Numbers on the Boards

On today's guac-packed Numbers on the Boards, Mavs broadcast manager Shelbie Sumter challenges Bobby to overcome his fear of avocados, Skin and Bobby discuss Dennis Smith Jr.'s catch-and-shoot numbers from last season and how they could play out this season, and finally Mavs rookie Kostas Antetokounmpo joins Bobby and Mike for his podcast debut as a Maverick!

Mike and Bobby are joined by author Ian Thomsen to discuss his new book "The Soul of Basketball: The Epic Showdown Between LeBron, Kobe, Doc, and Dirk That Saved the NBA," which chronicles the important events and larger themes of the 2010-11 NBA season, the year the Mavericks won the championship.

In the newest Numbers on the Boards, Skin and Bobby are joined by a teammate for a special programming announcement, then take a listen to what some of the Mavs have said about Luka Doncic ahead of the rookie's debut. Finally, Skin shares a few stories from Dirk Nowitzki's Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic, including the aftermath of a big-time rap beef.

Skin and Bobby look ahead to Dirk Nowitzki's annual Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic (8:45) then discuss the Hall of Fame inductions of Steve Nash (13:20) and Jason Kidd (16:00) and wonder aloud whether Donnie Nelson should go into the Hall (28:00). Finally, they make six zany predictions about the upcoming NBA season (36:00).

Bobby and Skin take a quick look back on the early-era Dirk teams in Dallas (8:00), and how far ahead of their time those Mavs were. Then, they examine some of the results from the annual NBA rookie survey (21:30) and where the Mavs' youngsters finished. Finally, they break down the offseasons of some of Dallas's division rivals (41:00) in San Antonio, New Orleans, and Memphis, and where the Mavs fit in in the playoff race against those clubs.

While Skin dives into the Pacific Ocean at Cowboys training camp, Bobby is joined by Mike Marshall as they take a deep dive into the numbers (18:20). First, Bobby looks back at what the 2014-15 Mavericks offense was able to do so effectively early in the shot clock, and how this year's Mavs can do the same (24:00). Then, Mike delves into pace (43:20), increase in 3-point attempts around the league (48:30), and effective field goal percentage (54:50). Get your on your hoops glasses and let's get nerdy!

Mike Marshall joins Skin Wade and Bobby Karalla to break down the Mavs' 2018-19 schedule, including key road trips, big homestands, and general thoughts on the upcoming season from opening night to the season finale.

Skin and Bobby are joined by new Mavs digital managing editor Mike Marshall to talk offseason, what to expect from Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic, and how DeAndre Jordan's presence in the lineup could completely transform how the Mavs play on both sides of the ball.

Skin and Bobby discuss how Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic will coexist together as two playmakers in the same starting lineup, and how teams with similar playing styles have had success with multiple ball-handlers. Then, they examine the Mavs' second unit, before discussing some of the players who for whatever reason always seem to have terrific games against Dallas.

Skin and Bobby react to the Mavs' signing of DeAndre Jordan, what this offseason has meant for the Western Conference (7:30), and Dennis Smith Jr.'s development (13:50). Then they discuss how improving the starting lineup could take this team to a new level (21:45) in a loaded West. Finally, they visualize how the offense will work with Jordan and Luka Doncic in the lineup (44:50) and how teams might try to defend them before checking in on some of the top performers in the Mavs' Summer League (54:25).