Can Klay Thompson Still Defend Well Enough for the Mavs? What Does Daniel Gafford Need to Prove?
Klay Thompson has the most to prove on the Dallas Mavericks next season. What does he need to do to show he’s still got it, and how will his performance impact the Mavs’ success in the NBA?
Nick Angstadt and Joey Mistretta discuss the upcoming season for the Dallas Mavericks on the latest episode of Locked On Mavs. They focus on Klay Thompson, who has a lot to prove defensively and must adapt quickly to the Mavs’ scheme. The conversation also covers Daniel Gafford’s role as a backup center and his potential to step up if needed. Jaden Hardy’s need for improved decision-making and efficiency to secure more playing time is highlighted, along with Maxi Kleber’s importance in maintaining his three-point shooting confidence and defensive prowess. Tune in for an in-depth look at the players with the most to prove this season.
0:00 What Klay Thompson Needs to Prove
11:38 Daniel Gafford’s Role and Expectations
21:17 Jaden Hardy’s Potential and Efficiency
27:20 Maxi’s Defensive Prowess & Offensive Challenges
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38 Comments
Who has the most to prove on the Mavs next season?
big fan of the show Oak Cliff America in the building .. the mouthing “still can’t leave me open” is a lil cringy but other than that Nick keep up the good work your talented and love the show .. tell Dana Larson fine azz to come back on the show
Kleber is down to go big defense and surprise open 3's.
Kleber's a good defender, especially as a switchable big.
I think Klay will be just fine defensively. His defensive IQ will carry him & all he has to do is just stay attach. Mavs have a good rim protection so he can funnel to the help. They may hurt a little on the boards but defense will still be very good. Klay will give effort & thats the biggest part of defense.
I think Gafford is a solid starter in the league. Im in the minority but I think Gafford should start because of the physicality he plays with. IMO needs to prove can he continue to be a force in the paint & can he expand his game to be more of a threat on pick n roll switches. Also, can he be effective in lesser mins.
I would love to see Gafford & Lively play together. I think they both have more game than they have displayed.
🦝
Not trying to be a hater but Daniel gafford barely has anything to prove and is an excellent rebounder did he even watch the games?
He cant defend anymore, that's why we sold him.
I don't know what shape Klay's defense is gonna be. But I'll say this….his basketball IQ alone is gonna result in deflections & turnovers. I'll also say this…can't be any worse than THJ's defense.
But I have a feeling critics of his defense are judging him on the level of defense he used to have. When you go from being lockdown to allowing like 30% more buckets it's gonna feel like 70% more buckets. But for a Mavs fan, his defense could be just fine.
Especially since he doesn't have to take on the teams #1 or 2 guy.
Klay will be good on Defense.
Klay Is sooooooo what the doctor ordered!!!!! Watch him play D White type defense!!!!! Mavs depth and shooting would give even suuuper deep teams hick-ups me thinks.😮😮😂😂😂
Amazing!
You’ve been talking about hardy like he’s going to be a really good player but I don’t see it. I never have and that’s what he’s been showing as well. He’ll continue to be a bench player struggling to make a consistent rotation.
MFFL
Oh, if Klay is an 80 on defense, you’ve stuck gold – especially if he’s his career average on 3’s.
Anything
There is a world where Gafford will start some games depending on match ups
Hardy just needs playmaking. His offence is Brunson esque
Klay’s a solid guard defender if you put him against actual forwards he’d get eaten alive
Ok, let's resume one more time : we got D-Lively, we got Grimes, we got Gafford , we got Maxi, so maybe WE DON'T NEED Klay to be at his best defensively, why is it so hard to understand ??🤔
LET IT F*CKING RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE!!🤘🤘🤘
Klay don’t have to prove nothing,just suit and do what he do best knock down shots
If we have to ask these all these questions about Klay productivity Dallas would have never went after him…trust the process and allow the depth to help out when needed and go win this chip
If only Maxi can remain healthy. Really need to use him wisely this year and balance his confidence at the same time.
28 minutes? If Klay isn't playing 30+ its almost a bust situation. Klay only had 28 minutes last year because the Warriors kept pushing him to the bench. He isn't being brought in as a role player, he's being brought in to beat the Champion Celtics. 30+ minutes, every night, its gotta be. BTW, for reference, Klay was playing 30+ for all those Warriors Championships.
Thanks for the professionalism, Nick! Can always count on you for a show when other shows are every now and then.
Nick, I don't really understand why you were so down on Klay's D – no pun intended, hmmm… maybe a bit…. hahahahaha… What you did with Klay is the same people do with Luka being a zero on D, it's a narrative thing. I remember the girl from Locked on Warriors or something saying that his defense wasn't bad at all, it just wasn't elite like he once was. So what is it? You don't trust her judgement? hahahahaha… He will probably be even above average.
Did Klay just forget how to play basketball 🏀 or why is he and his defense the main topic everyday? I understand it is offseason but in this case it would be ok to take days off now rather than having the same topic. Grimes shot terrible from 3 last season. Is his shot for real? His production was declining at the Knicks and Pistons. The perfect replacement for Maxi would be O Max but if he is not able to step in, go for Leonard Miller from the Wolves.
THE GAFF HALF SLANDER IS MYSTIFYING …..
WHY WE KEEP CARING BOUT WHO STARTS AT CENTER…..THEY'LL SPLIT THE TIME WHOEVER STARTS PERIOD
Hardy and Exum have the same problem: at times they try to do more than they should and tend to play out of control. The one who overcomes that tendency the most should get more playing time.
Klay, Naji and Quentin all playing to replace DJJ. Should be interesting. All potentially better shooters than DJJ. Maybe none of them as springy, active on defense. Will be up to Coach Kidd to figure out how to mesh these guys with the other four starters (Luka, Kyrie, PJ and Gafford/Lively). The depth that these additions give Kidd will be very helpful when they are with the second unit (Kyrie, Dinwiddie, Maxi, Lively/Gafford).
Gafford to finish. Better free throw shooter.
Luka…. MVP must lead a team with a 50 win floor, not a 50 win ceiling. Dallas got to the Finals as a non-title contender. They are 15th in net rating.
News flash, Gifford was effectively the back up last year. Lively closed most games if he was available and Gifford played less than 24 minutes a game.
Episode where u talk about which teams/players the mavs match up well against and who we don’t match up well against. For example we don’t match up well against ja morant because we don’t have anyone that can keep up. But we do match up well against the lakers because pj and naji are similar size to lebron and they don’t take a lot of threes and our interior defense is elite
Giving up Jones to get Klay is a huge mistake.
I love hardy but I don’t think he should be a ball handler. He makes horrible decisions with the ball and runs into the paint just to turn it over. Would love more catch and shoot opportunities for him.
personally i still think its fine to say naji is the direct upgrade to djj. Its constantly mentioned djj didn't qualify for the all defensive team due to not playing enough mpg. By this logic we can allow naji to come off the bench and he's filling a very similar role. With the sport being a game of runs above all else I think subbing him in on occasion when the game needs to be slowed is a recipe for success