Preseason Game 2: Utah Jazz (2-0) vs. Dallas Mavericks (0-1) | 7:00pm CST

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

After 13 years, the Mavs have finally retooled and have put together a finals level team.  I don't think it's realistic for a random G-Leaguer to come in and play heavy minutes for such a type of team. Can we trust Gortman to produce in the playoffs? 

He's had 2 good pre-season games. He looked pretty forgettable in summer league.

All undrafted FAs start the same way.

[myconsumerclub]

Free Gortman and Free Sharp.

[DL2RimRocker]

I'd like to see the Mavs develop Sharp and Gortman, they seem to both have some decent upside.

[DL2RimRocker]

Omax will be a "Break Glass in Case of Emergency" type of player this year IMO.

Completely agree with this and I have a feeling he'll get his opportunity.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/noahweber00/status/1844577683893592181

@noahweber00
I asked Klay Thompson about his defensive versatility:

“I still want to get rid of that notion that I’m not the same defender as I once was. I truly believe I am, and I’m excited to prove people wrong that I can still guard the elite players in this league and I thought it was a good step in the right direction for me…”

I could be wrong, but I am not expecting more than an average defender from Klay.   I think he will have more success with bigger, stronger players than the more quick, twitchy players.   It brings up an interesting question if this is the case, because Luka is better defending these guys as well.   So, can PJ offer more defensively versatility guarding these twitchy guards/wings?

Regardless though, I just want someone who can play better off ball defense than Tim (taking charges being the one thing Hardaway was good at).  Tim's reactions and awareness was so bad off the ball.   If we can get better off ball defense, than I will say this is a win.

[RGP1981]

I could be wrong, but I am not expecting more than an average defender from Klay.   I think he will have more success with bigger, stronger players than the more quick, twitchy players.   It brings up an interesting question if this is the case, because Luka is better defending these guys as well.   So, can PJ offer more defensively versatility guarding these twitchy guards/wings?

Regardless though, I just want someone who can play better off ball defense than Tim (taking charges being the one thing Hardaway was good at).  Tim's reactions and awareness was so bad off the ball.   If we can get better off ball defense, than I will say this is a win.

Klay can't defend the quick/twitchy guys like he once could. Nothing wrong in that, he's just older now.

Defending them should not be PJW's role either, IMO... it should be for Grimes.

Offensive Guard (Kyrie or Klay)
Defensive Guard (GRIMES)
Offensive Forward (Luka or Klay)
Defensive Forward (PJW)
Center (Giraffe)

That's going to be the Mavs' best lineup.

If Luka, Kyrie and Klay share those two Offensive positions, that's 32 minutes between them when all three are healthy... or right about what the analytics say is healthy. The Mavs should not end up over-playing Grimes or PJW too though. So they need to figure out who is going to get 16 minutes each at Defensive Guard and Defensive Forward.