07-07-2022, 02:09 AM
(07-06-2022, 11:26 PM)Dundalis Wrote: False. Sexton can shoot, and doesn't have a TS hovering around 50%. If Westbrook could actually shoot he wouldn't be spoken about in meme fashion like he is.
My responses have been directly responding to comments about how untouchable our role players are. That there are comments specifically about trade scenario's we have come up with is neither here nor there.
As for the second part, there are exceptions to every rule. But by and large, yes, you can replace existing players with 'better' players and very much expect to see better results. That's literally what happens in a game where only 5 players control your fortunes at any time. I get there are issues with fit. I didn't want Gobert here or any non shooting big, even though as soon as the season finished every Mavs fan and his dog was screaming for a paint defending big, pretty much like every year since Dirk was drafted with the exception of maybe when Dampier was first signed and when we had Tyson. I was opposed to that cacophony from the start. I'd take Harris for anyone not named Luka for example, certainly including Bullock or DFS. Any downgrade on defense (Harris is an above avg defender IMO) is more than made up by shot creation.
Our offense was middle of the pack last year. Our defense was top 10. Say you reversed that through trades. Top 10 offense, middle of the pack defense. Effectively our standing doesn't change. That obviously isn't apples for apples comparison, but all I'm highlighting is that this team has some serious weaknesses, and if you fill those weaknesses but weaken another area, that doesn't automatically translate to us being a worse team.
Bottom line is I was mostly responding directly to specific comments about the importance of role players in our team that I thought were over the top and not particularly objective. It's been absolutely rampant, not just here, but on reddit and every other Mavs forum around to a level I've not seen having been around Mavs forums for a good 20 years. It is not confined to just discussing specific trade scenario's, I literally responded directly to comments saying guys like Bullock and DFS are irreplaceable. That is a definitive statement that has nothing to do with specific trade scenarios.
There are some fundamental things that I disagree with in your philosophy. I will reply, then maybe we will just have to disagree. First, I would prefer our defense to be elite to go with our offense. I think our offense is plenty strong and built for the playoffs as currently constituted - assuming we add a backup PG. The addition of Wood to balance out our attack is going to make a huge difference and make us much more consistent night in/out. Plus adding THJ back into the mix. We have a strong offense and I think we will be around 10th.
The defense, on the other hand started out strong, but really deteriorated as the season progressed. It was a problem in the playoffs. I think Nico clearly stated that and made moves to add more size/rim protection/rebounding/interior presence. We will see if Wood can ramp up his defense, but we know that McGee brings that. I don't think that you will be better off to add Harris to this front court, unless it is sending out non-essential pieces.
That brings me to your comment about DFS/Bull being "irreplaceable". Let's be clear... they are NOT. But their skillsets would have to be upgraded - not removed. You can't trade them for offensive one way players without seriously impacting this teams' ability to defend - and therefore win. If you are seeing a lot of backlash across multiple mavs boards when the subject of trading them comes up - and you are seeing proposals like the ones we are talking about here (trading them for offensive players), then that is VALID. You don't have to agree with it. But I assure you that players that are getting nearly 40 min/game in the playoffs are ESSENTIAL to what the team is trying to do. This is further fortified by their primary targets in FA the last two seasons - adding Bullock/McGee. This is how the Mavs are intentionally building their team and how Jkidd is gameplanning. Not sure if it could be any more clear.
I like Harris, and I would root for him. But if money was the same, I would choose Bridges (suns) over him. I think the Mavs would too. And he is nearly half the salary. I just think that Harris/Wood is a pretty wimpy frontcourt. We'd have to be the top offense in the League to overcome that. You would have a LOT of shooting though.