[@KevinOConnorNBA] Hard to believe how amazing Dereck Lively is as a rookie. He’s improved so much since the start of his freshman season at Duke. And it shows the importance of situation. He was the interior piece this Mavs defense needed, and his offensive strengths are activated by Luka/Kyrie.
Hard to believe how amazing Dereck Lively is as a rookie. He's improved so much since the start of his freshman season at Duke. And it shows the importance of situation. He was the interior piece this Mavs defense needed, and his offensive strengths are activated by Luka/Kyrie. pic.twitter.com/qUoo4CMPgP
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 16, 2024
by MindArr0w77
16 Comments
It’s wild how well he’s adjusted to playoff basketball in all facets
He’s not the finisher or shot blocker that Gafford is yet, but he makes a much bigger impact defensively. I can’t wait to watch him grow with Luka. He is going to be special!
I thought he was better than Gafford tonight on Defense. He moves really well on the perimeter.
Once he starts getting more confident with finishing when LuKai get doubled, our offense is gonna go up to another level. He kept Passing tonight in the 4th out of the short roll rather than finishing around the defender like Gafford does. That’s the next step to unlock his full potential.
Double double in the west semifinals as a rookie. He’s gonna be so freaking good.
What Tyson Chandler can do for a MF. If only we had decided to pair Luka with a top 10 (2 of them) Center before his 6th season in the NBA.
clip request: the block by DJJ on Chet leading to fastbreak dunk by DJJ
The tank is paying off
He will develop a three shot soon. He hit like like 15 in a row at pre NBA draft workouts and has amazing form…..it’s coming soon.
Think how hard it would be for any 50% FT shooter to make clutch free throws again and again.
And then imagine if it’s a rookie
Lively is athletic enough to be a good perimeter defender as well as interior defender. Give him time and he could be a DPOTY contender
Once he figures out how to short roll off of pick and roll, he’s going to be lethal with Luka
Lively has super long arms and is fast like a cheetah for his height, and that’s why he can move with guards/etc. This dude is lining up to be a super star. If he can develop a fade, or hook shot, or array of moves like Joker, it’s lights out.
He’s very soft going to the rim. He’s barely looking at scoring unless it’s a clear no contact dunk.
He works that this off-season and gets more agrreisve nobody is stopping us
He’s the brightest spot on this team not named Luka ……. and that’s really saying something after our epic trade deadline pickups lol.
It’s rare to find a center like Lively in a right price these days. It’s so nice we drafted him. Really like the kid’s attitude. He absorbs and learns quickly and he knows too well that he is still learning. Will forever support this kid! Worth the mini tank and the fine lol
He needs to be a Mavs for entirety of his NBA career.