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The sixers were winning by 21 in the 4th and lost. What a nightmare game. I'd be drinking so much right now if that was us.

Oof the Blazers are struggling. I can totally see them making a strong enough push for Kevin Love if the Cavs are willing.

irish22022 wrote:The Mavs ain't nothing. Doncic is Westbrook walking

I didn't anticipate that a euro player could be more ball-dominant than Lebron and Westbrook combined.

Luka is just glory-hunting right now in the expense of his team. That half-court shot, wow. Unfortunately for him those are not falling like last season.

For the past few years I wanted Blazers to get rid of Aminu & Harkless and add more offense to their starting lineup. Boy was I wrong they lost both of them added a nice center in Whiteside and are struggling badly. Also, losing a guy like Curry doesn't help. If they dont add a star I can see Phoenix taking their spot. Mavs already will take GSW spot.

sunsbg wrote:

irish22022 wrote:The Mavs ain't nothing. Doncic is Westbrook walking

I didn't anticipate that a euro player could be more ball-dominant than Lebron and Westbrook combined.

Luka is just glory-hunting right now in the expense of his team. That half-court shot, wow. Unfortunately for him those are not falling like last season.

Lmao Mavs are 5-3 with a roster that’s utter trash outside of him and Porzingis.

Doncic is barely 20 years old. Westbrook was absolute garbage when was that age.

Come on guys, I get that us Suns, Kings and Hawks fans have to hate the guy (not being facetious I’m serious, I understand why we have to) because otherwise it makes passing on him look bad but there are actual holes in his game (defense?) to criticize him about rather than bashing him for keeping that team afloat in a tough conference. The guy’s doing everything cause he has to do everything. Key is that he’s doing it with good efficiency.

Comparisons to Westbrook are just silly. 19 year old rookie Doncic destroys 20 year old Westbrook in TS%, PER and just about every efficiency metric out there.

I was just in Dallas recently and was at a sports bar rocking my Booker jersey after we beat Memphis. I definitely got a lot of smack talk from their fans about how I feel about Ayton being suspended while Luka’s playing so well and all that but I was able to bash Doncic with creative criticisms/comebacks about his defense, his hotshot lifestyle, his out of shape looking body etc.

If I could do all that with a couple drinks inside me, then we can definitely do better than smack talking him for being “ball dominant” while posting sober.

Lakers are legit. I’ve been waiting to see the wheels come flying off but their actually improving each and every game.

Maybe a hot take but I think this Lakers team is better than the 2009-2010 Laker teams that won titles back to back. LeBron now is better than Kobe then and Davis by himself is far better than Gasol/Bynum.

It’s incredible that their playing so well without Kuzma doing that well because he recovers completely from his injury and gets back on track, him and the other role players can be a solid supporting group for Davis and Bron just like Artest, Odom etc were for Kobe.

Anthony Davis is scoring so damn effieicently and is a monster defensively. Shame on New Orleans for not using him properly at all because he looks like a whole new player.

Revived wrote:

sunsbg wrote:

irish22022 wrote:The Mavs ain't nothing. Doncic is Westbrook walking

I didn't anticipate that a euro player could be more ball-dominant than Lebron and Westbrook combined.

Luka is just glory-hunting right now in the expense of his team. That half-court shot, wow. Unfortunately for him those are not falling like last season.

Lmao Mavs are 5-3 with a roster that’s utter trash outside of him and Porzingis.

Doncic is barely 20 years old. Westbrook was absolute garbage when was that age.

Come on guys, I get that us Suns, Kings and Hawks fans have to hate the guy (not being facetious I’m serious, I understand why we have to) because otherwise it makes passing on him look bad but there are actual holes in his game (defense?) to criticize him about rather than bashing him for keeping that team afloat in a tough conference. The guy’s doing everything cause he has to do everything. Key is that he’s doing it with good efficiency.

Comparisons to Westbrook are just silly. 19 year old rookie Doncic destroys 20 year old Westbrook in TS%, PER and just about every efficiency metric out there.

