2024-25 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

Gafford and AD are the key injuries..But the games are going to be played regardless. So we're going to see what happens by April 13th.

 

Hopefully they stay hurt.

 

I see your point about their bigs presenting a problem for us though. Dealing with AD, Gafford and Lively would be a nightmare. I just don't see them as contenders this year. We know how much of a toll it takes to fight through March and April as the 8th to 10th seed. And they have zero chemistry with AD. It sucks for them but it's just not their year, imho.

 

yeah, i think next year the mavs will be a bigger concern. even if they get healthy this year, they'll be constructing an identity and scheme on the fly with guys coming off substantial injuries. it's just not likely.

i do like their roster on paper, though.

 

I get it..but folks are acting like their whole team is injured right now or something. They still have 6 guys avg double digits, and Exum avg 9pts a game. Gafford is only out a couple of weeks. It depends on what's up with AD IMO. Not an early round matchup I'd want to see. It doesn't mean they are going to win the West. I still think we're getting to the WCF, I'd be worried about playing Dallas early if they get in though. If AD is healthy, I'd be extremely worried.

 

AD is out a month from what I’m hearing and there is even some concern they could shut him down for the season. By the time he gets back they’re going to be struggling to get into the playoffs through the play in. Right now they’re the 8th seed. Their front court is decimated with injuries.

They don’t know that Gafford is only out a couple of weeks only that he is going to be reevaluated in a few weeks could be out longer. Derrick Lively has already been out for awhile and they’re not sure when he’s coming back he has a stress fracture and is out at least another month.

I just think they’re too banged up this year even if AD comes back if Gafford and Lively are out he still is in the same position where he has to play out of position. I don’t see them being a threat this year.

 

Let me put it this way then...If Anthony Davis is healthy, they are a threat to US. I don't care if they were the 11th seed, going into the playin. They still have Kyrie, they still have Washington, Max, Dinwiddie, Thompson. Gafford isn't feared to be a serious injury, lets forget about Lively.

If AD really can't come back, no problem. If that's not the case though, that is a problem, for US. So I'd rather avoid that particular team, if Anthony Davis is a go.

 

I want to beat teams at their best and not hear anymore bubble chip crap type of stuff

 

you shouldn't. he's their third most important player, and stats might suggest he's actually the second ahead of kyrie (!). those numbers were calculated when luka was there, though, so possible slight inflation (though they account for other players' impacts). in other words, lively is VERY important to their team, so this would be like saying, memphis is trouble, forget jaren jackson/ja morant for a minute...

ironically...teams were at their best in the bubble? boston's the team that just played every single opponent with one or more key players either totally absent for severely limited by injury.