RS 21/22 - Mavs vs Rockets (Wed. 8:30PM EST)

[HMFFL]

Big win for us tonight. It was Houston but we went without some key players and we blew them out. I'm very proud of our team.

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[41Dirk41]

Its crazy how much powell and dfs have grown on me, both have their obvious limitations but they play within themselves and play hard which I appreciate. maxi otoh is becoming a liability at this point, hopefully his recent play hasn't tanked his trade value but he definitely needs to go asap

Give Kidd some credit for that... If Powell and DFS play their game they are good role player, if they try something else so have a problem.

[41Dirk41]

Good W without our 2 best players.

Let's take the first round home court!

I am not sure who you think the second best player is on this team. THJ? Dinwiddie played tonight.

Davis "The Laser" Bertans

[Darren]

Its crazy how much powell and dfs have grown on me, both have their obvious limitations but they play within themselves and play hard which I appreciate. maxi otoh is becoming a liability at this point, hopefully his recent play hasn't tanked his trade value but he definitely needs to go asap

I think both benefit a lot from the zone defense. Things are much easier for the duo compared to man defense. Meanwhile, Maxi is just on the opposite side. Hopefully, the Mavs could get Maxi ready for the playoff. On both end, Maxi is far from effective compared with the impacts Maxi on Mavs 3 years in a row.

[Bob8]

Its crazy how much powell and dfs have grown on me, both have their obvious limitations but they play within themselves and play hard which I appreciate. maxi otoh is becoming a liability at this point, hopefully his recent play hasn't tanked his trade value but he definitely needs to go asap

I think both benefit a lot from the zone defense. Things are much easier for the duo compared to man defense. Meanwhile, Maxi is just on the opposite side. Hopefully, the Mavs could get Maxi ready for the playoff. On both end, Maxi is far from effective compared with the impacts Maxi on Mavs 3 years in a row.

Kleber was always overrated in offense. It really doesn't matter much, if you're shooting 40% or 35%, if you average only 1.5 3s per game. He's 7 points player, who scores even less in playoffs.

The same problem is with Josh, who cares if he's shootings for him solid 34%, if he scores only 0.4 3s.

Mavs just have to find players, who can score more on 3-5 position.

[Mavrelous]

Its crazy how much powell and dfs have grown on me, both have their obvious limitations but they play within themselves and play hard which I appreciate. maxi otoh is becoming a liability at this point, hopefully his recent play hasn't tanked his trade value but he definitely needs to go asap

I think both benefit a lot from the zone defense. Things are much easier for the duo compared to man defense. Meanwhile, Maxi is just on the opposite side. Hopefully, the Mavs could get Maxi ready for the playoff. On both end, Maxi is far from effective compared with the impacts Maxi on Mavs 3 years in a row.

Kleber was always overrated in offense. It really doesn't matter much, if you're shooting 40% or 35%, if you average only 1.5 3s per game. He's 7 points player, who scores even less in playoffs.

I really disagree with that, non-shooters are left alone and blitzing Luka becomes much easier, he's also not a very good roller, he fumbles the ball a lot.
He doesn't need to score a lot, he only needs to be a threat enough to keep his man around him.
Maxi getting back to bein 40% 3 pt threat, will help a lot with Luka spacing.

[Bob8]

I think both benefit a lot from the zone defense. Things are much easier for the duo compared to man defense. Meanwhile, Maxi is just on the opposite side. Hopefully, the Mavs could get Maxi ready for the playoff. On both end, Maxi is far from effective compared with the impacts Maxi on Mavs 3 years in a row.

Kleber was always overrated in offense. It really doesn't matter much, if you're shooting 40% or 35%, if you average only 1.5 3s per game. He's 7 points player, who scores even less in playoffs.

I really disagree with that, non-shooters are left alone and blitzing Luka becomes much easier, he's also not a very good roller, he fumbles the ball a lot.
He doesn't need to score a lot, he only needs to be a threat enough to keep his man around him.
Maxi getting back to bein 40% 3 pt threat, will help a lot with Luka spacing.

Maxi is already left alone always when he shoots, because he needs a lot of time to make a shot. Difference between 40% and 35% in his case is 0.5 points more. I kinda doubt teams will guard Kleber differently because those 0.5 points more per game.

[Mavrelous]

I don't think that's true, I don't remember Luka being blitzed this brazenly last year, and the low number of shots is because how he's defended, Maxi won't shoot at the slightest contest even when he's hot, it still means he draws his man.

[Bob8]

I don't think that's true, I don't remember Luka being blitzed this brazenly last year, and the low number of shots is because how he's defended, Maxi won't shoot at the slightest contest even when he's hot, it still means he draws his man.

Mavs are having one of the best D, while they're blitzing and doubling every opponents' star. Others are doing more this year too. That's why having Dinwiddie is so crucial for Mavs, much more than Kleber having better %. And don't forget how Kleber disappears in playoffs, where D is a little better and there's even less time.

Kleber is shooting around 4.3 3s per game last 3 years, nothing has change there. His numbers are almost identical.

[Mavrelous]

I don't think that's true, I don't remember Luka being blitzed this brazenly last year, and the low number of shots is because how he's defended, Maxi won't shoot at the slightest contest even when he's hot, it still means he draws his man.

Mavs are having one of the best D, while they're blitzing and doubling every opponents' star. Others are doing more this year too. That's why having Dinwiddie is so crucial for Mavs, much more than Kleber having better %. And don't forget how Kleber disappears in playoffs, where D is a little better and there's even less time.

