MAVS NEWS:

[Chicagojk]

Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine)
The Mavericks are finalizing an agreement to sign former Thunder and Pelicans big man Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to bring him to training camp, @TheSteinLine has learned.

I like it.  He is not going to make the roster but I always like when they bring in interesting guys into camp. Same thing with two ways.   Every once in a while you hit.   Too often they just punt these end of camp invites.

[SleepingHero]

I like it.  He is not going to make the roster but I always like when they bring in interesting guys into camp. Same thing with two ways.   Every once in a while you hit.   Too often they just punt these end of camp invites.

Definitely feels like a G-League target. 

But I will say Robinson-Earle isn't that far away from a bench big in the league. So much so that it makes me wonder if he could be called up as a potential future replacement should they finally send Powell away this TDL.

[Chicagojk]

Definitely feels like a G-League target. 

But I will say Robinson-Earle isn't that far away from a bench big in the league. So much so that it makes me wonder if he could be called up as a potential future replacement should they finally send Powell away this TDL.

I liked him in college.    I saw him a few times I think with OKC and didn't like him as much.  But he is big, tall and physical and was productive in college.   Probably not a real threat to make the roster but he is definately a guy who is your typical 4A player.   Just on the fringe of being a pro.   IMO, investing in these guys is much better than hoping Sharpe figures things out.  He is no where close to being a pro player and will probably never get close.

[michaeltex]

Less than a week until Media Day. Is this happening in LV or do they go to LV afterward?

Less than 2 weeks until 1st preseason game. Wonder how much playing time the starters actually get.

Exactly 4 weeks until season opener. With all the early season home games, Kidd can't experiment too much because they'll need to pile up some wins against long road trips later in the year.

Big positive sign that AD is now playing 5-on-5 games. Haven't heard about DLive's foot, but he was supposed to be good for training camp. Consensus is Kyrie is still on the shelf until 2026. DAL has a shiny new rookie to figure out how to best utilize, some young players to see if last year's performance is sustainable. Most importantly, everyone (almost) is healthy and ready to compete.

For a Cowboys fan, NBA season can't get here fast enough.

[F Gump]

Less than 2 weeks until 1st preseason game. Wonder how much playing time the starters actually get.

Preseason tends to be a mixed bag. The starters get some run, but don't play lengthy minutes, and you can't read too much into what you see in those games. Odd rotations abound. It seems the work of developing chemistry and putting preferred rotations together gets done almost entirely in camp practices, scrimmages, etc.

[michaeltex]

Preseason tends to be a mixed bag. The starters get some run, but don't play lengthy minutes, and you can't read too much into what you see in those games. Odd rotations abound. It seems the work of developing chemistry and putting preferred rotations together gets done almost entirely in camp practices, scrimmages, etc.

Yep. I know there will be a lot of PT for the bottom 7-8 bench players plus 2-ways and camp signings. Main goal is to get to the opener with nobody hurt. 

Some things I'm looking for are (in no particular order):

Does AD look like the dominant big man he's been in the past?
How is Dlive moving after foot surgery?
Where is Flagg playing initially? SG? SF? Point Forward?
How much freedom to create will Kidd give him?
How is PJW taking having to share minutes at PF/SF positions?
Does Williams still have it from last season? I liked his energy and fearlessness going into the paint.
Does Nembhard bring anything, or is it just wishful thinking because of his brother?
Does Christie re-emerge from whatever hole he fell into at the end of last season?
Can Martin do anything to justify the trade that brought him to DAL?
Can Exum string together more than 10 games without an injury? 
Will Kidd ever trust Hardy again?

I know MLB season is ending (yea!) and NFL is just getting up to speed (yawn) but I'm ready for some Mav's activity.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/All_Things_Mavs/status/197...0075235820

Really surprised with Lively's ranking.  I had him at this range...and probably higher entering last year.  Or at least I thought he would get there.   After last year though, I don't think I could rank him there now.  I think, if healthy, he is at least in the range.  Potentially 15-20 spots higher.

