MAVS NEWS:

[vfromlmf]

 I wonder if I'm the only one who is really queasy about Max solidly commanding the tank. I *really* hope the folks that are saying that he'll play better with better players around him are right.

I've seen the same thing with Max. He's obviously being asked to do more ... and failing pretty miserably. It's been especially bad over the last several games. It's Kidd's modus operandi. He knows what he can get from Naji. It seems Kidd is now testing Max's limits. I guess it's possible that Max turns a corner after being given enough on-ball reps (his decision making hasn't been good) but I'm also seeing the lack of athleticism really show up. I don't like putting ceilings on players as I know guys are constantly working to get better, but Max may be what he is: a modern, role playing, rotation level guard/wing who can play 20-24 mpg on a high level team. I'm not seeing impact starter.

That's not a bad thing. You'd need players like that, even if you're starting 5 All Stars. Max is smart and can make a three. He's a hard worker. Good culture guy. Kind of reminds me of Powell with a different body and skillset.

I looked at the Pacers stats. This is a team that was in the Finals last year. Their best player is out and they lost their starting center. They're terrible.

You have Siakam who is obviously still Siakam. 

Then you have Andrew Nembhard who has REALLY stepped up with more responsibility. Clearly, he's not playing well enough to actually win games but he's done exceptionally well with more opportunity. 

Then you have a bunch of guys like Neismith who have struggled to step up. They contributed to a Finals team but maybe they were "maxed out" (no pun intended) in their roles last year.

With the Mavs you've seen Naji step up. He's a stone cold bucket getter. He could play that role off the bench and might enter Sixth Man of the Year conversations if the Mavs are decent next year.

Then you have PJW who stepped up early but has really faded. Maybe that's due to injury or off the court stuff. Kidd probably knows what he has in PJW.

With Max I'm seeing an Aaron Neismith type. Again, maybe Max can turn it around but maybe he's just a good role player.

Taking it further, BWill has stepped up: from fringe NBA player to legit backup point guard. I'm not sure if he'll have that role on the Mavs next season but he can play.