Dribble Brothers (Luka & Kyrie) -- Game 8 update [3-5]

mademan · Post #41 » by **mademan** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 3:57 am

Its so interesting to me that the biggest problem, thus far (i know only 3 games), has been the Luka only minutes.

HotRocks34 · Post #42 » by **HotRocks34** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:02 am

Massive success tonight.

Kyrie weaponizes the entire bench unit, even the less-skilled guys (like Ntlkina). By getting them out running and getting easy hoops.

Pickup of Holiday (15 points) looking very good right now.

Team is not even at peak with Kleber still out.

Kidd is starting to figure it out. Stagger Kyrie and Luka, let Kyrie get out and run with the second unit and turn your bench into a positive rather than a liability.

Phreak50 · Post #43 » by **Phreak50** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:05 am

Absolutely and utterly pointless to take anything away from beating a team with the very worst opponents point per game, very worst opponents field goal percentage and very worst opponents three point percentage.

The Spurs are that bad with the eye test and just as bad on official stats.

HotRocks34 · Post #44 » by **HotRocks34** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:06 am

Best stat of the night for me:

Kyrie/Luka --------------> 16 assists, 2 turnovers combined

Kyrie is a good playmaker when he wants to be (oftentimes with low turnovers). And with Luka playing some off ball, he doesn't force so many poor passes.

With the game near over, Mavs have 25 assists and 6 turnovers. Huge.

Pelly24 · Post #45 » by **Pelly24** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:11 am

Kyrie has been pretty incredible on the Mavs so far. Really, what I've always said is amazing about him is how portable his game is. He can roll out of bed and play his game and be as effective as ever no matter what team he's on. So far, I'm not sure he's forced one possession. He's even been passive, actively deferring to like everyone. But then he can just decide to score 10 straight points pretty much any time he decides to since he's such an elite shooter and can score so easily.

I think Kyrie can play in a lot of roles. He could be the Heat's best scorer and play off ball to Jimmy Butler, but technically be the "No. 2" or 1B. He could be the GOAT third option. or he can just play 2Guard next to a GOAT-type volume scorer and get you 25/5/6 on +4 TS%.

Him and Luka are great together, and if he gives it a shot, they can surprise some teams, especially when Maxi comes back.

HotRocks34 · Post #46 » by **HotRocks34** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:44 am

Expect to see a lot of this. One of the two breaks down the defense attacking the rim, and then that guy kicks it out to the other for an open three.

Read on Twitter

Forbes · Post #47 » by **Forbes** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:04 am

Missed the game and I can’t wait to watch the highlights. From what I’ve been reading, Kidds experimenting.

Staggering is definitely going to be Key. It’s basically two teams who play totally opposite. Luka with the slow game and Kyrie running it up with the bench guys. Puts a ton of pressure on the opposing team.

Once Luka and Kyrie start to gel, those 4th quarters are gonna get crazy.

But with all of this said, we absolutely need to get some defense in the offseason. Defense is the key to actually getting a chips

Mr B · Post #48 » by **Mr B** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 2:52 pm

Phreak50 wrote:Absolutely and utterly pointless to take anything away from beating a team with the very worst opponents point per game, very worst opponents field goal percentage and very worst opponents three point percentage.

The Spurs are that bad with the eye test and just as bad on official stats.

True, the Spurs are bad defensively. It was still a good showing though for the Mavs. It kind of gives them a blueprint for how they’d like to play. Still lots of work to do but it’s a good start.

CharityStripe34 · Post #49 » by **CharityStripe34** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 3:00 pm

I would think they'd be staggered as much as possible to provide some bench strength.

ArksNetsSince99 · Post #50 » by **ArksNetsSince99** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:01 pm

HotRocks34 wrote:So last night was the first night that the Dribble Bros (Luka and Kyrie, AKA LuKy) took the court together.

The Mavs lost to the Kings, who put in a spirited effort and avenged their loss the night previous. Both games were in Sacramento.

Here are some thoughts on the game.

