MAVS NEWS:

[mvossman]

Yeah, I think that is how it will be slotted, but is it realistic?   I really hope Morez gets time at PF.   I think longterm if Lively can be healthy, Morez will need to in order to justify that top 10 pick imo.  

Marshall behind Flagg looks good on paper, but in reality that is a 12-14 minute role.   Way too little for his salary imo.    While I think Flagg plays a guard to help things out, that reduces the minutes for Risacher.   I hope he is given a long run way now to see if he is a worthy long term investment.   Ricasher and Max at two guard really leaves a lot to be desired on creation too.

I mean its definitely a crunch.  Naji will have to get minutes from somewhere else, but not sure where.  PJ and Aldama will both be playing less minutes than they usually do splitting the PF spot, and that's before you bring Morez into the mix.  That means Naji will have to eat into the Max/Risacher minutes.  The roster is definitely light on creation and its light on shooting too, with a forward rotation that will likely shoot in the low to mid 30s.  The only plus shooters in the top 8-10 rotation are Kyrie and Max.

[F Gump]

While there is no official timeline of return yet, Dereck Lively II is trending in a positive direction in his ongoing injury recovery for the Dallas Mavericks. Mavs general manager Mike Schmitz joined 105.3 The Fan and revealed that Lively II is actively working out in the team's gym as he continues his offseason foot rehabilitation. “D-Live has been working his tail off. He’s in the facility constantly, completely locked into everything we’re doing and doing everything in his power to be his best self,” Schmitz said.

BasketNews

BEWARE! This BasketNews "summary" (supposedly) is not accurate at all in saying Lively is "trending in a positive direction in his ongoing injury recovery." Schmitz's non-answer answer said no such thing.

Indeed, he was ASKED how Lively is progressing and for a timeline. In the context of comments about players with injury issues, the question was: "How about Dereck Lively? [1] How's he doing physically and [2] what can we expect and [3] when can we expect to see him?"

His answer was a non-answer to all 3 of those questions. How's he doing physically? Didn't say. What can we expect? Didn't say. When can we expect to see him? Didn't say. All we heard was essentially that he's working hard and comes to the facility all the time and is interacting with team things and trying his best. But is he making progress, is he anywhere close, should we expect to see him on the court - we got no promises and didn't even get any comment. 

To me, the fact that Schmitz danced around answering ANY of those easy questions about Lively's status seems like a red flag. I want and hope that Lively will be able to play early on and be a big contributor this season, but we've seen this story before and unfortunately it never seems to end well.

[KillerLeft]

I really hope Morez gets time at PF. 

Why does this matter to you? Help me understand. The roster is FULL of 4's, and he has the least interesting skillset for that position out of all of them. He's so much more enticing as a 5.

[F Gump]

https://x.com/KevinGraySports/status/208...4875860048


Positions can be mixed and matched but a Lively, Gafford, Morez, Aldama, PJ, Flagg, Marshall,  Risacher, Klay, Tarek front court is really, really crowded.   Even if they move two guys.    As is, I have no idea ow they make it work.

I don't think it's as crowded as that. You are filling 3 positions, and I think this is a more realistic view of where they are so far ....

C - Gafford, Lively [injured, no return date known]
C/PF - Morez, Aldama
PF, SF - Flagg, PJ, Risacher, Marshall
 
Basically having 7 players for 3 positions is not an over-supply at all. Yes there will be lots of competition for minutes, so you'd better play well if you want to play. That's a good thing. Then you will inevitably have players getting nicked up with an injury here or there and you might have games where you're even a bit short-handed.

Klay, Tarik [I expect these will typically be in the SG rotation, maybe Risacher too]

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Already looking forward to the trade deadline more than this season.  Ugh

[mvossman]

I don't think it's as crowded as that. You are filling 3 positions, and I think this is a more realistic view of where they are so far ....

C - Gafford, Lively [injured, no return date known]
C/PF - Morez, Aldama
PF, SF - Flagg, PJ, Risacher, Marshall
 
Basically having 7 players for 3 positions is not an over-supply at all. Yes there will be lots of competition for minutes, so you'd better play well if you want to play. That's a good thing. Then you will inevitably have players getting nicked up with an injury here or there and you might have games where you're even a bit short-handed.

