Porzingis and Zach LaVine

[DJ_3_Ball]

I really think Brunson will continue to develop as a PG. He’s not going to be the scorer that gets those points when Luka is out but he should be able to help several of the bench guys average 8-12 points per game each. So they’re not going to get a bulk of those points from 1 guy but should be able to get them from a number of guys spread out.

That works well for the regular season, but you need a legit #2 scorer in the playoffs. Even Dirk had Terry, and Terry was HUGE in some of those Finals games.

[Mr B]

I really think Brunson will continue to develop as a PG. He’s not going to be the scorer that gets those points when Luka is out but he should be able to help several of the bench guys average 8-12 points per game each. So they’re not going to get a bulk of those points from 1 guy but should be able to get them from a number of guys spread out.

That works well for the regular season, but you need a legit #2 scorer in the playoffs. Even Dirk had Terry, and Terry was HUGE in some of those Finals games.

For them to advance to championship level I agree they are going to need a legit 2nd scoring threat. I don’t see LaVine going anywhere right now so I’m not going to factor him into the Mavs plans. The plan for the Mavs is to give KP another shot at being that 2nd scorer. He’s healthy, he’s optimistic about the team from what’s being reported. If worst case scenario happens then the Mavs will likely use his $36M expiring contract to acquire another player.

[DJ_3_Ball]

I really think Brunson will continue to develop as a PG. He’s not going to be the scorer that gets those points when Luka is out but he should be able to help several of the bench guys average 8-12 points per game each. So they’re not going to get a bulk of those points from 1 guy but should be able to get them from a number of guys spread out.

That works well for the regular season, but you need a legit #2 scorer in the playoffs. Even Dirk had Terry, and Terry was HUGE in some of those Finals games.

For them to advance to championship level I agree they are going to need a legit 2nd scoring threat. I don’t see LaVine going anywhere right now so I’m not going to factor him into the Mavs plans. The plan for the Mavs is to give KP another shot at being that 2nd scorer. He’s healthy, he’s optimistic about the team from what’s being reported. If worst case scenario happens then the Mavs will likely use his $36M expiring contract to acquire another player.

I mean, you can't get tunnel vision, lock onto a player & think "There's our salvation!" The Heat did that this summer with Giannis, even though he was never coming. The Mavs did that before with Dwight Howard, etc.

That said, LaVine is the most talented upcoming FA, who is also the most attainable, in the sense it's uncertain whether he will resign with Chicago again or not.

This whole post was essentially:

1) This team goes nowhere if KP has a bad season

2) We need a legit #2 option like LaVine; not LaVine himself necessarily, but like LaVine

3) If this team goes nowhere, Luka will.

I think a lot of fans think that Luka signed a 5 year contract, so nothing to worry about for the next few years. It sorta just dawned on me that the next 6 months and especially the next 12 to 18 months are critical to Luka's future with the Mavs.

[HMFFL]

If our front office doesn't make any significant upgrades to the roster, I expect Luka to act, but right now isn't the time to do so. Give it a couple of seasons.

The new front office and Jason Kidd deserve the benefit of the doubt for now.

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[Mr B]

That works well for the regular season, but you need a legit #2 scorer in the playoffs. Even Dirk had Terry, and Terry was HUGE in some of those Finals games.

For them to advance to championship level I agree they are going to need a legit 2nd scoring threat. I don’t see LaVine going anywhere right now so I’m not going to factor him into the Mavs plans. The plan for the Mavs is to give KP another shot at being that 2nd scorer. He’s healthy, he’s optimistic about the team from what’s being reported. If worst case scenario happens then the Mavs will likely use his $36M expiring contract to acquire another player.

I mean, you can't get tunnel vision, lock onto a player & think "There's our salvation!" The Heat did that this summer with Giannis, even though he was never coming. The Mavs did that before with Dwight Howard, etc.

That said, LaVine is the most talented upcoming FA, who is also the most attainable, in the sense it's uncertain whether he will resign with Chicago again or not.

This whole post was essentially:

1) This team goes nowhere if KP has a bad season

2) We need a legit #2 option like LaVine; not LaVine himself necessarily, but like LaVine

3) If this team goes nowhere, Luka will.

I think a lot of fans think that Luka signed a 5 year contract, so nothing to worry about for the next few years. It sorta just dawned on me that the next 6 months and especially the next 12 to 18 months are critical to Luka's future with the Mavs.

Trust me, I think LaVine would become a superstar playing next Luka. I just don’t think the Bulls would take KP for him. I think there would have to be a star trying to force him way off a team like Harden did. If that happens then the Mavs would have to offer up KP. Simmons would be interesting but I don’t think the Sixers are at that point of just willing to take any project star to get rid of Simmons.

