MAVS NEWS:

[mvossman]

Iztok created a substack and this is his first article.  I believe it is open to all.


https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/...ck-quentin

Thanks for posting this.  I think Grimes is going to be really good here.  A better (and much younger) Bullock.  As a high volume movement shooter, he is the perfect backup for Klay, but I think he will get more minutes than that.

[KillerLeft]

Thanks for posting this.  I think Grimes is going to be really good here.  A better (and much younger) Bullock.  As a high volume movement shooter, he is the perfect backup for Klay, but I think he will get more minutes than that.

A younger, better Bullock is a nice thing to have. Especially if he's actually a good defender, and not just by reputation like Bullock was. His value here was way more 3 than D imho. I, too, have high hopes for Grimes.

[Chicagojk]

Thanks for posting this.  I think Grimes is going to be really good here.  A better (and much younger) Bullock.  As a high volume movement shooter, he is the perfect backup for Klay, but I think he will get more minutes than that.

What I sort of got from the article is that while Grimes may or may not be a better player than Josh Green, I think he fits better into the role the Mavs wanted Green to play.   I have said several times that the role the Mavs wanted Green to play was probably not the right role for him (at this time).  Green is a good passer and has the makings of a good connector.  It seems like the Mavs didn't value this part of his game very much.

While Green developed into a good open three shooter, you very rarely had to worry about him taking 8 threes in a game.   Typically a good shooting game for him was something like 3 for 5.   I think Grimes may be more willing to take more shots.   There is some good and bad with that, but I think teams will defend him like a more aggressive shooter as well.  As Iztok mentions, this will help to spread the floor a little bit as well.

I think Grimes will be asked to play the Josh Green role on defense as well.   Hopefully just better.  Green wasn't quite there yet as a man on man defender imo.   As Iztok mentions, Grimes should be able to navigate screens better than Green.  I will be interesting to see how Grimes guards the smaller point guards and also the 6'6-6'7ish wings.   

I also found it interesting how Iztok says he had someone tell him he may be the worst dribbling guard in the league.   While that is probably an overstatement, I think I agree that he is going to get most of his minutes as a wing while he may be asked to guard guards.   So him being on the court as a second or even third creator on the floor may not happen very regularly.

[SleepingHero]

@NationMffl

REPORT: The Dallas Mavericks “are aiming to hold a healthy portion of their training camp in Las Vegas in early October”, per
@TheSteinLine

[mvossman]

What I sort of got from the article is that while Grimes may or may not be a better player than Josh Green, I think he fits better into the role the Mavs wanted Green to play.   I have said several times that the role the Mavs wanted Green to play was probably not the right role for him (at this time).  Green is a good passer and has the makings of a good connector.  It seems like the Mavs didn't value this part of his game very much.

While Green developed into a good open three shooter, you very rarely had to worry about him taking 8 threes in a game.   Typically a good shooting game for him was something like 3 for 5.   I think Grimes may be more willing to take more shots.   There is some good and bad with that, but I think teams will defend him like a more aggressive shooter as well.  As Iztok mentions, this will help to spread the floor a little bit as well.

I think Grimes will be asked to play the Josh Green role on defense as well.   Hopefully just better.  Green wasn't quite there yet as a man on man defender imo.   As Iztok mentions, Grimes should be able to navigate screens better than Green.  I will be interesting to see how Grimes guards the smaller point guards and also the 6'6-6'7ish wings.   

I also found it interesting how Iztok says he had someone tell him he may be the worst dribbling guard in the league.   While that is probably an overstatement, I think I agree that he is going to get most of his minutes as a wing while he may be asked to guard guards.   So him being on the court as a second or even third creator on the floor may not happen very regularly.

I think the Mavs valued Green's ability to be a connector, but POA defense and volume shooting were a higher priority and he could not deliver on either.  There is no question Grimes will be willing to take more shots.  He averages nearly twice as many threes per 36 as Green.  In the longer term, I can see Grimes taking over DJJ/Klay spot in the starting lineup as the POA defender and floor spacer.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I think the Mavs valued Green's ability to be a connector, but POA defense and volume shooting were a higher priority and he could not deliver on either.  There is no question Grimes will be willing to take more shots.  He averages nearly twice as many threes per 36 as Green.  In the longer term, I can see Grimes taking over DJJ/Klay spot in the starting lineup as the POA defender and floor spacer.

IMO DJJ is very different from Klay.  I'd rather look towards a huge DJJ/OMax upgrade with Grimes eventually taking over for Kyrie.

[mvossman]

IMO DJJ is very different from Klay.  I'd rather look towards a huge DJJ/OMax upgrade with Grimes eventually taking over for Kyrie.