I think PJ is right in the mix at the top 100.   So his ranking is fine for me.

Not sure I would rank Flagg there yet.   It would be great if he is near the top 50 this year though.  Would really help things moving forward.

[Chicagojk]

Max Christie is a sneaky player to watch.  I really like him when he talks and I think he is a smart player.  Still young and has good length.   Can he be more than what he has been?   I think he could be a really good defender, but he is not there yet.  Maybe playing with rim protection will give us a better idea.     On offense, his shot should be a little better.   I would also like to see him get into the lane more at times.   If he can just make some small improvements in these areas, he will be really interesting.   It is a starter?   A guy who is a part of a two man rotation at SG?  Or a 8-10 man type?   I think we will get those answers this year.  I really like him what I see from him off court.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/All_Things_Mavs/status/197...0075235820

Really surprised with Lively's ranking.  I had him at this range...and probably higher entering last year.  Or at least I thought he would get there.   After last year though, I don't think I could rank him there now.  I think, if healthy, he is at least in the range.  Potentially 15-20 spots higher.

I think PJ is right in the mix at the top 100.   So his ranking is fine for me.

Not sure I would rank Flagg there yet.   It would be great if he is near the top 50 this year though.  Would really help things moving forward.

ESPN has AD at #14.  I think that is fine.    Especially how last year went after he was traded.   I think if healthy, he is borderline top 10 but maybe a guy who can really help winning.   Looks like Lebron is in the top 10.  He is still awesome.   Sort of tricky how you rank him at his age.   

Kyrie not listed due to injury

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4630...yers-50-11

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/All_Things_Mavs/status/197...1986159750

[F Gump]

https://x.com/All_Things_Mavs/status/197...1986159750

It's not even camp yet, Kyrie looks great. This is actually the normal timetable, essentially, and it's a positive that he is apparently progressing fully as he should. 

And the next thing that is going to happen is we all sit on the edge of our seats while it will seem to take forevvvveeerrrrr from here. But I hope this puts to bed those doomsayers who have been saying Kyrie is out for the season. That was nuts.

My over/under on his return was Jan 15, and I wanted the under. Does anyone want the over now??? lol Personally my guess is we'll see him playing around Jan 1, give or take 2 weeks either way, and that when he comes back he won't be at half-speed. They/he will be sure he is fully good to go, then he'll come roaring out of the gate. imo

[Smitty]

The average recovery time for a torn ACL in professional athletes is typically 6 to 12 months, depending on the severity of the injury, the success of surgery, and the rehabilitation process.
    •    Return to sport: Many athletes start light training around 6 months, but full competition-level recovery often takes closer to 9-12 months to reduce the risk of re-injury.
    •    Rehabilitation milestones:
    •    0-2 weeks: Reduce swelling, regain knee mobility
    •    3-6 weeks: Strengthening exercises, light weight-bearing
    •    3-6 months: Sport-specific training, agility drills
    •    6-12 months: Gradual return to full activity

Some high-profile athletes have returned in as little as 6-9 months, but rushing the process increases the risk of re-tearing the ligament. Many teams follow a 9-month rule to ensure full recovery.


So, expected return around December? Tough!

Kyrie tore his ACL March 3rd & had surgery March 26th. In the last 10 years, the average return to play in the NBA is 11.6 months (350 days). The fastest return to play is 9-10 months.

The most optimistic outlook is Kyrie coming back around Christmas, which is exactly 9 months post-surgery. The trade deadline is the first/second week in February, so about 10.5 months post-surgery.

My guess is that the Mavs are operating as if Kyrie will return between Christmas and the trade deadline, best case scenario. Impossible to know until Kyrie starts hitting key milestones in his recovery.

I don’t have any opinion on it at all, just thought I’d post some dates and data so that people can have some kind of baseline for even the most optimistic expectations.

[Chicagojk]

Lively home and away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i78t0dLJ6aI