1. LUKA IS OUT OF SHAPE -- Luka had missed 4 straight games with injury, and his conditioning was poor. He was grabbing his shorts and sucking wind throughout the game, particularly in the 4th and in overtime.

2. KYRIE IS MOSTLY PLAYING OFF-BALL -- This includes when Luka is out of the game. I like this, let him save his energy for scoring.

3. THIS IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME -- Luka and Kyrie meshing will take some work, in terms of what pace the team uses, how the offense is run, etc. Still, Kyrie can fit in with any offense because of his scoring and handling ability.

4. DALLAS DESPERATELY NEEDS BETTER BIGS -- Dwight Powell works hard and tries hard, but he has no offensive game at all. He can't shoot, has no post moves, and is scared to go up with the ball even like 3 feet from the hoop. This ruins the spacing of the offense for Kyrie and Luka, and it hurts their ability to pass the ball off for easy hoops when the defense collapses on them. McGee is a better finisher, and he seems to be starting to get more minutes. McGee seems to work well with Kyrie. Dallas really will be helped when Kleber comes back, and even Bertans.

5. THINGS WERE UP AND DOWN, BUT YOU SAW THE FLASHES -- Late in the 2nd quarter, the Mavs went on like a 17-2 run and Luka and Kyrie were working beautifully. Also, late in the game they were working a 2-man offense (primarily with Luka in the post) and Kyrie was getting wide open shots. This is going to work.

6. DALLAS NEEDS MORE TALENT -- For whatever reason, Jason Kidd has soured on Christian Wood. Luka and Kyrie are great, but the roster doesn't have enough talent. And definitely more defensive talent will be needed with Luka and Kyrie as your main guys.

7. LUKA WILL NEED TO LEARN TO TRUST MORE -- Kyrie had an open three late that he never got to shoot because Luka shot a forced three in an attempt to tie the game. Luka can make those shots, but Kyrie is better with an open three. Luka admitted he should have passed Kyrie the ball after the game. Good. As much as this was a miscue, there was a worse one earlier in the game (don't recall when) with Kyrie absolutely wide, wide open for three and Luka forced a three over like two guys. Luka is not used to having someone as talented as Kyrie around him (don't even mention Porzingis), so he needs to start to adjust and share the crucial shots. I think he will, but it'll take time.

Overall, it was a fun game and Dallas hung in. Fox went nuts for Sacto. The Kings are a good team and defended homecourt.

Point 3 , Dallas doesn’t have much time left , Honeymoon is almost over with Kyrie , might last another week or two but that’s about it

Optms · Post #51 » by **Optms** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:15 pm

Dallas is the one team no other team wants to see in the post season. Good luck stopping both Luka and Kyrie in 7 games. Only Phoenix has a chance. RIP everyone else.

Mr B · Post #52 » by **Mr B** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:47 pm

Optms wrote:Dallas is the one team no other team wants to see in the post season. Good luck stopping both Luka and Kyrie in 7 games. Only Phoenix has a chance. RIP everyone else.

And Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka. As a Mavs fan that’s the series I’m hoping for.

DwayneSchintzus · Post #53 » by **DwayneSchintzus** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:53 pm

Mr B wrote:
Optms wrote:Dallas is the one team no other team wants to see in the post season. Good luck stopping both Luka and Kyrie in 7 games. Only Phoenix has a chance. RIP everyone else.

And Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka. As a Mavs fan that’s the series I’m hoping for.

Kevin Durant will dog-walk you with Maxi Kleber checking him. Hope for something else.

BliscoSantos · Post #54 » by **BliscoSantos** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 6:32 pm

DwayneSchintzus wrote:
Mr B wrote:
Optms wrote:Dallas is the one team no other team wants to see in the post season. Good luck stopping both Luka and Kyrie in 7 games. Only Phoenix has a chance. RIP everyone else.

And Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka. As a Mavs fan that’s the series I’m hoping for.

Kevin Durant will dog-walk you with Maxi Kleber checking him. Hope for something else.

