Playoffs 20/21 - G5 - Mavs @ Clippers (Wed., 10 PM EST)

[lukey90]

Do you think that Dallas should go small? I don't, I think their best chance is being big, just executing better and Luka being healthy.

Also change defenders of Kawhi, for some possessions just put Luka on him, he is big and good one on one defender.

[XTraderXL]

Ahhh it's Luka's fault that this team is inconsistent. And let's give Donnie, Cuban the free ride for putting a team that will never contend for a championship.

Without him, Dallas would have been in a lottery and that pick will go to NYK. Lol.

I want to know what all of these mistakes Donnie Nelson made are? When the Mavs didn't tank and wound up with the 5th pick in a loaded 2018 draft, he found a way to move up to 3rd and draft Luka. Then he drafted Brunson in the 2nd round. CHA-CHING!

They already had a bunch of deadweight on that team. How else do you finish with the 5th pick?

You can argue the DSJ pick if you want. A lot of Mavs fans were happy with that pick at the time. I thought the Porzingis trade was a home run when we made it. What we're a better team if we hold onto DSJ, Wes Matthews, DeAndre Jordan and those picks? This current can't contend for a championship roster is screwed because New York has our 1st round pick this year? The 21st overall pick?

Huh?

I don't see a list of All Stars waiting to come to Dallas, and Donnie just made a dumb choice and traded for KP instead. KP was a big name and everyone & their sister were laughing at the Knicks at the time. DAL still wins that trade hands down. The problem is that trade means the contract extension, so if Dallas could have had a crystal ball and seen how KP has reverted these past 2 seasons, maybe they don't do the deal.

I like a GM who's going to take a chance. Donnie hasn't hurt this team. This team is 2 years away from a title. I don't know why there's so much complaining. It's good to be a Mavs fan right now!!!

Maybe I'm just bitter by the plan powder stuff a few years back but there's just something about how they handle the offseason that just irks me. Like there is no sense of urgency.

Like you said, no allstar was coming to Dallas but they played the last few offseasons on the assumption that Giannis would be available. It came at the expense of building a solid roster around Luka.

I mean just look at his acquisitions the last 2 seasons. None of them except Seth cracked the rotation (Richardson also but he's been so awful). They've basically fielded the same team the last few seasons.

Now there are some good things to come out of this, win or lose. One, the Mavs have themselves a true franchise player in Luka. Two, more pressure and eyes on the FO cause man they have been bad.

Are you sure they have a franchise player in Luka? I think he will seriously think about his future in Dallas if they cant provide him with a good enough team to win the title in the next 2 years. If I was him I would wait until next season to sign an extension. Dont let the FO get complacent.

[agentofatlas]

I want to know what all of these mistakes Donnie Nelson made are? When the Mavs didn't tank and wound up with the 5th pick in a loaded 2018 draft, he found a way to move up to 3rd and draft Luka. Then he drafted Brunson in the 2nd round. CHA-CHING!

They already had a bunch of deadweight on that team. How else do you finish with the 5th pick?

You can argue the DSJ pick if you want. A lot of Mavs fans were happy with that pick at the time. I thought the Porzingis trade was a home run when we made it. What we're a better team if we hold onto DSJ, Wes Matthews, DeAndre Jordan and those picks? This current can't contend for a championship roster is screwed because New York has our 1st round pick this year? The 21st overall pick?

Huh?

I don't see a list of All Stars waiting to come to Dallas, and Donnie just made a dumb choice and traded for KP instead. KP was a big name and everyone & their sister were laughing at the Knicks at the time. DAL still wins that trade hands down. The problem is that trade means the contract extension, so if Dallas could have had a crystal ball and seen how KP has reverted these past 2 seasons, maybe they don't do the deal.

I like a GM who's going to take a chance. Donnie hasn't hurt this team. This team is 2 years away from a title. I don't know why there's so much complaining. It's good to be a Mavs fan right now!!!

