http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/10/31/ellis-fitting-in-just-fine-in-big-d-after-impressive-debut/

Calls himself "Monta Basketball" then drops 32 on the Hawks. Dirk's best Robin ever, or a volume shooter who just had a good game?

He has been awful in the past, but he obviously has a ton of talent. I think Carlisle will be the best thing that's ever happened to him. I'm expecting big things from him this year.

I think it depends if he buys in to the team concept or not.

My guess based on nothing is that he's just a volume shooter who hit his shots tonight.

The article provided does have one bit that makes me believe the author is believing what he wants to believe:

quote:

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As for Ellis’ seven turnovers? Scoreboard.

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If the Mavs had lost then they'd be looking at those 7 turnovers, along with however many points they caused, differently. That's possibly a bigger issue. I didn't see the game so maybe the turnovers weren't anything really dumb.

Monta Basketball? Please. It says he started calling himself that so it makes him dumb. You can't start your own nickname, especially stealing from JFF.

81 games more to go, and the 16 games in the Southwest will be pretty revealing with a diverse set of skills for the SGs that he will have to face:

James Harden
Eric Gordon (until injury) & Tyreke
Tony Allen & QPon (He always lights up his hometown)
Green & Ginobili

I would say all those are a step up from Kyle Korver and whatever the Atlanta Hawks threw out there.

He's an outstanding scorer that is a significant upgrade from OJ Mayo.

He is a lot different than most volume shooters. He gets a fair amount of assists, at least he has in his time with the Mavs so far (preseason and last night).

I was impressed because he didn't take any shots that just had me shaking my head in disgust.

He must not be coachable. Why didn't any of his former teams invest in him and the skill set spoken about above. That's what I don't get. I think he is a very good player and the Mavs were damn lucky to get him after striking out on everyone else. I agree that Carlise will be good for him. The Mavs backcourt will be tough to defend.

[This message has been edited by Olrock (edited 10/31/2013 3:22p).]

He was pretty good in Golden State, I think Milwaukee's roster was just so terrible that he had no chance but to take some low percentage shots when nothing developed. I'm hoping that with Dirk commanding a lot of attention from defenses, and Carslile being the best coach he's ever had that he could do something like 47% shooting and 20 ppg. If he and Dirk could both put up those numbers, we'd have a pretty solid offense.

He was pretty good in Golden State, I think Milwaukee's roster was just so terrible that he had no chance but to take some low percentage shots when nothing developed. I'm hoping that with Dirk commanding a lot of attention from defenses, and Carslile being the best coach he's ever had that he could do something like 47% shooting and 20 ppg. If he and Dirk could both put up those numbers, we'd have a pretty solid offense.

I'm expecting him to put up some big numbers. This is the most talent he has been surrounded by and it's not even close. I expect his assist numbers to be extremely high for a 2 guard as well.

He was the only source of offense with both Milwaukee and Golden State. He has never had a player like Dirk to dish to. We will see but I'm optimistic .

He can win a game for you. He can also lose a game for you. Overall, he is a pretty good player.

In a one possession game, opponents will have to account for him. No more "double team Dirk and if Joe Schmo beats us, so be it".

Tonight's game change any minds? Guy was not only shooting, but dealing out key assists.

I think it's a given with Monta that he's going to have boneheaded games. But this is the first time he's probably been in a completely functional organization with a clear hierarchy established. He's always been talented, and now he has accountability as well.

He'll fall into old habits on occasion, but overall I expect this to be the best season he's had in quite awhile.

Just FYI, the key assists weren't just last night. He's been scoring and racking up assists every game. He completely dominated the phili game Monday night too.