MAVS NEWS: Grimes Trade Completed | Luka "Ecstatic" About Klay

[F Gump]

Two thoughts/questions....

Is the move to a starting role just reflective of Lively's defensive strength, or does the staff feel like he's bringing more to the table offensively? For example, will he be freed to step away from the basket to take shots and not just roll down for the lob?

Secondly, there is some interest in Lively's potential as a corner 3pt weapon. I have no problem with him exploiting that skill, provided it is a consistent result. But is Lively on the perimeter really what we want? Sure it maybe opens lanes for Luka/Kyrie, but doesn't that take him away from rebounding, especially offensive rebounds that were key to a lot of the post-TDL success last season?

Thank you. Agree 100%.  We get wrapped up in lusting for players who can do everything, which takes them away from where they make the greatest impact. So many C's want to develop skills to play the perimeter, and they drift. And we ooh and aah at the skills. But do we want the world's tallest SG or the world's best interior dominance in a big man?

I like the Tyson Chandler example - he would hit his one to two shots a game from the elbow, which would allow him to impact how he was defended as he set screens. And then he would pound the rim. That's what they have been teaching Lively (and I suspect Gafford will end up in that school as well).