RS 24/25 - Mavs @ Blazers (9PM EST)

[arkuo]

Kleber last 3 games combined:

80 minutes, 3 points, 0/6 FG, 0/2 3PTs, 12 rebs, 0 assists, 1 blk

Kleber's a boomer in this work environment. In terms of labor, there are younger people who can do a better job at a fraction of the price.

[Archx]

Grimes is solid like stone. What a player.

Mavs will definetly have a hard time resigning him...great decisions by him to turn down their offer,looks like he's gonna get payed

Makes you wonder what they'll do come TDL. I'm sure they wont want another Brunson situation.

Grimes is a restricted FA. So, they'll have a chance to keep him no matter what.

But this free agency and next year is going to be absolutely BRUTAL for Nico. End of this season could already either make or completely break this team. Nico has shown his talent and what he can do but he will really need to cook this time.

For 2026-27 season, Mavs (right now) have only Luka (but also a player option, so he could technically leave), Hardy, Lively, Klay, OMax and Naji signed. So that's a ton of work and juggling with salary cap to do for the next 2 years.

[daoneandonly]

It was an awesome win, and I'm glad Luka is back. Hopefully, the rest healed him up, and he has fresh legs moving forward.

Grimes and Naji showing what I really thought Kidd should have done in the preseason, have an open competition between those 2 guys and Klay for the starting SF spot. Barely anything in life should be guaranteed without earning it, and Thompson has done nothing to just be handed a starting gig. He's not remotely the guy he was, so a threat of not signing should not even be a factor.

[41Dirk41]

Kleber last 3 games combined:

80 minutes, 3 points, 0/6 FG, 0/2 3PTs, 12 rebs, 0 assists, 1 blk

Kleber's a boomer in this work environment. In terms of labor, there are younger people who can do a better job at a fraction of the price.

I just checked the box score (tonight i didn't) and Kleber played 27... Just like Big Gaf.

That's insane. Insane.

Portland played small ball and Kidd instead of bully them with lobs and dunks by Big Gaf putted that useless body on the floor. What a mediocre coach.

[Archx]

It was an awesome win, and I'm glad Luka is back. Hopefully, the rest healed him up, and he has fresh legs moving forward.

Grimes and Naji showing what I really thought Kidd should have done in the preseason, have an open competition between those 2 guys and Klay for the starting SF spot. Barely anything in life should be guaranteed without earning it, and Thompson has done nothing to just be handed a starting gig. He's not remotely the guy he was, so a threat of not signing should not even be a factor.

Does it actually matter who starts? It's always more important who finishes games. And Kidd went with Naji and Grimes a lot lately over Klay.

By my logic, Kidd is doing this so that bench can have extra firepower when these 2 come in. They can provide instant offense plus obviously defense. Maybe it will matter more in the playoffs when rotations shorten but i think they can keep Klay in the starting 5, see if he's hot and then adjust accordingly midd game. Because like i said, i think it's very underrated that teams these days can have multiple guys coming from bench (who could also be starting on any other team) and give you that extra boost.

Just think about it, Gaff, Grimes, Naji even Dinwiddie... that's 4 guys who provided a much needed lift past few games when people were out and now you have the luxury of all those 4 guys coming from bench. On top of that, you have 5 guys that can easily match or even outperform them in the starting unit. That's a very deep team.

[41Dirk41]

It was an awesome win, and I'm glad Luka is back. Hopefully, the rest healed him up, and he has fresh legs moving forward.

Grimes and Naji showing what I really thought Kidd should have done in the preseason, have an open competition between those 2 guys and Klay for the starting SF spot. Barely anything in life should be guaranteed without earning it, and Thompson has done nothing to just be handed a starting gig. He's not remotely the guy he was, so a threat of not signing should not even be a factor.

Does it actually matter who starts? It's always more important who finishes games. And Kidd went with Naji and Grimes a lot lately over Klay.

By my logic, Kidd is doing this so that bench can have extra firepower when these 2 come in. They can provide instant offense plus obviously defense. Maybe it will matter more in the playoffs when rotations shorten but i think they can keep Klay in the starting 5, see if he's hot and then adjust accordingly midd game. Because like i said, i think it's very underrated that teams these days can have multiple guys coming from bench (who could also be starting on any other team) and give you that extra boost.

Just think about it, Gaff, Grimes, Naji even Dinwiddie... that's 4 guys who provided a much needed lift past few games when people were out and now you have the luxury of all those 4 guys coming from bench. On top of that, you have 5 guys that can easily match or even outperform them in the starting unit. That's a very deep team.

