MAVS NEWS:

[Mavs2021]

You know how I know Morez Johnson will be fine. He´s there alone on the podium 20 years old facing 100 adults and he´s cool, calm, collected, well-spoken and has the whole room locked in. No coach, no general manager, no owner, no coaching staff, no other picks to cover him. Just him alone. This stuff matters. This kid won´t fazed by anything. Dusty May probably said: He good Mike. Do your job, get me some guards.

[Smitty]

I did find it interesting that he sees himself playing more 4 early on but would be comfortable playing the 5. Either way it speaks to his versatility and likely unselfishness.

[KillerLeft]

I did find it interesting that he sees himself playing more 4 early on but would be comfortable playing the 5. Either way it speaks to his versatility and likely unselfishness.

I've noticed that bigs will answer that question this way basically 10/10 times, especially when they're young. I think it's because they believe the 4 will get to handle the ball and "hoop" more, and they're probably right about that. 

Here's a list of people I remember calling themselves more 4 than 5 when they were asked this early on:

Tyson Chandler
Anthony Davis
Kristaps Porzingis
Nerlens Noel
Christian Wood (he might've been right, but he just didn't play enough defense for it to matter, anyway)
Willie Cauley Stein (still to this day he does interviews telling people his career ended because nobody would let him play the 3, lololol)
Kendrick Perkins

I could name many, many more. 

I DO think Johnson has positional flexibility - much more than most of the people we debate around here. But ultimately, I expect the 5 is where he'll be special. We'll see. I'm open-minded about this one.

[KillerLeft]

You know how I  know Morez Johnson will be fine. He´s there alone on the podium 20 years old facing 100 adults and he´s  cool, calm, collected, well-spoken and has the whole room locked in. No coach, no general manager, no owner, no coaching staff, no other picks to cover him. Just him alone. This stuff matters. This kid won´t be phased by anything. Dusty May probably said: He good Mike. Do your job, get me some guards.

He IS very poised. Impressive.

[Scott41theMavs]

I've noticed that bigs will answer that question this way basically 10/10 times, especially when they're young. I think it's because they believe the 4 will get to handle the ball and "hoop" more, and they're probably right about that. 

Here's a list of people I remember callings themselves more 4 than 5 when they were asked this early on:

Tyson Chandler
Anthony Davis
Kristaps Porzingis
Nerlens Noel
Christian Wood (he might've been right, but he just didn't play enough defense for it to matter, anyway)
Willie Cauley Stein (still to this day he does interviews telling people his career ended because nobody would let him play the 3, lololol)
Kendrick Perkins

I could name many, many more. 

I DO think Johnson has positional flexibility - much more than most of the people we debate around here. But ultimately, I expect the 5 is where he'll be special. We'll see. I'm open-minded about this one.

I have a feeling that Rez is going to surprise a lot of people a few years down the line in terms of skill and ability (i.e. little position tools). And I suspect that Masai, Mike, and May all see that.

[cow]

I have a feeling that Rez is going to surprise a lot of people a few years down the line in terms of skill and ability (i.e. little position tools). And I suspect that Masai, Mike, and May all see that.

I buying in on Rez and Lawal on the ground floor.  As excited as I am for Rez, I might be more excited for Lawal.  Please let our Front office be patient and give this kid opportunity as I really think he's somehow a more athletically gifted DJJ (who we all loved).

[Scott41theMavs]

I buying in on Rez and Lawal on the ground floor.  As excited as I am for Rez, I might be more excited for Lawal.  Please let our Front office be patient and give this kid opportunity as I really think he's somehow a more athletically gifted DJJ (who we all loved).

Have Dirk teach him to shoot like he did OG.

[mvossman]

I buying in on Rez and Lawal on the ground floor.  As excited as I am for Rez, I might be more excited for Lawal.  Please let our Front office be patient and give this kid opportunity as I really think he's somehow a more athletically gifted DJJ (who we all loved).

He is actually the guy I’m least excited about. For all that athleticism he didn’t get a lot of steals or blocks. He is fine as a flyer but I like the two Euros better.

[KillerLeft]

I have a feeling that Rez is going to surprise a lot of people a few years down the line in terms of skill and ability (i.e. little position tools). And I suspect that Masai, Mike, and May all see that.

Me, too. I guess I’m confused why you chose a reply to my post as a place to make this point. I have been consistently positive about the pick.

