10-30-2023, 02:33 PM
(10-30-2023, 01:58 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Sure, but that's not really an applicable concept here. We're having two different conversations.Ok, sure. I think the two correlate in that if Capela is on sharp decline, you’re right. If not, and he is just having a couple bad games during an otherwise regular season for him, it’s a premature call. We also operate at opposing sides of the THJ value spectrum.
We're not trying to solve the mystery of "is Capela still good, or will he ever be good again." That would require patience, I agree.
We're trying to solve the mystery of "should the Mavs have done what(ever) it took to bring Capela here because they had no other legitimate options at center?" My answer during the summer would've been "yes, if what it took was an organic exchange of similar talents to shift payroll into places that make more sense for both teams, but HELL NO to even a conversation about including an UNPROTECTED first round draft pick. Even a late 1st is too much."
Now, after we learn (what I presume the Mavs already knew) that Lively is ready to take his first year lumps on the court, during games, and not hidden away in practice or spending time in the G-League? Now, I literally think it's a win NOT TO HAVE CAPELA AND HIS CONTRACT ON THIS ROSTER. Period. The fact that he has shown sharp decline to start the season (which, I agree, could be temporary) is only part of the equation here. But, it represents a downside potential that I'm extremely grateful we don't have to worry about as Mavs fans.
Anyway, maybe Cap isn’t the C from Atl we should be looking at? Okongwu, I’ve read, has some fan detractors. He just got extended to a contract that is solid for a backup too. I doubt they would, but he may be the better long term bet. All I want to see is the level of play at C that we saw in that SA opening game throughout the entirety of the game (sans smallball stretches).