Monty Williams believes Mavs have a roster built for the playoffs

Shortly before the Mavericks triumphed over the Detroit Pistons, with a final score of 114-104, during their preseason finale on Friday at American Airlines Center, Pistons coach Monty Williams expressed his admiration for the Mavericks’ roster. Williams believes that the team is built for success in the playoffs. He specifically highlighted the duo of guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, noting that they have the ability to win games consistently and have already proven themselves in playoffs. Williams also acknowledged the importance of toughness, mentioning the loss of Dorian Finney-Smith and the addition of Grant Williams, a tough player with a reliable shooting ability. He complimented the team for their performance against the Pistons, emphasizing their ability to distribute the ball effectively.

Williams further praised the Mavericks, mentioning young players like Jaden Hardy and Dereck Lively II, who he believes will cause challenges for opponents in the Western Conference. He also mentioned Josh Green, who had an impressive performance in the first quarter of the game, scoring 15 points. Green expressed his desire to contribute to the team’s success and credited his hard work for his strong performance.

Irving, who had 17 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists in the game, responded to his recent ranking as the 34th best player in the NBA, stating that he does not give much importance to such rankings and that winning games is what truly matters. He did not shy away from expressing his opinions and even took a playful jab at ESPN.

The Mavericks started Irving and Green in the backcourt, and Grant Williams, Derrick Jones Jr., and Lively in the frontcourt. Coach Jason Kidd expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and their ability to play at a fast pace. While he acknowledged areas for improvement, such as rebounding, he was overall pleased with the team’s effort.

Williams predicted that the Mavericks would make a deep playoff run, as they continue to build around Doncic and Irving. He believes the team is well-positioned to succeed in the postseason.

In other news, Doncic missed the game due to a left calf strain, and Kidd stated that there is no specific timeline for his return. Jaden Hardy was also sidelined with a sprained ankle, and his availability will depend on how he feels in the coming days.

The Mavericks made the decision to waive center Tony Bradley a day after signing him. As for Kidd, he expressed his satisfaction with the team’s attitude and effort, noting their camaraderie both on and off the court. He believes that the team’s recent trip overseas played a role in fostering this bond.

Williams also spoke highly of Pistons’ guard Jaden Ivey, praising his athleticism and toughness. He acknowledged Ivey’s desire for perfection and advised him to strive for excellence instead. Ivey comes from a family with a strong athletic background, with his grandfather being a former NFL player, his mother being a WNBA player and current coach, and his father having played in the NFL.

Williams also had high praise for Pistons’ guard Cade Cunningham, commending his skill set and character. He shared a positive interaction he had with Cunningham and noted his dedication and ability to connect with his teammates.

Overall, Williams and Kidd expressed optimism for their respective teams heading into the regular season, with Williams foreseeing success for the Mavericks in the playoffs, and Kidd being pleased with the team’s progress and competitiveness.

Reference

Emily Turner

Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.