:01 PM)F Gump Wrote: I understand the pushback on OMax. The hype excited me, too. I get that he's a lottery ticket. The fact that he's not already rotation level is not my issue.

But his play so far has pushed me away. I'm not seeing the building blocks to be built upon. I'm seeing way more of a project than I expected, and way fewer of the flashes of promise too.

(01-04-2024, 03:16 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Fair enough on “more of a project than expected.” I think a lot of us feel that way. 

I guess the difference is that I DO think I see the building blocks. You can count the players at that size/length who move like him on one hand, imho. He actually dribbles a little bit more naturally than I expected. He is better with the ball right now the DFS is, all these years later. Every time he plays, he affects at least a couple of shots in super impressive fashion. From my perspective, he just needs to slow down a little, see the game happening a little bit better and learn how to shoot more consistently. I don’t think it’s that big of a lottery ticket, personally. It’s definitely not a sure thing, but I am confident.

(01-04-2024, 04:18 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Yeah, I have no problem if someone is disappointed in him or thinks he doesn't have it.   I just preach patience.  There has been a few things that I am surprised he has struggled with.   For instance, when the ball is being rotated to him, he seems a little confused and does not know he needs to make a quick move and move towards the ball to get it.   Some small things like that...mostly on offense.   I knew his shooting was going to be an issue.  I expect it will be next year too.    It looks pretty shaky right now.  He just needs to shoot corner threes until his arms fall of.  He will need to focus on the shots he will most likely get playing with Luka.  The rest can be developed as he moves forward.

On defense, I just notice a lot of smaller things.  I love how he always looks to make contact with his defender when the shot goes up to box out.   I like how he is always moving on defense off ball.  I don't think he knows what he is doing yet, but I like that energy.   I love how he always plays hard.  I think he is the type of guy who will get the most out of his ability.    Lastly, I look how long he looks and the broad shoulders he has.  Not many guys look that way.

I see a lot of physical resemblance to OG.   Now the skill level is where he will need to prove he is worth the investment.   I think he is a solid investment and hopefully an ideal glue guy around this team over the next few years.   While not a done deal, I really think this years draft might have saved us.    Work is left to be done, but I envision both guys as really important players.   Both guys who won't need touches to be effective.    That is key playing with Luka.

(01-04-2024, 04:55 PM)F Gump Wrote: Interestingly, I don't see OMax much differently than you guys do. I just have a different belief in where that sort of "skill set" will take you.

You see: Hustle. Energy. Try hard-ness. And those are the MAIN positives.

When I see that, I see a guy whose upside is Powell. Or another J Green. And that would make sense, because that seems to be their persistent criteria in trying to identify players. But that's not what I want.

I think their criteria is wrong.

My personal sense of things is that they need to be looking for guys with basketball skills, not "effort" (as the primary plus).

(01-04-2024, 04:34 PM)HoosierDaddyKidd Wrote: I don't see the resemblance to OG Anunoby. OG is thick all over.

(01-04-2024, 04:55 PM)F Gump Wrote: Interestingly, I don't see OMax much differently than you guys do. I just have a different belief in where that sort of "skill set" will take you.

You see: Hustle. Energy. Try hard-ness. And those are the MAIN positives.

When I see that, I see a guy whose upside is Powell. Or another J Green. And that would make sense, because that seems to be their persistent criteria in trying to identify players. But that's not what I want.

I think their criteria is wrong.

My personal sense of things is that they need to be looking for guys with basketball skills, not "effort" (as the primary plus).

(01-04-2024, 05:37 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: These things rarely ever mean anything but….

https://x.com/mavspessimist77/status/1743015878952628579?s=46&t=iwQP5yZoJF3Ulzfb9MH7Cg

(01-04-2024, 06:56 AM)omahen Wrote: First of all, I would just like to make a disclaimer, that I don't think Siakam would cost 2 FRP to get. Sure there are teams that can (theoretically) make better offers, but who says they will actually make them. Toronto is facing a real threat that Siakam walks in the summer. Any team trading for him will also take this risk that Siakam might just walk in the summer and no one will imho risk a bunch of assets because of that. 

Secondly - lifting protection from NY pick doesn't enable Mavs to offer additional pick. Even with lifted protection, Mavs still can't trade 2025 pick because of the Stepien rule (2024 being still owed to NY) and can't trade both 2026 and 2027 picks because of the same rule. 

Leaving all of that aside, even if Mavs would be able to trade two picks by lifting protection from NY pick, I wouldn't call that as an all in move. Mavs all in move was imho Kyrie. Because of his age they basically declared their short-term strategy, which is "win now". Mavs are not rebuilding, they want to win. From here on it is just about using that realistic window and trying to create a contender putting right pieces next to Luka and Kyrie. Siakam is imho a huge proven talent and while he might not be perfect (which player is???), it would be on the three stars and coaching staff to make it work on both ends on the floor. Having three such players would put a pressure from the front office to players and coaching staff for the first time in Luka era.

2024 is owed to NY by past actions. A whole bunch of stuff would have to go wrong if Mavs traded for Siakam and still finished in bottom 10 of the league. Even Luka injury would still leave enough talent on the team and they should be able to finish better than bottom 10. I think it is certain that Siakam makes this team better, the question is only, if he makes them good enough to contend. 

Personally, I don't think Mavs are just one "Gordon" or "White" trade away from contending. I think they need more of the top end talent.

(01-04-2024, 03:01 PM)F Gump Wrote: I understand the pushback on OMax. The hype excited me, too. I get that he's a lottery ticket. The fact that he's not already rotation level is not my issue.

But his play so far has pushed me away. I'm not seeing the building blocks to be built upon. I'm seeing way more of a project than I expected, and way fewer of the flashes of promise too.