[Scott41theMavs]

Me, too. I guess I’m confused why you chose a reply to my post as a place to make this point. I have been consistently positive about the pick.

Didn't mean it as a rebuttal, but rather a contribution to the conversation.

[OBX Maverick]

I buying in on Rez and Lawal on the ground floor.  As excited as I am for Rez, I might be more excited for Lawal.  Please let our Front office be patient and give this kid opportunity as I really think he's somehow a more athletically gifted DJJ (who we all loved).

I graduated from VCU and my wife graduated from VT. I’ve watched Lawal throughout is college career. Has always had bounce and athleticism. High energy guy. However, he doesn’t have much offensively outside 6 feet. He’s still a kid, but I wouldn’t expect too much from him beyond a 6-9 guy off of the bench. Nevertheless, a decent pick in the mid-late 2nd round.

[KillerLeft]

I graduated from VCU and my wife graduated from VT. I’ve watched Lawal throughout is college career. Has always had bounce and athleticism. High energy guy. However, he doesn’t have much offensively outside 6 feet. He’s still a kid, but I wouldn’t expect too much from him beyond a 6-9 guy off of the bench. Nevertheless, a decent pick in the mid-late 2nd round.

I'm mildly encouraged (low bar) by the fact that he went in one year from never shooting any threes to averaging two attempts per game. That at least shows an understanding of what his swing skill will need to be and a willingness to try to improve in that area. 

THAT's why it took so long for DJJ to get a real job in the league. Maybe they can play this kid as a "big" here and there in the meantime, like DJJ was used? Setting screens, vertical spacing?

[Dirknows]

I have a feeling that Rez is going to surprise a lot of people a few years down the line in terms of skill and ability (i.e. little position tools). And I suspect that Masai, Mike, and May all see that.

I think Masai sees him as his next Pascal.

[cow]

I graduated from VCU and my wife graduated from VT. I’ve watched Lawal throughout is college career. Has always had bounce and athleticism. High energy guy. However, he doesn’t have much offensively outside 6 feet. He’s still a kid, but I wouldn’t expect too much from him beyond a 6-9 guy off of the bench. Nevertheless, a decent pick in the mid-late 2nd round.

I know he's a project and one that will take years to get something out of, but that's kind of DJJ's path as well.  The Heat were patient with DJJ and hopefully we'll be patient with Lawal.

[Smitty]

An updated look at Mavs Future Picks:

'27: FRP owed to CHA if not Top-2 | SRP (CHI)
'28: FRP (OKC right to Swap)
'29: FRP (LAL) | SRP (HOU)
'30: FRP (SAS right to Swap), FRP (GSW-Top 20 Protected)
'31: FRP (Own)
'32: FRP (Own)
'33: FRP (Own) | SRP (Own)


*If the '30 GSW pick doesn't convey, it converts to their '30 SRP

**Can trade up to (4) first round picks: ‘29 (LAL), ‘30 (GSW), ‘31 (Own), ‘33 (Own)

[Smitty]

@MikeACurtis2
The Mavs' Las Vegas Summer League schedule has officially been announced:

Thurs, July 9: Warriors - 6 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Sat, July 11: Lakers - 9 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Mon, July 13: Grizzlies - 6 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Thurs, July 16: Thunder - 3 p.m. CT (Prime)

No. 9 pick Morez Johnson Jr. will have the opportunity to go head to head against former Michigan teammates Yaxel Lendeborg & Aday Mara.

[Chicagojk]

Sort of funny how we sort of have the same roster as we did last offseason.
The Nico dream. Just Johnson replacing AD. We have just have seen that Flagg was much more advanced than most thought. And we should have a clear view that Kyrie will be on the floor.

Whether earned or not, I just have a feeling they will be better finding fits than the old regime. Even if it is temporary solutions.

[Chicagojk]

Love seeing this. Seems like a good kid

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/20705683...deo/1?s=46

[Chicagojk]

Weird. Totally different reporting than we heard at the end of the year.
I didn’t listen to the interview.

https://x.com/mavsfilmroom/status/207057...48947?s=46

[Smitty]

Mavs Film Room (@MavsFilmRoom)
In an interview with D Magazine, Tim MacMahon says that in conversations with Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz, they don’t feel “panic” to completely reshape the roster this summer.

They are taking a long term approach to building a championship contender around Cooper Flagg.