Moderators: Dirk, HMFFL, Mavrelous
J_T wrote:I've been saying forever - Giannis is coming, relax.
Darren wrote:J_T wrote:I've been saying forever - Giannis is coming, relax.
I am more comfortable if you say Porzingis is Dallas-bound. Shot-blocking, shooting and rebounding is all the Mavs need. Porzingis has it all. Not to mention that he's a mismatch nightmare with a go-to move in clutch situation.
DJ_3_Ball wrote:Darren wrote:J_T wrote:I've been saying forever - Giannis is coming, relax.
I am more comfortable if you say Porzingis is Dallas-bound. Shot-blocking, shooting and rebounding is all the Mavs need. Porzingis has it all. Not to mention that he's a mismatch nightmare with a go-to move in clutch situation.
I think Porzingis could be a more realistic target. It's well-known Dirk was one of his big idols growing up. He sees the success Luka is having here, so that can only help. I think it would depend on how accurate the rumors have been out of New York regarding his displeasure with the direction of the franchise. That said, they have a new coach in Fizdale, and if they sign KD in the off-season, there's a real good chance he stays... or even if they add Zion or Barrett in the draft. On the other hand, if the rumors are true, and he really did board a plane for Lativa and not return calls from the Knicks FO, he could very well play the market & I think he'd certainly take a meeting with the Mavs. At that point, it's just a question of how healthy is that knee?
DJ_3_Ball wrote:Edit: One other thing I forgot to say. If you look at Giannis' demeanor the few times he's had a run-in with another player. The recent face-to-face encounter with Enes Kanter, or his remarks after Henzoja stepped over him after dunking on him. He has the look of an assassin, and those are fellow European players. Giannis does not care. He did not grow up in the States with the LeBron/KD mentality of "Let's all be buddies". He didn't grow up in that AAU environment. He grew up in a family where there were 5 hungry mouths at the dinner table & if you didn't fight for the scraps on the table, you might not eat that night. I just don't think he has the mindset of "OMG! I wanna buddy up with Luka!!". I think he has the mindset of Luka is a very promising, skilled young player, and I want to rip his heart out! Lol! I just think he's that old school Dirk type. Very loyal and not interested in joining a super team. He wants to earn his ring on his own, and quite frankly, I applaud him for that.
“He is the most exciting player that has appeared in basketball… in the recent years. I think he will have an immediate impact in the NBA. Last season he won the Spanish League, the EuroLeague, the EuroBasket and he was also the MVP of the Final Four and the regular season. He has shown that he is ready to play and has matured faster than the rest players. He has played against professionals, as Charles Barkley said. People in the NBA sometimes forget that in the EuroLeague competition, they play very well and very hard. It’s harder than the NCAA. You have to be very good to stand out in the EuroLeague, and Luka is.”
J_T wrote:DJ_3_Ball wrote:Edit: One other thing I forgot to say. If you look at Giannis' demeanor the few times he's had a run-in with another player. The recent face-to-face encounter with Enes Kanter, or his remarks after Henzoja stepped over him after dunking on him. He has the look of an assassin, and those are fellow European players. Giannis does not care. He did not grow up in the States with the LeBron/KD mentality of "Let's all be buddies". He didn't grow up in that AAU environment. He grew up in a family where there were 5 hungry mouths at the dinner table & if you didn't fight for the scraps on the table, you might not eat that night. I just don't think he has the mindset of "OMG! I wanna buddy up with Luka!!". I think he has the mindset of Luka is a very promising, skilled young player, and I want to rip his heart out! Lol! I just think he's that old school Dirk type. Very loyal and not interested in joining a super team. He wants to earn his ring on his own, and quite frankly, I applaud him for that.
I think that his respect for Doncic goes just a little bit beyond what you describe:“He is the most exciting player that has appeared in basketball… in the recent years. I think he will have an immediate impact in the NBA. Last season he won the Spanish League, the EuroLeague, the EuroBasket and he was also the MVP of the Final Four and the regular season. He has shown that he is ready to play and has matured faster than the rest players. He has played against professionals, as Charles Barkley said. People in the NBA sometimes forget that in the EuroLeague competition, they play very well and very hard. It’s harder than the NCAA. You have to be very good to stand out in the EuroLeague, and Luka is.”
