Mavs Summer League 2023 (Next: July 16 vs Hawks 9:30 EST)

[dirkules_41]

Anyone watched summer league live? How does Dereck Lively compare to say, Walker Kessler at this stage?

No idea what Walker Kessler was like at that stage but my observations are:
+ very long and athletic
+ solid timing on rebounding, haven't seen anyone in a Mavs jersey grab rebounds from this high up in a long time
+ stays in front of his guy on defense and alters shots
+ most of the time even stays in front of his guy when switched onto a guard, even got a steal the other game

- a bit light physically
- sets somewhat soft blocks on offense
- no visible movement patterns on offense but I'll put that all down to lack of practising with that group of players

[Mavrelous]

Anyone watched summer league live? How does Dereck Lively compare to say, Walker Kessler at this stage?

Haven't watched summer league last year, and barely watched Utah at the beginning of last season, but late season Kessler was much more advanced than Lively is now, but he had 2 years of college and 3/4 year of NBA compared to Lively having barely 1 year of college.

[boogiezen]

So, Hardy is not ready. He's not a PG. He's a two guard scorer and need more development. But the clown akruo on this forum said that Luka is a ballhog and should let his teammates run the show.

Clowns and narratives driven clowns are saying that Luka should play off ball. LMAO.

Luka HAS TO improve playing off the ball but essentially only when Kyrie is on

I agree that Luka's level of development (defense and free throws) is to improve his off ball play to balance his offense. The problem is, there's no one on this current roster can playmake outside of Kyrie. Last year, they had Brunson and Spencer and the team went on a run to the Western Conference finals.

I love the effort from both rookies. Lively, at least he is defensive minded. But there were several moments that he could not box out and rebound.

I can see Omax playing some crucial minutes to substitute Green when he is tired.

[Archx]

Hardy is a much better ball handler than THJ, THJ is a better shooter and his mechanics allow him to get off more and better shots, both aren't good decision makers, but pure scorers.
Mavs need young blood, they felt Lively was too good to pass up, even if he's not ready.

I meant his decision making. He's much better ballhandler that's true.

Hardy is best when he gets to move off ball, spot up, or attack a close out.

They’re trying to give him playmaking minutes which he’s clearly not ready for.

Hence why i mentioned he's still erratic. And i also mentioned he's going to be different when he plays with Luka.

[Mavrelous]

It's not uncommon for a shooter to drop when he bulks up, I'm not too worried about Hardy.

[Michaellam1987]

Anyone watched summer league live? How does Dereck Lively compare to say, Walker Kessler at this stage?

No idea what Walker Kessler was like at that stage but my observations are:
+ very long and athletic
+ solid timing on rebounding, haven't seen anyone in a Mavs jersey grab rebounds from this high up in a long time
+ stays in front of his guy on defense and alters shots
+ most of the time even stays in front of his guy when switched onto a guard, even got a steal the other game

- a bit light physically
- sets somewhat soft blocks on offense
- no visible movement patterns on offense but I'll put that all down to lack of practising with that group of players

Rebounding/box out skill can still improve, not very effectively pick setter, too foul prone

[Darren]

Again, OMax steals the show from Hardy and Lively. And Perry actually does something Lively could learn from.

OMax is semi-starter to me. I am really impressed with the way OMax impacts the game. The decision making is great. OMax gets to foul line a lot. But OMax has got one bad posession in clutch time. OMax should not get blown by and run for a chase down block.

Lively has a better first half than the second half. I think Lively has to spend time in gym room. A body frame of Big Ben could be ideal. GSW starts to attack the paint way more in the second half. One key noteworthy figure on court is Perry. Perry has more nba ready body. But what stands out to me is the positioning to grab rebounds which is similar to Larry Nance or Chuck Hayes.

While many fans point out the necessity to bulk up, I want to pinpoint the important of moving feet and secure the perfect position to block shots and rebounds. Maxi Kleber, only 6-10, has been Mavs best frontcourt defender. What really makes the difference is that Maxi anticipates the landing spot of drivers and move a step before the guard is able to reach. As a result, offensive players can't jump. By then, you're longer. You can choose whether or not you jump. That's the secret to get more successful defense without fouling too much. Actually, you save stamina as well. I am just thinking about the what if scenario if Lively can get positioning to block and rebound like Maxi and Perry does. The opponents will feel hopeless with a clear mismatch every time.

Give GSW credit. Originally, I think it is Steve Kerr leading the team. The whole team plays like a team. Everyone have a purpose on court. The group is overachieving. Who's that assistant coach from GSW? That's really impressive.

Am I the only one who feels Moore deserves a longer look?

[Darren]

I think Lively should have dunked the ball under the basket instead of kicking out to Hardy for a heavily contested 3. A short lineup on a tired leg should have no business to block a dunk from Lively. Learn a lesson and make smarter plays next time.

[Darren]

Hardy is disappointing. In particular, I don't like the three free throws given in clutch time. At this point, I don't want to pay Hardy as much as DFS. Hardy may perform better next to Luka and Kyrie. But Hardy is not quite the playmaker and defender fans all hoping for. It's more like Corey Maggette to me.

[BeiBeau]

Anyone watched summer league live? How does Dereck Lively compare to say, Walker Kessler at this stage?