Klay, Tarik [I expect these will typically be in the SG rotation, maybe Risacher too]

8 players expecting (and getting paid) top 8 rotation minutes fighting for three roster spots is crowding.  Lively return date is in question, but I don't think that warrants ignoring him completely.  Even without Lively and Risacher playing some 2 its still crowded.  Having guys make 17 mil a year and not get minutes due to crowding is not good asset management.  I would also argue playing all of your vets and letting the kids sit on the bench so you can win 37 games is not the best way forward either.

[F Gump]

Even without Lively and Risacher playing some 2 its still crowded.  

Actually in that context (which I think has a very good chance of being a real outcome, of Lively being injured a lot and ZR being used as a big SG) it's not crowded, and perhaps even a bit sparse, at that point. That only leaves 6 for 3 c-f positions. And then injuries WILL happen somewhere. 

The problem you are worried about is that the Mavs on paper have too much talent. I don't think that's a problem. It will sort itself out. 

Ultimately, that's why they have coaches, to figure these things out. No biggie imo.

[KillerLeft]

When talking about Roster balance, people always focus on the "too much of one thing" part, and imo, not enough on the "not enough of the other" part.

[mvossman]

Actually in that context (which I think has a very good chance of being a real outcome, of Lively being injured a lot and ZR being used as a big SG) it's not crowded, and perhaps even a bit sparse, at that point. That only leaves 6 for 3 c-f positions. And then injuries WILL happen somewhere. 

The problem you are worried about is that the Mavs on paper have too much talent. I don't think that's a problem. It will sort itself out. 

Ultimately, that's why they have coaches, to figure these things out. No biggie imo.

Calling our frontcourt situation "sparse" is a crazy take.

My issue is not that they have too much talent, its that the talent is too spread out.  They have too many vets getting paid (and expecting) 25+ minutes a game, and too many kids that need time on the court to develop.  Injuries may help to sort some of it out, but the most likely player to miss time outside of Lively is Kyrie (which won't really help with frontcourt minutes).

[mvossman]

When talking about Roster balance, people always focus on the "too much of one thing" part, and imo, not enough on the "not enough of the other" part.

I touched on the lack of creation and shooting, but I figured I had bitched about that enough in the past.

[KillerLeft]

I touched on the lack of creation and shooting, but I figured I had bitched about that enough in the past.

Regardless of how many times it's discussed, or what terms/vocabulary people use, my point is that the argument isn't about whether or not it's ok to have "too much talent" in one area - that part is obviously a positive, most of the time. It just seems like a large portion of the community can't escape the PTSD of what USED TO BE the Mavs' crutch. All throughout the Nellie/Cuban era, they were offensively potent and extremely skilled but lacked defense, length and athletic ability. Ditto for the beginning of the Luka era, and when this was finally addressed, we saw the team suddenly overachieve and make it to the finals. Now, it seems like folks think that's the answer for EVERY version of the team, and I disagree. Building around Flagg is vastly different than building around Dirk or Luka, and I think they need more SKILL. They haven't added much of that this summer - at least not imo - and what they have added doesn't look like it's in areas when it will see the floor enough to matter, even developmentally. 

I know you agree, just saying.

[mvossman]

Regardless of how many times it's discussed, or what terms/vocabulary people use, my point is that the argument isn't about whether or not it's ok to have "too much talent" in one area - that part is obviously a positive, most of the time. It just seems like a large portion of the community can't escape the PTSD of what USED TO BE the Mavs' crutch. All throughout the Nellie/Cuban era, they were offensively potent and extremely skilled but lacked defense, length and athletic ability. Ditto for the beginning of the Luka era, and when this was finally addressed, we saw the team suddenly overachieve and make it to the finals. Now, it seems like folks think that's the answer for EVERY version of the team, and I disagree. Building around Flagg is vastly different than building around Dirk or Luka, and I think they need more SKILL. They haven't added much of that this summer - at least not imo - and what they have added doesn't look like it's in areas when it will see the floor enough to matter, even developmentally. 

