10-23-2026, 01:23 AM
We keep getting gripes about how the Mavs have skewed too much towards bigs and how bigs are of secondary importance these days.
But as I see the LA opener, and SA/OKC and OKC/DEN games, to me they are already screaming that if you can't effectively compete vs dominant bigs, to keep them from mauling you, you are going nowhere in the West for years. Kessler (fed by Luka), Jokic, Wemby, the strong trio in OKC. And with Ball opening up the floor in MINN with Ant being unleashed, Gobert may be a factor too.
The Mavs could use Lively, for sure. But he himself isn't enough. They really need TWO top-tier bigs, and a playable backup as well, who can man the middle. Without that, in light of the arms race, I don't see how you could ever hope to get out of the first round in the West for years.
But as I see the LA opener, and SA/OKC and OKC/DEN games, to me they are already screaming that if you can't effectively compete vs dominant bigs, to keep them from mauling you, you are going nowhere in the West for years. Kessler (fed by Luka), Jokic, Wemby, the strong trio in OKC. And with Ball opening up the floor in MINN with Ant being unleashed, Gobert may be a factor too.
The Mavs could use Lively, for sure. But he himself isn't enough. They really need TWO top-tier bigs, and a playable backup as well, who can man the middle. Without that, in light of the arms race, I don't see how you could ever hope to get out of the first round in the West for years.
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