Obviously DJJ and Klay are very different.  I'm referring to that spot in the lineup.  The idea is that Grimes would handle POA defense (DJJ) and floor spacing (Klay).  He is not as good as either at their specialty, but he might be the best combination of the two (especially in a couple of years).  Grimes can't take over Kyrie spot.  We need a second creator on the floor with Luka, and that's not Grimes.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/stee...2407310032


J Kidd visits Steelers training camp and Coach Mike Tomlin.

[SkenfromLMF]

Obviously DJJ and Klay are very different.  I'm referring to that spot in the lineup.  The idea is that Grimes would handle POA defense (DJJ) and floor spacing (Klay).  He is not as good as either at their specialty, but he might be the best combination of the two (especially in a couple of years).  Grimes can't take over Kyrie spot.  We need a second creator on the floor with Luka, and that's not Grimes.

IMO this is problematic with the way the summer played out...
Dallas does not have a Ky replacement available in the wings (don't want to rehash what should have been with Brunson) and that means they will attempt to find that player with lower draft picks (when they have them) or they will have to find another player to buy low as a PG (that player MIGHT have been Fultz) unless they are baking on Hardy projecting to that role without developmental PT. Call me skeptical on Hardy and all of a sudden I am hoping for a Nelson type draft (Dirk/Nash or Luka/Brunson).

[Jym]

IMO this is problematic with the way the summer played out...
Dallas does not have a Ky replacement available in the wings (don't want to rehash what should have been with Brunson) and that means they will attempt to find that player with lower draft picks (when they have them) or they will have to find another player to buy low as a PG (that player MIGHT have been Fultz) unless they are baking on Hardy projecting to that role without developmental PT. Call me skeptical on Hardy and all of a sudden I am hoping for a Nelson type draft (Dirk/Nash or Luka/Brunson).

yeah the Kyrie point of this is why I'd rather us not touch our future picks 
if anything maybe go full NBA2k and trade that 2025 for a future pick instead of selecting someone 
wait a couple years and have 3+ picks to package out for that Kyrie replacement

[Knutsen]

IMO this is problematic with the way the summer played out...
Dallas does not have a Ky replacement available in the wings (don't want to rehash what should have been with Brunson) and that means they will attempt to find that player with lower draft picks (when they have them) or they will have to find another player to buy low as a PG (that player MIGHT have been Fultz) unless they are baking on Hardy projecting to that role without developmental PT. Call me skeptical on Hardy and all of a sudden I am hoping for a Nelson type draft (Dirk/Nash or Luka/Brunson).

I think they are planning to keep Kyrie for at least three or four more years, which means extending his current deal - that is if he shows no serious signs of wearing down. Nash could play up to a high age, Kidd could as well, Paul could, so why shouldn’t Kyrie if he has no major injuries in the next years like a torn Achilles or ACL. 

Therefore having a successor right now wouldn’t make too much sense, because he couldn’t develop properly - and if he could you would have to pay him before you need him. That’s why I‘d expect temporary solutions for the next couple of seasons like Dinwiddie, who can step up when Kyrie misses a couple of games during the season.

[mvossman]

I think they are planning to keep Kyrie for at least three or four more years, which means extending his current deal - that is if he shows no serious signs of wearing down. Nash could play up to a high age, Kidd could as well, Paul could, so why shouldn’t Kyrie if he has no major injuries in the next years like a torn Achilles or ACL. 

Therefore having a successor right now wouldn’t make too much sense, because he couldn’t develop properly - and if he could you would have to pay him before you need him. That’s why I‘d expect temporary solutions for the next couple of seasons like Dinwiddie, who can step up when Kyrie misses a couple of games during the season.

I agree that they will likely sign/extend Kyrie and he will be here for a while.  I also agree that its possible he continues to play at a high level for years.  Alway hard to predict when and how fast guys will fall off.  In an ideal world he will fall slowly, and can transition to a 6th man at some point.

I think its unlikely Kyrie successor will be through the draft or in need of development.  Its most likely going to be a vet acquired via assets.  If it was another score first guard, then it would not make sense right now, but a two way wing (the route I think they should go) would work at any time.  The real limitation is gathering enough assets.  They are not there yet, which is why I think they are aiming for a two year Kyrie/Klay window.  

For years we have been talking about getting that one piece (an elite two way wing) and arguing whether that would be enough to make us contenders.  I don't think a lot of us expected we would end up being contenders without even acquiring that piece.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

What I sort of got from the article is that while Grimes may or may not be a better player than Josh Green, I think he fits better into the role the Mavs wanted Green to play.   I have said several times that the role the Mavs wanted Green to play was probably not the right role for him (at this time).  Green is a good passer and has the makings of a good connector.  It seems like the Mavs didn't value this part of his game very much.

While Green developed into a good open three shooter, you very rarely had to worry about him taking 8 threes in a game.   Typically a good shooting game for him was something like 3 for 5.   I think Grimes may be more willing to take more shots.   There is some good and bad with that, but I think teams will defend him like a more aggressive shooter as well.  As Iztok mentions, this will help to spread the floor a little bit as well.

