WCF Game 2: Dallas at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

[joesha1698]

Mavs fan here. This series aint over. I think the Mavs win it but its still too early to call. I just wanted to say one thing about your team and it's that your coach sucks. The coach is holding this team back. JVG said years ago, a coaches job is to maximize the talent on the roster. I do not think Finch is doing that. I think this team is just talented. The Wolves do not have a real system and they do not consistently put the ball in the hands of their best players to force the defense to make decisions.

The perfect offense for this team would the triangle offense that Phil Jackson ran with Kobe and Pau Gasol. Ant would be Kobe and Towns would be Gasol. This type of offense would give the team some structure and consistent put the balls in the hands of your two best offensive players to score or make scoring plays.

The fact that your benching a talented player like Towns (that has all the skill sets, can score 60 pts in 3 quarters) for a role player is insane. You're paying him 36, 49, 53, 57, and 61 million the next couple of years. If he's healthy, he's needs to play. The offense should be ran through Towns and Ant.

I think Towns should be developed. I think Ant should obviously be developed. These guys need to be put into positions to succeed and I do not believe this coach is doing that to level that justifies he should continue coaching this level of talent. The 3 point shot by Luka on Rudy is a prime example of what I'm talking about....you're up 2 - why wouldn't you trap Luka and force someone else to beat you when the role players around Luka have shown an inconsistent ability to hit a jump shot and at times have made questionable decisions? It's simply another error by the coach. Just like game one allowing Luka and Kyrie to destroy the drop coverage.

Also you're down 1 and you have one of the most athletic guys in the league, why not get something going down hill where Edwards can be fouled or finish at the basket? That's neither here or there but when its all said and done - Towns and Edwards will look like their not showing up but they have a coach who isnt doing them any favors.

[UglyBugBall]

It happens when their mother and aunt are the same person

Not to defend the guy trolling, but many on this board have dismissed the Mavericks, treating them like a joke, predicting a 5 game series that would be easier than Denver. That's disrespectful, so it shouldn't surprise when guys clap back. We should fairly assess the situation and both teams.

I am sorry predicting a 4 game sweep or 5 game win is not disrespectful if you give good reason or simply feel you have a good team. You can predict a DAL sweep too. It seems a bunch of DAL trolls have inferiority complex. Maybe feeling privileged because Twolves fan shouldn't feel good or confident about their team because they never achieved anything. You have to like DAL. It's not basketball talk. Do any Wolves guys go to DEN and SUN to harass them? There is a fine line between debating about the game vs showing off. Many of you seems to cross it regularly.

I wrote a reply to your yesterday outlining how I think Minnesota should adjust for the series and your response was to watch more MIN games. I'm sure there are trolls, but you showed no interest in having good faith discussions with fans of opposing teams.

[whatisacenter]

It happens when their mother and aunt are the same person

Not to defend the guy trolling, but many on this board have dismissed the Mavericks, treating them like a joke, predicting a 5 game series that would be easier than Denver. That's disrespectful, so it shouldn't surprise when guys clap back. We should fairly assess the situation and both teams.

I am sorry predicting a 4 game sweep or 5 game win is not disrespectful if you give good reason or simply feel you have a good team. You can predict a DAL sweep too. It seems a bunch of DAL trolls have inferiority complex. Maybe feeling privileged because Twolves fan shouldn't feel good or confident about their team because they never achieved anything. You have to like DAL. It's not basketball talk. Do any Wolves guys go to DEN and SUN to harass them? There is a fine line between debating about the game vs showing off. Many of you seems to cross it regularly.

Plus this is your team's forum for fans of the Wolves to post....if Mav's fans want to crow and clap back they can go the the GB.

[UglyBugBall]

Not to defend the guy trolling, but many on this board have dismissed the Mavericks, treating them like a joke, predicting a 5 game series that would be easier than Denver. That's disrespectful, so it shouldn't surprise when guys clap back. We should fairly assess the situation and both teams.

I am sorry predicting a 4 game sweep or 5 game win is not disrespectful if you give good reason or simply feel you have a good team. You can predict a DAL sweep too. It seems a bunch of DAL trolls have inferiority complex. Maybe feeling privileged because Twolves fan shouldn't feel good or confident about their team because they never achieved anything. You have to like DAL. It's not basketball talk. Do any Wolves guys go to DEN and SUN to harass them? There is a fine line between debating about the game vs showing off. Many of you seems to cross it regularly.

