The Rotation (2020-2021)

[StepBackJay]

For Powell truthers out there ...

You do realize, I think, that the DFS lineup is the one we (predominant site discussion) had been running with and making arguments for. So many of us agree with what you're saying. The Powell lineup discussion started because Dan made a good case for the idea that the Mavs will go back to the Powell lineup and we've been exploring that. 

Then we've had Nick and Isaac think that the Mavs will eventually land on the Powell lineup. Now Kato has gone with the DFS lineup. 

I should make a spreadsheet of who leans which way, reporters and posters. We'll make sure to put StepBackJay in the DFS column. :-) 

I'm not completely sure which column I'll put myself in.

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I'm going to cop-out and put myself in the "fluid" column

I am glad Cato agrees with me! I know Rick and others will say fluid but remember that he said that last year and it wasn't fluid once he settled on a lineup he liked. When everyone was healthy Rick went with Luka, THJ, DFS, Powell, KP most nights. I think this year could be crazy bc of Covid and everything so its possible due to circumstances that lineups get completely crazy.

That being said if at some point everyone is healthy I am expecting DFS to be in the PF spot most nights.

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I think the guy who will have a bigger role than expected is Johnson. He's not just an enforcer, he's a passable shooter and is an above average playmaker for his position. That makes him playable in a lot of lineups. I could easily see Rick leaning on him more heavily as the season goes on

I am hoping that Johnson will be the guy Rick flexes too some nights when it makes sense over DFS. I could see a scenario where Brunson, Burke, Maxi, Powell eat up most of the bench minutes and Johnson doesn't get a lot of minutes night to night when everyone is healthy. Note that Maxi gets banged up, KP gets rest, Powell might sit back to back and so on. This will create opportunities for Johnson to get meaningful minutes.

But the other scenario I mentioned off the top is that when you play the Lakers maybe you want to move DFS to the bench and start Johnson in his place. That gives you a beefier starting lineup and a great 2nd unit.

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Cato also thinks that Powell will probably start at center with KP out which makes some sense. I'd rather have WCS if DFS is starting at PF but I could see Rick going with maybe Dwight + Maxi? Not sure. DFS + Powell seems like a defensive frontcourt that will get killed on the inside.