Suns are being overrated at the moment...KD is great,but he's missed a lot of time with injuries past years...cp3 is washed, Booker is a beta(better hope Durant stays healthy)...the only reason the Suns would be the favorites is cause the Mavs have zero interior defense(their big man suck)

sunsbg · Post #55 » by **sunsbg** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:10 pm

BliscoSantos wrote:
DwayneSchintzus wrote:
Mr B wrote:And Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka. As a Mavs fan that’s the series I’m hoping for.

Kevin Durant will dog-walk you with Maxi Kleber checking him. Hope for something else.

Suns are being overrated at the moment...KD is great,but he's missed a lot of time with injuries past years...cp3 is washed, Booker is a beta(better hope Durant stays healthy)...the only reason the Suns would be the favorites is cause the Mavs have zero interior defense(their big man suck)

Suns are unpredictable with the lack of chemistry though so are the Mavs to some degree with Kyrie playing just a few more games with the Mavs. LOL at comments like 'Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka'. Just additional motivation for him. Mavs in trouble when Suns beta will give his best against your team. CP3 going MIA won't save you this time. :lol:

Mr B · Post #56 » by **Mr B** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 8:17 pm

DwayneSchintzus wrote:
Mr B wrote:
Optms wrote:Dallas is the one team no other team wants to see in the post season. Good luck stopping both Luka and Kyrie in 7 games. Only Phoenix has a chance. RIP everyone else.

And Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka. As a Mavs fan that’s the series I’m hoping for.

Kevin Durant will dog-walk you with Maxi Kleber checking him. Hope for something else.

And Luka will dog walk you with DeAndre Ayton. The Suns are good but the Mavs are inside their head.

Mr B · Post #57 » by **Mr B** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 8:19 pm

sunsbg wrote:
BliscoSantos wrote:
DwayneSchintzus wrote:
Kevin Durant will dog-walk you with Maxi Kleber checking him. Hope for something else.

Suns are being overrated at the moment...KD is great,but he's missed a lot of time with injuries past years...cp3 is washed, Booker is a beta(better hope Durant stays healthy)...the only reason the Suns would be the favorites is cause the Mavs have zero interior defense(their big man suck)

Suns are unpredictable with the lack of chemistry though so are the Mavs to some degree with Kyrie playing just a few more games with the Mavs. LOL at comments like 'Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka'. Just additional motivation for him. Mavs in trouble when Suns beta will give his best against your team. CP3 going MIA won't save you this time.

Booker is a beta and is absolutely intimidated by Luka. Don’t blame me for that. We’ve all seen it.

Andri · Post #58 » by **Andri** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 9:21 pm

They still have to figure out how they are going to protect the paint. I don't see how the roster is constructed. Kleber will help but it shouldn't be the final solution

Mr B · Post #59 » by **Mr B** » Sat Feb 25, 2023 12:00 am

Andri wrote:They still have to figure out how they are going to protect the paint. I don't see how the roster is constructed. Kleber will help but it shouldn't be the final solution

The Mavs have issues rebounding too. Unfortunately those issues won’t be solved until the off season.

BliscoSantos · Post #60 » by **BliscoSantos** » Sat Feb 25, 2023 2:06 pm

Mr B wrote:
sunsbg wrote:
BliscoSantos wrote:

Suns are being overrated at the moment...KD is great,but he's missed a lot of time with injuries past years...cp3 is washed, Booker is a beta(better hope Durant stays healthy)...the only reason the Suns would be the favorites is cause the Mavs have zero interior defense(their big man suck)

Suns are unpredictable with the lack of chemistry though so are the Mavs to some degree with Kyrie playing just a few more games with the Mavs. LOL at comments like 'Booker is extremely intimidated by Luka'. Just additional motivation for him. Mavs in trouble when Suns beta will give his best against your team. CP3 going MIA won't save you this time.

Booker is a beta and is absolutely intimidated by Luka. Don’t blame me for that. We’ve all seen it.

Booker already looking for excuses...Said they aren't a super team cause KD the only all star