(10-14-2022, 02:20 PM)F Gump Wrote: "No" to Kemba. "No" to Dragic." I get the impression that Kidd's fingerprints are all over these decisions.

Apparently NEITHER was thought by the Mavs to be a satisfactory solution, and isn't the common denominator that neither can play much defense anymore? Then I notice how Kidd demands defense, with it being the calling card to get minutes on his team. 

It feels like Kidd is vetoing players from being signed, because they don't fit what he's trying to build. And OTOH, "Yes" to having guys like Ntilikina and Green, who we don't like so much because of their offensive limitations, but who are pretty helpful defenders. And Campazzo, perhaps being added despite his lack of size and offensive limits, but considered to be a pesky defender.

(10-14-2022, 02:25 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: This definitely feels like the case but also leaves me confused why Bledsoe got zero consideration since he's very much a defense first ball handler but given that Kidd has coached him I would assume that he's making that decision for one reason or another.

(10-14-2022, 02:20 PM)F Gump Wrote: "No" to Kemba. "No" to Dragic." I get the impression that Kidd's fingerprints are all over these decisions.

Apparently NEITHER was thought by the Mavs to be a satisfactory solution, and isn't the common denominator that neither can play much defense anymore? Then I notice how Kidd demands defense, with it being the calling card to get minutes on his team. 

It feels like Kidd is vetoing players from being signed, because they don't fit what he's trying to build. And OTOH, "Yes" to having guys like Ntilikina and Green, who we don't like so much because of their offensive limitations, but who are pretty helpful defenders. And Campazzo, perhaps being added despite his lack of size and offensive limits, but considered to be a pesky defender.

(10-14-2022, 02:30 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: Can't speak from my own knowledge, but several have commented that Bledsoe's defense is toast.

(10-14-2022, 11:59 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: You want to exclude the NBPA player representative and one of the three members of the leadership council?

(10-14-2022, 12:11 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Well Kemba is being waived.  Would you prefer him or Campazzo?

(10-14-2022, 11:35 PM)sterlingmallory Wrote: https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1581139880402296832?s=20&t=KOnkRDFiZ4B54A9A6_r3kg

(10-14-2022, 07:19 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: JM__________CW__________    __________JM____MK______
DS______________MK______    ________DS______________
RB______________JG______     __________RB____________
SD__________TH__________    ________________SD______
LD_________________SD___    ________LD______________

(10-16-2022, 07:55 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: I tend to be more negative in my Mavs projections.  Last year, I believe I thought they would be 6 or 7, I think.   So take my predictions as a grain of salt, but I have them 7th in the west.    Maybe I am discounting Luka way to much and if he is playing as a top 5 player, the team will not slip that much.    I just think the west is really tough.  Outside of 2-3 teams, you will need to play well to win each night.   I just feel there is one or two things missing on this team that will pop up throughout the season.   I hope I am wrong.

(10-16-2022, 08:06 AM)Jym Wrote: I think a lot depends on Luka's health in terms of regular season wins. If we get lucky and he plays 80+games then a top 2 seed is very much on the table.
But being so Lukacentric scares me when the playoffs roll around especially since all this regular season work is going to wear him down

(10-16-2022, 08:23 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: watching the dress rehearsal, my first thought was we are too Luka dependent.   It is tough not to be, but it would be great to have other ways to attack defenses consistently.  Hopefully other options are up to the task. 

I don't think we see 80plus game from Luka.   Look at most of the stars.  They miss games.  I am going to account for 10-15 missed games from Luka and Dinwiddie (hopefully not more).   Those 10-30 games making up for missing either is what troubles me.  

One thing that would increase my optimism is if they prove last years top 10 defense was not a fluke.  When I look at our personnel, I don't think it is top 10 defense worthy.  But if they are good on defense, their offense is more than good enough.

(10-16-2022, 08:58 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I also worry about are the games Luka takes “off” while he is actually in the lineup.  We have lost some ridiculous games during his tenure when we were still trying to create credibility.  Now that Luka has tasted the conference finals I could see his effort against weaker sisters going one of two ways.  

1. He could show effort and make sure we win all of the games we are “supposed to” win, thus helping seeding and home court.

2. He could be even worse at showing full effort against weaker sisters knowing the only season that really matters is the post season.

(10-16-2022, 08:58 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I also worry about are the games Luka takes “off” while he is actually in the lineup.  We have lost some ridiculous games during his tenure when we were still trying to create credibility.  Now that Luka has tasted the conference finals I could see his effort against weaker sisters going one of two ways.  

1. He could show effort and make sure we win all of the games we are “supposed to” win, thus helping seeding and home court.

2. He could be even worse at showing full effort against weaker sisters knowing the only season that really matters is the post season.

I hope the strong bench comes into play here and they are able to overwhelm the benches of other teams.  The top three in the West seems fairly set (though it rarely works out the way it is projected to, even when the projections seem obvious).  I could see an argument for any order of finish among Dallas, Phoenix, NO, Minn and Memphis.  It wouldn’t shock me if any of those teams finished 4th, but I’d be least likely to put money on Minnesota.  

The prediction part of this is further complicated by looking forward to second round opponents.  Is there anyone from among the top 3 that you’d prefer to share the bracket with?  We won’t know until we see what teams look like after the deadline.  With so many more teams tanking this year, someone is going to make one of those trades that a fantasy football commissioner would veto and it could change everything.