[Mr B]

It will be interesting to see if KP can develop a dominant low post game.

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[DJ_3_Ball]

Trust me, I think LaVine would become a superstar playing next Luka. I just don’t think the Bulls would take KP for him. I think there would have to be a star trying to force him way off a team like Harden did. If that happens then the Mavs would have to offer up KP. Simmons would be interesting but I don’t think the Sixers are at that point of just willing to take any project star to get rid of Simmons.

The most likely scenario is the Bulls are competitive past the trade deadline, and then any Zach LaVine trades with Chicago happen with him as an unrestricted free agent.

Do you think Toronto was happy with Goran Dragic (who doesn't want to be there and is gone in a year) and Precious Achiuwa for Kyle Lowry? I don't think so, but I think they're happy they got something instead of nothing.

If LaVine is a UFA next summer, and he doesn't want to resign with Chicago, then it isn't going to matter what Chicago wants.

A deal like that might look like KP, Josh Green, and a 1st round pick for LaVine. I think Chicago will take KP with 1 year remaining on his contract & a player option, Josh Green and a pick over nothing. I could be wrong about that, but I bet the Mavs would add more to get that deal done. More than likely Chicago is going to prefer something to nothing. Just my thoughts on it.

[Bob8]

It will be interesting to see if KP can develop a dominant low post game.

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All this is just talking. You cannot totally change game of a player and you don't need too do it anyway. If KP just becomes a rim protector, he needs only to be a little more efficient to be a great player. If he cannot be that, he's more or less useless, because you need another C to play alongside him.

[Mavrelous]

All this is just talking. You cannot totally change game of a player and you don't need too do it anyway. If KP just becomes a rim protector, he needs only to be a little more efficient to be a great player. If he cannot be that, he's more or less useless, because you need another C to play alongside him.

I generally agree, but he needs to develop one go to isolation move that utilizes his height and length, be it a hook shot, or turn around, it's not a total makeover, he was a very good player in 2020.

[Bob8]

All this is just talking. You cannot totally change game of a player and you don't need too do it anyway. If KP just becomes a rim protector, he needs only to be a little more efficient to be a great player. If he cannot be that, he's more or less useless, because you need another C to play alongside him.

I generally agree, but he needs to develop one go to isolation move that utilizes his height and length, be it a hook shot, or turn around, it's not a total makeover, he was a very good player in 2020.

Problem I see is that everyone seems to believe how Kp's problem is his scoring. In reality far the biggest problem is his D. You can easily give him more shots, but that won't help anything, because he's not efficient enough. Kidd will need to find solution in D and I don't see how, if he doesn't have rim protection. Listening to Kidd, it looks to me that his main goal is how to change offense, which has more or less worked in last few years. Making KP happy might prove very contra productive, unless you just want to make his stock go higher and trade him, which would probably be far the best solution.

[Mavrelous]

Problem I see is that everyone seems to believe how Kp's problem is his scoring. In reality far the biggest problem is his D. You can easily give him more shots, but that won't help anything, because he's not efficient enough. Kidd will need to find solution in D and I don't see how, if he doesn't have rim protection. Listening to Kidd, it looks to me that his main goal is how to change offense, which has more or less worked in last few years. Making KP happy might prove very contra productive, unless you just want to make his stock go higher and trade him, which would probably be far the best solution.

He's been a good rim protector all his career, last year was a the 1st bad year in this regard, and effort on defense is lots of time psychological, he wasn't happy at all last year.
I hope he goes back close to his former self, Luka also needs to learn that in basketball, as a superstar and lead guard, it's very important to keep your big man happy, a well fed big on offense is a highly motivated big on defense.

[Bob8]

Problem I see is that everyone seems to believe how Kp's problem is his scoring. In reality far the biggest problem is his D. You can easily give him more shots, but that won't help anything, because he's not efficient enough. Kidd will need to find solution in D and I don't see how, if he doesn't have rim protection. Listening to Kidd, it looks to me that his main goal is how to change offense, which has more or less worked in last few years. Making KP happy might prove very contra productive, unless you just want to make his stock go higher and trade him, which would probably be far the best solution.

He's been a good rim protector all his career, last year was a the 1st bad year in this regard, and effort on defense is lots of time psychological, he wasn't happy at all last year.
I hope he goes back close to his former self, Luka also needs to learn that in basketball, as a superstar and lead guard, it's very important to keep your big man happy, a well fed big on offense is a highly motivated big on defense.

