Posts: 8,270
Threads: 11
Likes Received: 4,311 in 2,324 posts
Likes Given: 1,169
Likes Received: 4,311 in 2,324 posts
Likes Given: 1,169
Joined: Sep 2019
(06-26-2023, 02:24 PM)cow Wrote: I don't see that happening. While Luka has shown flashes of decent defense in the past, defense is hard work and Luka already exerts a ton of energy on the offensive end. I don't think he'll ever been in good enough shape to play his current minutes and give you maximum effort on both ends of the floor. You'd need to convince him to play less minutes, not worry about his stats, and have a well-rounded enough team that could be productive in non-Luka minutes. Now Kyrie should be able to offset some of the shot creation responsibilities so maybe that will allow Luka to be more engaged on defense.
If he cannot offer more on defense the big question is "where can they hide him?". I would argue that as far as quickness and mobility on defense go he is more of a PF anyway.
Posts: 3,747
Threads: 0
Likes Received: 3,062 in 1,634 posts
Likes Given: 2,342
Likes Received: 3,062 in 1,634 posts
Likes Given: 2,342
Joined: Dec 2020
06-26-2023, 02:35 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-26-2023, 02:37 PM by mvossman.)
(06-26-2023, 01:42 PM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: So we've had the convos re: if our offense is good enough with just Kyrie and Luka. In looking at all the recent championships, they not only had their two scoring stars (Kawhi/Pascal, Lebron/AD, Giannis/Middleton, Steph/Klay, Joker/Murray) , all but LAL had at least 2 guys who could easily get you 20pts on any given night (Lowery/VanVleet, Kuzma, Jrue/Brook, Wiggins/Poole, Gordon/PorterJr).
Who are those two guys on this roster?
Timmy and hopefully Hardy. Historically offense has never been the problem in playoff series losses since Luka. It has always been defense.
(06-26-2023, 02:35 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: If he cannot offer more on defense the big question is "where can they hide him?". I would argue that as far as quickness and mobility on defense go he is more of a PF anyway.
I agree. PF is his best fit, and I'm not sure chasing around guards takes any less energy than banging with PFs.
Posts: 1,056
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Joined: Oct 2022
(06-26-2023, 02:26 PM)mvossman Wrote: No. Done spending assets on the 5.
Collins plays more like a 4 on defense than 5.
Posts: 919
Threads: 0
Likes Received: 407 in 224 posts
Likes Given: 239
Likes Received: 407 in 224 posts
Likes Given: 239
Joined: Oct 2020
Cooling down on Grant is not possible. I can't watch THJ and Bullock attempting to guard PJ Washington in the post for another season.
Posts: 9,528
Threads: 26
Likes Received: 2,747 in 1,544 posts
Likes Given: 1,870
Likes Received: 2,747 in 1,544 posts
Likes Given: 1,870
Joined: Sep 2019
If Portland moves away from Lilllard, I would go all in on Grant. Lightly protected 2027 with THJ, Reggie and JaVale for Grant SnT and Little. Lets say roughly same salaries changing hands, allowing Mavs to also offer full MLE. If Mavs could sign Brown for MLE, this could start to look as a dangerous team.
https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/...6865373185
Posts: 1,056
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Joined: Oct 2022
(06-26-2023, 02:35 PM)mvossman Wrote: Timmy and hopefully Hardy. Historically offense has never been the problem in playoff series losses since Luka. It has always been defense.
I agree. PF is his best fit, and I'm not sure chasing around guards takes any less energy than banging with PFs.
Hopefully, but that leaves us without a big who can be in that role. IMO, it's a requisite you have two scorers outside of your superstars who can get you 20pts easily on even given night. Gordon/MPJ is perfect at this. IMO, giving Z.Collins 30mins/gm gives you a stud big defender who can give you those 20pts when needed.
Agreed with Luka playing as a PF on defense.
I do hope and pray that we look to have Kyrie and Luka interchangeable as distributors, like Joker and Murray. This is on Luka. He has to learn to be great off the ball. Doing so will not so tax him in energy.
Posts: 1,056
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Joined: Oct 2022
06-26-2023, 02:56 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-26-2023, 02:59 PM by Ghost of Podkolzin.)
(06-26-2023, 02:47 PM)omahen Wrote: If Portland moves away from Lilllard, I would go all in on Grant. Lightly protected 2027 with THJ, Reggie and JaVale for Grant SnT and Little. Lets say roughly same salaries changing hands, allowing Mavs to also offer full MLE. If Mavs could sign Brown for MLE, this could start to look as a dangerous team.
https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/...6865373185
Ya, don't see Grant as a solution. Below average defender. Horrible rebounder.
(06-26-2023, 02:56 PM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: Ya, don't see Grant as a solution. Below average defender. Horrible rebounder.
I'd rather Nurkic.
