Mavericks - 2023 Preseason (G4. Oct. 20 vs Pistons 7p.m CST)

[Darren]

Holmes and Powell is even more miserable against Gobert and KAT if you watch the game. Both play normally only when the duo sit..

[Darren]

You can quote the defensive rating but please be noted about the competition involved. Lively is particularly bad with Hardy, not Luka.

[Bob8]

You can quote the defensive rating but please be noted about the competition involved. Lively is particularly bad with Hardy, not Luka.

Defensive rating is where he should excel. He's 0 with anyone in offensive side, Powell at least provides screens, Lively is absolute 0.

Mavs were alive vast majority of last season only because their offense with Luka, they can't put in starting lineup someone who can't play at all.

[41Dirk41]

I knew that we are not a contender but we are unwatchables.
I don't enjoy watching the Mavs, it's a fact over win or lose games.
It will be a big problem for Cuban too because his first goal is make Money and fill the AAC.

I don't think Kidd is pretty done.

[Bob8]

Mavs should just insert Grant in starting lineup, Exum as playmaker of second team and develop Lively slowly.

[Teffer10]

Obviously need another 7 footer.

Re-signing Powell was the 2nd dumbest thing Nico has done.
Signing Seth was the 3rd.

We go about 6 deep before we see a defending guard on this team and then we have absolutely no playable rim protector.
Lively will basically take McGee's role this season and that means Powell will become our primary center...again.

Good Grief!!!!!!!

[Mavrelous]

The O-rating with Lively on the floor is massively affected by the horrendous shooting.
I didn't think Lively is a starting material, I doubt he even is a rotation material the 1st year, but they are building on him and prioritizing his development.
They were 2 games filled with outliers that it's hard to take away from it, and they played a team with enormous size and athletecism, reminder that the Mavs always had troubles against the Wolves in RS, they barely beat them at home, and get destroyed by them on the road.
Wolves packed the lane, playing 2 centers, PF sized SF, and long and athletic SGs and Mavs couldn't hit a shot, any team will look aweful.

The good from the 1st 2 games:
Luka -- looks to be in great shape, his defense was very good, he was less bothered by Jaden McDaniels than he usually is.
Grant Williams -- strong tough and smart, good aquisition.
Dante Exum -- his scoring at the rim is bad, his shooting confidence is suspect, but in general, very good showing.
Lively's defense in drop coverage and rotations, really advanced for his age.
Powell...

The inconsistent:
Green and Hardy, I'm not sure how longer of a leash Green will get, Hardy had a really bad 2nd game, couldn't make a pass to save his life.
They tried to run, Wolves were good at preventing it.

The bad:
OMax -- shouldn't have started, should've been brought much slower.
Lively offense and post defense.
Kyrie in the 1st game.
Kidd, nothing, and I mean nothing on the offensive end, Mavs played Luka, Kyrie, Green, Curry, THJ, all capable of complex offensive sets, all capable of shooting tough shots, and no offensive scheme whatsoever, this is looking bad, real bad.
Because of Lively, Holmes was really de-prioritized, I can't remember single Luka/Holmes P&R.

I also think the Wolves will surprise people, KAT/Gobert pairing looked good, and dominant offensively, they left a lot of open 3s, but this isn't uncommon for the league, watch the Kincks and coach Bud Bucks for example.

[Apz]

Werent home yesterday and only got to see first half before it was f1 time there, but doesnt sound like i missed much

[Teffer10]

The O-rating with Lively on the floor is massively affected by the horrendous shooting.
I didn't think Lively is a starting material, I doubt he even is a rotation material the 1st year, but they are building on him and prioritizing his development.
They were 2 games filled with outliers that it's hard to take away from it, and they played a team with enormous size and athletecism, reminder that the Mavs always had troubles against the Wolves in RS, they barely beat them at home, and get destroyed by them on the road.
Wolves packed the lane, playing 2 centers, PF sized SF, and long and athletic SGs and Mavs couldn't hit a shot, any team will look aweful.

The good from the 1st 2 games:
Luka -- looks to be in great shape, his defense was very good, he was less bothered by Jaden McDaniels than he usually is.
Grant Williams -- strong tough and smart, good aquisition.
Dante Exum -- his scoring at the rim is bad, his shooting confidence is suspect, but in general, very good showing.
Lively's defense in drop coverage and rotations, really advanced for his age.
Powell...

The inconsistent:
Green and Hardy, I'm not sure how longer of a leash Green will get, Hardy had a really bad 2nd game, couldn't make a pass to save his life.
They tried to run, Wolves were good at preventing it.