It seems to me that he had followed Doncic quite a bit and to say that he is the most exciting player that has appeared in basketball recently - before Luka had played his first NBA game - is quite a strong statement.
DJ_3_Ball wrote:J_T wrote:DJ_3_Ball wrote:Edit: One other thing I forgot to say. If you look at Giannis' demeanor the few times he's had a run-in with another player. The recent face-to-face encounter with Enes Kanter, or his remarks after Henzoja stepped over him after dunking on him. He has the look of an assassin, and those are fellow European players. Giannis does not care. He did not grow up in the States with the LeBron/KD mentality of "Let's all be buddies". He didn't grow up in that AAU environment. He grew up in a family where there were 5 hungry mouths at the dinner table & if you didn't fight for the scraps on the table, you might not eat that night. I just don't think he has the mindset of "OMG! I wanna buddy up with Luka!!". I think he has the mindset of Luka is a very promising, skilled young player, and I want to rip his heart out! Lol! I just think he's that old school Dirk type. Very loyal and not interested in joining a super team. He wants to earn his ring on his own, and quite frankly, I applaud him for that.
I think that his respect for Doncic goes just a little bit beyond what you describe:“He is the most exciting player that has appeared in basketball… in the recent years. I think he will have an immediate impact in the NBA. Last season he won the Spanish League, the EuroLeague, the EuroBasket and he was also the MVP of the Final Four and the regular season. He has shown that he is ready to play and has matured faster than the rest players. He has played against professionals, as Charles Barkley said. People in the NBA sometimes forget that in the EuroLeague competition, they play very well and very hard. It’s harder than the NCAA. You have to be very good to stand out in the EuroLeague, and Luka is.”
It seems to me that he had followed Doncic quite a bit and to say that he is the most exciting player that has appeared in basketball recently - before Luka had played his first NBA game - is quite a strong statement.
Yeah, you're right. I mean, I meant to imply that Giannis had the ultimate respect for Luka, but all that meant is he just wants to defeat him even more. Case in point, it's been well documented the respect Kobe and Dirk have for each other, but Dirk still turned Kobe down flat when Kobe text him about becoming a Laker when Dirk became free in the mid 2000s. I could be wrong, but I think Giannis is cut from the same cloth as Dirk.
DSJ-Doncic-Davis. 
DJ_3_Ball wrote:Darren wrote:J_T wrote:I've been saying forever - Giannis is coming, relax.
I am more comfortable if you say Porzingis is Dallas-bound. Shot-blocking, shooting and rebounding is all the Mavs need. Porzingis has it all. Not to mention that he's a mismatch nightmare with a go-to move in clutch situation.
I think Porzingis could be a more realistic target. It's well-known Dirk was one of his big idols growing up. He sees the success Luka is having here, so that can only help. I think it would depend on how accurate the rumors have been out of New York regarding his displeasure with the direction of the franchise. That said, they have a new coach in Fizdale, and if they sign KD in the off-season, there's a real good chance he stays... or even if they add Zion or Barrett in the draft. On the other hand, if the rumors are true, and he really did board a plane for Lativa and not return calls from the Knicks FO, he could very well play the market & I think he'd certainly take a meeting with the Mavs. At that point, it's just a question of how healthy is that knee?
DJ_3_Ball wrote:J_T wrote:I've been saying forever - Giannis is coming, relax.
Why do you think so? He's been very public in his affection for Milwaukee. You're talking about a guy who never lived comfortably, and in fact lived very uncomfortable in poverty in Greece for several years (even as a "professional" basketball player... he had to share a pair of shoes with his brother every time he wanted to go into the game. That kind of poverty.) And then he gets to Milwaukee and is treated like a God. He's not just going to walk away from the organization that first believed in him, that's devoted it's entire team, future, new arena, marketing, and the Bucks' fans worship him... he's not just going to walk away from that because the Mavs offer him what... $20 million less?
Outside of Luka, I can't think of one reason he'd want to come here... and unlike a guy like KD, Giannis is fiercely competitive. He has that mamba mentality of don't tell me I can't win a championship in Milwaukee... Watch me!
I honestly don't see it at all, but I would love to hear your counter argument.
Lol when I heard it 1st my thoughts were "****, this is one horrible nickname, better doesn't stick". 