Plus this is your team's forum for fans of the Wolves to post....if Mav's fans want to crow and clap back they can go the the GB.

Shouldn't we be honest and objective though as fans? Otherwise you just have an echo chamber. It's not conducive reasonable discussion. I would side eye any Mavs fan predicting a sweep of Minnesota too. I haven't seen that specifically, but I know there are plenty of unreasonable Mavs fans too. You can believe in your team, without minimizing the competition that in all likelihood you haven't regularly watched,.

[Guest84]

Didn't anyone watch the post-game show and see Kenny kind of push back and get into it with Draymond over Rudy? I think Kenny got a little tired of Green's bashing. He's just so biased in his takes that it makes it unwatchable while he's on there.

[joesha1698]

Last thing I will say as a Mavs fan. if you want to beat the Mavs, I would use a combination of switching completely on Kyrie and Luka and trapping. On the switches, I would tell my guys to give Luka and Kyrie space. Invite them to take that 3 over your out-stretch arms. If they hit it, you live with it but it takes away the lob threat. (their winning on points in the paint)

The next thing I would do is trap Luka and Kyrie as much as possible on the screen. I would force them to give up the ball and the role players of the Mavs to hit 3s and make decisions in the middle of the court. Our role players struggle with decision making and consistently hitting that 3.

I would use a combination of these strategies throughout the game. When Luka and Kyrie get rolling a bit, i would come with the trap, vice versa.

[TimberKat]

Not to defend the guy trolling, but many on this board have dismissed the Mavericks, treating them like a joke, predicting a 5 game series that would be easier than Denver. That's disrespectful, so it shouldn't surprise when guys clap back. We should fairly assess the situation and both teams.

I am sorry predicting a 4 game sweep or 5 game win is not disrespectful if you give good reason or simply feel you have a good team. You can predict a DAL sweep too. It seems a bunch of DAL trolls have inferiority complex. Maybe feeling privileged because Twolves fan shouldn't feel good or confident about their team because they never achieved anything. You have to like DAL. It's not basketball talk. Do any Wolves guys go to DEN and SUN to harass them? There is a fine line between debating about the game vs showing off. Many of you seems to cross it regularly.

I wrote a reply to your yesterday outlining how I think Minnesota should adjust for the series and your response was to watch more MIN games. I'm sure there are trolls, but you showed no interest in having good faith discussions with fans of opposing teams.

Yes, I probably didn't agree with it. I don't remember what you wrote maybe just got mix up with the homer msgs. How often do you watch the Timberwolves? It's likely a mis conception we debated here all the time.

[TimberKat]

I am sorry predicting a 4 game sweep or 5 game win is not disrespectful if you give good reason or simply feel you have a good team. You can predict a DAL sweep too. It seems a bunch of DAL trolls have inferiority complex. Maybe feeling privileged because Twolves fan shouldn't feel good or confident about their team because they never achieved anything. You have to like DAL. It's not basketball talk. Do any Wolves guys go to DEN and SUN to harass them? There is a fine line between debating about the game vs showing off. Many of you seems to cross it regularly.

Plus this is your team's forum for fans of the Wolves to post....if Mav's fans want to crow and clap back they can go the the GB.

Shouldn't we be honest and objective though as fans? Otherwise you just have an echo chamber. It's not conducive reasonable discussion. I would side eye any Mavs fan predicting a sweep of Minnesota too. I haven't seen that specifically, but I know there are plenty of unreasonable Mavs fans too. You can believe in your team, without minimizing the competition that in all likelihood you haven't regularly watched,.

I think that is really the issue. Predicting a 5 game win is minimizing your favorite team and that is disrespectful. But you ignored all the other posts that said this is going to be a battle. Wolves should be confident but don't overlook DAL. Some how that translates to we don't need to play the games. That is classic inferiority complex isn't it?

[TimberKat]

Didn't anyone watch the post-game show and see Kenny kind of push back and get into it with Draymond over Rudy? I think Kenny got a little tired of Green's bashing. He's just so biased in his takes that it makes it unwatchable while he's on there.

Yes, I always said Kenny is the only reasonable voice with those guys. It's four pts for two game. Does it hurt the Wolves?Yes. At the same time it could easily be the other way around. Now I am going to get 40 DAL fans tell me it can't happen the other way.

