Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Every so often, we like to gather around and discuss some of the big topics surrounding our Dallas Mavericks. We’ve gathered multiple Mavs Fanatic writers and discussed these topics, but today, I wanted to get together with our newest Media Contributor, the newly acquired Nick Angstadt. Him, Dylan Duell, and myself decided to go over the summer that was for the Dallas Mavericks and what we can look forward to and expect moving forward. As a bonus, we decided to fire these questions out to our Twitter followers, and post one lucky response per question. With that being said, away we goooo….
What new addition are you most excited about?
Ryan: I’m most excited about the addition of Harrison Barnes. I think Mavericks fans aren’t giving him the benefit of the doubt. While his numbers don’t jump off of a sheet, you have to keep in mind that he was the third option night in and night out. He’s healthy (Chandler Parsons dig), he has above average range from deep, and he can guard multiple positions. In limited pick-n-roll situations, he showed that he could get to the basket or pop out for the three ball. I think Rick Carlisle plans on giving him the keys to the proverbial car that drives this team, and in the years to come, I think he will turn out to be a fantastic acquisition.
Nick: According to the droves of fans surrounding him this week during Summer League, it should be Seth Curry. Whether those fans had just confused him with his brother or not, Seth brings the same type of family skill set that Steph has mastered. Potential is always exciting, and the potential that Seth could be almost as good as his brother is enough to draw my attention.
Dylan: I’m really excited about the untapped potential of Harrison Barnes. Sure, there’s a lot of talk about his offensive limitations that were on display on big stages with Golden State, but I think he could bloom in Dallas with a lot more opportunities to work with the ball in his hands. This is a 24 year-old four years removed from being a top ten draft pick. The Mavs could have a franchise pillar on their hands.
MFFL:
Seth Curry. The guy can ball. Shooting is in his blood, plus you can't beat a 2 year $6mil contract these days
— Nick Beal (@NickBeal93) July 20, 2016
What new addition will be most valuable this season? In the future?
Ryan: It has to be Andrew Bogut. While he did play in 70 games during the regular season last year for the Golden State Warriors, he only averaged 20 minutes per game. That won’t cut it for this squad. If Bogut is healthy, he figures to be an immediate upgrade over Zaza Pachulia. It should be noted that Zaza absolutely over performed last season too, so to get an upgrade in Bogut will do wonders for this Mavericks roster. He can rebound on both ends of the floor, and serve as rim protector, which is something they sorely missed last season. He also has exceptional court vision for a big man, which has to have Uncle Rick (Carlisle) foaming at the mouth. In terms of future value, I really think the pickup of Seth Curry could be one of the most underrated moves off the off-season, league wide. He really started to get things going for him at the end of last season with the Sacramento Kings, and judging from the interview with Kings blog, SacTown Royalty, their is room for him to grow.
Nick: Unlike Curry or Barnes the replacement level player behind Andrew Bogut is a steep drop off. If Bogut suffers another injury this season (Only played in 54% of games from 2008-13) Mavs fans will see just how important he will be for this team. However, Bogut is only signed through this season so the most valuable addition for the future is Harrison Barnes. Barnes (somehow) just turned 24 in May which means he has technically not even entered his prime yet. After four years of playoff runs that experience will prove invaluable for this franchise going forward.
Dylan: I think Seth Curry might end up being the most valuable addition this season because of his ability to score. While the Mavs got younger and more athletic this offseason, they lost some scoring punch with the departures of Chandler Parsons and Raymond Felton. Curry might be able to provide the scoring that Felton did and be an improvement with his better outside shooting.
MFFL:
SETH CURRY ? https://t.co/hrQFrJ7dYZ
— Ashad (@zoobygooby) July 20, 2016
What new addition fits Carlisle’s system the most?
Ryan: Andrew “Bogey” Bogut is the guy here as well. You saw what Carlisle was able to do with Zaza last season, so what do you think the results from a healthy Andrew Bogut could be? He’s a big guy who can protect the basket, shoot the midrange, clog up the paint on the defensive end, and pass the ball with his exceptional court vision. He’s a true winner, who was the #1 overall draft pick back in 2005. If the solid Mavericks medical staff can keep him upright all year, you will see just how great of a relationship Bogut and Carlisle will form.
Nick: A solid center that can protect the rim, not demand the ball on offense, and still be a high level passer for his position… sounds perfect. Andrew Bogut will fit right in next to Dirk Nowitzki. The only real problem, as previously mentioned, is Bogut’s health concerns. Also, having been a part of deep playoffs runs should make Bogut a good mentor for younger bigs like Dwight Powell and AJ Hammons. Hammons especially should really take any guidance he can get from Bogut their games are fairly similar and there is sure to be a lot AJ can gain from 11 years of NBA experience.
Dylan: Andrew Bogut will likely be someone we’re rarely frustrated with because of how well he’ll fit his role in Carlisle’s system. He’ll virtually never have plays ran for him but his big body will provide quality screens to potentially free up shooters and his rebounding could clean up some messes in the paint.
MFFL:
Bogut, interior defender and can work High-Low with Dirk. Good passer also and can get above the rim.
— Tyler (@TylerSchroeder7) July 20, 2016
Where do you see Justin Anderson and Dwight Powell taking their games this season?
Ryan: Justin Anderson took a big leadership role this off-season by returning for a second straight Summer League in Las Vegas. He averaged 16 points on 33% shooting, 7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. While the shooting percentage is a bit of a concern, it was clear the Mavericks coaching staff wanted to let him fire away and really try to build up some confidence heading into next season. He has incredible athleticism which he put on display multiple times including this one below:
I think you will see him have a much bigger role this upcoming season, serving a sixth man type of role behind Harrison Barnes. If he can work on that 3-point shot and start to create more of a consistent mid range game, you could really see him soar in his sophomore campaign.
What a story Dwight Powell has turned out to be. A “throw in” in the Rajon Rondo trade, Powell ended up signing a four-year, $37 million deal with the Mavericks this off-season. He is long and athletic, someone capable of grabbing rebounds and finishing off of the pick-and-rolls. He had games where his mid-range jumper would fall more consistently than other games, so if he can make that a bigger part of his game, it should definitely expand his role and value moving forward. The Mavericks didn’t throw that kind of money at him to sit on the bench, so I expect to see much more this season.
Nick: After seeing him during Summer League, Justin Anderson is going to take everything he did last year to another level. He acknowledges his role on the team and seems to have worked to improve himself over the summer. He’s going to keep playing solid defense, hustle, make a few plays, and confidently take open jumpers. Dwight Powell also really needs to improve his jump shot and slide over to the center spot a little more. Last year he played 29% of his minutes at center but with a super athletic lineup of Anderson/Barnes/Matthews and whatever point guard emerges Powell’s effectiveness at that spot will be even more important.
Dylan: Justin Anderson is going to be given every chance to become a Danny Green-like player this season. He’ll play at least 25 minutes a game and will be counted on for stellar perimeter defense and knockdown outside shooting. His three point shooting game was disappointing at times last season, so hopefully he is working hard on that this summer.
Powell’s game will go wherever his jump shot takes him. If he improves his midrange jumper and even shows he can make the occasional three, he’ll be one of the most valuable players on the team. If not, he might see the same inconsistent playing time he saw after the All-Star break last season even if he has a huge new deal.
MFFL:
Anderson will be a solid 3 and D type of player. Powell will be more of a post scorer and rebounder, but not much D. https://t.co/bMKvTZu8TH
— Noah (@Noah_Lewis7) July 20, 2016
You must be logged in to post a comment Login
You must log in to post a comment.