Problem is that Kp is not playing as big man on offense, but Sf and that won't change no matter what Kidd is saying. Luka has no problem with feeding Cs but KP is not doing much to be in right position in the right time. You can give him a ball and he shots over smaller defender of course, but his efficiency will never be like you would expect from a big man. Kp is perfect for lottery team, where he can have 25 shots and nobody ask for his efficiency and don't care if he has off night in D. I doubt very much than making KP happy should be Mavs priority, maybe in short term, before they trade him.

[Archx]

Problem I see is that everyone seems to believe how Kp's problem is his scoring. In reality far the biggest problem is his D. You can easily give him more shots, but that won't help anything, because he's not efficient enough. Kidd will need to find solution in D and I don't see how, if he doesn't have rim protection. Listening to Kidd, it looks to me that his main goal is how to change offense, which has more or less worked in last few years. Making KP happy might prove very contra productive, unless you just want to make his stock go higher and trade him, which would probably be far the best solution.

He's been a good rim protector all his career, last year was a the 1st bad year in this regard, and effort on defense is lots of time psychological, he wasn't happy at all last year.
I hope he goes back close to his former self, Luka also needs to learn that in basketball, as a superstar and lead guard, it's very important to keep your big man happy, a well fed big on offense is a highly motivated big on defense.

Funny thing is, Luka has a better chemistry with Maxi and Powell than with KP. I know people blame Luka for this a lot, but if that was really the case, then even WCS would look like a scrub next to him on offense. Well, actually WCS does look like a scrub many times with his missed layups and dunks

My point is, MAYBE just MAYBE, we should also lay some blame on KP for not being able to make it work. You could argue that most of it was also Rick's fault, so it will be interesting to see how Kidd can use him better on offense.

[Mavrelous]

No one is absolving KP from responsibility, KP is main reason KP struggled last year, but he's on the team, he's maxed, and if he doesn't get into rhythm, he becomes a liability, I think Luka could be smarter in dealing with the situation, this is Luka's team, he's still young and he could use this as a lesson in leadership.

[Mr B]

It will be interesting to see if KP can develop a dominant low post game.

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All this is just talking. You cannot totally change game of a player and you don't need too do it anyway. If KP just becomes a rim protector, he needs only to be a little more efficient to be a great player. If he cannot be that, he's more or less useless, because you need another C to play alongside him.

KP played in the paint quite a bit in NY. I’m really interested in seeing what Kidd can do to help KP revive his career.

[Mr B]

Problem I see is that everyone seems to believe how Kp's problem is his scoring. In reality far the biggest problem is his D. You can easily give him more shots, but that won't help anything, because he's not efficient enough. Kidd will need to find solution in D and I don't see how, if he doesn't have rim protection. Listening to Kidd, it looks to me that his main goal is how to change offense, which has more or less worked in last few years. Making KP happy might prove very contra productive, unless you just want to make his stock go higher and trade him, which would probably be far the best solution.

He's been a good rim protector all his career, last year was a the 1st bad year in this regard, and effort on defense is lots of time psychological, he wasn't happy at all last year.
I hope he goes back close to his former self, Luka also needs to learn that in basketball, as a superstar and lead guard, it's very important to keep your big man happy, a well fed big on offense is a highly motivated big on defense.

Problem is that Kp is not playing as big man on offense, but Sf and that won't change no matter what Kidd is saying. Luka has no problem with feeding Cs but KP is not doing much to be in right position in the right time. You can give him a ball and he shots over smaller defender of course, but his efficiency will never be like you would expect from a big man. Kp is perfect for lottery team, where he can have 25 shots and nobody ask for his efficiency and don't care if he has off night in D. I doubt very much than making KP happy should be Mavs priority, maybe in short term, before they trade him.

I’m curious to know why you think it is absolutely impossible for KP to play like a center?

[Mr B]

No one is absolving KP from responsibility, KP is main reason KP struggled last year, but he's on the team, he's maxed, and if he doesn't get into rhythm, he becomes a liability, I think Luka could be smarter in dealing with the situation, this is Luka's team, he's still young and he could use this as a lesson in leadership.

I would agree 100% with that. Luka is a top 5 player in the NBA but that doesn’t mean he can’t improve in areas. Learning how to be a leader is an area he could definitely improve in.

[Bob8]

He's been a good rim protector all his career, last year was a the 1st bad year in this regard, and effort on defense is lots of time psychological, he wasn't happy at all last year.
I hope he goes back close to his former self, Luka also needs to learn that in basketball, as a superstar and lead guard, it's very important to keep your big man happy, a well fed big on offense is a highly motivated big on defense.

