RS 24/25 - Mavs @ Rockets (Jan 1, 8PM EST)

[Mavrelous]

Mavs built a good team for the 1st time last deadline, and Luka came into season clearly not in shape, it's an injury after injury with him, last season, he wasn't healthy all playoffs, people are frustrated, they voice their frustrations, this doesn't lower the quality of the board, this is what the board is for.
For Westbrook comments, I already said it was asinine, but I'm gonna ban outlandish opinons, but your choice if you want to keep the back and forth discussing a claim that is clearly not shared by anyone else.

Thanks Khalil, this is exactly what it is, at least for the "other poster" Bob keeps mentioning. This team could be elite if our superstar were more serious, mature, and disciplined. Of course Mavs fans are annoyed, but fans of the player can't see that side, they have that right, free will God has blessed us all with.

But man, if the Mavs FO gave Dirk a team like this, he'd do wonders and we'd be perennial favorites every year

If I'm not mistaken Dirk had pretty good team, good enough for 67 wins in RS in 2007, and went out in round #1 in playoffs.

And received a level of criticism and mockery you wouldn't dream of, I lived in the US back then and saw it first hand, it wasn't just Dirk, the entire concept of relying on a European was a considered a mistake because of 2007 (and Nash failing to make the finals even though he's South African/Canadian), until he won it all, and in an epic fashion, I hope Luka does the same.
I don't think Luka is lazy, hell, I think he's a better talent than Dirk, but he's not above criticism.

[arkuo]

If I'm not mistaken Dirk had pretty good team, good enough for 67 wins in RS in 2007, and went out in round #1 in playoffs.

Luka has to be measured in a different way than Dirk. Youngest to ever do this and that, Euroleague MVP hotshot. Could probably sink a stepback jumper as soon as he came out of the womb. 6-time All NBA First team, baby! Chest thump! Let's go! Dirk is a midget of a superstar compared to Luka for sure. Luka's the hottest thing to come out ot Europe. Dirk bombs out of the 1st round, he gets a pass. Luka, with everything his fans say about him, has to be measured in a different way then. Could probably surpass Bill Russell's ring count when all is said and done. Dirk is barely that.

Like I said, when the team wins, it cant be Luka this and Luka that. But when the team loses, its all on the coach or his teammates. You just have double standards if you measure him like that.

Every star, the GOAT himself, needed a good team foremost to win something. That's why vast majority of stars need 5+ years to win something. Saying that Luka should have won something with Powell as staring C or Lively as a rookie is totally unrealistic. End even this year, there at least 2 teams with clearly better roster.

I agree on needing a good team. I don't necessarily agree on stars needing 5+ years to win, as this is subjective (depends on how the team is built at the time of entry). My point was just aimed at the fact that I do not see Luka playing all games until the playoffs or the finals. Which is why my opinion was no matter the great +/- numbers, it doesnt matter if you dont play or cant stay healthy. Win games that matter then we'll talk. If the NBA decreased regular season games to 25 a year then maybe he has a shot at being greatest of all time. But 82 games + playofff games + finals? I don't see it. I want to be proven wrong. But I don't see it.

[Bob8]

Thanks Khalil, this is exactly what it is, at least for the "other poster" Bob keeps mentioning. This team could be elite if our superstar were more serious, mature, and disciplined. Of course Mavs fans are annoyed, but fans of the player can't see that side, they have that right, free will God has blessed us all with.

But man, if the Mavs FO gave Dirk a team like this, he'd do wonders and we'd be perennial favorites every year

If I'm not mistaken Dirk had pretty good team, good enough for 67 wins in RS in 2007, and went out in round #1 in playoffs.

And received a level of criticism and mockery you wouldn't dream of, I lived in the US back then and saw it first hand, it wasn't just Dirk, the entire concept of relying on a European was a considered a mistake because of 2007 (and Nash failing to make the finals even though he's South African/Canadian), until he won it all, and in an epic fashion, I hope Luka does the same.
I don't think Luka is lazy, hell, I think he's a better talent than Dirk, but he's not above criticism.

Something is credible criticism, something else is bitching about his injury because he was kicked by Looney in the heel, while playing pretty good basketball. There's no conditioning, which can prevent that kind of injury. Last year Luka kept alive Mavs while Kyrie's and others were injured for almost 2 months, now it's on others to do the same. If we can't survive 1 month without Luka then this is not contender anyway.