Game Thread: Mavericks @ Hawks -- 10/24/18

[jayu70]

A few of my thoughts and observations:

or...Jamaal's Jems:

3) Prince...drives me crazy. He's a capable 3-pt threat and finisher, but he isn't great at creating for himself in the half-court. His stat line always looks great. But some of his in-game decisions are hard to watch.


6) It won't surprise me if Lin and/or Vince are waived at mid-season.

Agreed overall though. Hopefully Pierce can help him mature his game.

I hope Vince isn't waived. I didn't know anything about his character until recent interviews and of course, his signing with the Hawks. Seems like he's a very good locker room presence and well liked around the league.

Prince is almost 25, though. I just wonder where else his game can go.

He is a good piece. I just think he's best suited as a 3rd/4th option on a veteran team.

(I can't see 25 year old Taurean deferring to 19 year old RJ Barrett or Zion next season. Hell, I don't want to see it. It would feel wrong and dirty.)


NOTE: If Vince Carter gets waived at any pint in the season, it'll be as a professional courtesy. Not due to performance issues. We've been nothing but respectful with his role on this team. He's been everything he was advertised to be.

Prince is 3 years into his NBA career. I would put more emphasis on that as opposed to keep saying he's 25 as if that's the cutoff for improvement. Is a number one option no, but he's integral to what the Hawks are building AT THE MOMENT.

[Jamaaliver]

Prince is 3 years into his NBA career. I would put more emphasis on that as opposed to keep saying he's 25 as if that's the cutoff for improvement. Is a number one option no, but he's integral to what the Hawks are building AT THE MOMENT.

You're not wrong. But there's a reason that most of the top draftees are still only 19 or 20. (As much as i hate it.)

It's because, at their age, it's believed they have more room to grow. More potential.

Taurean has exceeded any reasonable offensive expectations I had for him. But expecting another huge jump from a guy already in his prime is...ummmm --

Overly optimistic.

And I really don't want to see the day 26 year old Taurean is deferring to/backing up 20 year old Barrett/Zion on our team. That's unfair to TP 2000.

[jayu70]

Prince is 3 years into his NBA career. I would put more emphasis on that as opposed to keep saying he's 25 as if that's the cutoff for improvement. Is a number one option no, but he's integral to what the Hawks are building AT THE MOMENT.

You're not wrong. But there's a reason that most of the top draftees are still only 19 or 20. (As much as i hate it.)

It's because, at their age, it's believed they have more room to grow. More potential.

Taurean has exceeded any reasonable offensive expectations I had for him. But expecting another huge jump from a guy already in his prime is...ummmm --

Overly optimistic.

And I really don't want to see the day 26 year old Taurean is deferring to/backing up 20 year old Barrett/Zion on our team. That's unfair to TP 2000.

I get it...the 'P' word is all sooo enticing...Potential.
1. We don't know who we will select in the draft so trading Prince RIGHT NOW makes no sense.
2. We actually have no idea how those draft pick will turn out so worrying about TP deferring in a year - useless. They could easily turn out to be Wiggins and not meet expectations.

All, I'm saying - there is no rush to trade TP unless it's a steal of a trade.

[Jamaaliver]

...there is no rush to trade TP unless it's a steal of a trade.

You're not wrong. I don't care when it happens...I just want us to get maximum value.


But It likely needs to occur before February 2020.

[ATL Boy]

Bembry stuffed the stat-sheet last night, I didn't even notice the 16 rebounds (!!!). He'll be dangerous if he can get that 3 to fall (and he has thus far). He hit a 3 last night but then had another wide open 3 from straight away where he hesitated, opted not to shoot it, and ended up traveling. He needs to take that shot with confidence. The ball handling and vision were also on display. I just hope he doesn't get injured again.

Vince protecting Trae Young during the "altercation" with Wes Matthews was great to see. I love that he's on the team.

[bws94]

Not too many enforcers left in the league. The last real enforcer was Meta World Peace. I think Trae is just going through the vets trying to get into his head game that a lot of rookie PGs have to deal with. The kid has the mental makeup, handles, temperament to excel in this league. He actually is ahead of schedule fo PG development IMO (and I base it on 45 years of watching the NBA).