I think Grimes will be asked to play the Josh Green role on defense as well.   Hopefully just better.  Green wasn't quite there yet as a man on man defender imo.   As Iztok mentions, Grimes should be able to navigate screens better than Green.  I will be interesting to see how Grimes guards the smaller point guards and also the 6'6-6'7ish wings.   

I also found it interesting how Iztok says he had someone tell him he may be the worst dribbling guard in the league.   While that is probably an overstatement, I think I agree that he is going to get most of his minutes as a wing while he may be asked to guard guards.   So him being on the court as a second or even third creator on the floor may not happen very regularly.

As I’ve said a couple times before when Grimes name was being bandied about, pre-trade: just wait until he’s here, there is plenty about his game to pick apart. Count me among those who thinks we will collectively miss the extreme energy, all-out hustle and athleticism that Josh brought. I like the edge that Naji will bring. But Green and DJJ gone subtracts a shit ton of athleticism and hustle from our rotation.

All that said, I have liked aspects of Grimes game in the past and I hope he is absolutely amazing for us. I wouldn’t be shocked if he carves out a longer term role here and gets another contract from us. I agree with those that think he should focus on a 3-D role. He isn’t much of a playmaker or rebounder. And I’m not a fan of guys launching shots to “keep a defense honest.” I like that Josh often made the extra pass, though I agree there were times he passed up a better shot for someone else’s worse look. I want more ball movement for our offense, not less.

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/TheGarciaKidd_/statu...7616063696

Someone posted their own footage of Dirk's 3 in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals in the AAC and it is wild.

Still get goosebumps watching that shot.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

https://twitter.com/TheGarciaKidd_/statu...7616063696

Someone posted their own footage of Dirk's 3 in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals in the AAC and it is wild.

Still get goosebumps watching that shot.

Glad I wasn't there or I would have suffered a heart attack from a rush of intense joy.

[SleepingHero]

Our Slovenian is the most ethical hooper.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

As I’ve said a couple times before when Grimes name was being bandied about, pre-trade: just wait until he’s here, there is plenty about his game to pick apart. Count me among those who thinks we will collectively miss the extreme energy, all-out hustle and athleticism that Josh brought. I like the edge that Naji will bring. But Green and DJJ gone subtracts a shit ton of athleticism and hustle from our rotation.

All that said, I have liked aspects of Grimes game in the past and I hope he is absolutely amazing for us. I wouldn’t be shocked if he carves out a longer term role here and gets another contract from us. I agree with those that think he should focus on a 3-D role. He isn’t much of a playmaker or rebounder. And I’m not a fan of guys launching shots to “keep a defense honest.” I like that Josh often made the extra pass, though I agree there were times he passed up a better shot for someone else’s worse look. I want more ball movement for our offense, not less.

IMO, Grimes/Naji >>> Green/DJJ

[From Dirk to SCREW YOU Nico]

IMO, Grimes/Naji >>> Green/DJJ

I am curious what you base that on? 

Mavs fan only here (since Donaldson, Brad Davis) who knows little about other mid to low level NBA players/contributors, so it is truly just a curious question.

I'll hang up and listen.  

[mvossman]

I am curious what you base that on? 

Mavs fan only here (since Donaldson, Brad Davis) who knows little about other mid to low level NBA players/contributors, so it is truly just a curious question.

I'll hang up and listen.  

I think Grimes is better than Green.  He is a significantly better defender and he is a much more willing shooter.  Green has a more versatile offensive game, but he just doesn't do it enough to matter.  

Naji is probably better than DJJ.  Naji is bigger and stronger than DJJ, but not as long and quick.  I think DJJ is the better POA defender, but Naji can probably defend more size.  Naji has a better overall offensive game, and if he can keep his 3 shooting near what it was last season, he will definitely be better on that end.

[audiosway]

I think Grimes is better than Green.  He is a significantly better defender and he is a much more willing shooter.  Green has a more versatile offensive game, but he just doesn't do it enough to matter.  

Naji is probably better than DJJ.  Naji is bigger and stronger than DJJ, but not as long and quick.  I think DJJ is the better POA defender, but Naji can probably defend more size.  Naji has a better overall offensive game, and if he can keep his 3 shooting near what it was last season, he will definitely be better on that end.

I agree that Grimes is a significantly better defender and shooter than Green.

Naji is bigger than DJJ. DJJ is 6'5" with a 7 foot wingspan. Naji is 6'8" with a 7'1" wingspan and about 15 pounds heavier. He isn't as athletic as DJJ but has great hands and strength. I think DJJ and Naji are a toss-up at POA defense. Naji can guard bigger players though.

Klay was still guarding guys as small as Kyrie as late as last season. So, Dallas overall will be a big team now with a couple of really edgy defenders in Naji and PJ.

I expect to see them in the top 3 this year in the West. I think they will have a top 5 offense and top 5 defense.