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

[Maverick41]

I like Mike Miles. Seems steady, under control and knows how to run an offense. Jelly Walker a little less in control but more dynamic but also might just be too small for the NBA.

[Darren]

Great game from the guards and Lively. Once Lively state in the post, Atlanta can't get anything going. This changes the floor game significantly. Imagine that it's Luka and Kyrie on the floor. The duo simply needs to contest jumpers properly or jump into passing lanes when opponents are forced to pass out of post.

[Darren]

Yet, Lively is still not very involved on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Lively is left opened a lot. Defensively, the guard could slow down the penetrators a bit forcing the handle with off hands. Guards accelerating at full speed is difficult to block without a foul. If Lively can draw charges, it could be another weapon to have.

[41Dirk41]

Whitmore MVP... I hope they maked the right choice drafting Lively over him.

But for now looks like a mistake...

[daoneandonly]

Whitmore MVP... I hope they maked the right choice drafting Lively over him.

But for now looks like a mistake...

He was considered a top 4 pick so its a reasonable worry. The big issue is if they go after Capela and give up assets, then yes they should have just drafted Cam. But we also have to remember summer league is summer league, there's been plenty of guys who showed star power in SL and never really did much in the NBA

[arkuo]

Cautious optimism for summer league is required. Not too long ago, Josh Jackson looked great as an SL prospect. He's flipping burgers at Burger King now.

[dirkforpres]

Whitmore MVP... I hope they maked the right choice drafting Lively over him.

But for now looks like a mistake...

Wasnt a mistake. If we drafted Whitmore, it also probably means we dont trade for Holmes/OMax or Grant Williams since all 3 of them can all slot in at PF as well.

There are a lot of red flags with Cam regarding injury risk and overall dedication... Houston is probably the worst spot for him to land if those are the things he is lacking.

[ejs78]

Whitmore MVP... I hope they maked the right choice drafting Lively over him.

But for now looks like a mistake...

If he becomes something special its a mistake by 13 teams (two with two picks each) and not just the Mavs.

[41Dirk41]

Whitmore MVP... I hope they maked the right choice drafting Lively over him.

But for now looks like a mistake...

If he becomes something special its a mistake by 13 teams (two with two picks each) and not just the Mavs.

Of course.

[Maverick41]

Here's my grades on some of the key guys that I was watching:

Hardy - D

I thought he was going to dominate and I came out very underwhelmed. He showed some improvement in ballhandling and playmaking but still looks far off. He's a SG, not a PG. He was very inefficient but did hit big shots when it mattered.

Lively: C
Almost always played within his means and skillset. He is athletic, finishes with authority, has good defensive instincts but is very limited offensively. Best of all is how loud he at the backline with his defensive communication. Never had a big game, never really stood out. He just looked like a solid guy out there in a field where 85% of the guys aren't NBA guys. The likelihood is that he will look better in a more organized NBA game and with better playmakers to give him more lobs. Or well at least I hope so.

Omax: A
Sometimes looked out of control but he stood more then anyone on the Mavs. His combination of size, build and athleticism is already in upper echelon of wings and he knows how to use it on D. Offensively, he was better then I thought. His shot still looks iffy but the off the dribble game on closeouts and on the fastbreak was surprising. Remains to be seen if he can do that against NBA defenses but if he can, that is something that will greatly benefit the team. I'm really looking forward to his 1st NBA season.

Lawson: B
Shot started falling more and more as summer league progressed. His D was impressive. He was very aggressive and very disruptive. Played within his means. He looks like a capable NBA 3&D player. I wouldn't mind moving him up to an actual roster spot and/or giving him a 3 or 4 year minimum team friendly contract. A contract with multiple years of team options in hopes that he keeps improving.

[Mr B]

Whitmore MVP... I hope they maked the right choice drafting Lively over him.

But for now looks like a mistake...

Or he could be Saddiq Bey.

[Darren]

Watch on YouTube

;pp=ygUQZGFsbGFzIG1hdmVyaWNrcw%3D%3D

[Darren]

I should say most lottery picks have moments of disappointment in summer league. At least, Mavs picks fill glaring need and are not disappointing. This is a clear right draft. People are talking about Whitmore. But do you really want a 1st option despite having Luka and Kyrie. I think it will create locker room and hard cap issue long term.

[Maverick41]

Best to just play the wait and see approach with Lively. We all should be aware that he's a project with high upside. The good news is everything he does well can be dramatically helped by Luka.

The one thing I'm worried about is Luka's patience with him. Hopefully his leadership improves and understands that Lively will make a ton of mistakes. If he treats Lively the way he did with McGee, it will be a problem.

[41Dirk41]

I don't see this kind of issues, Lively will play a lot in G-League this season...

[BeiBeau]

The Hardy and Lively offensive worries are a bit overrated. They’re both players whose game thrives with structure and struggles in chaos.

[Mavrelous]

Here's my grades on some of the key guys that I was watching:

Hardy - D

I thought he was going to dominate and I came out very underwhelmed. He showed some improvement in ballhandling and playmaking but still looks far off. He's a SG, not a PG. He was very inefficient but did hit big shots when it mattered.

Lively: C
Almost always played within his means and skillset. He is athletic, finishes with authority, has good defensive instincts but is very limited offensively. Best of all is how loud he at the backline with his defensive communication. Never had a big game, never really stood out. He just looked like a solid guy out there in a field where 85% of the guys aren't NBA guys. The likelihood is that he will look better in a more organized NBA game and with better playmakers to give him more lobs. Or well at least I hope so.

Omax: A
Sometimes looked out of control but he stood more then anyone on the Mavs. His combination of size, build and athleticism is already in upper echelon of wings and he knows how to use it on D. Offensively, he was better then I thought. His shot still looks iffy but the off the dribble game on closeouts and on the fastbreak was surprising. Remains to be seen if he can do that against NBA defenses but if he can, that is something that will greatly benefit the team. I'm really looking forward to his 1st NBA season.

Lawson: B
Shot started falling more and more as summer league progressed. His D was impressive. He was very aggressive and very disruptive. Played within his means. He looks like a capable NBA 3&D player. I wouldn't mind moving him up to an actual roster spot and/or giving him a 3 or 4 year minimum team friendly contract. A contract with multiple years of team options in hopes that he keeps improving.

I don't think C is fair for Lively, he did change the floor defensively in the games I watched, especially the OKC game, which was against legit NBA guys, he does need to learn to screen, better box out and I'm disappointed they didn't run any pop or spot up action for him.
From what I've watched, OMax is getting a bit overrated offensively, he got away with a lot of push offs, he's not getting away with them in the NBA and his touch is suspect, he did surprise with being able to attach from the weakside, but he must improve his 3 pt shot.
Agreed on Hardy, he's a SG, and next to a ball dominant guy, not a passive table setter.

[Mavrelous]

Dunc'd on podcast reviewed Mavs young players, thoroughly, Nate is very good at analyzing these things, he sounds really high on Hardy, hopeful on Lively, not very thrilled with OMax.