[UglyBugBall]

Plus this is your team's forum for fans of the Wolves to post....if Mav's fans want to crow and clap back they can go the the GB.

Shouldn't we be honest and objective though as fans? Otherwise you just have an echo chamber. It's not conducive reasonable discussion. I would side eye any Mavs fan predicting a sweep of Minnesota too. I haven't seen that specifically, but I know there are plenty of unreasonable Mavs fans too. You can believe in your team, without minimizing the competition that in all likelihood you haven't regularly watched,.

I think that is really the issue. Predicting a 5 game win is minimizing your favorite team and that is disrespectful. But you ignored all the other posts that said this is going to be a battle. Wolves should be confident but don't overlook DAL. Some how that translates to we don't need to play the games. That is classic inferiority complex isn't it?

I got a strong sense that after beating Denver most wolves fans were of the opinion that Dallas would be an easier series.

On the flip side, most Dallas fans thought that this WCF matchup would be the most grueling series so far.

Based on the result so far (still games left though) both teams might have been wrong in the opposite direction, but I think the reasonable assumption was that this would be the toughest series for both teams so far these playoffs.

I think beating last year's champs skewed what wolves fans thought about this series. Like the hardest part was already over. I heard a lot about how the wolves-den were the real WCF, and there wasn't a lot of respect from wolves fans entering the actual WCF.

Is my read of things wrong about this?

[TimberKat]

I agree with you. Finally we handle Kyrie and Luka pretty well but got smashed by Gafford and Lively who both combined does not make half salary of KAT or Rudy. Totally unacceptable.

I posted this before. Maybe the better way is just limit Kyrie and Luka to their two points. Don't give the 3s. Have Gobert stay back more to minimize the dunks. If those 10 dunks translated to 8 layups, we won the game. We are looking for the blowout and that isn't happening.

[TimberKat]

Shouldn't we be honest and objective though as fans? Otherwise you just have an echo chamber. It's not conducive reasonable discussion. I would side eye any Mavs fan predicting a sweep of Minnesota too. I haven't seen that specifically, but I know there are plenty of unreasonable Mavs fans too. You can believe in your team, without minimizing the competition that in all likelihood you haven't regularly watched,.

I think that is really the issue. Predicting a 5 game win is minimizing your favorite team and that is disrespectful. But you ignored all the other posts that said this is going to be a battle. Wolves should be confident but don't overlook DAL. Some how that translates to we don't need to play the games. That is classic inferiority complex isn't it?

I got a strong sense that after beating Denver most wolves fans were of the opinion that Dallas would be an easier series.

On the flip side, most Dallas fans thought that this WCF matchup would be the most grueling series so far.

Based on the result so far (still games left though) both teams might have been wrong in the opposite direction, but I think the reasonable assumption was that this would be the toughest series for both teams so far these playoffs.

I think beating last year's champs skewed what wolves fans thought about this series. Like the hardest part was already over. I heard a lot about how the wolves-den were the real WCF, and there wasn't a lot of respect from wolves fans entering the actual WCF.

Is my read of things wrong about this?

I know a lot of fans feel that way and rightly so but that is not saying they disrespect DAL. If DAL beat DEN then face Wolves it would be the same. I personally didn't talk much about DAL because I don't know the team that well with the changes and I don't like our chances with OKC. I also expected a DPOY and a all NBA defense 2nd team player would be able to contain Luka. There is logic to it but looks like I had been wrong so far.

[UglyBugBall]

I think that is really the issue. Predicting a 5 game win is minimizing your favorite team and that is disrespectful. But you ignored all the other posts that said this is going to be a battle. Wolves should be confident but don't overlook DAL. Some how that translates to we don't need to play the games. That is classic inferiority complex isn't it?

I got a strong sense that after beating Denver most wolves fans were of the opinion that Dallas would be an easier series.

On the flip side, most Dallas fans thought that this WCF matchup would be the most grueling series so far.

Based on the result so far (still games left though) both teams might have been wrong in the opposite direction, but I think the reasonable assumption was that this would be the toughest series for both teams so far these playoffs.

I think beating last year's champs skewed what wolves fans thought about this series. Like the hardest part was already over. I heard a lot about how the wolves-den were the real WCF, and there wasn't a lot of respect from wolves fans entering the actual WCF.