Kleber is shooting around 4.3 3s per game last 3 years, nothing has change there. His numbers are almost identical.

The sample is skewed by having good stretch and being downright horrible since ASB, remeber the Maxi from Miami game, that's the difference between this Maxi and Maxi with confidence hitting his shots.
Mavs are able to blitz because of bad shooters on the other teams, James Johnson on the Nets, Marcus Smart on the Celtics, Draymond Green on the Dubs, etc...
I think Luka's visible frustration in the Hornets game was big part of the reason he was rested.

[Bob8]

I don't think that's true, I don't remember Luka being blitzed this brazenly last year, and the low number of shots is because how he's defended, Maxi won't shoot at the slightest contest even when he's hot, it still means he draws his man.

Mavs are having one of the best D, while they're blitzing and doubling every opponents' star. Others are doing more this year too. That's why having Dinwiddie is so crucial for Mavs, much more than Kleber having better %. And don't forget how Kleber disappears in playoffs, where D is a little better and there's even less time.

Kleber is shooting around 4.3 3s per game last 3 years, nothing has change there. His numbers are almost identical.

The sample is skewed by having good stretch and being downright horrible since ASB, remeber the Maxi from Miami game, that's the difference between this Maxi and Maxi with confidence hitting his shots.
Mavs are able to blitz because of bad shooters on the other teams, James Johnson on the Nets, Marcus Smart on the Celtics, Draymond Green on the Dubs, etc...
I think Luka's visible frustration in the Hornets game was big part of the reason he was rested.

Kleber's best season was 2 years ago, 9/5/1, 1.6 3s per game, 37% for 3. This year is 7/6/1, 1.5 3s per game, 34% for 3. As you see not exactly big difference.

Problem with Kleber, Josh, Ntilikina...is that they're not good offensive players. So when you have to decide, who to left open, you will always choose them, no matter if they shoot 34% or 40%. Problem is that Mavs have a lot of those players. Mavs will miss THJ a lot in playoffs.

[41Dirk41]

I'm agree with Bob, we desperately need another scorer in those positions.

Kleber who doesn't make the wide open 3s is a big problem for us. That's why Bertans could important for 10/15minutes a game.
I think Frank isn't so bad offensely, he only need confidence. I like him very much. Underrated.
Josh simply doesn't look the basket, he is scared of it.

[Mavrelous]

I think Frank isn't so bad offensely, he only need confidence. I like him very much. Underrated.
Josh simply doesn't look the basket, he is scared of it.

We love Josh because he's likable, he's athletic and he works hard, Frank is more of the nonchalant type but objectively, Frank has higher offensive upside than Josh, I have more faith in Frank developing reliable jumper than Josh, both lack touch around the rim.

[Mavrelous]

Kleber's best season was 2 years ago, 9/5/1, 1.6 3s per game, 37% for 3. This year is 7/6/1, 1.5 3s per game, 34% for 3. As you see not exactly big difference.

Problem with Kleber, Josh, Ntilikina...is that they're not good offensive players. So when you have to decide, who to left open, you will always choose them, no matter if they shoot 34% or 40%. Problem is that Mavs have a lot of those players. Mavs will miss THJ a lot in playoffs.

If THJ isn't coming back, Kidd must incorporate Bertans in the offense, he can't be fed scraps waiting for Dinwiddie and Brunson, he needs active engagement though set plays.
Bertans is a bad fit with Luka, just like Reddick was, Luka likes to read the floor of the stationary shooters, work with the roller and based on defense reaction kickout/lob the easiest path or score himself.
Bertans will never be the one free shooter in this scenario, he needs to be part of the exit screen plays (like THJ was the exist screen guy) or work primarily with Brunson and Dinwiddie, but they need to actively look for him.
After Minny, Utah and Cavs Mavs have easy stretch, they must try to include him, the offense right now isn't good, what worked against the Rockets will not work against the Jazz in the PO, they will score, Mavs need to score also.

[Bob8]

Kleber's best season was 2 years ago, 9/5/1, 1.6 3s per game, 37% for 3. This year is 7/6/1, 1.5 3s per game, 34% for 3. As you see not exactly big difference.

Problem with Kleber, Josh, Ntilikina...is that they're not good offensive players. So when you have to decide, who to left open, you will always choose them, no matter if they shoot 34% or 40%. Problem is that Mavs have a lot of those players. Mavs will miss THJ a lot in playoffs.

If THJ isn't coming back, Kidd must incorporate Bertans in the offense, he can't be fed scraps waiting for Dinwiddie and Brunson, he needs active engagement though set plays.
Bertans is a bad fit with Luka, just like Reddick was, Luka likes to read the floor of the stationary shooters, work with the roller and based on defense reaction kickout/lob the easiest path or score himself.
Bertans will never be the one free shooter in this scenario, he needs to be part of the exit screen plays (like THJ was the exist screen guy) or work primarily with Brunson and Dinwiddie, but they need to actively look for him.
After Minny, Utah and Cavs Mavs have easy stretch, they must try to include him, the offense right now isn't good, what worked against the Rockets will not work against the Jazz in the PO, they will score, Mavs need to score also.

Yes scoring will be the biggest Mavs problem in playoffs and without THJ there's not much that can be done. We have to just hope, role players have good shooting series. I don't believe Kidd will try much with Bertans this year, he's a project for next year.