I was just in Dallas recently and was at a sports bar rocking my Booker jersey after we beat Memphis. I definitely got a lot of smack talk from their fans about how I feel about Ayton being suspended while Luka’s playing so well and all that but I was able to bash Doncic with creative criticisms/comebacks about his defense, his hotshot lifestyle, his out of shape looking body etc.

If I could do all that with a couple drinks inside me, then we can definitely do better than smack talking him for being “ball dominant” while posting sober.

I'm not buying into "he has to do everything" BS his fans bring since beginning of last season. Back than he had solid veterans on the team, current players are not that much worse than the Knicks players, yet they lost.

As with the defense, ball-dominance is a valid argument. Mavs ball-movement is non-existent - pretty predictable offense. I can guarantee you that he'll not be allowed to do what he's doing in NBA in any EU league. As I said, if someone said to me that euro player will be so ball-dominant I would have laughed at him. But obviously Luka's pushing hard for that first All-Star game and doesn't take into account it's a long season. Watch for him and the Mavs being worse after the ASB.

I'm certainly nitpicking his game, but I would have done it even if the Suns didn't have a chance at him, as he's certainly very good player and our teams will be competing in the playoffs in the future.

Doncic is so good, the thing is he has no depth in his team and that will cost them the playoffs I believe. As other teams have problems too maybe they do make the playoffs.
About Suns making the playoffs is that West is weaker that we thought at the beginning of the year.
So we have a chance there.

sunsbg wrote:

Revived wrote:

sunsbg wrote:
I didn't anticipate that a euro player could be more ball-dominant than Lebron and Westbrook combined.

Luka is just glory-hunting right now in the expense of his team. That half-court shot, wow. Unfortunately for him those are not falling like last season.

Lmao Mavs are 5-3 with a roster that’s utter trash outside of him and Porzingis.

Doncic is barely 20 years old. Westbrook was absolute garbage when was that age.

Come on guys, I get that us Suns, Kings and Hawks fans have to hate the guy (not being facetious I’m serious, I understand why we have to) because otherwise it makes passing on him look bad but there are actual holes in his game (defense?) to criticize him about rather than bashing him for keeping that team afloat in a tough conference. The guy’s doing everything cause he has to do everything. Key is that he’s doing it with good efficiency.

Comparisons to Westbrook are just silly. 19 year old rookie Doncic destroys 20 year old Westbrook in TS%, PER and just about every efficiency metric out there.

I was just in Dallas recently and was at a sports bar rocking my Booker jersey after we beat Memphis. I definitely got a lot of smack talk from their fans about how I feel about Ayton being suspended while Luka’s playing so well and all that but I was able to bash Doncic with creative criticisms/comebacks about his defense, his hotshot lifestyle, his out of shape looking body etc.

If I could do all that with a couple drinks inside me, then we can definitely do better than smack talking him for being “ball dominant” while posting sober.

I'm not buying into "he has to do everything" BS his fans bring since beginning of last season. Back than he had solid veterans on the team, current players are not that much worse than the Knicks players, yet they lost.

As with the defense, ball-dominance is a valid argument. Mavs ball-movement is non-existent - pretty predictable offense. I can guarantee you that he'll not be allowed to do what he's doing in NBA in any EU league. As I said, if someone said to me that euro player will be so ball-dominant I would have laughed at him. But obviously Luka's pushing hard for that first All-Star game and doesn't take into account it's a long season. Watch for him and the Mavs being worse after the ASB.

I'm certainly nitpicking his game, but I would have done it even if the Suns didn't have a chance at him, as he's certainly very good player and our teams will be competing in the playoffs in the future.

I understand that hurts, but it is good to admit reality.

Doncic is AMAZING. That is the true IMO. The guy is smart as hell and his basketball IQ is one of the highest that I have seen in my life. It is ridiculous.

He has always the ball in his hands because he produces every time, he is so difficult to stop because he has everything in his game.

