10-21-2023, 09:27 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-21-2023, 09:28 AM by ThisIStheYear.)
(10-21-2023, 08:46 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: The center minutes still worry me. It is not Powell either. As you mention, this should be a real good role for him in the regular season. He plays hard all the time and doesn't make many mental mistakes. That is what you want with a bench player. He will be fine. He will probably play better when the game gets looser too.
My concern is what happens if Lively goes through rough spots...they are probably coming. Holmes hasn't impressed in his short runs. Hopefully there is something there still. My concern is Lively hits the rookie wall at game 40 and we are searching for options until Lively hopefully makes a breakthrough. Maybe it is Grant Williams at small ball 5 with Maxi and Jones Jr. That may be the answer if Holmes doesn't have it any longer.
Lively is going to blossom and get better as the year goes on. He works hard and loves the game. You just can’t know about a player’s dedication and ability to improve until you have them in the bldg for a time, but Lively has it. The Mavs made the right pick. It’s not as good as it will be, but the center rotation will be better than last year, barring injury. I just wish for a quality small forward with skill and power forward length — what we hope OMax can be and how he’s built. But unlike Lively, OMax just doesn’t look skilled enough yet to play his position (and admittedly it’s a position that demands much higher skill). He needs to significantly improve his shooting, footwork, and handles. That position is my worry. They have several guys with an attribute that would allow them to get by at the 3 for a short time in the right matchup, but no one with all of what is needed to succeed.