12-02-2019, 02:21 PM
(12-02-2019, 01:57 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote:(12-02-2019, 11:23 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: Jackson hasn't played wing all season. He's had great success as a small ball four but those minutes are limited.
Actually, according to bball reference's position estimate, he plays small forward about 41% of the time.
(12-02-2019, 11:35 AM)mavsluvr Wrote: In addition, shooting is pretty much the only thing JJ is above average at. There are much better rebounders and defenders at his position, so he is usually put in when a a scoring punch is needed. Love the guy, but unless he develops more of an all-around game, his role will probably remain situational. Which is okay, as long as he doesn't mind. Bench specialists matter!
Shooting is the only thing he's above average at? I would agree but couldn't you say the same thing about Seth Curry? One is playing a consistent 21 mins per game and the other nearly half that, sometimes not even playing at all.
Lets revisit the OP's question: why is Jackson getting inconsistent minutes?
Jackson so far is severely outplaying Seth in the shooting department. He has more size and gives you more boards. Analytically, he's providing much more defense. What more does he have to do?
I think we all know the answer to your question BB.
Age and salary. That is why he isn't playing more minutes.
In defense of Seth, he does a fair amount of playmaking/ball handling while he is out there as well. JJax is pretty much a spot up shooter/opportunistic driver. I am not knocking his game, just wasn't fair to say that their offensive roles were the same. I actually have been surprised that he hasn't earned more minutes, but I still think it comes down to a group of 5 players (6 if you count DWarp's time on the floor with Luka) that all need minutes at the 2/3 and a coach's decision on how they get handed out based on team dynamics - on and off the floor. If there were an injury or trade and minutes were freed up, I don't think many people would complain that he got more opportunity. It is splitting hairs continuing to try to justify cutting someone else's minutes. Generally, they have all played well and deserve minutes for a variety of reasons.
DFS is the best defender of the group and his offense hasn't been terrible. He is earning minutes.
THJ is a legit spot up shooter and plays good team defense and is a connecting player on offense. The delta in his performance as a starter vs bench player is so significant that it is imperative that he starts. And he has been good and earned his minutes.
DWarp has commanded minutes as Luka's backup at PG and his minutes that he shares the floor with him eat into the available time. He has earned his minutes.
That leaves the group of Brunson/Curry/JJax. RC tries to alleviate the logjam a little bit by playing JJax out of position at the 4 at times. But those are all good players that need minutes and none of them are getting a ton of run - with Curry getting the most minutes. Barring an injury/trade situation or someone's play falling off, This isn't going to change much and hopefully, the Mavs can keep blowing people out and resting Luka.
That is one of the least talked about things on this board actually. The Mavs are playing this well and have their two stars playing in the low 30's in minutes and no one else really much over 25. The Mavs are a fresh team with room to expand minutes if needed to win games or when the playoffs come. So underrated!