(07-04-2023, 10:58 PM)Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo Wrote: Let's say we roll with Luka, Maxi and Omax.
Against Gianis, would you trust Omax and Luka?
Against Banchero? JJackson?
Kawhi's a big SF, maybe Omax and Luka can handle him? No?
Zion?
Finesse players like Lauri and Kat, I think Luka/Omax might be able to put on some resistance, but the power guys would put a stress on Luka and Omax.
I guess the Mavs can slide down Holmes and DP to guard the bigger, bulkier forwards. But I don't trust those two, specially DP. He plays good positional defense, but most fans know he gets burned time and again by guys willing to take him head on.
I'm sure Maxi provides the best match.
But Maxi isn't durable enough, thus the Mavs need at least one more guy.
It's this reason why PJ Washington should be the main target. Maybe he won't be Maxi-ish in D, but he'd be an able body better than a rookie and a defensively challenged superstar.
Kinda moot now. But let me say I agree with you. Same problem when it was Dirk. Had to put a versatile SF and C next to him and let him defend the lesser threat. Didn’t mean Dirk wasn’t a PF.
The solutions I see are (1) Luka starts defending, which is really the only way the Mavs sniff another Larry, and (2) need long, versatile defenders everywhere else besides the Batman and Robin positions, which looks a lot like what they’ve been doing this offseason.
Pessimism doesn’t make you smart, just pessimistic.