Defensively I think he is an average player, but he does not take risks because this Dallas team needs him to play at his best on offense and out of foul trouble every single night. They lack talent and depth. With better players around (like Booker this season) he will be more focused and agressive on defense.

He is gonna average a triple double probably this season being 20 years old and helping to his rebuilding team to win games. Seriously...that is outstanding.

I am an Ayton guy because he is on the Suns, and I loved what I saw from him in the home opener. He is a nice player and all, but Luka is on another level, at least for now.

Saberestar wrote:

sunsbg wrote:

Revived wrote:Lmao Mavs are 5-3 with a roster that’s utter trash outside of him and Porzingis.

Doncic is barely 20 years old. Westbrook was absolute garbage when was that age.

Come on guys, I get that us Suns, Kings and Hawks fans have to hate the guy (not being facetious I’m serious, I understand why we have to) because otherwise it makes passing on him look bad but there are actual holes in his game (defense?) to criticize him about rather than bashing him for keeping that team afloat in a tough conference. The guy’s doing everything cause he has to do everything. Key is that he’s doing it with good efficiency.

Comparisons to Westbrook are just silly. 19 year old rookie Doncic destroys 20 year old Westbrook in TS%, PER and just about every efficiency metric out there.

I was just in Dallas recently and was at a sports bar rocking my Booker jersey after we beat Memphis. I definitely got a lot of smack talk from their fans about how I feel about Ayton being suspended while Luka’s playing so well and all that but I was able to bash Doncic with creative criticisms/comebacks about his defense, his hotshot lifestyle, his out of shape looking body etc.

If I could do all that with a couple drinks inside me, then we can definitely do better than smack talking him for being “ball dominant” while posting sober.

I'm not buying into "he has to do everything" BS his fans bring since beginning of last season. Back than he had solid veterans on the team, current players are not that much worse than the Knicks players, yet they lost.

As with the defense, ball-dominance is a valid argument. Mavs ball-movement is non-existent - pretty predictable offense. I can guarantee you that he'll not be allowed to do what he's doing in NBA in any EU league. As I said, if someone said to me that euro player will be so ball-dominant I would have laughed at him. But obviously Luka's pushing hard for that first All-Star game and doesn't take into account it's a long season. Watch for him and the Mavs being worse after the ASB.

I'm certainly nitpicking his game, but I would have done it even if the Suns didn't have a chance at him, as he's certainly very good player and our teams will be competing in the playoffs in the future.

I understand that hurts, but it is good to admit reality.

Doncic is AMAZING. That is the true IMO. The guy is smart as hell and his basketball IQ is one of the highest that I have seen in my life. It is ridiculous.

He has always the ball in their hands because he produces every time, he is so difficult to stop because he has everything in his game.

Defensively I think he is an average player, but he does not take risks because this Dallas team needs him to play at his best on offense and out of foul trouble every single night. They lack talent and depth. With better players around (like Booker this season) he will be more focused and agressive on defense.

He is gonna average a triple double probably this season being 20 years old and helping to his rebuilding team to win games. Seriously...that is outstanding.

I am an Ayton guy because he is on the Suns, and I loved what I saw from him in the home opener. He is a nice player and all, but Luka is on another level, at least for now.

0% chance Ayton ends the better player, but what I was talking about is that Luka's playing style is leaning to those of Harden, WB - great, but not the most successful and loved players.

Qwigglez wrote:Oof the Blazers are struggling. I can totally see them making a strong enough push for Kevin Love if the Cavs are willing.

Do they have enough salary to send out? I am not sure I see them going after him. They have usually wanted good defense to throw at wings at SF/PF with their guard duo.

I am not sure if Nurkic is coming back, and when, but if he doesn't we can certainly compete for that 8 spot with all the struggling west teams. Pelicans really struggling and I really don't know if Zion can help them THAT much or stay healthy, but they may start falling too far back to make it up anyway.

And the Kings struggling a bit too.

sunsbg wrote:

irish22022 wrote:The Mavs ain't nothing. Doncic is Westbrook walking

I didn't anticipate that a euro player could be more ball-dominant than Lebron and Westbrook combined.