Prince's decision making needs work. And Bembry just reacts and has a great motor but when he plays against organized teams, he may be rendered too out of control to be effective. I agree with Roy about Len. Dedmon looked reasonably ok for just coming back. Baze was in sync. Lin is just trying to stay on the floor and not get injured. He's a shell of himself right now.

[bws94]

Bembry stuffed the stat-sheet last night, I didn't even notice the 16 rebounds (!!!). He'll be dangerous if he can get that 3 to fall (and he has thus far). He hit a 3 last night but then had another wide open 3 from straight away where he hesitated, opted not to shoot it, and ended up traveling. He needs to take that shot with confidence. The ball handling and vision were also on display. I just hope he doesn't get injured again.

Vince protecting Trae Young during the "altercation" with Wes Matthews was great to see. I love that he's on the team.

What was Bembry's injury?

[jayu70]

Bembry stuffed the stat-sheet last night, I didn't even notice the 16 rebounds (!!!). He'll be dangerous if he can get that 3 to fall (and he has thus far). He hit a 3 last night but then had another wide open 3 from straight away where he hesitated, opted not to shoot it, and ended up traveling. He needs to take that shot with confidence. The ball handling and vision were also on display. I just hope he doesn't get injured again.

Vince protecting Trae Young during the "altercation" with Wes Matthews was great to see. I love that he's on the team.

What was Bembry's injury?

Wrist fracture, the came back. Then groin, then refractured sane wrist to end season, had offseason surgery and missed summer league. Played in 26 games last season. 38 the year previous as a rookie. So he hasn't played a full season of games as yet.

[Jamaaliver]

Not too many enforcers left in the league.

There are indeed only a handful left. None of the caliber of Oakley or Stephen Jackson.

Steven Adams strikes me as a mellow, chill tough dude who would serve well in that role.

Taj Gibson is a blue-collar vet respected enough around the league to squash beefs before they start.

Marcin Gortat seems like a tough guy that can throw some fists if it comes down to it.

Draymond thinks he's tough.

Are Tony Allen or Zach Randolph still in the league?


Ideally, you want someone good enough to still be getting regular playing time. But no one important enough that you'd miss them should he/she get tossed or suspended.


Brittney Griner seems pretty tough.

[steady]

Bembry stuffed the stat-sheet last night, I didn't even notice the 16 rebounds (!!!). He'll be dangerous if he can get that 3 to fall (and he has thus far). He hit a 3 last night but then had another wide open 3 from straight away where he hesitated, opted not to shoot it, and ended up traveling. He needs to take that shot with confidence. The ball handling and vision were also on display. I just hope he doesn't get injured again.

Vince protecting Trae Young during the "altercation" with Wes Matthews was great to see. I love that he's on the team.

Bembry showed off his quickness and athleticism too. It is great to see him gain confidence.

[steady]

Trae showing some serious mental strength and depth of skill set.

I know the Cavs game was Trae's highlight reel, but I found the way he was able to turn his game around in the 4th Q of Mavs, even more impressive in its way. Because he executed and was able to create offense in high pressure situation even when his shot was not falling

He gets knocked for not having ability to get layups and free throws. but that is exactly how he got his 12 points in the 4Q.

He is growing in every game

--

And also ...


-- 12 points in 4Q in close game > > > > 12 points in 1Q

[steady]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/10/24/trae-young-luka-doncic-first-meeting-hawks-mavericks/1757426002/

[Jamaaliver]

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[ChokeFasncists]

Baynes?

Poythress has some potential

Maybe Ingram/Rondo? ~lol~

[ChokeFasncists]

Two consecutive good games from Baze, fluke or it's LP doing work?

The Mavs are led by a soph and a rook, they will surely get better after Dirk and Barnes are back.

Only 2 assists by Doncic, he has a very good in between game, 2-9 from deep but is a pretty good shooter. He needs to lose some weight.

3&D, that's the trend, and that's what this team is doing. When it works, it's pretty potent. When it doesn't, it's ugly. But it will only get better.

Trey when his shots are not falling and teammates were shut off, was able to get to the line, that is huge.

Lin is neither healthy nor unhealthy IMO, he's rusty. It's gonna take some time for him to get back to normal. Glad he finally is able to hit a three.

Looks like Dedmon might start sooner or later and have Len come off the bench. Len has problem concentrating.

Prince only 2 TOs, improvement?