MAVS NEWS:

[Nowitzki Way]

At this point, the Mavs don't have to embrace a tank. They are losing because they don't have a choice - they just suck, and the losses pile up accordingly. It's a question of whether they will even have a choice to be good, if they wish.

I think thats called organic tanking? But you're absolutely correct. They are so bad right now, it doesnt even matter.

[ThisIStheYear]

I've been meaning to make a post, but I am working 14-15 hour days every day. And there are times when I just can't make a game thread. 

My bad. I strive to do it, but I really just can't sometimes. 

But also! Anyone can make a gamethread at any point. My usual free time is around 12-3am and games are done by then. So to anyone reading this, if you don't see a gamethread please don't be shy and make one! I promise I'll give your post a "like" so you can get some fake internet points from me.

No worries. We all appreciate the community you help to build here. I’ve never started an above the fold thread so didn’t know that was possible except by a moderator. Thanks for all you do!

[myconsumerclub]

Let's keep politics in ROTW.

-KL

[Chicagojk]

Anyone pay for Iztok's anaylsis. I was wondering what he thinks about the long term of Lively in this section below? This is so huge. Luka's health is number 1,2 & 3 for the future aspirations of the Mavs. #4 is probably keeping Kyrie close to his current level of play the next few years. #4 or # 5 is Lively's development. If he is a guy who can't get healthy, the upside of this team drops down a peg or two. He is vital. #6 is probably setting youself up for the post Kyrie period. Hopefully this is not something we need to think about anytime soon. Although, when it does happen it will probably be in that period where we don't control our first round picks.

The short-term impact and long-term concerns of Lively’s injury

[Nowitzki Way]

Anyone pay for Iztok's anaylsis.  I was wondering what he thinks about the long term of Lively in this section below?  This is so huge.  Luka's health is number 1,2 & 3 for the future aspirations of the Mavs.  #4 is probably keeping Kyrie close to his current level of play the next few years.  #4 or # 5 is Lively's development.  If he is a guy who can't get healthy, the upside of this team drops down a peg or two.  He is vital.  #6 is probably setting youself up for the post Kyrie period.  Hopefully this is not something we need to think about anytime soon.  Although, when it does happen it will probably be in that period where we don't control our first round picks. 

The short-term impact and long-term concerns of Lively’s injury

This is a great conversation.  I think its almost equally important to get a grasp of what type of impact Lively can bring in the future as it is figuring out what post Kyrie looks like. 

Is Lively reliable? The talent is there, and he's only 20. If health wasn't a concern, its fun to think about what a grown up prime Lively looks like. Any comparisons? Jarrett Allen or Tyson Chandler come to mind.  But i think his offensive game is bigger than those two.  I'd like to see him take the leap like Sengun has done the last few years for Houston.  So if we're talking a guy who can average like 18 and 10 while playing the type of impact defense he's capable of, that guy is a franchise player.  One that fits perfectly with your superstar(s).

Kyrie is a whole different story. He's still dominant. He's still star. But how long can he keep this up, but more importantly how long can we keep him? He can opt out after the season. Does he still want to be here? It sure seems like he loves Dallas, but so much can change. Does he want to make one final run with Lebron? Does he want to join a super team somewhere else? Do we want to pay him another 3 seasons at 50 million a year at age 33, 34, and 35? 

If we dont want to keep Kyrie or cant keep Kyrie, i think we could be in trouble.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

I think thats called organic tanking? But you're absolutely correct. They are so bad right now, it doesnt even matter.

The ping pong ball gods shine light upon the ethical tankers.

[Nowitzki Way]

The ping pong ball gods shine light upon the ethical tankers.

I'm still waiting for the ping pong balls to work in our favor.  We got so screwed in the 90s that i still have nightmares over it.

[KillerLeft]

I'm still waiting for the ping pong balls to work in our favor.  We got so screwed in the 90s that i still have nightmares over it.

It won't happen, but it would be pretty rad for last year's WCF winning team to have just traumatic enough of a season to slide into one of the statistically least-likely-to-win-the-lottery spots and then miraculously win Cooper Flagg.

[Nowitzki Way]

It won't happen, but it would be pretty rad for last year's WCF winning team to have just traumatic enough of a season to slide into one of the statistically least-likely-to-win-the-lottery spots and then miraculously win Cooper Flagg.

It will never happen. Would it? No. No way.