Posts: 9,168
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 3,368 in 2,004 posts
Likes Given: 355
Likes Received: 3,368 in 2,004 posts
Likes Given: 355
Joined: Sep 2019
Can I get a tag update? O'Max Contract
Posts: 13,785
Threads: 343
Likes Received: 5,385 in 3,020 posts
Likes Given: 3,129
Likes Received: 5,385 in 3,020 posts
Likes Given: 3,129
Joined: Sep 2019
(06-26-2023, 02:59 PM)cow Wrote: Can I get a tag update? O'Max Contract
Updated.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.
Posts: 315
Threads: 0
Likes Received: 207 in 123 posts
Likes Given: 83
Likes Received: 207 in 123 posts
Likes Given: 83
Joined: Mar 2023
06-26-2023, 03:23 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-26-2023, 03:25 PM by Knutsen.)
So let‘s be very optimistic for the center spot and assume they‘ll handle the position by committee
Lively | Holmes | Kleber | McGee
Then we have
Kyrie
Green
Luka
with Hardy, O‘Max and the remainings of Hardaway and Bullock manning 1 to 3 including the bulk of the bench minutes.
Which Power Forward would be the best fit next to these starters?
Washington?
Hachimura?
Williams?
Grant?
Kuzma?
Draymond Green should earn much more and is therefore disqualified, isn’t he?
Exotic alternative would be
Bruce Brown
at the two, pushing Green to the three (or O’Max in?) and, most importantly, Luka to the 4.
Why could it work? Because Brown is a very good rebounder, even for a small forward.
So if you could choose one of the players above - or a guy I forgot - who would round out our starting five and compliment the other 4 estimated starters the best?
Posts: 1,665
Threads: 0
Likes Received: 811 in 487 posts
Likes Given: 83
Likes Received: 811 in 487 posts
Likes Given: 83
Joined: Sep 2019
(06-26-2023, 03:23 PM)Knutsen Wrote: So let‘s be very optimistic for the center spot and assume they‘ll handle the position by committee
Lively | Holmes | Kleber | McGee
Then we have
Kyrie
Green
Luka
with Hardy, O‘Max and the remainings of Hardaway and Bullock manning 1 to 3 including the bulk of the bench minutes.
Which Power Forward would be the best fit next to these starters?
Washington?
Hachimura?
Williams?
Grant?
Kuzma?
Draymond Green should earn much more and is therefore disqualified, isn’t he?
Exotic alternative would be
Bruce Brown
at the two, pushing Green to the three (or O’Max in?) and, most importantly, Luka to the 4.
Why could it work? Because Brown is a very good rebounder, even for a small forward.
So if you could choose one of the players above - or a guy I forgot - who would round out our starting five and compliment the other 4 estimated starters the best?
I feel like Grant Williams has to be the #1 option if we can get him
Hasn't been much of a scorer but hopefully that would pick up here. Everything else he offers would fit perfectly. Gotta think the Celtics would match the MLE though.
Bruce Brown would be nice. Wish he was a little bigger but at least he does play larger than you would think. The long arms help. Just from a contract perspective it might make sense to pursue him first since he dictates where he goes
And Harrison Barnes has to be in the conversation. Would be a super pickup for the MLE if he gets priced out
Posts: 15,491
Threads: 52
Likes Received: 7,798 in 4,253 posts
Likes Given: 9,534
Likes Received: 7,798 in 4,253 posts
Likes Given: 9,534
Joined: Aug 2020
(06-26-2023, 03:35 PM)Jym Wrote: I feel like Grant Williams has to be the #1 option if we can get him
Hasn't been much of a scorer but hopefully that would pick up here. Everything else he offers would fit perfectly. Gotta think the Celtics would match the MLE though.
Agree. Jerami Grant would be the ideal for me, but Williams is a more moderately priced option and feels more doable. Unfortunately, MacMahon is hearing it’s not going to happen.
Posts: 6,634
Threads: 17
Likes Received: 3,322 in 1,933 posts
Likes Given: 182
Likes Received: 3,322 in 1,933 posts
Likes Given: 182
Joined: Oct 2020
(06-26-2023, 03:35 PM)Jym Wrote: I feel like Grant Williams has to be the #1 option if we can get him
Hasn't been much of a scorer but hopefully that would pick up here. Everything else he offers would fit perfectly. Gotta think the Celtics would match the MLE though.
Bruce Brown would be nice. Wish he was a little bigger but at least he does play larger than you would think. The long arms help. Just from a contract perspective it might make sense to pursue him first since he dictates where he goes
And Harrison Barnes has to be in the conversation. Would be a super pickup for the MLE if he gets priced out
I agree with Bruce Brown. His size is a little concerning. Really nice glue guy though, but it would still leave us needing another body. But I guess if we did sign him Bullock is gone and maybe Hardaway.