Problem is that Kp is not playing as big man on offense, but Sf and that won't change no matter what Kidd is saying. Luka has no problem with feeding Cs but KP is not doing much to be in right position in the right time. You can give him a ball and he shots over smaller defender of course, but his efficiency will never be like you would expect from a big man. Kp is perfect for lottery team, where he can have 25 shots and nobody ask for his efficiency and don't care if he has off night in D. I doubt very much than making KP happy should be Mavs priority, maybe in short term, before they trade him.

I’m curious to know why you think it is absolutely impossible for KP to play like a center?

Because he doesn't know how to play like a C and he doesn't want to play like a C. His injuries and body type don't help either. You put smaller players on Luka and he will post them easily, KP doesn't even do that against guards. It's very unlikely that to change overnight. The most likely scenario is KP chucking more shots with lesser efficiency.

Luka played with Mike Tobey in NT. They have never played together before, but they looked great together. Why? Because Tobey was doing exactly what smart C should do. The same story was with Randolph, who looked fantastic with Luka. KP doesn't work because he's Sf in a big body. And It's very dubious to say that he was better in New York. His efficiency was disastrous.

[Mr B]

Problem is that Kp is not playing as big man on offense, but Sf and that won't change no matter what Kidd is saying. Luka has no problem with feeding Cs but KP is not doing much to be in right position in the right time. You can give him a ball and he shots over smaller defender of course, but his efficiency will never be like you would expect from a big man. Kp is perfect for lottery team, where he can have 25 shots and nobody ask for his efficiency and don't care if he has off night in D. I doubt very much than making KP happy should be Mavs priority, maybe in short term, before they trade him.

I’m curious to know why you think it is absolutely impossible for KP to play like a center?

Because he doesn't know how to play like a C and he doesn't want to play like a C. His injuries and body type don't help either. You put smaller players on Luka and he will post them easily, KP doesn't even do that against guards. It's very unlikely that to change overnight. The most likely scenario is KP chucking more shots with lesser efficiency.

Luka played with Mike Tobey in NT. They have never played together before, but they looked great together. Why? Because Tobey was doing exactly what smart C should do.

Ok, so you’re belief is that KP is what he is and can never improve? I personally have a hard time believing that a 25 year old extremely talented player can never improve his game. I mean we watched Dirk add to his game well into his 30’s. Not saying that KP is Dirk but KP is very talented. Dirk was about the same age as KP (maybe slightly older) when he developed a “back to the basket” game.

You are right that KP doesn’t have a traditional center’s body but that doesn’t mean he can’t post people up. He just needs to learn how to. Having Dirk around the team now is going to really help KP in my opinion. KP is actually going through very similar growing pains that Dirk went through. Remember when the best way to guard Dirk was to put a smaller defender on him? That was around ‘06-‘07. Dirk came back the next year and had a pretty good post game so that smaller defenders could no longer defend him. With as talented as KP is there is no reason he can’t do the same. That’s my opinion anyways.

[Bob8]

I’m curious to know why you think it is absolutely impossible for KP to play like a center?

Because he doesn't know how to play like a C and he doesn't want to play like a C. His injuries and body type don't help either. You put smaller players on Luka and he will post them easily, KP doesn't even do that against guards. It's very unlikely that to change overnight. The most likely scenario is KP chucking more shots with lesser efficiency.

Luka played with Mike Tobey in NT. They have never played together before, but they looked great together. Why? Because Tobey was doing exactly what smart C should do.

Ok, so you’re belief is that KP is what he is and can never improve? I personally have a hard time believing that a 25 year old extremely talented player can never improve his game. I mean we watched Dirk add to his game well into his 30’s. Not saying that KP is Dirk but KP is very talented. Dirk was about the same age as KP (maybe slightly older) when he developed a “back to the basket” game.

You are right that KP doesn’t have a traditional center’s body but that doesn’t mean he can’t post people up. He just needs to learn how to. Having Dirk around the team now is going to really help KP in my opinion. KP is actually going through very similar growing pains that Dirk went through. Remember when the best way to guard Dirk was to put a smaller defender on him? That was around ‘06-‘07. Dirk came back the next year and had a pretty good post game so that smaller defenders could no longer defend him. With as talented as KP is there is no reason he can’t do the same. That’s my opinion anyways.

KP is anything but Dirk. 25 years old and second franchise he wants out. He believes that he deserves more, not that he should do or show more. Those type of players rarely improve much their game. When max player starts talking how super star should take care of him, something is wrong. Not been able to create anything for himself is not Luka's fault.