Rn5ho wrote::roll: Lol when I heard it 1st my thoughts were "****, this is one horrible nickname, better doesn't stick".
thr3ep01nte4 wrote:Porzinigis can't play center. His rebounding rate is horrible. (Same problem with Jaren Jackson Jr.) Mavs are gonna get killed on the boards with him being the only big on the floor.
Ideal players are unlikely to come to Dallas. Giannis and Gobert are not going to leave their own teams. Mavs don't have enough assets to trade for AD. Kawhi and KD are likely to join forces on the Clippers.
When was the last time Dallas attracted a decent free agent? The Shawn Marion sign-and-trade? Wes Mattews coming off an achilles rupture? This team can't operate like a big market franchise based on its track record.
Archx wrote:Also like i said, no one is crazy enough to come to the western conference. They are already in good teams and will get paid a ton of money. Luka is not Lebron, his true potential to attract big stars will come out in couple years.The only realistic signing that Mavs could do is Klay. He will demand money like KD and GSW won't be able to keep all of them after this season. But Klay is from LA so there is that..
thr3ep01nte4 wrote:Archx wrote:Also like i said, no one is crazy enough to come to the western conference. They are already in good teams and will get paid a ton of money. Luka is not Lebron, his true potential to attract big stars will come out in couple years.The only realistic signing that Mavs could do is Klay. He will demand money like KD and GSW won't be able to keep all of them after this season. But Klay is from LA so there is that..
Yeah. From 1999 to now, among championship teams or championship contenders only Shaq's Lakers and Lebron teams were built on free agent signings. And both situations were very unique. Other great teams weren't constructed that way. Just keep adding functional pieces and hope Luka can make that jump next season. He needs to be an All-Star lock or in the conversation for a spot on an All-NBA team next year.
DJ_3_Ball wrote:thr3ep01nte4 wrote:Archx wrote:Also like i said, no one is crazy enough to come to the western conference. They are already in good teams and will get paid a ton of money. Luka is not Lebron, his true potential to attract big stars will come out in couple years.The only realistic signing that Mavs could do is Klay. He will demand money like KD and GSW won't be able to keep all of them after this season. But Klay is from LA so there is that..
Yeah. From 1999 to now, among championship teams or championship contenders only Shaq's Lakers and Lebron teams were built on free agent signings. And both situations were very unique. Other great teams weren't constructed that way. Just keep adding functional pieces and hope Luka can make that jump next season. He needs to be an All-Star lock or in the conversation for a spot on an All-NBA team next year.
I wanna see Luka make the following improvements by the end of next season.
1) Significantly cut down on turnovers
2) improve FT% shooting over 82%
3) Maintain over 38% 3PT shooting for a full season
4) Improve his body. He sometimes is just manhandled by stronger players. Plus, he looks out of shape when compared to a guy like Dwight Powell. He's 19 years old for Pete's sake. He should have a more muscular frame and not be pushed around as often.
5) Increase assists to 6.5 or more per game.
Archx wrote:DJ_3_Ball wrote:thr3ep01nte4 wrote:
Yeah. From 1999 to now, among championship teams or championship contenders only Shaq's Lakers and Lebron teams were built on free agent signings. And both situations were very unique. Other great teams weren't constructed that way. Just keep adding functional pieces and hope Luka can make that jump next season. He needs to be an All-Star lock or in the conversation for a spot on an All-NBA team next year.
I wanna see Luka make the following improvements by the end of next season.
1) Significantly cut down on turnovers
2) improve FT% shooting over 82%
3) Maintain over 38% 3PT shooting for a full season
4) Improve his body. He sometimes is just manhandled by stronger players. Plus, he looks out of shape when compared to a guy like Dwight Powell. He's 19 years old for Pete's sake. He should have a more muscular frame and not be pushed around as often.
5) Increase assists to 6.5 or more per game.
Yea offense looks really smooth when Luka runs it, but how is he going to improve his apg if DSJ dribbles so much? He has to improve his game around the rim. That's what i would like to see. And also be more efficient with mid range shots.
DJ_3_Ball wrote:
I see a lot of value from DSJ in that sense. The guy can get to the bucket whenever he wants and finishes very well with his athletic ability. That puts a lot of pressure on the defense, especially when they have to worry about Doncic dissecting them like Tom Brady.