Maybe I'm just bitter by the plan powder stuff a few years back but there's just something about how they handle the offseason that just irks me. Like there is no sense of urgency.

Like you said, no allstar was coming to Dallas but they played the last few offseasons on the assumption that Giannis would be available. It came at the expense of building a solid roster around Luka.

I mean just look at his acquisitions the last 2 seasons. None of them except Seth cracked the rotation (Richardson also but he's been so awful). They've basically fielded the same team the last few seasons.

Now there are some good things to come out of this, win or lose. One, the Mavs have themselves a true franchise player in Luka. Two, more pressure and eyes on the FO cause man they have been bad.

Are you sure they have a franchise player in Luka? I think he will seriously think about his future in Dallas if they cant provide him with a good enough team to win the title in the next 2 years. If I was him I would wait until next season to sign an extension. Dont let the FO get complacent.

I was more referring to his talent level than him staying. I don't expect him to be as loyal as Dirk if that is what you're asking. Dirk was unique.

Anyways, the Mavs have time. He'll sign the max extension cause he's not stupid.

[Bob8]

Maybe I'm just bitter by the plan powder stuff a few years back but there's just something about how they handle the offseason that just irks me. Like there is no sense of urgency.

Like you said, no allstar was coming to Dallas but they played the last few offseasons on the assumption that Giannis would be available. It came at the expense of building a solid roster around Luka.

I mean just look at his acquisitions the last 2 seasons. None of them except Seth cracked the rotation (Richardson also but he's been so awful). They've basically fielded the same team the last few seasons.

Now there are some good things to come out of this, win or lose. One, the Mavs have themselves a true franchise player in Luka. Two, more pressure and eyes on the FO cause man they have been bad.

Are you sure they have a franchise player in Luka? I think he will seriously think about his future in Dallas if they cant provide him with a good enough team to win the title in the next 2 years. If I was him I would wait until next season to sign an extension. Dont let the FO get complacent.

I was more referring to his talent level than him staying. I don't expect him to be as loyal as Dirk if that is what you're asking. Dirk was unique.

Anyways, the Mavs have time. He'll sign the max extension cause he's not stupid.

Losing another 5+ years in a team, which is clearly unable to make good roster might be as stupid as possible. If Mavs couldn't build good roster with Luka and Brunson getting less than 10 mio together, how will they build competitive roster paying them 50 mio? And they don't have 2 first round picks either.
I'm not sure that logic how you must provide multiple generations of your heirs first and sign super max as soon as possible makes a lot of sense. Luka will make a lot of money no matter what.
Saying how Mavs have time is just giving alibi to management and RC. Yes Luka is only 22 years old but he's averaging 33/8/8 with good efficiency in playoffs. This are MVP numbers. If Mavs have had only solid offseason, that should be enough for something more than fight in round 1. You basically have MVP caliber player for a price of a decent backup.

[BlueSan]

There is a bunch of things that can be done, but doubling Kawhi IMO would not be a good option, of course, you can partially do it to give him different looks, same as for Luka on the other side (especially since Kawhi and company are less used to seeing double teams and Kawhi isn't as good of a passer as Luka.
Going into aggressive and good closeout Zone is also an option.

Again problems come when you need good rotations and closeouts and Dallas has so far shown they are extremely poor at handling those.

However there is just one thing I dislike about the entire thing, since I did say Clippers are better and for me it was Clippers in 4:1 or max 4:2.

Attitude of the team. Clippers were like = no worries blah blah
Our guys...heads down, we were bad, we need to do better and stupid stuff like that. Man up and say you will smack them next game. Give some optimism even if you fail, go out there actually believing you are a better team not just feeling sorry for yourself and all depressed. It is extremely painful to watch. Wont even talk about the coach = have had it with this guy already 10 folds. Every single time giving some generic answers no passion fire whatever. Might as well skip the conferences all together. How this guy can inspire anyone is beyond me

[BlueSan]

Could be a good thing to get "swept". Roster changes, coach change, FO change, anything. Luka is awesome but a bit childish these playoffs. He should be more locked in and not worry so much about those bums.

