Since the NBA’s trade deadline, most teams have played around 6-7 games to this point.
These things are fluid, but let’s have a look.
For starters, they found actual NBA talent that can actually shoot the ball.
They got off the Westbrook drama and still held onto one of those unprotected picks.
That’s all great.
Malik Beasley (13 points) is averaging 36% from three.
Jarred Vanderbilt has been playing solid defense, rebounding well and has been very efficient (69%).
So far, that’s been a struggle since the deadline.
Those are both huge dips.
With AD, the offense has been basically the same with him on/off, but the defense also craters.
Given how they currently look, missing the Play In entirely seems like a stretch if everyone remains healthy.
Dallas Mavericks
Kyrie and Luka!
How will anyone defend them!
I’d be curious how Mavs fans currently feel about this trade.
The sample is small, but the Mavs are just 2-4 since the trade deadline.
These two have shared the floor for 102 minutes in those 4 games, and the offense is insane.
A 120 Ortg with those two on the floor together is pretty good.
Sadly, defense exists.
In those same 102 minutes, that pairing has a 115 Drtg.
Nothing we’ve seen from this version of the Mavs tells you they are ready to get postseason stops.
If you look at the Mavs clutch time defense since the trade deadline, it comes in at 140.
That’s pretty terrible, and they’re 0-3 in clutch games.
The interesting part is their offense is only 15th in the clutch since the deadline too.
Los Angeles Clippers
How’s the Russell Westbrook experience going?
There’s nothing wrong with 17/5/9/3 on 55/33% splits.
OT or no OT, the Clippers are not defending right now.
But if the Clips don’t start getting stops, none of this matters.
I’m being serious.
I’m talking 14.2/5.4/2.8 on 61/62% splits on 3.2 3PA a night.
You have to understand, when Hart was on the Blazers he basically NEVER shot threes.
As a Knick, he’s actually taking (and making) them.
They literally haven’t lost since he became a Knick.
Uhhhhh that’s kind of a big deal regardless of sample size.
Again, for the millionth time, it’s early.
These guys haven’t even played 10 games yet on their new teams.
Things are going to change, that can all be true.
