A Few Thoughts on Mavs 109, Pacers 112

[Dahlsim]

In that case, yes that's the sort of lineup I would envision to go into "grind it out" get physical inside mode for stretches of the game. 

I definitely see Maxi in front of both Boban and WCS terms of the rotation although I suppose there is some idea that perhaps if WCS performed well enough to fill the Powell role he would end up in front of Maxi.   Boban is rightly a career limited minutes man. 

Either way, when Maxi is subbed for WCS or Boban then you have more rugged team inside and still have a big rotation with KP and Luka along with any of the wings at 2 and 3.  Yes I'd stick with a more natural small forward like a Wright or DFS to balance the floor especially defensively. 

If you go with WCS you're more mobile and flexible on defense.  If you go with Boban you potentially put maximum pressure on the opponent offensively while hoping to bend but not break on defense. 

This coaching staff should be coaching WCS up on offense more, to be closer to Dwight Powell effectiveness.  They should also be coaching Boban up to be more aggressive on defense but as it stands its a rotation of Bigs that should be used more effectively supporting the 7ft+ Unicorn and big PG Luka just as Chandler/Haywood/Mahinmi supported the 7-foot Dirk and big guard Kidd

Thanks for that clarification, dahl. I like your lineup a lot more than trying to run out KP/Maxi/WCS in the same unit. 


I could see Rick breaking something like that out during a game. Indeed, maybe he already has. I'll try to keep more of an eye out for it.  He tends to go with the best five players available at the end of close games, and I get that. Wonder if he would have the courage to do something like that at the end of games that aren't within 5 points, but still haven't been decided. 

I usually put the brakes on myself in recommending that Bobi play more, because I'm not sure whether it really would be helpful basket-ball wise, or whether it's just my bias in enjoying watching him play, lol.

Not sure why it's so hard to see when and how this guy should be playing but you're not alone in wondering whether its 'basketball-wise'.  Some NBA coaches struggle with it too although Popovich and Doc Rivers were 2 that were particularly solid in sort of 'playing the odds' on Boban minutes.   
More strict system coaches it seems to me struggle with this.  The other factor is coaches that just don't want to tolerate potential defensive holes. 

As commentators both Derek Harper and Jason Terry have recently said they think he should get more opportunities, he could help the Mavericks. 

Boban has proven to be as efficient or even more than Shaquille O'neal on offense!  What's hard to understand there? 
The problem is on defense, moving his feet fast enough and protecting the rim aggressively.  He can only do so much about foot speed but IMO he should block more shots and register more 'hard fouls' to help his case on defense more.  
His rebounding and scoring though is a proven but over short minutes IF the plays run don't maximize him on offense then you might get a bad +/- . 
More often than not, its working in your favor.  This the way Doc Rivers put it, chances are at least as good that Boban will hurt the opponent on any given stretch more than they hurt you.  Most coaches will definitely go right at trying to exploit him defensively but that doesn't mean their stretch 5 is hot or they're scoring effectively against him.  Many times the Mavericks are just playing poor defensively in the clutch and in runs against no matter who's on the floor.

Meanwhile Bobi is getting up high % shot attempts, rebounds and racking up fouls against the opponent while still being a solid free throw shooter. Of course another problem is having him on the floor but not really taking advantage of his offense.  If you're going to do that you and just have it set up Giant picks 20 feet away from the basket then please by all means go with Maxi, WCS or anyone.