ROSTER TALK: Mavs favs for Vogel if no HC job exists. Kyrie handshake deal?

[Jason Terry]

I might be wrong about all of this, but I think there's something I see coming that might impact opinions for those on both sides of this ongoing Wood debate.

I can envision him being the PERFECT offensive complement for Luka at center. Not good, perfect.

I can envision him being well above average, defensively, at center as he learns and as the league shifts even further into the "skill era." His foots peed, length and athletic ability are all perfect for that position (not ideal for forward, imo) and will take him as far as developing basketball IQ and motor will allow him to go. If you're optimistic about his IQ and motor, you might be ready to commit immediately. If you're not optimistic about those things, or if there's a specific type of center (big, bruising type) you think is necessary, you might still be extremely skeptical about his fit. Because his IQ and motor are even issues, conversationally, there is room for "in-between" thinking here, too. 

Let's say the most optimistic eventuality plays out:

1) He's going to be a great pnr partner with Luka for YEARS, and in loads of useful ways that help the entire team. 

2) He's going to be one of the few centers in the league who can create offense by posting up or (even more rare) FACING UP. 

3) Not only will he not be a defensive liability, he will be uncommonly suited to be a strength of your team on that end, particularly against playoff teams with sophisticated offenses. 

BUT...

Though he's a good rebounder for his player type, and for my money a significant improvement over the group of bigs the Mavs had available in the playoffs last season, I feel that when the dust clears, even in the most optimistic version of how things can go, rebounding will still be an area of perceived "weakness" for the Mavs, and will be an annoying part of their profile as a team at times. 

Now, something is always going to be an issue. You're never going to get the perfect roster, balanced in every possible way so that you can go 82-0 and win 6 straight championships. That's just not realistic. Personally, I am FINE with rebounding being that issue. It's enough for me to know that Wood is at least better than average on that end, and that some improvement over last year's rebounding would be possible with him. I'm ok with the idea that it still wouldn't be an area of real strength for the Mavs because, frankly, I don't think it matters as much as #'s 1, 2 and 3 above. But, I know not everyone feels that way.

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I'm not sure I fully follow your argument...at least where you disagree with me. I'm not sure I'm saying what you think I'm saying. My post had literally nothing to do with Hardaway, if that helps. 

I think it's likely DFS is better at the 4 than he is at the 3 and said as much, I believe.

Right there with you on Wood being the ideal center to play with Luka (he’s proven at the least, he has the ability to protect the rim and switch to the perimeter) 

I’m not sure how it will play out with rebounding but I’d be fine with that being our weakness. Luka being so big and a great rebounder i always thought we would use that to our advantage somehow