What u mean childish?

people are different, its not robots that u just reprogram and everyone is the same. Sure every player at this level know how they work and how to best prepare and how to be at their best to perform, just sometimes it doesnt work.

Also, what were the odds for mavs before the po to beat clippers? Not very high I think.

Personally I cant believe we lost 2 at home, but it happens. When shooting gets cold there really isnt anything else to do than keep shooting til u get hot again. Like clippers done, their shooting sucked first 2 games but been good last 2. The team with best shooting wins this series. Im not giving up as mavs fan, maybe im delusional since I havent been able to watch last 2 games and cant watch sports if i know the result, but Kawhi and PG got about the same chance to keep their health thru a 7 games series as KP, so just keep going.

What worries me is Lukas injury. Didnt see how it looked myself, but listened to locked on mavs on the way to work and from their pov it looked like it hindered him badly. Without Luka we cant win, same goes for every other team in the NBA tho

Clippers' shooting didnt suck first two games

1st game only
2nd game it was = 39,4% 3pts / 53,6% FG and 90% FTs

Thats a great shooting stunt, Dallas was just outshooting them

[agentofatlas]

Are you sure they have a franchise player in Luka? I think he will seriously think about his future in Dallas if they cant provide him with a good enough team to win the title in the next 2 years. If I was him I would wait until next season to sign an extension. Dont let the FO get complacent.

I was more referring to his talent level than him staying. I don't expect him to be as loyal as Dirk if that is what you're asking. Dirk was unique.

Anyways, the Mavs have time. He'll sign the max extension cause he's not stupid.

Losing another 5+ years in a team, which is clearly unable to make good roster might be as stupid as possible. If Mavs couldn't build good roster with Luka and Brunson getting less than 10 mio together, how will they build competitive roster paying them 50 mio? And they don't have 2 first round picks either.
I'm not sure that logic how you must provide multiple generations of your heirs first and sign super max as soon as possible makes a lot of sense. Luka will make a lot of money no matter what.
Saying how Mavs have time is just giving alibi to management and RC. Yes Luka is only 22 years old but he's averaging 33/8/8 with good efficiency in playoffs. This are MVP numbers. If Mavs have had only solid offseason, that should be enough for something more than fight in round 1. You basically have MVP caliber player for a price of a decent backup.

What the hell are you talking about man? What's your point? Are you saying Luka won't sign the max extension because that is stupid as ****. That's like a guaranteed 195 mil. No player or agent is that dumb. You always sign for the max then worry about **** later. It's like you've only watched the NBA now or something.

Anyways the Mavs do have time. About 4 years at least. I suggest you Luka stans get comfortable cause he's gonna be here a while. Now it's good that there's more eyes on the FO cause they've dropped the ball going back to Dirk's last few seasons.

[DJ_3_Ball]

Are you sure they have a franchise player in Luka? I think he will seriously think about his future in Dallas if they cant provide him with a good enough team to win the title in the next 2 years. If I was him I would wait until next season to sign an extension. Dont let the FO get complacent.

I think for right now if the Mavs lose, Luka will blame himself. He'll want to work on his FT shooting, and he'll say I could be better at X, Y, or Z. I think he really likes his teammates Boban, Brunson, Maxi, THJ, and most everyone else, besides KP (apparently). I think Luka likes the city of Dallas, Mark Cuban, and isn't currently looking or thinking about any other team. Also, the Mavs having a proven track record of scouting European talent might mean a little something.

By the '23-'24 season, if the Mavs haven't made much progress in the playoffs. If they haven't at least gotten to the Western Conference Finals, or if when they did get there it was a case of Luka playing 1 on 5 (almost like he's doing in this series), then I think his competitive fire will really have him re-evaluating Dallas. I think Luka hates losing, and he won't tolerate it for very long.

