Platform still coming, however a Mavs break

 

I am a bit perturbed by the national media’s reflection on the Dallas Mavericks’ trades. Many are not grading the trades well. I certainly understand they may not be an “A” grade, but there marks are way off the mark.

First in a strange way the first advantage is Luka can play five minutes or less per game if Gafford just gets 8 or more rebounds a game. And this can be with Luka on the court or on the bench. The more rebounds we get means the opposing team is getting less offensive rebounds which means less opportunities for them. This allows Luka to rest since teams will have less opportunity to make runs at any leads we have created. Kidd will not feel forced to put Luka back in too early in second and fourth quarters just to stop runs.

Second the depth at center improved mightily.  Even though we love Powell in Dallas, he is not your best option night in and night out to play major minutes as a center. Powell now becomes the third or even fourth option at the five. This is way overdue. Even Maxi can play some minutes at five in a small ball lineup better than Powell. Again I know he is a fan favorite in Dallas and has been showing a high basketball IQ this year along with always working hard, it is time for him to finish out his contract and retire. Maybe become part of the post game show or something, but he really needs to retire soon.

The draft capital was a bit much to give up, but half our team is young now and if they play well we should be contending strongly for four or more yeas so our first round picks would be pretty far down the line anyway. And soon Powell, Hardaway and Kleber’s contracts will have completed so we will have money to get up and coming free agents to go along with who we have now.

I wish Curry had stayed since THJ can be very streaky, but we have some good balance now for non Luka and Kyrie scoring with adding Washington to the mix. Basically we now have Washington, Green, Hardaway, Hardy, who have the potential to get 20 plus points on a given night and the others scoring in double figures gives us a well rounded attack. You add in either one of Exum, DJJ, Kleber also touching double figures regularly and things look really good.

Which leads to the next point, we have a deep rotation that could be used in tough 7 game series which again allows Luka not to have to play 45 minutes per game. I know rotations shorten in the playoffs normally, but when you have 8-10 players like what we have will help, even if some just play a few minutes. Keeping people fresh so come game 7 Luka and Kyrie have it in them to play 40 plus is an added bonus.

“X” feeds have quite a few depth charts now and even some people saying we may get Spencer Dinwiddie back which would be really interesting and means we are definitely ten deep in the playoffs, can work through minor injuries, and still run basically the same offense with all ten players in the rotation to having some serious flexibility as needed. IE Maxi playing small ball center to having two bigs to play the Timberwolves or the Nuggets if needed. We have not had that flexibility before and playing against some teams that will be a definite benefit. I don’t think Lively and Gafford will play together, but one of those with Maxi may not scare teams, but it will allow us to match up better than before. Yes not perfect, but much better than Powell being out there by himself which is what we have had to do too many times. Of course Maxi’s health has to improve, but still him stretching out and bringing a big out to guard him since he can hit threes will really open up spacing. Throw in Washington, Green or even Spencer at the three that can create on their own and things can get real fun.

We can play with pace with Kyrie and Hardy at times or even Luka some, or slow the game down to a crawl with Luka working the clock looking to score or see where the defense breaks down for the open shot. This makes the Mavericks are harder team to prepare for and in a 7 game series this matters.

Imagine being able to successfully have 3-4 different starting line up options and you can still play the same sets to start a game until you see how it develops.

You can have Luka, Kyrie, Green, Washington and Lively.

Luka Kyrie, Hardaway, Washington and Lively

Luka Kyrie, Green, DJJ and Lively

Luka Kyrie, Exum, Green and Lively

Luka, Kyria, Hardaway, Green and Lively,

You get the point, basically small nuances in who starts to either match up with specific teams or maybe just the healthiest players for the evening. Gafford could play in all of the above groups.

Then your bench rotations are based on how the other team is reacting, need to pick up the pace throw in Hardy, get bigger you go Lively, Kleber and Washington or even Morris if needed.

Luka may get less triple doubles but he still gets his points and averages more assists since Kidd can play the hottest hands that night throughout the game and not play anyone not shooting well that evening. Kidd can rest Luka longer and still keep two ball handlers on the floor at all times especially if we get Spencer which helps Hardy develop and play more freely and hopefully Exum gets healthy soon.

Imagine a five guard rotation line up of Luka, Kyrie, Hardy, Exum and possibly Spencer who all can create for others or make their own shot. You have three pick and roll centers in Lively, Gafford and Powell. You can stretch the floor with Washington, Green, Hardaway and a bit with Kleber. You can run or play small ball with Kyrie, Hardy, Exum, Green, Washington and Lively or Kleber. And when you need to get a stop in the last minute you have Lively or Gafford, Green, Washington, Exum, DJJ, Morris and depending on the situation Luka or Kyrie or Kleber or Spencer.

Not sure why the national press or media doesn’t think the Mavs did well. They may seem minor additions, but we didn’t need to kill depth to get a superstar we just needed to find the right players to complement our superstars. Adding the depth at center allows the other players to play more their roles and strengths. And Washington just has to be more consistent than Grant Williams and play with desire and the difference grows even more.

And everyone on the team should be playing hungry now for that championship. There is a window opening. This team just needs to find itself, play together and let the intangibles of the game come to them.

Looking to say Cheers with meaning.