I have no idea what Brown is going to get. He is going to have a ton of MLE suitors. And maybe some suitors from the cap teams. I thought Denver was going to be tough to beat for him because they could have a wink wink deal with him after this year and he obviously fit in really well there. But they do have Braun and also drafted Peyton Watson last year who was an upside pick that they supposedly like. Then they drafted three wings in the draft this year. They were older draft picks as well. So maybe they may not want to pay 13-14 million to Brown after this season with extensions from their wings coming up.
Posts: 15,491
Threads: 52
Likes Received: 7,798 in 4,253 posts
Likes Given: 9,534
Likes Received: 7,798 in 4,253 posts
Likes Given: 9,534
Joined: Aug 2020
My guess is that Brown finds an offer north of the MLE.
Posts: 1,056
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Joined: Oct 2022
If we don't go the route of a traditional C like J.Allen, or Zubac, we need a flex PF/C defensive stud, great rebounder, with range. No one mentioned here really fit this. IMO everyone mentioned is SF/PF, which G.Williams is more of a match. Looking at the right fit (age, size, production, contract), I keep coming back to Z.Collins.
So...
Z.Collins for J.Green.
G.Williams MLE
T.Eason for Powell/2027FRP
Luka, Hardy
Kyrie, THJ
Eason, OMax
G.Williams, Maxi
Z.Collins, Lively
Trade fodder/end of bench: Bullock, McGee, Morris, Holiday
Posts: 3,747
Threads: 0
Likes Received: 3,062 in 1,634 posts
Likes Given: 2,342
Likes Received: 3,062 in 1,634 posts
Likes Given: 2,342
Joined: Dec 2020
(06-26-2023, 03:56 PM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: If we don't go the route of a traditional C like J.Allen, or Zubac, we need a flex PF/C defensive stud, great rebounder, with range. No one mentioned here really fit this. IMO everyone mentioned is SF/PF, which G.Williams is more of a match. Looking at the right fit (age, size, production, contract), I keep coming back to Z.Collins.
So...
Z.Collins for J.Green.
G.Williams MLE
T.Eason for Powell/2027FRP
Luka, Hardy
Kyrie, THJ
Eason, OMax
G.Williams, Maxi
Z.Collins, Lively
Trade fodder/end of bench: Bullock, McGee, Morris, Holiday
We are planning on going tradition center. His name is Lively. We just need a stop gap until he is ready. Right now that looks like some combination of Holmes/Maxi/McGee. I don't think this FO wants to put in more assets for a (hopefully) one year stop gap.
Posts: 8,270
Threads: 11
Likes Received: 4,311 in 2,324 posts
Likes Given: 1,169
Likes Received: 4,311 in 2,324 posts
Likes Given: 1,169
Joined: Sep 2019
06-26-2023, 04:28 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-26-2023, 04:31 PM by dirkfansince1998.)
Not willing to use any of the major assets on a PF/C. Best scenario for another rotation piece is probably someone like D.Saric or M.Wagner if they cannot find a team that is willing to give them more than BAE money. More likely scenario is Dwight Powell returning on a cheaper deal.
Posts: 761
Threads: 0
Likes Received: 485 in 253 posts
Likes Given: 94
Likes Received: 485 in 253 posts
Likes Given: 94
Joined: Jan 2020
(06-26-2023, 04:28 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Not willing to use any of the major assets on a PF/C. Best scenario for another rotation piece is probably someone like D.Saric or M.Wagner if they cannot find a team that is willing to give them more than BAE money. More likely scenario is Dwight Powell returning on a cheaper deal.
I want the Mavs to sign Wagner just so Luka can ask him "Who the F*$# are you?!" when he gets here.
Posts: 1,056
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Joined: Oct 2022
(06-26-2023, 04:19 PM)mvossman Wrote: We are planning on going tradition center. His name is Lively. We just need a stop gap until he is ready. Right now that looks like some combination of Holmes/Maxi/McGee. I don't think this FO wants to put in more assets for a (hopefully) one year stop gap.
Z.Collins can play in the same backcourt as Lively. So... this plan minus G.Williams.
Posts: 1,056
Threads: 1
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Likes Received: 276 in 189 posts
Likes Given: 958
Joined: Oct 2022
(06-26-2023, 04:28 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Not willing to use any of the major assets on a PF/C. Best scenario for another rotation piece is probably someone like D.Saric or M.Wagner if they cannot find a team that is willing to give them more than BAE money. More likely scenario is Dwight Powell returning on a cheaper deal.
Have you seen our roster???? The core of our valuable players ready to play now is all guards (Kyrie, Green, Hardy) with Luka as a Point Forward. Lively is 3 years out from being a starter on a championship team. What you are proposing is a Luka exit plan.
Paying Green crazy money would be a huge mistake. IMO, we need to move him for a like talent with production that better fits our needs... Z.Collins.
|