(02-10-2024, 11:02 PM)youzigizag Wrote: A good Organization and good on-court system can make a player look good. I guess we can look at Andrew Wiggins in Golden State before last year as an example.
I think Mavs need to hope this is what happens with PJ here.
Eye test and stats suggest he is mediocre as an NBA player in a not so great situation. Does he have the measurements, fundamental skill and athleticism...yup.
Im not a scout. All I know is I bought League pass a couple of years ago to watch Lamelo play...Washington never jumped off the screen. His advanced stats seem to reinforce the eye test. At least advanced stats that posters here discuss. Im an eye test guy, not a numbers guy. But again...Im a casual going with only eye test.
Im lazy...I havent broken down the trades we made(wouldnt know what I was doing)...it looks like there is wordsmithing going on about what the cost to acquire PJ was...it was or wasnt worth a FRP or protected FRP. It seems Mavs are still using precious assets on targeting risky endeavors(players that havent proven anything that are on the cheap) or guys with weird flaws.
My small sample size opinion is that PJ didnt rise to the occasion like Gafford was trying to do. Gafford read the room, could feel it and knew what was happening in the arena. PJ...you just couldnt feel it. His stats were worthy...and maybe thats all Mavs need. But...CALL ME CRAZY...maybe some of these Organizations need the ENERGY Gafford provided along with stats. Sometimes its the energy that matters more than stats. PJ didnt really provide energy that you could notice. I want someone that can read the room, know its a Playoff game, feel the energy, absorb it and reflect it...like Gafford did. Not a brick in the wall.
Im sure PJ will work here. He's a fit. I want him to succeed as a player. But I want the Mavs to find less risky guys that jump off the screen impact wise too. I hope he turns into our Wiggins. I really do.
I think Mavs should try and acquire a larger more athletic PF that is more menacing...in the 20M+ range. An Aaron Gordon type player...someone with decent skill but menacing on defense.
Ultimately my attitude is...I think Mavs are being risky with using scarce assets on 5th best player on contending team guys that are fit guys...over acquiring talent that doesnt meet their percentage requirements. PJ will probably work out...I just wouldnt expect his energy to lift the team or expect his energy to lift the team in serious moments like the Playoffs.
Feel like the energy talk about PJ is just ignorant. It's like those annoying people that walk up to an introvert at a party and ask why they are so quiet and boring. People have different personalities, and extroverted energy isn't the only way to be productive. I've got no idea whether PJ will be a successful fit long term, but he definitely doesn't need to jump off the screen to have been a successful pickup. He certainly isn't going to help by pretending to be something he's not, Gafford didn't read the room while PJ didn't, Gafford is simply naturally wired that way and PJ isn't. That's it.
PJ is a risk, but the simple fact is that you aren't getting a multi faceted utility big wing without giving up a ton of assets. That role type is arguably the most sought after role in the league outside a superstar level player. Which is also why I think he cost more than Gafford. If the risk on PJ pays off and his production starts to match his skillset playing on a good team for the first time in his life, the payoff will be much greater than what Gafford brings to the team, even as important as he will be for us. Because PJ's skillset and role overall has more utility, particularly during crunch time in games and especially in the playoffs. I also think it's very easy to overrate the game Gafford had as fully representative of how he will play moving forward. Both Gafford and PJ have weaknesses that will become more apparent, and have their ups and downs. Gafford looked great, but he also got to play against an OKC side that have basically zero size in the paint, bulk wise.
Also the acquisition of PJ as mentioned by many people already, does not prevent them going and acquiring another versatile athletic wing in the future. If PJ works out, I think the wing spot next to him could very well be filled by a future acquisition that completes the starting lineup for a legit championship run. The Mavs likely aren't in any worse a situation asset wise as before the trades.