Thanks for another great article Iztok. How do you weigh what we see now from the mavs, versus what we saw when they were (mostly) healthy & winners of 14 of 17? During that span top 5 in off/def/NET & just outside the top 10 in def. It accounted for just under a quarter of the szn.
A lot of the issues are magnified because no Luka = more Dinwiddie, Hardy. Also Lively out is a game changer. Gafford is lost this season, so even bigger difference. To answer you question they were a very good team, one on 55-58 win pace before Luka & Kyrie injuries...but if you remember I was writing about point-of-attack defense challenges even then (https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/is-mavericks-top-10-defense-for-real).
You have definitely been consistent in your concerns for POA defense. Interested to see who you have pegged as deadline targets that fill needs in your upcoming substack for that series.
That game was hard to watch for sure! The chart of eFG% was very interesting and helped with understanding what the real problems are.
There also seems to be a pattern with this team that when they are shooting well, they give a better defensive effort. They couldn't shoot and didn't defend last night.
Has there been any indication of a time frame for Luka's return?
On the TNT broadcast last night, the sideline reporter gave an update on Luka from the Mavs saying their optimistic he'll return prior to the all star break
Iztok our defense has been horrible, dinwiddie has been bad on both ends in a lot of 4 quarters, I honestly wish we could cut him so that kidd doesnt have him on the roster
Thanks for another great article Iztok. How do you weigh what we see now from the mavs, versus what we saw when they were (mostly) healthy & winners of 14 of 17? During that span top 5 in off/def/NET & just outside the top 10 in def. It accounted for just under a quarter of the szn.
First thanks!
A lot of the issues are magnified because no Luka = more Dinwiddie, Hardy. Also Lively out is a game changer. Gafford is lost this season, so even bigger difference. To answer you question they were a very good team, one on 55-58 win pace before Luka & Kyrie injuries...but if you remember I was writing about point-of-attack defense challenges even then (https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/is-mavericks-top-10-defense-for-real).
You have definitely been consistent in your concerns for POA defense. Interested to see who you have pegged as deadline targets that fill needs in your upcoming substack for that series.
Working on ideas...and some will be in the next Trade Deadline Series articles (dream scenarios and more realistic).
Iztok would you bring DSJ? also I forgot about Exum in defense, was he a + defender. Love your content, subscribed to substack yesterday
Hey Felix, great to see you here!
Yes, I would on the minimum in the offseason. Now it seems its kind of too late, or maybe not?
Yes seems late. Do you like exum on defense? I dont remember is he was a good defender, i feel like exum will move the ball better than dinwiddie
I also have a feeling we finish 7-2 this month.
That game was hard to watch for sure! The chart of eFG% was very interesting and helped with understanding what the real problems are.
There also seems to be a pattern with this team that when they are shooting well, they give a better defensive effort. They couldn't shoot and didn't defend last night.
Has there been any indication of a time frame for Luka's return?
Didnt see any news on Lively. And offense-defense is often a thing like you pointed out.
On the TNT broadcast last night, the sideline reporter gave an update on Luka from the Mavs saying their optimistic he'll return prior to the all star break
Thanks for the update!
Iztok our defense has been horrible, dinwiddie has been bad on both ends in a lot of 4 quarters, I honestly wish we could cut him so that kidd doesnt have him on the roster
Oh boy...better not read today game notes (coming out in a minute).