Continuing yesterday’s column on grading the performances of the Dallas Mavericks from the preseason action. These are my grades, so argue with me as you will in the comments!
Naji Marshall: B-
Naji Marhsall was everywhere
during this Mavs preseason. In 20 minutes, he averaged 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, on 46% from the floor, and was all over the place on the court. Naji was not used a ton like he was last year, as coach Kidd wanted to see a lot of number 1 pick Cooper Flagg running the point-forward role that Naji was so good in last season. Naji played a ton off the ball, cutting and setting screens off the ball in order to create open jumpers for himself. He was also fantastic in transition. While Naji played a limited preseason role, expect him to still be a major contributor with the ball in his hands more often than not. One concern would be his three-point shooting; at 28.5% Naji will need to improve that in order to stay on the floor this season.
Derrick Lively II: B+
Lively was super impressive in a minimal role. Averaging 9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 blocks with only a 13.8% usage rate. Lively played in limited minutes, including checking out early in the best game the Mavericks played as a team against the Jazz, only playing seven total minutes. The Mavericks had to deal with a wonky big man rotation throughout the preseason, with the injury of Daniel Gafford and Anthony Davis’s desire to play next to a center at all times, and Lively took the biggest hit because of it, especially his offensive game. He showed flashes of how dominant he can be on that side of the ball, scoring five baskets in the preseason finale against the Lakers and showing an improved baby hook shot that seems to be automatic. The Mavericks will have trouble getting the most out of Lively with the questions around Davis and how to maximize him, as well as Gafford’s imminent return, but Lively is set up for a good junior season.
Klay Thompson: C-
Klay was the least impressive player in the preseason in terms of expectations. He shot the ball decently from behind the three-point line at 33.3%, making 7 of 21 throughout 4 games of preseason action. He did not contribute much else, being a cone defensively and providing 1.5 rebounds and 1 assist per game. Most of Klays’ touches were catch-and-shoot opportunities or one-dribble pull-ups. K ay’s biggest issue was that most of his makes came late in the game, and his shot always looked rough early with the starting group. The Mavericks have simply invested too much into Klay for him not to start games well shooting-wise, and have now doubled down on their need for his shooting touch. The most interesting part of Klays’ preseason was how few minutes he played. H played less than 15 minutes in three of the four preseason games, only eclipsing 15 minutes in their only really dominant win against the Jazz. That makes it feel like Klay has a short leash, which can change quickly if Klay just comes out and knocks down shots. Not only will that be good for Klay and his minutes, but it will raise the Mavericks’ ceiling tremendously. K ay is the biggest wildcard in terms of how impactful he will be compared to expectations for this team.
PJ Washington: B
PJ came into the preseason in an interesting position, coming off a career year, but lined up to come off the bench with Anthony Davis being healthy and the arrival of Cooper Flagg. Washington played 2o minutes a night, coming off the bench in the first two games and starting the final two. He averaged 11 points and 4 rebounds on 46% from the floor but a whopping 16.8% from three-point. Washington particularly struggled in that regard, making two to three three-point shots while playing a bulk of the minutes in the four games. Washington needs to take and make those shots at a way better rate if the Mavs want to hit their ceiling. Other than that, PJ was great in transition and shone as the clear best on-ball defender throughout the preseason. also looked extremely good in lineups without Anthony Davis and in lineups next to Cooper Flagg. P may be the single most important player for the Mavericks’ success this season.
Cooper Flagg: A-
Flagg was the story of the preseason. N t only was he coming in as the franchise’s second-ever number one overall pick, but he had been the consensus number 1 pick since early November of last year’s college basketball season and was said to be one of the most ‘NBA-ready’ prospects of all time, leading for his debut, even if it’s only preseason, to be highly anticipated. While there was not a crazy statistical game from the 18-year-old from Duke, he lived up to being extremely ‘NBA-ready’ as advertised. Flagg averaged 11 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3 assists on nearly 40% from the floor and 31% from three. He also knocked down all 11 free throws he took, only had 5 turnovers in 4 games, and put up 8 stocks throughout the preseason. From an eye test standpoint, Flagg was great, showing off a good-looking reworked jumper, his insane athleticism, fantastic off-ball work, and insane energy on the defensive side of the ball, and most importantly, incredible poise while playing multiple different roles through heavy minutes in his first real taste at NBA action. H has shown every reason why he should be the Rookie of the Year favorite, and can make an immediate impact on winning, no matter if he is dominating the box score.
Anthony Davis: B-
Anthony Davis had a roller coaster of a preseason. Coming off a full offseason to get ready for a revenge season in Dallas following being in one of the most controversial trades in NBA history, Davis came into camp overweight, wearing goggles for an unexpected eye surgery, and insisting on playing next to another big man. Throughout the preseason, Davis was the Mavs’ leading scorer, averaging 20 points a game on 46% from the field and 23% from three. Additionally, he averaged 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Anthony Davis was the talking point throughout the preseason, as he started every game at the power forward next to Lively. In the first game and a half, Jason Kidd only played Davis with another big, either Derrick Lively or Dwight Powell, with Daniel Gafford being sidelined with an ankle injury. In the second game, with the Mavericks down more than they should be to the Hornets’ backups, Kidd finally experimented with Davis as the sole big, and it looked a lot better than the two big looks early. That trend continued through the last two games, with the one big lineup, with or without Davis, playing better than the gigantic starting lineup and two center lineups. Davis is the best player on this roster, and he might have to be that in a role he does not want to do for this team to hit their ceiling in a tough conference. He is going to put up numbers regardless; he is just too good. To maximize a roster and justify trading Luka Doncic for you, you need to help this roster win games no matter what.
