RS 24/25 - Mavs vs Lakers (Wed 7:30PM)

[Andri]

This feels like a closure game for Luka. Now that it's out of the way, the Luka fans can move on with him to LA like the Lebron fans who moved to Miami after Cleveland.

You keep trying hard!

Arkuo is Nico. He wanted to trade Luka few months before Nico did it.

Like things are looking, I can see Arkuo having conversations with himself in empty board.

[arkuo]

This feels like a closure game for Luka. Now that it's out of the way, the Luka fans can move on with him to LA like the Lebron fans who moved to Miami after Cleveland.

Bye bye. Enjoy your poverty franchise. Finally, Luka is finally free from your ass.

I don't care about any of that. I sleep like a baby every night.

[arkuo]

Watching AD on the replay, he doesn't look right. If I were him, I'd get surgery. Kyrie is out early next season anyway.

[Mavrelous]

I think this was the best outcome possible considering the circumstances.
1. Nico was mocked and derided as he should be.
2. Luka was loved and cherished as he should be.
3. Mavs players understood it's not about them, but about Luka and the FO/ownership.
4. For a change the org did right by him, and allowed the fans to express their feelings.

Hats off and full appreciation to city of Dallas and her people, they knew how to welcome their beloved and scorned son, and made sure to let the people in charge know who they blame for this mess, while the org failed the player and the fans, the people set the record straight.
We turn that page, painfully, I will cheer for him whenever and wherever he plays, now time to clean house in the org, Kroenke style, sooner or later, it will happen.

[arkuo]

I think this was the best outcome possible considering the circumstances.
1. Nico was mocked and derided as he should be.
2. Luka was loved and cherished as he should be.
3. Mavs players understood it's not about them, but about Luka and the FO/ownership.
4. For a change the org did right by him, and allowed the fans to express their feelings.

Hats off and full appreciation to city of Dallas and her people, they knew how to welcome their beloved and scorned son, and made sure to let the people in charge know who they blame for this mess, while the org failed the player and the fans, the people set the record straight.
We turn that page, painfully, I will cheer for him whenever and wherever he plays, now time to clean house in the org, Kroenke style, sooner or later, it will happen.

Like I said, it feels like a closure game for Luka. With the fans letting Nico hear it.

Time to move on. The first step to cleaning house is for Dumont to admit he made a mistake. This might take a while. Billionaires normally have big egos to admit this especially with all the press statements they've put out against Luka. To take all that back would mean Dumont and Adelson have to eat crow.

[Mavrelous]

Watching AD on the replay, he doesn't look right. If I were him, I'd get surgery. Kyrie is out early next season anyway.

Lively looked worse than AD TBH, he's really not right.
He was getting cooked by Luka and LeBron like he wasn't there...

[arkuo]

Hard decisions await for Lively, Gafford and PJ. Excluding this game, fit with one of those centers might be in question with AD playing PF. One of them becomes tradeable for a better fitting piece.

[arkuo]

Watching AD on the replay, he doesn't look right. If I were him, I'd get surgery. Kyrie is out early next season anyway.

Lively looked worse than AD TBH, he's really not right.
He was getting cooked by Luka and LeBron like he wasn't there...

Lively's injury was a stress fracture, right?. I'm actually surprised he came back within the season. Stress fractures normally take longer to heal based on my experience. Or maybe his is a lighter version if that's even possible. And the foot that was in the cast normally would normally take months of rehab to get full motion back.

[Mavrelous]

Hard decisions await for Lively, Gafford and PJ. Excluding this game, fit with one of those centers might be in question with AD playing PF. One of them becomes tradeable for a better fitting piece.

PJ looked like the ultimate combo forward next to Luka, feast on the space created, defend big wings, fill the low man role perfectly, now he's being asked to create, shoot contested shots and it shows, he looked like 30/yr player next to Luka, Lively looked like the ultimate rim runner/short roll/rimprotecting center, they both lose tens of millions on their next contract

[arkuo]

Hard decisions await for Lively, Gafford and PJ. Excluding this game, fit with one of those centers might be in question with AD playing PF. One of them becomes tradeable for a better fitting piece.