I don't think Luka is like Dirk. Even a player like Dame Lillard who is like Dirk, is now at least considering going to another team. Dirk was very candid in an interview with BaD radio on the Ticket. Maybe 2018 or so. He said if the Mavs hadn't won in 2011, then he wasn't sure if he would of stayed in Dallas or joined a team like the Warriors (the talk show host suggested that scenario) to chase a ring. Dirk basically said it would of been hard to leave and he would of wanted to stay, but he would of at least considered leaving to have a chance at a ring.

Best we can hope for with Luka is that he'll give the Mavs every opportunity to resign him to a long term extension. Blind loyalty, however, I don't think anybody expects that to be on the table.

[41Dirk41]

If Luka isn't at 100% i will sit him out, start Brunson and feed KP every possession.

We will see what happens, nothing to lose... We lost by 40 last year in game5.

[MrOrange]

If Luka isn't at 100% i will sit him out, start Brunson and feed KP every possession.

We will see what happens, nothing to lose... We lost by 40 last year in game5.

It is unclear what exactly it is with Luka. If it is a strain, sitting out would help, if it is a nerve, then it will not get better just in a couple of days. Anyways, he should manage his own shot selection much better in this situation and concentrate on distributing. 24 shot attempts (twice as many as anyone else on the team) with a bad neck is not going to win anything.

[arkuo]

Casey Smith is known to be really cautious. He won't sign off unless the player is good to go. Look at how Casey Smith is with KP's injury vs Luka's injury. The Mavs were really careful with bringing KP back, choosing to lose games instead of bringing him back earlier. At a point where they were just being too cautious. Now if Casey signed off on Luka being good to go, I believe he is good to go. It just appears that he is whiny or wincing on camera. Or lack of a better term.

[Mavrelous]

Behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining, the other 2 options in the PO were Nuggets and Suns, the Suns are destroying the Lakers and Jokic/Lillard are on a new type of PEDs not known to man.

[fuller4379]

Behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining, the other 2 options in the PO were Nuggets and Suns, the Suns are destroying the Lakers and Jokic/Lillard are on a new type of PEDs not known to man.

Jokic would average 50 a game against the Mavericks. Who on this team could defend him? WCS?

[41Dirk41]

Ready for game 5...against all the world

Luka news?

[BlueSan]

What is with all of the pissing the pants and cant win attitude?

Luka said it best last year. If you don't believe you shouldn't be here.... Remember that sentence? Now I think they will lose, so I probably shouldn't be there yeah haha.

But for players and staff should be more optimistic and reassuring. Yet they are not

[Mavrelous]

Ready for game 5...against all the world

Luka news?

Melli is a fighter, I love his attitude.

[ducler]

Read on Twitter

[ejs78]

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[Heezzi]

Well at least we have an extra day off again. The longer off the better with Luka's neck, because if Luka isn't close to 100% we're screwed.

Jalen Brunson is currently at a net rating of -30.4 for the series. That is not a typo. https://www.nba.com/stats/players/advanced/?sort=NET_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2020-21&SeasonType=Playoffs&TeamID=1610612742

Luka at +1.4

That's the kind of drop off we're looking at when Luka is out of the game or not himself. All you needed to see in game 3 was how quickly we lost that big lead when Carlisle sent Luka to the bench early for rest when we should have been aiming for an early kill.

That's a pretty damning stat, back pretty much by what we saw.
We'll see next game, maybe RC should put KP and THJ in the second unit, and move WCS/Boban to play ~25 minutes with Luka, KP opens and close the game only.

Brunson is still no Barea. The playmaking difference is pretty big.

He's not Seth Curry either.

[HMFFL]

If Luka isn't at 100% i will sit him out, start Brunson and feed KP every possession.

We will see what happens, nothing to lose... We lost by 40 last year in game5.

Luka has had two days off that probably included treatment. He's not going to sit. You do realize he won't be 100% until next season, right?

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