[ZouldiersParticipant]

 I know it’s preseason but both teams look good out there. Raptors starting 5 consist of Kawhi, Danny Green, Lowry, CJ Miles and Ibaka and even though this lineup is not set in stone, this lineup is scary defensively with length, speed and versatility. They’ll be even scarier defensively when Siakam is on the floor or OG instead of CJ Miles. Kawhi didn’t lose a step and still doing his thing much like Hayward yesterday vs the Hornets. Offensively, that lineup has a lot of shooters which gives them spacing and it gives guys like Kawhi and Lowry to operate in the paint. Nick Nurse has a lot of work cut out for him replacing Dwane Casey but I think he’ll be fine. JV look well off the bench as well.

As for the Mavs, Doncic impressed as expected even though it’s against a CBA team. His IQ was on full display that game by making thr right decision on most plays displaying his shooting, passing, etc. He also looked to be a solid defender as well based on the block on Justin Hamilton and just being on the right spot on D. He’s fast for his size shades of Manu Ginobili but he looks more like Gallinari to me. DSJ looks pretty good as well. There’s really nothing much to say and looks like he’s going to have a better sophomore season. I still can’t believe NY passed on him. Newly acquired Deandre Jordan seemed to fit in with the team but what’s different is that he’s showing some passing skills on the perimeter a la Jokic. I guess having CP3 and BG as teammates seem to have perks as well. Mavs could be a sleeper team this season especially in a tough Western Conference.

 

[Arc12345Participant]

I have said from the get go that the Mavs will be a surprise team this season because of how good Doncic will be. This is why I had tears in my eyes when my Hawks traded him. The pick the Mavs traded won’t even be that high and is top 5 protected anyway.

My bold prediction is they will fight for that 8th seed in an absolutely loaded west. Mark my words, DO NOT BE SURPRISED IF THIS TEAM IS 8th when it’s all said and done. Doncic wins ROY or is at least runner up. Smith Jr continues to develop. Barnes becomes a better closer. And Deandre takes this teams defense to another level and allows them to play at a fast pace.

They’ll be in the mix. Bet on it.

 

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 I know it’s the preseason, but Grayson Allen continued to play well. He looked good in SL. He’s going to take Exum’s spot in the rotation.. And Doncic is gonna be ready on day 1. Kings might regret passing on that kid.

[HitsterParticipant]

 With Jordan as the defensive anchor the Mavs will be a harder team to score against. A lot will depend on how Doncic goes but if he can get a good tandem going with Dennis Smith then they could be a surprise team. Dirk in what could actually be his final season will want to go out with a bang too. I guess he’ll play limited minutes and look to make an impact in short sharp bursts.

But the West is so loaded we have maybe 2 or even 3 teams who we think will be above or around 0.500 who will miss out on play offs but I could see Mavs doing a lot better than last season.

 

[slepchorParticipant]

 Man I got quite a lot of hate when I posted in this forum about him being the absolute BEST rookie .. (as well as when I overpayed like sh*t to get him for my fantasy team lol). 

Trust me when I say we saw nothing yesterday against the ducks, in Europe stars don’t show off against weak teams, it’s clear that he’s still following this ‘format’. We’ll have to wait and see Ayton and Bagley in action, of course, but now that the draft is in the past and the hype is fading, skills will talk and guess what, Doncic has A TON. Not to mention him winning euroleague finals mvp when the other rookies were still in HS.

 

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 Raptors-Two things Nurse has done already and one thing Cassey never did: Make Jonas your 6th man and have him get his vs bench units…He seems to have balanced his rotation more so he has more depth to help out and grind out some wins. Kawhi should be fine with them, how well they do this season though is still up for debate as the celtics probably have the deepest roster out East.But you never want to bet against a healthy Kawhi.

 

Mavs they have a deeper team finally which will make them at least interesting to watch,how well they do though is dependent on how 4 teams do:

Suns-How is Booker when he is back with that injured hand…As they also could be in store for a big jump with the addition of Ayton,Ariza and a new Coach.

T-wolves do they have Butler this season or not. If they get good pieces back they could still be in the playoff mix or they could flame out due to disgruntled Butler or getting average assets back due to Butler trying to torch his trade value..

Lakers-Do they have the depth/chemistry to make noise in the West as continuity and at least 5 teams that should be a lock before them..

Nuggets: Do they finally take that last step under Malone back into the post season?

As for Luka D: It depends on if we are talking right now or going to be the best in this draft? Right Now I have him as either the best or 2nd best at very worst out of the gate(Behind Ayton/infront of Ayton) and he should contribute right away..

However who could have the best career is dependent on how they develop…I could See Ayton being better,Jarren Jackson if developed right in the Chris Bosh/A.D level convo if he is nurtured right and then a wild card of the Wolves rookie that could be like a young Butler(number 20 I think okgie?)..Then the boom or Bust ones of Bagley or Trae Young who could either be way better or way worse depending on if they hit celing or floor as their celing may be higher than Luka’s but their floor is way lower- by this I mean if luka Doesn’t hit the Harden/Ginobli ceiling he is at least a Goran dragic/Danilo Gallinari  level player which is not horrible vs Bagley (Kawhi/Butler) ceiling or MKG floor or Trae Steph curry/Steve nash celing or Jimmer floor…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[slepchorParticipant]

 Yeah I get what you are saying about Doncic and I partly agree with you.. but : I have watched pretty much every prospect that has evolved into a draft pick, since the Pau / Dirk . Parker era. Bargnani, Batum , Giannis, Gobert etc.. I have never seen anyone, doing half of the things Doncic has at that age.. Dragic was an explosive (!) pg at 20 yo, and comparing Luka to Gallinari at age 20 is.. well.. kinda like comparing Ben Simons to Dante Cunningham.. Even Antetokounmpo was so much underdeveloped compared to Doncic. Before the hate comes let me tell you, I live 10 min away from the court his team played in the second professional league of Greece. That’s where he played when he was 18, and Luka was Real Madrid’s best player. Of course, Giannis was leaps and bounds ahead body-wise, and he probably will have a more successful NBA carreer individually, but still. I get what you say about developing guys and such but come on, something more has to be there.. if every 6’11 guy with fluid movement was the next AD, the league would be full of superstars.. gotta go watch Ayton vs Bagley now lol

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Contender. I don’t understand why the Raptors get punished for losing to Lebron but no other team seems to be graded on the same curve 

Celtics have a Loaded team but when they go up against the Raptors the best player on the court will be wearing Purple, Red & White. Raptors are just as deep as Boston & the battle for the #1 seed will be Huge b/c Home Court advantage might be the difference 

I luv the Mavs signing of DeAndre Jordan to give that Mavs team a Legit Defensive Stalwart to protect the Rim & he’s a 1st class Roller on the pick & roll; Harrison Barnes had a Very good season & is an really good player. Dennis Smith Jr had a Great Rookie season & is as exciting a young talent as we have in the NBA & Doncic will be running the whole show, Doncic has excellent instincts & he’s already played in so many Big games & pressure situation over seas 

I feel like the Mavs & Phoenix Suns will be a lot like the 76ers & T-Wolves have been the last few years w/ exciting young talent that just about every NBA fan is interested in watching 

 

 

 

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