Agree

We need 8/9 men rotation for PO games.
I don't care who starts honestly, of course i like balanced lineup up.

Klay will be very useful just like Naji and Grimes.
Those 3 are different players but we need all of them.

After a lot of years we have a great roster and we create problems for who starts? Come on guys.

[daoneandonly]

It was an awesome win, and I'm glad Luka is back. Hopefully, the rest healed him up, and he has fresh legs moving forward.

Grimes and Naji showing what I really thought Kidd should have done in the preseason, have an open competition between those 2 guys and Klay for the starting SF spot. Barely anything in life should be guaranteed without earning it, and Thompson has done nothing to just be handed a starting gig. He's not remotely the guy he was, so a threat of not signing should not even be a factor.

Does it actually matter who starts? It's always more important who finishes games. And Kidd went with Naji and Grimes a lot lately over Klay.

By my logic, Kidd is doing this so that bench can have extra firepower when these 2 come in. They can provide instant offense plus obviously defense. Maybe it will matter more in the playoffs when rotations shorten but i think they can keep Klay in the starting 5, see if he's hot and then adjust accordingly midd game. Because like i said, i think it's very underrated that teams these days can have multiple guys coming from bench (who could also be starting on any other team) and give you that extra boost.

Just think about it, Gaff, Grimes, Naji even Dinwiddie... that's 4 guys who provided a much needed lift past few games when people were out and now you have the luxury of all those 4 guys coming from bench. On top of that, you have 5 guys that can easily match or even outperform them in the starting unit. That's a very deep team.

I do think it matters when the team gets behind early and has to expend so much energy to get back into the game in the later quarters. That's on the starters, and out of the 4, I think Klay is the easiest choice to go to the bench. He's just not above average at anything with the exception of shooting, and that can be sued as an asset on the bench as a microwave scorer ala Jason Terry

[joesha1698]

It was an awesome win, and I'm glad Luka is back. Hopefully, the rest healed him up, and he has fresh legs moving forward.

Grimes and Naji showing what I really thought Kidd should have done in the preseason, have an open competition between those 2 guys and Klay for the starting SF spot. Barely anything in life should be guaranteed without earning it, and Thompson has done nothing to just be handed a starting gig. He's not remotely the guy he was, so a threat of not signing should not even be a factor.

Does it actually matter who starts? It's always more important who finishes games. And Kidd went with Naji and Grimes a lot lately over Klay.

By my logic, Kidd is doing this so that bench can have extra firepower when these 2 come in. They can provide instant offense plus obviously defense. Maybe it will matter more in the playoffs when rotations shorten but i think they can keep Klay in the starting 5, see if he's hot and then adjust accordingly midd game. Because like i said, i think it's very underrated that teams these days can have multiple guys coming from bench (who could also be starting on any other team) and give you that extra boost.

Just think about it, Gaff, Grimes, Naji even Dinwiddie... that's 4 guys who provided a much needed lift past few games when people were out and now you have the luxury of all those 4 guys coming from bench. On top of that, you have 5 guys that can easily match or even outperform them in the starting unit. That's a very deep team.

I do think it matters when the team gets behind early and has to expend so much energy to get back into the game in the later quarters. That's on the starters, and out of the 4, I think Klay is the easiest choice to go to the bench. He's just not above average at anything with the exception of shooting, and that can be sued as an asset on the bench as a microwave scorer ala Jason Terry

Nothing is ever that cut and dry especially when dealing with personalities of great talents who may no longer be playing great. I do not think it would be wise for Kidd to bench Klay unless Klay comes to him and says he wants to come off the bench or he plays so bad he leaves Kidd with no choice...which is the worst possible scenario. I think the most important conversation Kidd needs to have with Klay at this point is about playing within himself. How can Klay help this team?

1. Defense -Goal is for him to be our best perimeter defender. Okay to pick up fouls(be aggressive on defense) if we have Grimes available off the bench.
2. Hit Open shots - This is the skillset that made him who is he and ultimately that his biggest asset on offense.
3. Motion on offense (either to get the 3 or create misdirection) and help open up lanes and opportunities for others)
4. Stay within the above framework and focus on those things.

Once again for Klay, I think Kidd having that conversation with him is more important than anything else. Let Klay know how he can help this team the most. Get him on board. He doesn't need to bring the ball down. He needs to focus on 1-4 and if he does that, I think our depth makes sense.