Tag: NBA

NBA Free Agency Tracker *Updated Live*

After some deliberation I’ve decided to go ahead and do a Free Agency Tracker and update it live. I’ll be using the template from my previous free agency piece but with some names moved around. I did not list every free agent but listed most of the ones that either matter or could end up on the Mavericks. 

Mavs Free Agency Outlook

It’s that time of year again. Mavs fans are wondering what big name free agent the Mavs are going to lure in. This is the 9th year of this cycle and yet somehow Mavs fans remain optimistic. I love it, honestly, but I can’t join in the optimism. Every year there’s been a new reason that this year is different, and every year we have to accept that it isn’t.

Mavs Signing: Ryan Broekhoff Profile

Nicola Brussino, Salah Mejri, Maxi Kleber. The Mavs continue their run of signing mysterious foreign players with the addition of Aussie Ryan Broekhoff. 

Mavs Free Agency Wish List

Another year, another Mavs Free Agency. There will be no mass pursuit of big fish, but Deandre Jordan is back on the Mavs radar. With his name being the only one floated publicly, he’ll definitely be a focus of this list but I do want to focus on some under the radar moves as well. 

Mavs Signing: Antonius Cleveland Profile

While I had heard Cleveland’s name before I have to admit I hadn’t paid him much mind. Most people seem to be impressed by his athleticism and a highlight package search does bring up a lot of lob catches but that’s not the only aspect of his game that is impressive. I also noticed that he likes to shoot off the dribble and does most of his damage in the mid-range. Currently, only Harrison Barnes really does much work in the mid-range for the Mavs so this would be welcomed on our offense. I also noticed that he has good timing on defense and uses his length and athleticism to get blocks both on and off the ball. Let’s dig deeper. 

NBA All-Star, Playoffs, and Awards Predictions

Another NBA Season is upon us so Josh and I sat down after all of the work of the previous week to make some predictions on how this season will play out. Who wins MVP? Who is Most Improved? and of course, who hoists the Larry O’Brien when it’s all said and done.

Washington Wizards – Season Preview 

Otto Porter Deal –  The Wizards always said they were going to keep Otto Porter no matter what and they followed through on that promise. The Nets offered him a max deal with all kinds of unappealing clauses (trade kicker, player option, etc.) but the Wizards still matched it. The goal was always to keep their blossoming 3 together and basically wait for other teams (The Cavs and Raptors) to age out ahead of them. Porter will need to increase his production to earn the money he’s going to be getting and there’s reason to believe he will do so. 

Utah Jazz – Season Preview 

Gordon Hayward Leaves – The biggest story of the offseason was definitely the departure of the team’s leading scorer Gordon Hayward. Fans and the players (most vocally Rudy Gobert) alike were obviously disappointed by the move and the team will now look to the supporting cast to step up. Gobert has been a beast in the preseason as he looks to take on more of a role as a scorer this season as the face of the team. The question will be if Ingles and Hood can make up for Godon Hayward’s 22 missed points. 

Toronto Raptors – Season Preview 

The Culture Reset – After being swept by the Cavs in the playoffs last year Masai Ujiri said that the Raptors needed a “Culture reset.” That clearly didn’t mean a roster reset as the Raptors only removed role players from their 2016-2017 team. What they have changed is the way they play. During the preseason they have done more to get Jonas Valanciunas involved (Thank God, I’ve always felt he was underutilized) and they are shooting more 3’s. These changes could be huge for them as they try to hold onto their place in the East if not build upon it.