Appearing on The Roommates Show podcast (video link), Mark Cuban suggested that Klay Thompson might get better scoring opportunities with the Mavericks than he did during his years with the Warriors. Cuban explained that playing alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving should free up Thompson for plenty of open shots.
“Obviously the big addition was Klay,” Cuban said in addressing the team’s offseason moves. “Just somebody who you have to face guard, who’s going to make 40% (from three-point range), and we’re hoping, you know at Golden State he had to always be on the move. They had that motion offense where he was always coming off screens and running. We don’t do that, or not nearly as much, and sure we’ll run some of that action for him, but just standing in the corner, and standing in the wings, and just catch and shoot from Luka and Ky. Hopefully his life is going to be a lot easier.”
Following a trip to the NBA Finals, Dallas has worked to upgrade its roster this summer. Along with adding Thompson, the Mavs improved their perimeter depth by picking up Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie.
“We wanted to keep that defensive mindset, but we also wanted somebody that was going to be able to make a three,” Cuban added, “because Luka is always going to get you an open look, Kyrie is going to get you an open look or score on their own.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- DaMichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal examines the Grizzlies‘ options for their open roster spot after waiving Mamadi Diakite this week. Cole states that the team could either promote one of its two-way players, sign a free agent to improve the bench or keep the slot open for a move later in the season. Cole believes Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff are the two-way players with the best chance of receiving a standard contract, while center and point guard are the positions with the greatest need for more depth.
- There’s been skepticism on whether Reed Sheppard will play enough on a deep Rockets team to be a serious Rookie of the Year candidate, but Tim McMahon stated on the Hoop Collective podcast that playing time shouldn’t be an issue (Twitter link from Chris Gorman). “He’ll be on the floor,” McMahon said. “I think he’ll play a significant role as a play-maker off the bench.”
- Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan wasn’t hurt in a one-vehicle crash last weekend, according to Raul Trey Lopez of The San Antonio Express-News. Sochan told police that he “lost control” of his $240K Porsche 911 GT3 RS before hitting a guardrail.
Sochan has never seemed like a very bright kid.
And we pay him to be a millionaire. We are not the bright ones
Well those who pay him those millions get good value out of him…
We are here discussing this instead of trying to improve things… We need the distraction for our own sanity…
A Porsche 911 is one of the best handling machines on the road. You don’t lose control unless you’re driving like an idiot, the road conditions are really bad, your under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you weren’t paying attention or you fell asleep. I’m assuming he didn’t fall asleep and I’m hoping that he wasn’t under the influence or he would be at least fined. So, he must have been driving like an idiot. Been there and done that so I’m not judging but I hope he learned his lesson.
No doubt he was probably driving way to fast around a curve and lost control. the good thing nobody got hurt. When you have a fast expensive car you do dumb things thinking you are invincible.
Is Klay standing in a corner because his knees are locked up?
2 often injured and past their prime stars plus Luka…
No sir… I don’t like it…