Preseason Game 1: Dallas Mavericks (0-0) vs. OKC (1-0) | 7:30pm CST

[KillerLeft]

I think you are way too obsessed with the idea that the Mavs might not fill their lineup in the same way as other teams do (as if there are "assigned seats" to fill, so to speak, with penalties assessed for not looking like other teams). 

There is no criteria to be met. The Mavs will get to play 5, deploy them in the game however they wish, and if they are of a different style here or there, it might prove to be an advantage in way more ways than it's a disadvantage.

For me, there is an important criteria to be met, and it has to do with how the players matchup athletically, in terms of straight-line speed, quickness and skill both with the ball and guarding someone with the ball. I also think a lot about common cross matches that occur, particularly in light of the fact that transition must be mastered, both offensively and defensively, so the predetermined, desired matchups will often not be possible. To me, this means each player must be reasonably expected to guard a position UP and a position DOWN. 

You might be right that I'm overthinking this, but it's not the traditional position obsession I think you're suggesting (if I understand you).