Luka is just glory-hunting right now in the expense of his team. That half-court shot, wow. Unfortunately for him those are not falling like last season.

Expense of his team? They have two good players and the same record as us. And the previous poster calls him a walking Westbrook....a guy who won MVP a couple years back...is that a bad thing at 20? Yes, turnovers are bad and he's almost up there with Harden there, but is shooting much better from 3, getting more assists, and more rebounds, so his impact is more similar (or you could say more impactful) than Harden right now. Overall worse teammates and better numbers overall.

I know people hate hearing about him because they think Ayton will be better or whatever but doesn't mean people have to insinuate he isn't good. He's pretty damn good and I'll be surprised if he isn't an all star this year.

bwgood77 wrote:

sunsbg wrote:

irish22022 wrote:The Mavs ain't nothing. Doncic is Westbrook walking

I didn't anticipate that a euro player could be more ball-dominant than Lebron and Westbrook combined.

Luka is just glory-hunting right now in the expense of his team. That half-court shot, wow. Unfortunately for him those are not falling like last season.

Expense of his team? They have two good players and the same record as us. And the previous poster calls him a walking Westbrook....a guy who won MVP a couple years back...is that a bad thing at 20? Yes, turnovers are bad and he's almost up there with Harden there, but is shooting much better from 3, getting more assists, and more rebounds, so his impact is more similar (or you could say more impactful) than Harden right now. Overall worse teammates and better numbers overall.

I know people hate hearing about him because they think Ayton will be better or whatever but doesn't mean people have to insinuate he isn't good. He's pretty damn good and I'll be surprised if he isn't an all star this year.

He's certainly an All-Star, even surprised they put Devin above him in the MVP ladder(see other thread). My sentiments about his style of play I have expressed in above post.

The Raptors play at Lakers, Clippers, Blazers and Mavs in their next 4 games...

Dual wrote:Doncic is so good, the thing is he has no depth in his team and that will cost them the playoffs I believe. As other teams have problems too maybe they do make the playoffs.
About Suns making the playoffs is that West is weaker that we thought at the beginning of the year.
So we have a chance there.

Yeah if KP goes down for any time, they are basically going to look like the post-trade deadline Mavs of last season. Even a near MVP level Luka would not be enough to carry that team.

Saberestar wrote:

sunsbg wrote:

Revived wrote:Lmao Mavs are 5-3 with a roster that’s utter trash outside of him and Porzingis.

Doncic is barely 20 years old. Westbrook was absolute garbage when was that age.

Come on guys, I get that us Suns, Kings and Hawks fans have to hate the guy (not being facetious I’m serious, I understand why we have to) because otherwise it makes passing on him look bad but there are actual holes in his game (defense?) to criticize him about rather than bashing him for keeping that team afloat in a tough conference. The guy’s doing everything cause he has to do everything. Key is that he’s doing it with good efficiency.

Comparisons to Westbrook are just silly. 19 year old rookie Doncic destroys 20 year old Westbrook in TS%, PER and just about every efficiency metric out there.

I was just in Dallas recently and was at a sports bar rocking my Booker jersey after we beat Memphis. I definitely got a lot of smack talk from their fans about how I feel about Ayton being suspended while Luka’s playing so well and all that but I was able to bash Doncic with creative criticisms/comebacks about his defense, his hotshot lifestyle, his out of shape looking body etc.

If I could do all that with a couple drinks inside me, then we can definitely do better than smack talking him for being “ball dominant” while posting sober.

I'm not buying into "he has to do everything" BS his fans bring since beginning of last season. Back than he had solid veterans on the team, current players are not that much worse than the Knicks players, yet they lost.

As with the defense, ball-dominance is a valid argument. Mavs ball-movement is non-existent - pretty predictable offense. I can guarantee you that he'll not be allowed to do what he's doing in NBA in any EU league. As I said, if someone said to me that euro player will be so ball-dominant I would have laughed at him. But obviously Luka's pushing hard for that first All-Star game and doesn't take into account it's a long season. Watch for him and the Mavs being worse after the ASB.

