Three Thoughts on Mavericks at Spurs, Oct 25th

The new season opens with a late win to spoil the debut of Victor Wembanyama

For particularly big games, and when the schedule allows, the Mavericks will get the Three Thoughts treatment here at #Sturmstack. This one to open the season definitely applies.

The Dallas Mavericks opened the new season with a trip down I-35 to play San Antonio in what is the first matchup of a brand-new era for the Spurs. The Mavericks pulled out a win with a 126-119 decision to open the year, 1-0.

These are my Three Thoughts:

– The new guys are going to really help this thing, starting with the guy I can’t stand, Grant Williams.

I should definitely say that in a nicer way and use the past tense. He is wearing a Mavs jersey now…. but, when Grant Williams was a key part of the Boston Celtics, I confess not liking him. Not, the star scorer, mind you, but more of a utility piece who does all the things that you need done. He is a grinder, a leader, a flopper, and loose-ball guy. In other words, he is the guy you need on your roster. He will go guard their best player, dive on the floor, take a charge, get in a shoving match, get that key rebound, and then hit a corner three.

There are few players that you generally grow to loathe in this sport, because honestly, being good at your living makes you likable. But I will confess he was on the other side of a very heated rivalry between Boston and Milwaukee, which I care about deeply and he always did those annoying things to the Bucks.

Obviously, Jayson Tatum would do far more damage, but that isn’t what makes great teams great. What makes those teams a problem is when they assemble as a pack of dogs and everyone knows what they bring to the table to make the side so tough. Tatum and Jaylen Brown were going to be on the marquee, but Grant would be the guy who didn’t factor in for a half-hour and then make just enough small plays that it would make the difference in the game.

The question in Dallas was going to be whether those types of guys fit in this situation and move the needle enough to be worth the trouble. But, I think we already see that he gets it. He might even have a coaching future with his understanding of what each game needs and calls for. He was guarding Wembanyama at times and then mixing things up in that way that he will. I think he is going to be excellent.