I know you agree, just saying.

In my mind, the most important player to the future of this franchise outside of Flagg is Larry.  If he can become a high level NBA point guard it will make such a huge impact.  I have probably irrational hope for this.

[Chicagojk]

Why does this matter to you? Help me understand. The roster is FULL of 4's, and he has the least interesting skillset for that position out of all of them. He's so much more enticing as a 5.

I just like him better as a 4 who can play some five more than a 5 who can play more 4.  Maybe we will find his skillset is better at one than the other, but as a top 10 pick I prefer him being more of a 4 playing with a 5.   Sort of how he played last year.

[ballsrchr]

In my mind, the most important player to the future of this franchise outside of Flagg is Larry.  If he can become a high level NBA point guard it will make such a huge impact.  I have probably irrational hope for this.

If by Larry you mean Sergio de Larrea I would tentatively agree with you.  He is one of the more important players.  But, then again, this is from Homer Simpson...

[KillerLeft]

I just like him better as a 4 who can play some five more than a 5 who can play more 4.  Maybe we will find his skillset is better at one than the other, but as a top 10 pick I prefer him being more of a 4 playing with a 5.   Sort of how he played last year.

Ok...but WHY? Walk me through your thought process, because I want to understand it. This opinion is extremely counterintuitive for me.

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/KevinGraySports/status/208...4875860048


Positions can be mixed and matched but a Lively, Gafford, Morez, Aldama, PJ, Flagg, Marshall,  Risacher, Klay, Tarek front court is really, really crowded.   Even if they move two guys.    As is, I have no idea ow they make it work.k

Honestly I view both Tarik and Risacher more as 2's than forwards. 

Flagg can be anywhere. Marshall is more of a primary initiator (although not elite). Aldama can be a 3-5. PJ is a 3-5. Morez remains to be seen.

It is really versatile, but it does feel like it hinges on either fantastic ball movement or an elite creator. The Spurs under Pop for example. I wouldn't call either Parker or Ginobli as elite creators, but everyone moved the ball so well at all times that good shots were always found.

[mvossman]

It is really versatile, but it does feel like it hinges on either fantastic ball movement or an elite creator. The Spurs under Pop for example. I wouldn't call either Parker or Ginobli as elite creators, but everyone moved the ball so well at all times that good shots were always found.

I remember folks saying stuff like this last summer, that we will replace an elite creator (Luka) with fantastic ball movement.  They ended up being the worst passing team in the NBA.  Its hard to imagine May wont be better at this than Kidd, but generally talent is a much bigger driver of what happens on the court than scheme in the NBA.  Kyrie is going to help, but I don't know that this team has the personnel to have fantastic ball movement.  I guess we will see.

[mvossman]

I just like him better as a 4 who can play some five more than a 5 who can play more 4.  Maybe we will find his skillset is better at one than the other, but as a top 10 pick I prefer him being more of a 4 playing with a 5.   Sort of how he played last year.

I'm struggling with this mindset.  He doesn't have the skillset to be an elite offensively player.  He does have the potential to be an elite defensive player.  That is much more valuable at the 5 than the 4.

[windjc]

I remember folks saying stuff like this last summer, that we will replace an elite creator (Luka) with fantastic ball movement.  They ended up being the worst passing team in the NBA.  Its hard to imagine May wont be better at this than Kidd, but generally talent is a much bigger driver of what happens on the court than scheme in the NBA.  Kyrie is going to help, but I don't know that this team has the personnel to have fantastic ball movement.  I guess we will see.

Why did people say that last year? Kidd has no track record of such coaching philosophy.

[DallasMaverick]

It is really versatile, but it does feel like it hinges on either fantastic ball movement or an elite creator. The Spurs under Pop for example. I wouldn't call either Parker or Ginobli as elite creators, but everyone moved the ball so well at all times that good shots were always found.

I wonder if Carlisle quit because he found it frustrating coaching such a heliocentric style of play, and recognized that Luka wasn't effective otherwise.

He certainly produced a ball-movement-style team in Indiana.