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Luka paid for the photoshop.

SUNS, preview nba.com

Phoenix belied its league-best record of 64-18 in 2021-22 by sputtering in the postseason, starting with a split of its first two games at home in the opening round against New Orleans, and finishing with a shocking Game 7 loss at Footprint Center to the fourth-seeded Dallas Mavericks.

BIGGEST QUESTION

Phoenix’s 2022 collapse was significant enough to make you wonder whether it has truly gotten over it. You could see the stitches fraying in the first round, before unravelling against Dallas in the semifinals. Paul won’t make excuses, but he suffered a quadriceps injury that slowed him for the most important games of that series. Can he stay healthy enough to be 100% when the stakes are highest? The club took care of Williams, Booker and Ayton this offseason, contractually. So, now the playoff collapse is the biggest hurdle to clear.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

Chris Paul: Paul, 37, led the NBA in assists per game (10.8) and ranked No. 2 in steals per outing (1.9), but has been slowed in the playoffs with injuries in each of the past two seasons.

Devin Booker: First-time All-NBA guard continues to improve playmaking and efficiency and should figure more prominently this season in the Kia MVP conversation.

Mikal Bridges: Finished second in voting for Kia Defensive Player of the Year, but there’s more to unlock in Bridges’ game as he comes off a career-high 14.2 points per contest in 2021-22.

Cameron Johnson: Likely the team’s PF of the future, Johnson finished third last season in voting for Kia Sixth Man of the Year.

Deandre Ayton: Finally received the big contract, but now needs to take game up another notch while improving consistency.

So the Mavs faces Phoenix and Memphis for first two games with a very real chance ending up with a losing record by the end of the first month. I kinda think the Mavs training camp is far from finish. Most players are not in top shape yet. And the preseason competition is too light with a lot of problems unresolved.

Man, I'm so done with the offseason, bring it on already!

At what point of the first quarter of the first game will this fanbase have a complete meltdown and declare the season over?

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Destroy the pussy Suns.

Happy NBA season Mavs fans
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ejs78 wrote:At what point of the first quarter of the first game will this fanbase have a complete meltdown and declare the season over?

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We have to wait for that? We got many that had that meltdown all summer

Key player to me is Dinwiddie. Will he be game 1-6 Dinwiddie vs the Suns where he averaged 8 pts, 3 assists on 35% from the field. Or is he going to be the game 7 version that had 30?

My hope is at least somewhere in the middle because if not, this will be a very tough game.

For me it's the bench, the Suns best bench player is Shamet, Mavs should gain significantly during these minutes, last year Suns had Johnson + McGee off the bench + 1 starter with them.

KhalilS wrote:For me it's the bench, the Suns best bench player is Shamet, Mavs should gain significantly during these minutes, last year Suns had Johnson + McGee off the bench + 1 starter with them.

Irony is, Mavs have a very strong bench this year and Suns are the opposite since Crowder is basically gone. Mavs just need to match starters and they'll be ok. But Maxi is probably not playing so that's their 2nd best wing defender gone. Wood and McGee will have to play really good on defense.

LMAO how do you miss that goaltend.

Are players contractually obligated to miss their FT when they sign with the Mavs?

Good start, Luka casually dominating, Wood is looking good, DFS and Bullock are doing their usual work, Dinwiddie MIA

Apz wrote:

ejs78 wrote:At what point of the first quarter of the first game will this fanbase have a complete meltdown and declare the season over?

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We have to wait for that? We got many that had that meltdown all summer

Lol this is true. Good thing they survived that 1st qtr



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I'm liking what I'm seeing from Wood on offense, isn't forcing anything, moves the ball well, and attacks when he sees an opening.

Dinwiddie got balls

You were right KhalilS, the bench was the difference. Suns bench is just bad.

Heck of a 1st half so far. Go Mavs!

You know everything is going our way when Luka is 7/7 from the free throw line. Good to see.

THJ is 2-6, but it's mostly his hero ball drives in non-Luka minutes, he looked good on both ends of the floor.

KhalilS wrote:THJ is 2-6, but it's mostly his hero ball drives in non-Luka minutes, he looked good on both ends of the floor.

Jinxed him