Is my read of things wrong about this?

I know a lot of fans feel that way and rightly so but that is not saying they disrespect DAL. If DAL beat DEN then face Wolves it would be the same. I personally didn't talk much about DAL because I don't know the team that well with the changes and I don't like our chances with OKC. I also expected a DPOY and a all NBA defense 2nd team player would be able to contain Luka. There is logic to it but looks like I had been wrong so far.

What's surprised me most is the center matchup. On paper Gobert and Towns (I know he's a pf) should wipe the floor with Lively and Gafford, but I feel like our twin towers have outplayed yours so far. I would have assumed, going into this series that's we'd have the advantage on the perimeter with Luka and Kyrie, and you guys on the inside with Gobert and Towns. I've been super high on our centers, but I still have to take yours over ours on paper

[TimberKat]

I got a strong sense that after beating Denver most wolves fans were of the opinion that Dallas would be an easier series.

On the flip side, most Dallas fans thought that this WCF matchup would be the most grueling series so far.

Based on the result so far (still games left though) both teams might have been wrong in the opposite direction, but I think the reasonable assumption was that this would be the toughest series for both teams so far these playoffs.

I think beating last year's champs skewed what wolves fans thought about this series. Like the hardest part was already over. I heard a lot about how the wolves-den were the real WCF, and there wasn't a lot of respect from wolves fans entering the actual WCF.

Is my read of things wrong about this?

I know a lot of fans feel that way and rightly so but that is not saying they disrespect DAL. If DAL beat DEN then face Wolves it would be the same. I personally didn't talk much about DAL because I don't know the team that well with the changes and I don't like our chances with OKC. I also expected a DPOY and a all NBA defense 2nd team player would be able to contain Luka. There is logic to it but looks like I had been wrong so far.

What's surprised me most is the center matchup. On paper Gobert and Towns (I know he's a pf) should wipe the floor with Lively and Gafford, but I feel like our twin towers have outplayed yours so far. I would have assumed, going into this series that's we'd have the advantage on the perimeter with Luka and Kyrie, and you guys on the inside with Gobert and Towns. I've been super high on our centers, but I still have to take yours over ours on paper

Luka and Kyrie make them look better. Lively got good hands too. Towns should definitely be better . He was fine to start the game then fall in love with his bull run again. I still think his go to shot should be the baby hook. He can't create his own 3pts like Luka. Gobert to a lesser degree because I already accepted his value and short comings plus he already used up his once a year fade away jumper in the DEN series.

[UglyBugBall]

I know a lot of fans feel that way and rightly so but that is not saying they disrespect DAL. If DAL beat DEN then face Wolves it would be the same. I personally didn't talk much about DAL because I don't know the team that well with the changes and I don't like our chances with OKC. I also expected a DPOY and a all NBA defense 2nd team player would be able to contain Luka. There is logic to it but looks like I had been wrong so far.

What's surprised me most is the center matchup. On paper Gobert and Towns (I know he's a pf) should wipe the floor with Lively and Gafford, but I feel like our twin towers have outplayed yours so far. I would have assumed, going into this series that's we'd have the advantage on the perimeter with Luka and Kyrie, and you guys on the inside with Gobert and Towns. I've been super high on our centers, but I still have to take yours over ours on paper

Luka and Kyrie make them look better. Lively got good hands too. Towns should definitely be better . He was fine to start the game then fall in love with his bull run again. I still think his go to shot should be the baby hook. He can't create his own 3pts like Luka. Gobert to a lesser degree because I already accepted his value and short comings plus he already used up his once a year fade away jumper in the DEN series.

Kat has a big size advantage over PJ but seems helpless against him. Does he not have a back to the basket, back down game he could use to bully smaller guys?

[TimberKat]

What's surprised me most is the center matchup. On paper Gobert and Towns (I know he's a pf) should wipe the floor with Lively and Gafford, but I feel like our twin towers have outplayed yours so far. I would have assumed, going into this series that's we'd have the advantage on the perimeter with Luka and Kyrie, and you guys on the inside with Gobert and Towns. I've been super high on our centers, but I still have to take yours over ours on paper

Luka and Kyrie make them look better. Lively got good hands too. Towns should definitely be better . He was fine to start the game then fall in love with his bull run again. I still think his go to shot should be the baby hook. He can't create his own 3pts like Luka. Gobert to a lesser degree because I already accepted his value and short comings plus he already used up his once a year fade away jumper in the DEN series.