But seriously. That would be amazing and almost make up for missing out on players like Shaq, Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Chris Webber, etc. for 2 straight years of bad lottery results. Wait even Cooper Flagg cant make up for that. Damn the 90s.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

There are some good backup center prospects on the lottery fringes as well.

Sorber at Georgetown is a guy I have my eye on because he looks to be a guy who can play in our defensive scheme.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

I'm still waiting for the ping pong balls to work in our favor.  We got so screwed in the 90s that i still have nightmares over it.

Exactly, they owe us.

[Nowitzki Way]

Exactly, they owe us.

The 3 J's were fun, for the few games they lasted together. 

But had the ping pong balls just fell the way they were supposed to we could have had a team of Shaq or Alonzo Mourning (92), Penny Hardaway or Chris Webber (93) and Kidd or Grant Hill (94)

I'm pretty sure a team of Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill goes to the finals at least once in the 95, 96, 97 years.  After that, Penny and Hill started to fall off with injuries and never really recovered. But imagine those guys battling Malone/ Stockton to get in the finals those years. Only to face the Bulls that ended up 3 peat champs. 


But knowing the Mavs it very easily could have been Christian Laettner (92), Shawn Bradley (93), and Glenn Robinson (94).

[mvossman]

The 3 J's were fun, for the few games they lasted together. 

But had the ping pong balls just fell the way they were supposed to we could have had a team of Shaq or Alonzo Mourning (92), Penny Hardaway or Chris Webber (93) and Kidd or Grant Hill (94)

I'm pretty sure a team of Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill goes to the finals at least once in the 95, 96, 97 years.  After that, Penny and Hill started to fall off with injuries and never really recovered. But imagine those guys battling Malone/ Stockton to get in the finals those years. Only to face the Bulls that ended up 3 peat champs. 


But knowing the Mavs it very easily could have been Christian Laettner (92), Shawn Bradley (93), and Glenn Robinson (94).

Have we ever gotten a pick better than where we were supposed to?  I was sure we would get screwed on what turned out to be the Lively pick.

[Nowitzki Way]

Have we ever gotten a pick better than where we were supposed to?  I was sure we would get screwed on what turned out to be the Lively pick.

We have never moved up in the lottery. 

We got completely effed in 1993. Had the best odds but were jumped by 3 teams who had the 5th, 7th, and 11th best odds. We picked Mashburn 4th.  Webber, Shawn Bradley, and Penny went ahead of us. Brutal.


1992 might have been just as bad. We had the 3rd best odds, but were jumped by the Hornets who had 8th best odds, but moved to #2. We picked Jim Jackson 4th. But most likely would have ended up with Mourning picking 3rd. Because the TWolves would have still went Laettner at 2 over Mourning.

[DallasMaverick]

We have never moved up in the lottery. 

We got completely effed in 1993. Had the best odds but were jumped by 3 teams who had the 5th, 7th, and 11th best odds. We picked Mashburn 4th.  Webber, Shawn Bradley, and Penny went ahead of us. Brutal.


1992 might have been just as bad. We had the 3rd best odds, but were jumped by the Hornets who had 8th best odds, but moved to #2. We picked Jim Jackson 4th.  But most likely would have ended up with Mourning picking 3rd. Because the TWolves would have still went Laettner at 2 over Mourning.

It’s clearly Cuban’s fault.

…or maybe the training staff.

…or Jason Kidd, somehow.

[Chicagojk]

Good news: Everyone who played last night is available tonight

Bad news: The 7 mavs out last night are out again tonight.

Really tough luck for OKC though. With a short roster, that means more PJ. Poor OKC.

Actually I expect a blowout. I actually liked the starting lineup last night with the available bodies, but they got off to a super slow start. I would try it again. Hopefully Grimes and Omax provide some scoring early. The question though is does OKC run away from the start or can the Mavs make it competitive for a while?

[Smitty]

@GrantAfseth

Jason Kidd says Danté Exum hasn’t been cleared for contact yet and says “there is a lot of time between today and when he’s supposed to come back.”

Exum has gone through pre-game on-court workouts recently as part of his ongoing recovery process.

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania
Another injury blow to Dallas: Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber has suffered a broken right foot and is sidelined for an extended period, sources tell me and
@espn_macmahon
.

[BigDirk41]

This is just insane at this point.

[Jym]

just getting sad at this point
WTF