The bad:
OMax -- shouldn't have started, should've been brought much slower.
Lively offense and post defense.
Kyrie in the 1st game.
Kidd, nothing, and I mean nothing on the offensive end, Mavs played Luka, Kyrie, Green, Curry, THJ, all capable of complex offensive sets, all capable of shooting tough shots, and no offensive scheme whatsoever, this is looking bad, real bad.
Because of Lively, Holmes was really de-prioritized, I can't remember single Luka/Holmes P&R.

I also think the Wolves will surprise people, KAT/Gobert pairing looked good, and dominant offensively, they left a lot of open 3s, but this isn't uncommon for the league, watch the Kincks and coach Bud Bucks for example.

I have a feeling Wolves will take a huge leap this season.
Edwards is the real deal and their front court might be the toughest in the WC.

[Archx]

I was actually impressed that Lively was able to somewhat hold his own on defense. Sure Gobert overpowered him because he's older and stronger but Lively did show some talent for the future which is good. But still feels like a wasted draft pick with Luka and Kyrie trying to compete now.

OMax surprised me in the most negative ways possible. Dude needs a lot of GLeague time.

Starters will probably be Luka, Kyrie, Green, Grant and one of Lively/Powell... I can't see anything else right now. 2nd unit will be ran by Exum and THJ... which is already a concern but i guess anything can happen with another MVP type of season from Doncic.

Also, Mavs desperately and i mean DESPERATELY need a new coach or entire coaching staff. Sweeney and Kidd are simply not it.

[BliscoSantos]

It's gonna be a long and tough season...Luka and Kyrie Will have to Play heavy minutes(yet again) ,the games Will probably close(as last season),every win Will he hard fought...I Don't see this team being that much better than last years ..they failed to adress their biggest weakness

[Archx]

It's gonna be a long and tough season...Luka and Kyrie Will have to Play heavy minutes(yet again) ,the games Will probably close(as last season),every win Will he hard fought...I Don't see this team being that much better than last years ..they failed to adress their biggest weakness

Sad thing is, Kyrie already sat out this game because of groin injury. If this is any indication about what's to come, then we'll be lucky if he even plays 50 games this season.

Or maybe Mavs were just sneaky and gave him some rest. Whatever it is, i'm personally not expecting Kyrie to play many games this season which would already be a huge issue.

[arkuo]

Mavs dont value the presason games much.

[41Dirk41]

It's gonna be a long and tough season...Luka and Kyrie Will have to Play heavy minutes(yet again) ,the games Will probably close(as last season),every win Will he hard fought...I Don't see this team being that much better than last years ..they failed to adress their biggest weakness

Sad thing is, Kyrie already sat out this game because of groin injury. If this is any indication about what's to come, then we'll be lucky if he even plays 50 games this season.

Or maybe Mavs were just sneaky and gave him some rest. Whatever it is, i'm personally not expecting Kyrie to play many games this season which would already be a huge issue.

I think Kyrie didn't like too much the S5 in first game, he don't have the age and the want to develop rookies... Luka has more pride probably.

[Archx]

It's gonna be a long and tough season...Luka and Kyrie Will have to Play heavy minutes(yet again) ,the games Will probably close(as last season),every win Will he hard fought...I Don't see this team being that much better than last years ..they failed to adress their biggest weakness

Sad thing is, Kyrie already sat out this game because of groin injury. If this is any indication about what's to come, then we'll be lucky if he even plays 50 games this season.

Or maybe Mavs were just sneaky and gave him some rest. Whatever it is, i'm personally not expecting Kyrie to play many games this season which would already be a huge issue.

I think Kyrie didn't like too much the S5 in first game, he don't have the age and the want to develop rookies... Luka has more pride probably.

Yeah like i said, could be just a "tactical rest" But then again, Kyrie doesn't have exactly a track record of playing many games per season, which is a valid concern.

[41Dirk41]

Sad thing is, Kyrie already sat out this game because of groin injury. If this is any indication about what's to come, then we'll be lucky if he even plays 50 games this season.

Or maybe Mavs were just sneaky and gave him some rest. Whatever it is, i'm personally not expecting Kyrie to play many games this season which would already be a huge issue.

I think Kyrie didn't like too much the S5 in first game, he don't have the age and the want to develop rookies... Luka has more pride probably.

Yeah like i said, could be just a "tactical rest" But then again, Kyrie doesn't have exactly a track record of playing many games per season, which is a valid concern.