I'm certainly nitpicking his game, but I would have done it even if the Suns didn't have a chance at him, as he's certainly very good player and our teams will be competing in the playoffs in the future.

I understand that hurts, but it is good to admit reality.

Doncic is AMAZING. That is the true IMO. The guy is smart as hell and his basketball IQ is one of the highest that I have seen in my life. It is ridiculous.

He has always the ball in his hands because he produces every time, he is so difficult to stop because he has everything in his game.

Defensively I think he is an average player, but he does not take risks because this Dallas team needs him to play at his best on offense and out of foul trouble every single night. They lack talent and depth. With better players around (like Booker this season) he will be more focused and agressive on defense.

He is gonna average a triple double probably this season being 20 years old and helping to his rebuilding team to win games. Seriously...that is outstanding.

I am an Ayton guy because he is on the Suns, and I loved what I saw from him in the home opener. He is a nice player and all, but Luka is on another level, at least for now.

Same thing was said about Booker and us fans were totally on board with the "he has to do everything" narrative. Now he's got a balanced team with vets, Booker is now balling out. Can't have it both ways.

Luka was undeniable as a rookie and he's undeniably an all-star level player this season already

bwgood77 wrote:

Qwigglez wrote:Oof the Blazers are struggling. I can totally see them making a strong enough push for Kevin Love if the Cavs are willing.

Do they have enough salary to send out? I am not sure I see them going after him. They have usually wanted good defense to throw at wings at SF/PF with their guard duo.

I am not sure if Nurkic is coming back, and when, but if he doesn't we can certainly compete for that 8 spot with all the struggling west teams. Pelicans really struggling and I really don't know if Zion can help them THAT much or stay healthy, but they may start falling too far back to make it up anyway.

And the Kings struggling a bit too.

Yeah, the Blazers have Kent Bazemore expiring this year, along with Zach Collins, and either Skal or Simons. I think the Blazers are too attached to Simons to part with him. Like the Suns, the Blazers have also been rumored to be interested in Love for years since again, he's from the PNW. The owner doesn't care about being over the luxury tax at all, and just wants to build a competitive team.

Side note, the ticket prices for the Blazers to start the year have been sky-high. $50 for nose bleed tickets, and on top of that I believe they have a higher cost of alcohol at the arena then other teams.

lilfishi22 wrote:Same thing was said about Booker and us fans were totally on board with the "he has to do everything" narrative. Now he's got a balanced team with vets, Booker is now balling out. Can't have it both ways.

Luka was undeniable as a rookie and he's undeniably an all-star level player this season already

Luka's been balling. Watched a few games on LP and sometimes it just looks too easy for him. I don't know how he gets right by people and then makes almost an uncontested layup. I did notice he takes wild step back threes, and then he turned it over a couple times in crunch time, very Booker-esque.

The Mavs team this year reminds me of the Suns team post all-star break last year. They got some decent role players, but they are very inconsistent. THJ was like 4-14 against the Knicks, DFS gets talked up a lot via the Dallas broadcasters but he is so bad. Powell is an energy guy but he isn't going to be consistently giving you double digit rebounds and double digit points. All in all, they just won't make the playoffs unless a trade occurs. It's not Doncic's fault, but I hope he receives his fair share of criticism like Booker has since at least he has KP.

Also want to note, I think Ayton would have been a better player last year stat wise if we didn't have Koko as the coach. He didn't utilize Ayton very well. 15% of Ayton's shot came from 10-16 ft, and another 15% came from 16ft-3PT. I think Ayton should be getting 55% from 0-3 feet, 25% from 3-10 feet, and then 20% from 10-16 feet. Particularly he shouldn't be shooting at all from 16ft and beyond, and shouldn't be shooting past 14ft either. He kind of shoot's like Amare where he has that 12-14ft jumper on automatic, but anything past that and it usually hits front rim. Ayton should also see an uptick in minutes to right around 34 minutes a game as opposed to 31 that Koko had him playing.