PJ looked like the ultimate combo forward next to Luka, feast on the space created, defend big wings, fill the low man role perfectly, now he's being asked to create, shoot contested shots and it shows, he looked like 30/yr player next to Luka, Lively looked like the ultimate rim runner/short roll/rimprotecting center, they both lose tens of millions on their next contract

The guys are mostly playing out of position now. With AD slotted in and with Kyrie out, those are 2 major shifts in the lineup. Like KD said in one of his interviews, there are players like him, who if he gets traded for, gets to change the whole offensive scheme for the team if you trade for him midseason. It's not the plays that you've worked on at training camp. So my guess is the same applies with AD being slotted in. They are still running the same plays when Luka was still here, just with different people playing different roles. Add losing Kyrie on top of that and you're missing around 30 pts to make up for (pts and assists combined). Anytime you have a minimum waged Dinwiddie and Exum with a broken wrist try ro play major PG minutes, it really will be messy.
That's like asking Yogi Ferrel to replace Steve Nash's production at point. It's unrealistic.

[arkuo]

I think the Mavs will use the play in games to see if PJ can successfully play SF on both ends. That would determine if he has a role on the team moving forward. He rebounds really well for a SF but might be a tad slow when guarding opposing wings. The play in matchup will have him guarding Derozan at SF if Kings roll out a conventional lineup. If he's not able to keep up with him on D, then he becomes expendable.

Unless Kidd gets to talk AD into playing full time C to move PJ back to the PF spot and Naji to SF. And have Lively come off the bench. This scenario makes Gaff expendable.

Just a lot of forwards and centers on the team now. One or two can be flipped for a better fitting piece. I'm afraid Nico's ego will just allow him to pull the trigger on a KD trade just to get it done with. KD is one of those 6'11 forwards that can make plays as the offense can go through him. But that means you're changing the whole playbook in the summer. Instead of pick and rolls and having a lot of motion and kick outs for corner threes (Luka's system), you'll have KD on top of the key as the first pass then he decides to go pick and roll with AD or go iso like Dirk with a smaller defender that normally ends with his fadeaway jumpshot. Then you spam that play (Dirk's system, sort of). KD in 2025 is not the KD of old. He plays a lot like Dirk now if you ask me. A lot of jumpshots and passing off double teams from his isos. It's not perfect but I think Nico has backed himself into a corner here.

[ACMFFL]

I can't stand Fakers fans saying "dont worry, we'll take care of Luka for you". **** y'all you bandwagons, you stole him from us, dio bono.

And ofc Mavs will lose a ton of money, they were among the most profitable franchises in the league only behind huge markets like NY, LA, GS and BOS with Luka.
It's all about the money and then you trade your golden goose?!

Mavs have been sacrificed on the altar of the LAL/NBA, there is no other logical reason to explain what happened to this franchise.

[Bob8]

Mavs have been sacrificed on the altar of the LAL/NBA, there is no other logical reason to explain what happened to this franchise.

Sure it is, stupidity, arrogance, envy, jealousy, cluelessness...and bad luck that 2 persons with all the power have all of them.

[Archx]

Hard decisions await for Lively, Gafford and PJ. Excluding this game, fit with one of those centers might be in question with AD playing PF. One of them becomes tradeable for a better fitting piece.

PJ looked like the ultimate combo forward next to Luka, feast on the space created, defend big wings, fill the low man role perfectly, now he's being asked to create, shoot contested shots and it shows, he looked like 30/yr player next to Luka, Lively looked like the ultimate rim runner/short roll/rimprotecting center, they both lose tens of millions on their next contract

You still remember that one specific poster who thought he was the smartest guy on the planet? He insisted on PJ to play like this and i told him repeatedly PJ can't play like LBJ 2.0, that's not his game, he needs Doncic. This was a great game to see how roster was constructed around Luka and how much better they were with him. Lively and Gafford are like ghosts.