Yes... and if the season will be bad the games will be even less than 50

Resign Kyrie and draft a rookie C are not compatible moves...

[Maverick41]

Finally watched the replay. Agree with literally everything Mavrelous mentioned already.

Apart from that, I like the Dexter Dennis kid. Plays hard on D, doesn't give up, seems to have a hard-nosed attitude. Shot looks good even though he missed a bunch. And his athleticism is very impressive. Guy looked like he was playing for his life out there. I like that.

[BliscoSantos]

The team is limited and it doesn't help the coach has no O scheme whatsoever apart from letting the Players figure it out for themsleves(Play by inspiration)..playing by inspiration would work well if Kidd was coaching team USA with LeBron,KD,Curry,Kyrie etc., but Luka and Kyrie are the only Mavs Players that understand the game,know where a Player should be,where the the defense Will go,where the Pass should go...most Players need set plays and unfourtunately Kidd is a really bad X and O's coach...D matters but you also need some set plays,not Just improvization
Run some plays...let Kyrie run the point,put Luka in the post(where he can play closer to the basket,find an easier shot or open Man with the Pass).. Don't settle for threes..Listen if you need more than two moves(dribles) to get past the defender you're wasting unnecesary energy...make it easier on yourself,run some plays,conserve energy

[HMFFL]

The O-rating with Lively on the floor is massively affected by the horrendous shooting.
I didn't think Lively is a starting material, I doubt he even is a rotation material the 1st year, but they are building on him and prioritizing his development.
They were 2 games filled with outliers that it's hard to take away from it, and they played a team with enormous size and athletecism, reminder that the Mavs always had troubles against the Wolves in RS, they barely beat them at home, and get destroyed by them on the road.
Wolves packed the lane, playing 2 centers, PF sized SF, and long and athletic SGs and Mavs couldn't hit a shot, any team will look aweful.

The good from the 1st 2 games:
Luka -- looks to be in great shape, his defense was very good, he was less bothered by Jaden McDaniels than he usually is.
Grant Williams -- strong tough and smart, good aquisition.
Dante Exum -- his scoring at the rim is bad, his shooting confidence is suspect, but in general, very good showing.
Lively's defense in drop coverage and rotations, really advanced for his age.
Powell...

The inconsistent:
Green and Hardy, I'm not sure how longer of a leash Green will get, Hardy had a really bad 2nd game, couldn't make a pass to save his life.
They tried to run, Wolves were good at preventing it.

The bad:
OMax -- shouldn't have started, should've been brought much slower.
Lively offense and post defense.
Kyrie in the 1st game.
Kidd, nothing, and I mean nothing on the offensive end, Mavs played Luka, Kyrie, Green, Curry, THJ, all capable of complex offensive sets, all capable of shooting tough shots, and no offensive scheme whatsoever, this is looking bad, real bad.
Because of Lively, Holmes was really de-prioritized, I can't remember single Luka/Holmes P&R.

I also think the Wolves will surprise people, KAT/Gobert pairing looked good, and dominant offensively, they left a lot of open 3s, but this isn't uncommon for the league, watch the Kincks and coach Bud Bucks for example.

Thank you. I intend on watching Tuesday while I fly.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[Bob8]

The O-rating with Lively on the floor is massively affected by the horrendous shooting.
I didn't think Lively is a starting material, I doubt he even is a rotation material the 1st year, but they are building on him and prioritizing his development.
They were 2 games filled with outliers that it's hard to take away from it, and they played a team with enormous size and athletecism, reminder that the Mavs always had troubles against the Wolves in RS, they barely beat them at home, and get destroyed by them on the road.
Wolves packed the lane, playing 2 centers, PF sized SF, and long and athletic SGs and Mavs couldn't hit a shot, any team will look aweful.

In the end is really simple. Lively doesn't bring anything in offensive part, this's not debatable. Playing with player like that will for sure lower your offensive rating, so he has to be very good in D to be playable, which Lively isn't. End it's not true that Lively played all the time against Gobert and Towns. He has played in second half against Wolves' reserves too and he didn't exactly dominate. Naz Reid looked like all star player in that second half.

I understand that Lively is a rookie and expectations are minimal, but people can't have those minimal expectations and expect that he can be a starter or have normal role in rotation and Mavs to be playoff team. The only chance for Mavs to make playoffs is if both rookies play as little as possible. Or we can develop rookies and explain how important is that for Mavs to Luka. Good luck with that. Kyrie won't be a problem, he will simply do his other activities instead of playing games.