No, the Clippers could not stop the Mavericks at all with Porzingas. The Mavericks offense this season is on par with the best offense from any of the MDA teams or the Warriors or Lakers. Sometimes match ups play out differently in a series and it became pretty clear the Mavericks were better head to head against the Clippers. The Mavericks are going to be very dangerous as long as they have the best coaching staff in basketball and Doncic. With a healthy Porzingas and a few mid level moves, they could have come out of the West in 2021. Don’t underestimate Carlisle and an elite player like Doncic.
The Mavs outside shooting has been a key point for them. Curry/Hardaway etc. The have the same 5-out offense the Rockets have except they lean more into offense whereas the Rockets lean more into defensive "wings." I think this would catch up to Dallas but they seem to be able to out "offense" everyone.
Seems the Knicks knew what they were doing (GASP!) when they traded him. Great talent, but unfortunate tendency to break down. (Meanwhile, hoping that our own dude Westbrook is healthy. Healthy enough.
They got a few but just play Finney Smith. MKG is glued somewhere at the end of the bench because he can't shoot.
I agree, i actually still like mavs chances... dont know what i was thinking with that comment EDIT i was trying to make a point that mavs could actually stil win despite the injury just like the spurs did
It is a lot better with Covington. The Rockets are one good defensive rotation big from being a top 5 defense. What makes it hard is Westbrook who isn’t the same caliber of defender than Chris Paul was. If the Rockets owner doesn’t clamp the purse shut, the Rockets have a good chance of being a top 5-7 defense next year.
When you can hit shots at a high rate and have a one on one player like Doncic, you can really cover up a lot of sins. Carlisle is probably the best spacing coach in the NBA and that helps too. Their issue is that so many of their good shooters are really bad defensively. They already have to cover for Doncic and even Porzingas in certain match ups. They really are going to need to add an elite defender or two. A team like the Mavericks can neutralize teams like LAL and the Bucks because you can’t rebound made shots.
By "big" you mean a 6'8 guy, right? Anyone bigger than that probably won't be mobile enough and/or able to shoot well enough to play our style. If he can, he'll be too expensive to have.
I It really depends. They will cast a wide net. They would rather have someone 6’8” with really long arms and active feet but they are not entirely adverse to a traditional center for 20 minutes a night. I wouldn’t be shocked if they check on Nerlens Noel among others.
It's MDA and his lame duck year. Entirely his style, I hope they can let him go just have 6'10 players again.
I don't think it is just MDA. The full commitment to small ball is mostly because of Westbrook. You can't have a non-shooting big clogging the middle. But shooting bigs (I mean real big) are too expensive. Another coach might want to scrap the switch everything defense and keep a rim protector down low. But the Westbrook fit on offense is still an issue. That rim protector had better be able to shoot from outside. But then again, a big man like that would be a star player we can't afford.
I wouldn't mind a Kevin Love type. Recall Ryno, he wasn't exactly a rim protector either, still 6'10. I think he had a mental problem. They were also after Ilyasova and the likes of Marvin Williams.
I don't wish injury on anyone (even accused rapists) and I don't wish this upon any organization (even one chalk full of sexual misconduct allegations) but... yeah no I actually do wish it on an alleged rapist and an organization that is chalk full of sexual misconduct.