No idea what Walker Kessler was like at that stage but my observations are:
+ very long and athletic
+ solid timing on rebounding, haven't seen anyone in a Mavs jersey grab rebounds from this high up in a long time
+ stays in front of his guy on defense and alters shots
+ most of the time even stays in front of his guy when switched onto a guard, even got a steal the other game

- a bit light physically
- sets somewhat soft blocks on offense
- no visible movement patterns on offense but I'll put that all down to lack of practising with that group of players

Rebounding/box out skill can still improve, not very effectively pick setter, too foul prone

A fair amount of Lively’s fouls have been on illegal screens. He has a normal amount of fouls protecting the rim.

[arkuo]

Hardy is disappointing. In particular, I don't like the three free throws given in clutch time. At this point, I don't want to pay Hardy as much as DFS. Hardy may perform better next to Luka and Kyrie. But Hardy is not quite the playmaker and defender fans all hoping for. It's more like Corey Maggette to me.

There is no scenario where Hardy starts over Kyrie. So Hardy will play with THJ off the bench.

[Darren]

Watch on YouTube

[Darren]

OKC is for real. The west is stacked. The clock is kicking.

1.Denver
2.Pheonix
3-4. LA
5.Sacramento
6 OKC
7.Dallas
8.Golden States
9.Memphis
10.Minnesota
11. Houston
12. San Antonio
13. Utah
14.New Orleans
15. Portland

That's weird.

[dirkforpres]

Hardy is disappointing. In particular, I don't like the three free throws given in clutch time. At this point, I don't want to pay Hardy as much as DFS. Hardy may perform better next to Luka and Kyrie. But Hardy is not quite the playmaker and defender fans all hoping for. It's more like Corey Maggette to me.

Theyre just not using him the right way at all. In no world where Luka and Kyrie are on the same team as him should he ever be expected to get 20 shots per game, so I have no idea why thats the gameplan so far. He needs to work on playmaking and getting his teammates involved more instead of being this ball stopping iso chucker that they seem intent on molding him into.

I still have hope that he can be a good 6th man this year, but this summer league has been very disappointing for those of us that hoped he would take on a big 2nd year leap like Jabari Smith and some others

OKC is for real. The west is stacked. The clock is kicking.

1.Denver
2.Pheonix
3-4. LA
5.Sacramento
6 OKC
7.Dallas
8.Golden States
9.Memphis
10.Minnesota
11. Houston
12. San Antonio
13. Utah
14.New Orleans
15. Portland

That's weird.

Mavs are better than the Clippers and Thunder. I have them as the 5th best team as currently constructed, but they could go as high as 2 or 3 if they get a good starting C before training camp.

[Mavrelous]

OKC is for real. The west is stacked. The clock is kicking.

1.Denver
2.Pheonix
3-4. LA
5.Sacramento
6 OKC
7.Dallas
8.Golden States
9.Memphis
10.Minnesota
11. Houston
12. San Antonio
13. Utah
14.New Orleans
15. Portland

That's weird.

NOP is way higher than 14, even w/o Zion.

[BeiBeau]

Hardy is disappointing. In particular, I don't like the three free throws given in clutch time. At this point, I don't want to pay Hardy as much as DFS. Hardy may perform better next to Luka and Kyrie. But Hardy is not quite the playmaker and defender fans all hoping for. It's more like Corey Maggette to me.

Theyre just not using him the right way at all. In no world where Luka and Kyrie are on the same team as him should he ever be expected to get 20 shots per game, so I have no idea why thats the gameplan so far. He needs to work on playmaking and getting his teammates involved more instead of being this ball stopping iso chucker that they seem intent on molding him into.

I still have hope that he can be a good 6th man this year, but this summer league has been very disappointing for those of us that hoped he would take on a big 2nd year leap like Jabari Smith and some others

OKC is for real. The west is stacked. The clock is kicking.

1.Denver
2.Pheonix
3-4. LA
5.Sacramento
6 OKC
7.Dallas
8.Golden States
9.Memphis
10.Minnesota
11. Houston
12. San Antonio
13. Utah
14.New Orleans
15. Portland

That's weird.

Mavs are better than the Clippers and Thunder. I have them as the 5th best team as currently constructed, but they could go as high as 2 or 3 if they get a good starting C before training camp.

I think Phoenix is going to be overrated as **** going into the season. Beal, Booker, and KD are not very good at setting up other teammates and that defense will be weak.

[41Dirk41]

Phoenix (healthy) will have a good RS for sure, in the PO it's another sport.

Mavs are freakin good, with a C they are contender.
Luka is a top3 player in this league, top2 in PO.

[dirkforpres]

Phoenix (healthy) will have a good RS for sure, in the PO it's another sport.

Mavs are freakin good, with a C they are contender.
Luka is a top3 player in this league, top2 in PO.

Phoenix staying healthy is pretty farfetched. No way KD makes it through an entire season and Beal isnt much better. They have a solid bench, but its ultimately going to come down to Booker and Ayton. Theyre going to flame out

[fuller4379]

Durant hasn't been durable since the Achilles injury. With the team Phoenix has though, he shouldn't have to put in as many minutes as he did in Brooklyn. There is going to be no need for Durant to carry the team.

[dirkforpres]

Durant hasn't been durable since the Achilles injury. With the team Phoenix has though, he shouldn't have to put in as many minutes as he did in Brooklyn. There is going to be no need for Durant to carry the team.

They said the same thing about the Brooklyn team he was on, that he wouldnt have to put on as many minutes. He still missed a ton of games in each season. Hes also going to be 35 years old on opening night so I just have a hard time believing he can give them 60+ games at a high level