Preseason Game 2: Utah Jazz (2-0) vs. Dallas Mavericks (0-1) | 7:00pm CST

[SleepingHero]

Super early impression on Marshall: he looks crafty and gets to his spots regularly, but I think that’s a guy you need to limit role-wise so it doesn’t get too funky. I don’t know how many mid range jumpers and push shots he took over the first two games but it felt like a lot. That’s something with potential for frustration. I hope they succeed in channeling his skills offensively into something useful for the team but once Luka is back the whole pecking order changes again (& for the better)

I still think we won’t have too many issues replacing DJJ on defense but the guy was a weapon in transition and on the boards with his athleticism. We’ll miss that for sure. Also the timely cuts and super high efficiency around the basket whenever he didn’t have to take a jumper / floater.

Other things:

- Gortman gives me Yogi-vibes. It’s premature but I could see him turn into something completely out of nowhere. Just the way he moves, he looks a lot more explosive to me than Hardy (not as a leaper but im terms of agility) and also Dinwiddie.

- Hardy: it looks like he’s even better from three now than he was last year, but I still think he’s not nearly as good enough first step-wise and ballhandling-wise to handle it a lot. I remain very skeptical every time I see him try to get into the paint with a defender on his hip.

- Dinwiddie hasnt looked promising as well, hopefully that’s just a sign of him being exhausted from camp

- Lively and Gafford are still an absurdly good rim
running combo.

- Klay looked good on D and in the halfcourt offense. Got good looks and was able to free himself up after being run off his spot with quick dribbles a bunch of times. Also made good passes after pumpfakes. We’ll play a much more sophisticated brand of ball with him in there offensively but it’s also going to be a lot less in your face-brutal athleticism compared to the DJJ (putbacks, dunks in transition, etc). Can’t wait for Luka to be back and for them all to get into rhythm after 10-20 games. I still think ultimately we’ll have a higher ceiling than before.

- Omax played better against MEM than UTA. I still think there is a path to a small regular role but he’ll have PJ, Kleber, Grimes and Marshall ahead of him

- Not sure what is going on with Kleber and PJ. Sounds like they may not be available for opening night.

- Kyrie looked good the times he went for it. 

- Grimes moves well and aggressive. Looks like a guy who will play a lot once he has settled in and finds his shot. Shot too often just like Marshall but when he floors it it looks pretty under control and forceful.

Love your write up and agree with much of it.

I think without Exum, we're sorely missing a "grown-up" to run the offense and set people up. Dinwiddie is still a better scorer and facilitator. Someone who thrives being the 3rd ball handler who creates his shot, vs. being the primary ball-handler and setting people up. Every stop in his career besides Dallas he's been the primary ball handler. I think that's the main reason he's thrived here. The first two pre-season games (and much of the year when we traded him for Kyrie), he was asked to be that facilitator. 

But I think we may have our answer on what the Mavs may need this year and it's a PG off the bench who can defend. It's not so much a pressing need since Exum should return, but that is the most glaring thing I've noticed the first two pre-season games.