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+78 more than the team over a 6 game span in the postseason is nuts.

Is Lively already a top 50 player?

Couple of my posts from last June:

TheShow2021 wrote: There is a case to be made that Lively is already better for the Mavs than Ayton would be, not even considering the 30m extra/yr that Ayton costs. Good on the Mavs to not consider these ridiculously cringe Ayton for 10th pick trades.

TheShow2021 wrote:

jym85 wrote:Yeah I have some hope for Lively but let's not kid ourselves. He averaged 14 ppg as a senior in high school and 5 ppg as a freshman in college

Lively's prior scoring average is irrelevant with Luka. He just needs to set good picks, roll to the hoop, finish lobs, not be horrible FT shooter, and play good defense. He's already a better athlete than Ayton.

What an unbelievably fruitful tank.

He's been spectacular. And this is his rookie year, so imagine what he'll become.

Everyone ragged on them at the time for tanking into that 10th spot, but it paid dividends.

Top 50 isn't all that absurd as it looks.

ESPNs top 50 Oct 2023:
50: Jarrett Allen
49: Ayton
48: LaMelo
47: Wemby
46: Middleton
45: Randle
44: McCollum

Probably not?

If he keeps it up, yeah

He makes some silly mistakes, but literally being a first year C is ultra hard to be a positive on both ends. It helps having Luka and Kyrie feed him, but he's done everything you would want from a center. Let alone a first year player

Does this mean Gafford is possibly worse than Powell?

TheShow2021 wrote:Top 50 isn't all that absurd as it looks.

ESPNs top 50 Oct 2023:
50: Jarrett Allen
49: Ayton
48: LaMelo
47: Wemby
46: Middleton
45: Randle
44: McCollum

Allen > Lively > Ayton.

amazing

it's funny because so many people were aying pre-draft that lively would be a perfect fit for the mavs.

even so, the positive impact he's had as a rookie is pretty remarkable. it helps that he's playing with luka and the mavs have great perimeter defense but that's kind of a perfect situation for a young player so they're not left out there to dry.

He's in the perfect spot for his skill set. Playing next to two elite playmakers allows him to do all the things he can do.

I do wonder like Kessler last year, how much can he grow. What is his ceiling?

I'm not sure but great young player.

He's been amazing all year and even better in these POs, especially considering his recent loss, he's just unbelievable for his age and experience.
Not sure where to rank that in terms of absolute player rankings but absolutely robbed of 1st Team All Rookie.

rapstarter wrote:Does this mean Gafford is possibly worse than Powell?

Maybe at playing cards but definitely not at basketball.

I don’t put a lot of stock in +/- because they vary so much with who you are on the court with.

Gobert is +50 in his last three games, including +10 last night, and that didn’t feel like a +10 game from the eye test.

He's been great for the Mavs, and he's been exactly what they've needed for years, especially with these other young centers in the west like Wemby, Chet, and Sengun. I think the Gafford trade has also helped him stay healthy by keeping his minutes lower. Sky's the limit for him.

Most successful tank for a 10th pick…

I also think he should have went earlier in the draft with his Tyson Chandler light potential + high character.

He’s ahead where it matters most.

Dallas 1 - Minnesota 0.

Duffman100 wrote:He's in the perfect spot for his skill set. Playing next to two elite playmakers allows him to do all the things he can do.

I do wonder like Kessler last year, how much can he grow. What is his ceiling?

I'm not sure but great young player.

Location and fit matters for development. Kessler regressed on a team trying to lose, Lively took giant strides on a team trying to win.

That's why I always favor trying to win. Too many young guys develop as losers.

Been on the lively train since well before we drafted him. He is a perfect young defensive center. Unlimited hustle, elite defense, moves his feet well, makes correct plays on offense.

Swish1906 wrote:Most successful tank for a 10th pick…

I also think he should have went earlier in the draft with his Tyson Chandler light potential + high character.

Why would you say Tyson Chandler 'light'? He's on his way to surpassing Tyson Chandler, if you're going to give him a back handed compliment don't hide behind the mavs logo. He's either Tyson Chandler heavy, or Tyson is Lively Light.

Lively is a beast