GAME 1: San Antonio Spurs (0-1) vs. Dallas Mavericks (1-0)| 119-126 WIN!

[DanSchwartzgan]

Okay lets try to rationalize this because it doesn't make that much sense from a talent perspective.

DJJ hit 37% on corner 3s last season. Couple that with his low usage, he makes sense to slide in next to 2 offensive powerhouses at the beginning of the game.

Defensively, DJJ is a bit bigger, perhaps the Mavs are looking for his length against guys like Wemby and Keldon Johnson. Who knows?

The bench needs more creation and scoring. There's a reason why Kidd wants THJ on the bench. If he was starting, our bench would have very little firepower. Josh has flashed his newfound self creation abilities. Perhaps Kidd wants Josh the freedom to use that in a lineup with Exum and THJ vs. Kyrie and Luka.

I don't agree with it. I see the thought process.

Chicago said something similar a week or two ago and Dameris and Followill seemed to think Jones would start and Green would start the season off the bench in their discussions today on their podcast.  They both said they suspected it wouldn't last as they saw Green having a good shot at grabbing a starting spot at some point.

Luka and Kyrie were the highest scoring duo in the league last year at 57 points a game (limited sample).  Throw in some lobs and some open 3's from Williams and I suspect the unit with Jones will score enough.  He's got good length and to the extent we play zone, he covers a lot of ground in a hurry.  Personally, I would use Jones in bench lineups with Maxi at center, but don't mind a little experimentation.  What I don't think we will see is Jones closing.  Dallas had 36 games last year where they were +/- 3 points in the last 30 seconds of the game and were sub-500 in those games.  The O-Rating and the shooting percentages in those late game situations were off the charts bad.  There is a great opportunity to pick up some wins right there, but we won't do it playing 4 against 5.

I think Green eventually gets the starting spot.  If I'm holding out hope for anything it is that being a secondary creator with only one of Luka/Kyrie on the floor gives us the version of Josh we saw Friday with Kyrie.  That might build some confidence and get him to stop deferring so much to the dual superstars when they are all playing together.  I do have some concerns about minutes as you can't play THJ, Josh and Curry and one of the superstars simultaneously.  Someone gets shorted there.

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The other thing - I just can't see Mavs playing with two non shooters. Opponents can easily play off DJJ and help with PnR as they can easily survive him taking those 1 or 2 wiiiiiiide open shots that he hits way below the league average. It will just kill Mavs offense imho.
 

Dameris said Jones was 37% on corner 3's last season.  League average is 38%.  He should get better looks here, but time will tell.