Lively, Gafford still going strong as tag-team event

In the Dallas Mavericks’ season opener on Thursday night, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford picked up where they left off last season.

The two centers combined for 24 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and two steals as the Mavs upended the San Antonio Spurs, 120-109, at American Airlines Center. It was the same one-two punch the Mavs received from Lively and Gafford last season during their magnificent run to the NBA Finals.

“When you talk about the two – Gaff and D-Live – those two push each other in practice, they cheer for one another (and) they are the anchor of our defense,” coach Jason Kidd said. “And it’s a beautiful thing to have teammates who work on their game.”

Gafford started Thursday’s game and finished with nine points and six rebounds, and was 3-of-6 from the field in 19 minutes. Lively came off the bench and collected 15 points, a game-high 11 rebounds, six assists, and was 6-of-8 from the floor in 28 minutes.

Kidd knows he can either start Lively or Gafford and he’ll probably get similar results.

“Both can start,” Kidd said. “That’s a luxury too, is that if we want to take a look at something during the season — which we’ve always done (with) starting different guys.

“Just to see how guys handle situations. If there’s a health concern or a problem that one of them can’t start, and so the depth of our team, understanding everybody wants to start, everybody is going to hopefully get a chance to play this season. But we are sitting in a different seat than we have in the past where we do have two centers that can start.”

And that’s not all, as Kidd pointed to Maxi Kleber and P. J. Washington as players who can also play the center position under certain circumstances.

“We can slide Maxi into that situation, and P. J. if there’s a team out there that’s going to play small,” Kidd said.

In the meantime, Kidd said that the Mavs “have 48 minutes of protection at the center” spot between Lively and Gafford. And that’s a luxury the Mavs have rarely had.

GRIMES MORE THAN A THREE-AND-D PLAYER: Kidd said guard Quentin Grimes is more than just a player who can shoot with accuracy from the three-point line and also play solid defense.

“He’s a basketball player,” Kidd said. “I know we label guys a lot – three-and-D — but he can make plays, too. He can put it on the floor.

“But we are looking for his defense, we are looking for him to knock down open shots, and our quarterbacks can create those shots for him. So, we’re looking forward to watching him play this season.”

The Mavs acquired Grimes on July 6 from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Tim Hardway Jr. and three second-round picks. Prior to that, Grimes was the 25^th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft and played with the New York Knicks before they traded him to the Pistons in February.

Now with his third team in less than a year, Grimes has fit in well with the Mavs throughout training camp and the preseason.

“I thought Grimes did a really good job as a newcomer just understanding a new system and what we’re asking him to do,” Kidd said. “I thought he’s worked extremely hard at that.

“Again, we’re going to need him out there. His concentration to detail and trying to get it right has been high, and we’re going to need that all season.”

POPOVICH GIVES KIDD TWO THUMBS UP: When asked about the solid job Mavs coach Jason Kidd has done with Dallas, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gave him two thumps up.

“He’s done a great job,” Popovich said. “He demands. He’s fair. They respect him. In the NBA, that’s the beginning for success for a head coach.

“You can’t be afraid to demand, you have to keep people accountable, but you have to do it in a fair manner so that you maintain that respect, because NBA players have great BS antennas. If they think you’re faking it or you’re trying to be something you’re not, or if you’re trying to teach something you don’t have any clue about what you’re doing, they’ll know immediately.”

In his first season as the Mavs coach, Kidd led Dallas to a 52-30 record and a spot in the 2022 Western Conference Finals. And last season he guided the Mavs to a 50-32 record and a berth in the NBA Finals.

ADDING PAUL A BONUS: Point guard Chris Paul will give the Spurs some much-needed veteran experience they didn’t have before. So said Mavs coach Jason Kidd.

“I think when you look at CP, just stable and understanding what they’re trying to achieve (and) leadership,” Kidd said. “He understands what it takes to win.”

Paul, who turns 40 on May 6, is in his 20^th season while being on the backside of his illustrious career. But Kidd knows Paul still has what it takes to lead a team, especially a franchise with 7-3 center Victor Wembanyama, who was last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year.

“Chris couldn’t ask for a better situation when you talk about the youth — Victor — being able to mentor and help him get to where he needs to go,” Kidd said. “With all that knowledge and information and a quarterback who’s going to throw you the ball, it’s a great thing for CP and his career right now. And I think it’s great for the Spurs.”

BRIEFLY: Former Mavs forward Harrison Barnes has been precisely what the San Antonio Spurs needed. “He’s a grown-up,” Popovich said. “He’s a consummate pro. He’s meticulous. He’s organized. He understands how to take care of himself.” The Spurs obtained Barnes this summer in a trade with the Sacramento Kings. Barnes played for the Mavs from 2016 until they traded him to Sacramento in 2019. Now, he’s joined Paul in bringing some experience to the Spurs. “For our young guys having those mentors like (Barnes) and Chris is really important because they haven’t had that,” Popovich said. “They just had me on their (rear end) all the time, and that gets old. To have those players here to talk to (about) the nuances of the game from a player’s perspective is really great for them. Harrison has been super in that regard, as you would expect.” . . . Kidd said je’s not concerned about Paul passing him in the NBA’s all-time assist leader board. John Stockton is at the head of the class on the all-time list with 15,806 assists, followed by Kidd (12,091) and Paul (11,894). “He can have it,” Kidd, said, referring to Paul taking over the No. 2 all-time assist slot. “It’s well deserved. He’s a future hall of famer. When you have a target like (Spurs center) Victor (Wembanyama), he shouldn’t be thinking about my spot, but maybe John’s. We all know where John is. John’s in a different atmosphere. But I think it’s great for Chris. Again, future hall of famer with a hall of fame coach and a young player like Victor, the sky’s the limit.” . . . The Mavs are now 24-21 all-time in season openers . . . The 19 three-pointers by the Mavs against the Spurs are the most they’ve ever made in a season opener. The previous record was 18 against Indiana to open the 2016-17 season . . . The Mavs will play at Phoenix on Saturday before returning home to host the Utah Jazz on Monday.

X: @DwainPrice