Interesting... Yes, yes I think I would. Imagine the pick/pop with Dame/Dirk. I always hated it with LMA because he was a mediocre shooter who was also unable to put the ball on the floor. But swap him out for a REAL shooter like Dirk, who also has the ability to dribble the ball...and PASS the ball? Even in his old age that could be deadly. Dame CJ Harkless Dirk Plumlee
That's my biggest concern. With Dirk we'd just be going for sheer firepower. Before he was mentioned I'd been fixated on a good two-way PF like Ibaka. But Dirk would be a fine back-up plan, because I don't see us getting Ibaka even if Durant leaves OKC. But IMO, Ibaka would be the ideal PF.
To me, it would be similar to the Pippen move because we would add a veteran who will get respect from the refs in the playoffs, could play a small role during the regular season and then try and beast in the playoffs. I remember when everyone said that Wally Szerbiack would abuse Pippen in the first round in the playoffs. Instead, Pippen was beastly and Wally was relatively nonexistent. Depending on what you have to give up (just say no to trading Dame, CJ, and I guess Mason Plumlee at this point), I kind of like the idea. Edit: Well yeah, defensively, hmmm, ummmm, well, yeah....
While you're at it, also try to imagine Dirk trying to guard a healthy Blake Griffin. We would have been swept in 4 games. Yeah, Aminu is a streaky shooter who will NEVER be anything remotely close to Dirk on offense, but the reverse it true on the other end of the court. Dirk has never been a good defender, but age has really caught up with him. Here's a good article from a year ago describing how Dirk's atrocious defense was costing the Mavs the series against HOU because Dirk was getting lit up by Terence Jones and Josh Smith. Alias Smith & Jones combined to average over 30 ppg in that series. Dirk's Defense Proving To Be An Ever Growing Problem For Dallas Yeah, I know, RealGM... Read the article. It makes several valid points and comes to the conclusion that Dirk cant guard ANYBODY, not on the perimeter, nor in the paint. That article was from last year when his DRtg was 111 for that series. He got even worse this year when his post season DRtg ballooned to a career worse 123. This is not a trend that is going to reverse over time, his already horrible defense will only get worse as he continues to age. A geriatric Dirk Nowitzki is not what this team needs. Honestly, I hope he comes back and plays at least two more years in Dallas. They have become a marginal playoff team and as long as Dirk is there, they will continue to surround him with other over-the-hill veterans and avoid the inevitable rebuild that will eventually make them a potential threat. Yes, it's true, he is one of the all-time great shooters/scorers in NBA history, but other than a one season up tick three years ago, his overall production has been in a slow, steady decline for 10 years. He's no longer the same Dirk he was in 2006, 2011 or even 2014. He will only continue to get worse over time. A big no thanks on this one. BNM
I don't think we'll lose Crabbe, because I don't see us not matching. On the other hand, I think Hendo is gone.
Kent Bazemore would be great. Fits the mold of versatile player that can cover multiple positions and knock down open jumpers.
A scoring PF. We have Plumlee at center. Sure if we can trade for the few who are better....fine, but realistically I would focus on building around him on the front line. So if we go Harkless at SF then we need a PF who can score. Horford seems like the ideal fit to me since he is a free agent. That gives us time for continuing to groom Vonleh. (Plus we will have Aminu who can guard the stretch 4's) Gasol wants to go to a top contender. Does not seem to care about the salary. I don't see him coming here. Back up PG........who cares. Sure we always need one, but not our biggest priority. Keeps Roberts for those limited minutes. Bazemore would be nice, but I am fine keeping Crabbe and Harkless at SF. (assuming they both will get better) Dirk.....not coming.
Whiteside and dougie McBuckets. Dame/cj Cj/Crabbe Mo/dougie Aminu/Davis Whiteside/ Plumlee I'd like to see where that takes us.
Dirk is a better shooter, a better passer, and a smarter player than LaMarCooch. Sure, he's way past his prime and not close to an all star, but I think he'd play well with Dame and CJ, and he could help open up our offense for the next two years. For the right price, that could be a good move.
Pau had a DRPM of 4 this year.. This dudes been a really great defender the past couple years, and is also a low post and a spacing threat, while also being a great rebounder (12 per 36) and passer (almost 5 assists per 36). His game is also built to last a few more years. Sullingers lost weight, and is only 23 years old.
Fine, they suck at defense, and they suck at offense. Is that a better choice of words for you? Anderson is as bad defensively as CJ and Dame if not worse. Ezeli and Aldrich are way worse offensively then Plumlee and Aminu.
