I understand the comments minimizing the loss of DJJ.
But I am of the opinion he will be missed a lot, and there's nothing that can be (or could have been) done to change that. From following the available money, there's no reason the Mavs couldn't have paid the very same money LAC did, and I suspect they did offer DJJ that 3-for-30 deal but he took it from someone else. (Even after allowing for a cushion, there's that extra $1M in apron room they could have readily spent, yet didn't.) And I can see why he would leave for a starting spot elsewhere, on a playoff-caliber team, that vanished for him in DAL when the Mavs had Klay coming.
But dangit, he was the Premier Defender (one who makes the other team alter the way they play) the Mavs have long wanted, yet never seemed to have. His presence served to make life easier for, and cover the sins of, the Mavs like Luka and Kyrie whose defensive chops are iffy.
I'm certainly glad they added Klay. I can hope that his better shooting will more than make up the difference for DJJ's loss. But I'd much rather have DJJ still here for several years as the Super Defender to sub in for any number of starting players, from 1-4, to alter the game. Or would have loved to have DJJ here starting, with Klay subbing in as the Super Scorer to sub in for any number of starting players, from 1-4, to alter the game. I think there was a great ongoing slot available here for a player with DJJ's skill set.
I'm not gonna even pretend that Naji will make us forget DJJ. I just don't believe that at all. In NO he played behind Herb Jones, their Super Defender, and didn't play 20 mpg. I have to think he's not gonna be more desirable than the Super Defender that was in DAL either. Unfortunately, it is what it is.
But I am of the opinion he will be missed a lot, and there's nothing that can be (or could have been) done to change that. From following the available money, there's no reason the Mavs couldn't have paid the very same money LAC did, and I suspect they did offer DJJ that 3-for-30 deal but he took it from someone else. (Even after allowing for a cushion, there's that extra $1M in apron room they could have readily spent, yet didn't.) And I can see why he would leave for a starting spot elsewhere, on a playoff-caliber team, that vanished for him in DAL when the Mavs had Klay coming.
But dangit, he was the Premier Defender (one who makes the other team alter the way they play) the Mavs have long wanted, yet never seemed to have. His presence served to make life easier for, and cover the sins of, the Mavs like Luka and Kyrie whose defensive chops are iffy.
I'm certainly glad they added Klay. I can hope that his better shooting will more than make up the difference for DJJ's loss. But I'd much rather have DJJ still here for several years as the Super Defender to sub in for any number of starting players, from 1-4, to alter the game. Or would have loved to have DJJ here starting, with Klay subbing in as the Super Scorer to sub in for any number of starting players, from 1-4, to alter the game. I think there was a great ongoing slot available here for a player with DJJ's skill set.
I'm not gonna even pretend that Naji will make us forget DJJ. I just don't believe that at all. In NO he played behind Herb Jones, their Super Defender, and didn't play 20 mpg. I have to think he's not gonna be more desirable than the Super Defender that was in DAL either. Unfortunately, it is what it is.
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