At first i thought Lakers are insane for targeting Lively but Luka was dribbling by him with ease. And on offense, neither one of the centers could get anything done if not spoon fed. They have no space to operate in now with AD. And AD also playing on the perimeter more than in the paint is funny to say the least. No Kyrie will fix that and AD already showing age, he was never a great nr1 option either.

I think Gafford will eventually be gone, Mavs won't even be able to resign him, which will drastically worsen this team and PJ is also a question mark at this point.

[arkuo]

I can't stand Fakers fans saying "dont worry, we'll take care of Luka for you". **** y'all you bandwagons, you stole him from us, dio bono.

And ofc Mavs will lose a ton of money, they were among the most profitable franchises in the league only behind huge markets like NY, LA, GS and BOS with Luka.
It's all about the money and then you trade your golden goose?!

Mavs have been sacrificed on the altar of the LAL/NBA, there is no other logical reason to explain what happened to this franchise.

Lakers have an assortment of fans globally. They are the New York Yankees of basketball. You have stores selling Laker gear in other countries. Which means you get both sensible and bandwagoners at the same time. More often than not, the bandwagoners are the noisier ones. Similar to the Yankees.

[arkuo]

Hard decisions await for Lively, Gafford and PJ. Excluding this game, fit with one of those centers might be in question with AD playing PF. One of them becomes tradeable for a better fitting piece.

PJ looked like the ultimate combo forward next to Luka, feast on the space created, defend big wings, fill the low man role perfectly, now he's being asked to create, shoot contested shots and it shows, he looked like 30/yr player next to Luka, Lively looked like the ultimate rim runner/short roll/rimprotecting center, they both lose tens of millions on their next contract

You still remember that one specific poster who thought he was the smartest guy on the planet? He insisted on PJ to play like this and i told him repeatedly PJ can't play like LBJ 2.0, that's not his game, he needs Doncic. This was a great game to see how roster was constructed around Luka and how much better they were with him. Lively and Gafford are like ghosts.

At first i thought Lakers are insane for targeting Lively but Luka was dribbling by him with ease. And on offense, neither one of the centers could get anything done if not spoon fed. They have no space to operate in now with AD. And AD also playing on the perimeter more than in the paint is funny to say the least. No Kyrie will fix that and AD already showing age, he was never a great nr1 option either.

I think Gafford will eventually be gone, Mavs won't even be able to resign him, which will drastically worsen this team and PJ is also a question mark at this point.

It seems to me that they are still running "Luka" plays or plays from the time he was still here. There are times I still see AD running to the corner for a spot up 3 in some schemes. That is PJ's position. To shoot that cornet 3 in that old scheme. It seems like everyone moved a spot down with AD getting slotted at PF. So I think one of PJ or Gaff gets traded. AD at C makes sense. Depends if Kidd can talk him into it.

This backs Nico into a corner and he might actually pull the trigger for KD. KD gets you a secondary playmaker and a bucket getter. Both things of need. His age and contract size are concerns but those get overlooked once you consider Kyrie being out til the ASB. I mean, you're gunning for a shortened winning window anyway. Might as well go all in. PJ and Gaff are up for bigger contracr renewals soon.

[ACMFFL]

Mavs have been sacrificed on the altar of the LAL/NBA, there is no other logical reason to explain what happened to this franchise.

Sure it is, stupidity, arrogance, envy, jealousy, cluelessness...and bad luck that 2 persons with all the power have all of them.

It doesnt make any sense to be jealouse of the main reason why this franchise has been successfull and profitable, especially the latter cause I can buy that mr. married-into-money-Dumont is clueless about basketball, but how could he not see how crucial Luka was for the finances of this franchise? I’m shocked ownership allowed a trade to let go of such a monetarily valuable asset. I mean Mavs had the 5th highest revenue and were the 4th most profitable franchise in the league with Luka..
You dont tanked a multi billion dollar franchise on purpose just to satisfy your ego..and I said "on purpose" cause it's crystal clear from day1 that it was a suicidal move on all accounts.

