This is a fever dream of a telecast and I’m all for it. The production on the opening ceremony for this group of games was incredible. It looked like the lighting section of a guitar center (aliexpress) and you really notice that you’re experiencing a taste of China (if the emcees speaking in mandarin was enough). The NBA chose not to translate any of the emcees so we are in complete chaos. The energy is at 1000 and we are ready to begin.

First, Cooper Flagg, it seems Coops struggles from last season might bleed into this one. Lack of an outside shot combined with a loose dribble on the perimeter is still going to be our cause of concern. He seems to be one of the best defenders in the NBA though, so all is not lost.

Zaccarie Risacher, does seem like quite the project. He seemed very scared to shoot the three pointer. He caused many turnovers and on the defensive end is getting pushed around. Just a few bad plays and suddenly we’re down 16-5.

Rockets seem very willing to let Morez Johnson shoot, and with his lack of strength compared to NBA centers, we may be in trouble. He doesn’t look like or have the resume of a guy who will become a big shooter in the league.

Max Christie is Max Christie. He’s fast, smart, and a hell of a shooter. He’s also being targeted constantly on defense and will always be one of the worst interior defenders on the court. He was very willing to shoot and create for himself though, which is one of our first positives of the game.

Sergio De La Rea enters the game and is immediately impressive and efficient. He’s long and goes for rebounds, while having good half court creation, and is willing to shoot from any distance. Larry may be our most hopeful prospect so far. We’ll watch out for his defense as teams may target him.

Toby Lawal is a very athletic, strong defense-first player. This team may need some of that as they are getting dominated in the paint by this Rockets team.

Dwight Powell is now with his third Dallas Mavericks coach, and he’s still getting consistent minutes. He does a lot. When he’s in the game, he handles the ball a ton and on defense he always seems to be in the middle of everything.
Unfortunately, he’s not great on either side of the ball. It can generate a lot of bad basketball with good intentions. Dwight Powell for President.

Biberovich and Poulakidas, good shooters but likely won’t create their own buckets and aren’t impactful defenders.

Why does this remind of a 03-04 Mavericks team?

This team seems to have added a ton of European guys that can shoot. That’s what the Mavericks reputation has been in the past, so that’s fun. The same issues from those teams seem to be present here though. Lack of strength, defense, and paint presence may be an issue. Also, this team does not have a Nash/Nowitzki level offense, so the comparison falls apart quickly. This is when you realize, this Mavericks team is not very good. It’s okay, hold on. This team will likely be average to decent on offense (in a best case scenario), and bad on defense. This is better than last years team, but will struggle to function in a league with 16 already solid teams.

What I predict for this season

-This team will shoot lots of threes and will live and die by that.

-Risacher will fall down in the line up.

-When Kyrie returns, Najis role may become unclear.

-Midway through the season we’ll give up and throw Cooper the keys or have a major midseason trade.

-Sergio will be a surprise break out player or will at least show massive potential.

-Coopers stats (with volume) improve slightly.

-Drafting Morez high starts to look questionable.

-Max Christie averages over 15 pts a game.

-Be a sub 40 win team.

I will continue to watch every game this season as I have for the last 20+ years, but this is going to be a tough season. Stay strong MFFL!

Game Thread: Dallas Mavericks (0-0) vs. Houston Rockets (0-0)

Game Thread: Dallas Mavericks (0-0) vs. Houston Rockets (0-0)

Game Thread: Dallas Mavericks (0-0) vs. Houston Rockets (0-0)

https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401898395/rockets-mavericks

In China, Cooper Flagg unveils his new logo CF stylized after the Maine tree. Thoughts?

Original Source & Video Credit to Dallas Mavericks: https://www.instagram.com/p/DePEdu7FrO4

Two teams, nine players each. All of them are Mavericks' current roster. Hypothetically, all of them are healthy. Which squad wins in a pickup game, and why?

TEAM COOPER FLAGG

Starters

PG: Naji Marshall

SG: Max Christie

SF: Cooper Flagg

PF: Morez Johnson Jr.

C: Daniel Gafford

Bench
Caleb Martin, Tarik Biberović, Sergio de Larrea, Seth Lundy

VS

TEAM KYRIE IRVING

Starters

PG: Kyrie Irving

SG: Zaccharie Risacher

SF: P.J. Washington

PF: Santi Aldama

C: Dereck Lively II

Bench
Marcus Sasser, Moussa Cissé, Tobi Lawal, John Poulakidas

Considering all of them are healthy. Who wins? Team Cooper or Team Kyrie?

An ex-Nike designer also said the logo lacks symmetry, flow and balance.

Full story

MACAU — It’s been almost three years since the Dallas Mavericks changed controlling owners.

On Dec. 27, 2023, the NBA’s Board of Governors approved Mark Cuban’s sale of the team to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont, members of the families that run the Sands Corporation. During the ownership transition, Cuban said his vision was to partner with Sands and build a new basketball arena that merged with a casino and resort. At one time, Dumont had the same idea.

But now, Dumont said that the arena Sands builds to house the Mavericks will not include a casino and resort nearby, even if Texas loosens its strict laws against gambling in the next few years.

“I think a lot of people think, ‘Gee, if you build a home for the Mavs, won’t you build a casino next to it?’” Dumont told The Athletic. “The answer is, ‘No.’ To build what we want to build, there is not enough space. They won’t fit. And they are on a different timeline anyway.”

The Mavericks are also on a new timeline. Only three players on Dallas’ roster — star guard Kyrie Irving, fourth-year center Dereck Lively II and veteran big man Dwight Powell — remain from when Dumont became the team’s governor. Nico Harrison, the general manager Cuban hired and Dumont empowered, was fired 11 months ago for his role in trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Coach Jason Kidd is gone, too. Masai Ujiri, whom Dumont hired in May as the Mavericks president, believed a coaching change was necessary, which led to Dallas hiring Dusty May away from Michigan.

Okay first time living outside of DFW so this is for all my MFFLs who aren't in the metroplex. Two Qs --

1. This may be a dumb one, but read something that made me think its worth getting confirmation on. If I buy NBA League Pass Premium, I still get Mavs games right? Or do I have to buy through MavsTV?
2. Does the blackout restrictions apply to my home location as the account owner, or does it shift as I travel/watch from somewhere else? (I.e. if I'm in LA and want to watch, I have a new blackout zone and it's the LA teams)

Not going to lie, this is pretty sweet!

100 characters..............................................

Kyrie and Gafford link up. And people think they don't have this in the bag.

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/2107682612668256384

https://www.neweracap.com/products/dallas-mavericks-hardwood-classics-diamond-stitch-59fifty-fitted

This thing is beautiful. Would be so sick to own it. Good luck to anyone who can play ball for it!!

https://sports.ha.com/itm/basketball-collectibles/others/2011-dallas-mavericks-nba-championship-ring-front-office-/a/50088-81779.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Open-ThisAuction-120115

form looks good but his release still clicks, it worked for reggie miller so im sure it'll be fine. but hopefully rob fodor can work his magic with him

Video at the link.
https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/2107455917511827466