Kat has a big size advantage over PJ but seems helpless against him. Does he not have a back to the basket, back down game he could use to bully smaller guys?

His 3pt release is relatively slow and low so need space and a smaller player can guard him ( it's not a secret anymore). He like to out quick a smaller player ( I call it a bull run) and draw the offensive foul on himself. I really wish he use more back to basketball baby hook but that has been debated here all the time.

[Note30]

Mavs fan here. This series aint over. I think the Mavs win it but its still too early to call. I just wanted to say one thing about your team and it's that your coach sucks. The coach is holding this team back. JVG said years ago, a coaches job is to maximize the talent on the roster. I do not think Finch is doing that. I think this team is just talented. The Wolves do not have a real system and they do not consistently put the ball in the hands of their best players to force the defense to make decisions.

The perfect offense for this team would the triangle offense that Phil Jackson ran with Kobe and Pau Gasol. Ant would be Kobe and Towns would be Gasol. This type of offense would give the team some structure and consistent put the balls in the hands of your two best offensive players to score or make scoring plays.

The fact that your benching a talented player like Towns (that has all the skill sets, can score 60 pts in 3 quarters) for a role player is insane. You're paying him 36, 49, 53, 57, and 61 million the next couple of years. If he's healthy, he's needs to play. The offense should be ran through Towns and Ant.

I think Towns should be developed. I think Ant should obviously be developed. These guys need to be put into positions to succeed and I do not believe this coach is doing that to level that justifies he should continue coaching this level of talent. The 3 point shot by Luka on Rudy is a prime example of what I'm talking about....you're up 2 - why wouldn't you trap Luka and force someone else to beat you when the role players around Luka have shown an inconsistent ability to hit a jump shot and at times have made questionable decisions? It's simply another error by the coach. Just like game one allowing Luka and Kyrie to destroy the drop coverage.

Also you're down 1 and you have one of the most athletic guys in the league, why not get something going down hill where Edwards can be fouled or finish at the basket? That's neither here or there but when its all said and done - Towns and Edwards will look like their not showing up but they have a coach who isnt doing them any favors.

I really like the idea of the triangle. That said I'm not sure Towns would be able to effectively run it. He makes questionable decisions as is, perhaps putting him in a triangle system would make his life easier, but at the same time I wonder if he has the decision making skills.

[Calinks]

I think a core issue is we never figured out how to maximize our offense. This year we got the defense together and that's been great but we never found a great balance of playing together on the offensive end. We haven't found a way to get the most out of Towns in particular, he just gets his buckets where he can and he it talented enough to do that but its not the same as having a defined style of play that gets the most out of him. Its hurting us right now against a team that does have a very clear method of creating offense.

That's also why I have said I don't think our team is as good as it can be. They have been amazing on defense and have taken massive leaps in their ability to execute on the floor, far bigger leaps than I thought would happen in one season, but they still have a more ceiling to climb to. Again we have been middle of the pack on offense all season, you want to be top ten or higher.

[nzd07]

I will say that even if we lose, my hopes are still high for next season. I think we are in sort of a "dead" era of basketball, there's no real dynasty-level teams right now. We just need to win one before the Spurs get enough lottery picks to build around Wemby.

[winforlose]

Finch has been very bad with his schemes and rotations.

im positive you couldnt expound on this in detail if you tried.

1. Better solution for the PNR. Game 1 we tried drop, didn’t work. Game 2 we had some success with blitz and rotation. For whatever reason the halftime adjustment was to go back to drop and uncontested dunks followed. Even knowing exactly what Dallas was going to do in crunch time no adjustments were made beyond switching to create mismatches. Rudy should not be defending Luka with 5 fouls in a 2 point game with under a minute. The defensive scheme was flawed in both games.

2. McDaniels was the hot hand in game 1. Finch benched him as part of the rotation in the first half. Naz was the hot hand in game 2 but barely shot the ball in the fourth quarter. Finch needed to either put Karl in for Rudy or use the unicorn lineup putting Karl in for Jaden. Man defense was failing anyway, go zone and use Karl’s size and/or distance threat to take pressure off the paint and get Ant going down hill.

I can go on if you want a real discussion.