[boogiezen]

This feels like a closure game for Luka. Now that it's out of the way, the Luka fans can move on with him to LA like the Lebron fans who moved to Miami after Cleveland.

Bye bye. Enjoy your poverty franchise. Finally, Luka is finally free from your ass.

I don't care about any of that. I sleep like a baby every night.

Weh? Your team has no future. Enjoy the poverty clown.

[Bob8]

Mavs have been sacrificed on the altar of the LAL/NBA, there is no other logical reason to explain what happened to this franchise.

Sure it is, stupidity, arrogance, envy, jealousy, cluelessness...and bad luck that 2 persons with all the power have all of them.

It doesnt make any sense to be jealouse of the main reason why this franchise has been successfull and profitable, especially the latter cause I can buy that mr. married-into-money-Dumont is clueless about basketball, but how could he not see how crucial Luka was for the finances of this franchise? I’m shocked ownership allowed a trade to let go of such a monetarily valuable asset. I mean Mavs had the 5th highest revenue and were the 4th most profitable franchise in the league with Luka..
You dont tanked a multi billion dollar franchise on purpose just to satisfy your ego..and I said "on purpose" cause it's crystal clear from day1 that it was a suicidal move on all accounts.

Tell me, can you logically explain Trump tariffs?

[Archx]

PJ looked like the ultimate combo forward next to Luka, feast on the space created, defend big wings, fill the low man role perfectly, now he's being asked to create, shoot contested shots and it shows, he looked like 30/yr player next to Luka, Lively looked like the ultimate rim runner/short roll/rimprotecting center, they both lose tens of millions on their next contract

You still remember that one specific poster who thought he was the smartest guy on the planet? He insisted on PJ to play like this and i told him repeatedly PJ can't play like LBJ 2.0, that's not his game, he needs Doncic. This was a great game to see how roster was constructed around Luka and how much better they were with him. Lively and Gafford are like ghosts.

At first i thought Lakers are insane for targeting Lively but Luka was dribbling by him with ease. And on offense, neither one of the centers could get anything done if not spoon fed. They have no space to operate in now with AD. And AD also playing on the perimeter more than in the paint is funny to say the least. No Kyrie will fix that and AD already showing age, he was never a great nr1 option either.

I think Gafford will eventually be gone, Mavs won't even be able to resign him, which will drastically worsen this team and PJ is also a question mark at this point.

It seems to me that they are still running "Luka" plays or plays from the time he was still here. There are times I still see AD running to the corner for a spot up 3 in some schemes. That is PJ's position. To shoot that cornet 3 in that old scheme. It seems like everyone moved a spot down with AD getting slotted at PF. So I think one of PJ or Gaff gets traded. AD at C makes sense. Depends if Kidd can talk him into it.

This backs Nico into a corner and he might actually pull the trigger for KD. KD gets you a secondary playmaker and a bucket getter. Both things of need. His age and contract size are concerns but those get overlooked once you consider Kyrie being out til the ASB. I mean, you're gunning for a shortened winning window anyway. Might as well go all in. PJ and Gaff are up for bigger contracr renewals soon.

It's just Kidd showing his full potential as a coach. Not being able to figure out how to run plays without either Kyrie or Luka doing their thing.

KD is good in short moments but he's also coming up in age so trusting him to perform for a full season and playoffs would be quite a task. In order to even get KD, Mavs would need to turn into Suns 2.0 which would be horrible. Great trio and some decent role players but the team would be only like 7 man deep, with 3 injury prone stars. AD and Kyrie also still need to be paid and some role players as well. Nico will have insanely tough job to figure this all out, without Dennis Lindsey, who held his hand when previous roster was constructed.

If they do the KD trade, this team will be so royally f*ked it won't even be funny anymore.