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

[HotRocks34]

Dribble brothers lol got a chuckle out of that

I stole it from someone else. Can't recall where I saw it. Maybe on Twitter.

When the Nets traded for Harden, Charles Barkley said "Kevin Durant went from the splash brothers to the dribble brothers"

Ha! So Charles made it up. Nice.

[Dr Aki]

Dribble brothers lol got a chuckle out of that

[Kingdibs19]

Lakers will trade Mo Bamba for Wood if that helps

[HotRocks34]

Dwight Powell wanted me to share this.

Oh I know, and he's solid on RAPTOR. But, boy, it gets frustrating watching him get the ball three feet from the hoop and then pass it out awkwardly rather than shooting. Or getting beat on the boards.

Powell has been a pleasant surprise this year, in terms of RAPTOR. And he works hard. I just can't wait until the team has a real, well-rounded big.

[Mavrelous]

Defense looked fine before Luka, if his minutes stay low, he's an OK defender, but the more he plays, the more he'll allow dribble penetration.
I think they tried to force ball movement, because it looked great for 3 games, it's fine to run and move the ball to get players into rhythm, but Luka runs an incredibly efficient offense with P&R and iso, there's no shame if you use it for a good portion.
Agreed on the talent part, Mavs need a rim protecting center, and a big wing, but the team as it is, if Maxi comes back healthy, should be good enough, worse defensively than last year, but much better offensively, especially in the PO.

[KGtabake]

You can't win the championship if you can't defend.
No matter how the game has changed and how the rules favour offense. In the end, you will win if you're great(not just good) defensively.
There is no NBA team that won a title without having great defense.
The Mavericks should have gone after guys like Tucker, Crowder, JGreen etc. Ever since last season.
Veteran enforcers who add toughness and much needed defensive instincts.

Yes, Luka and Kyrie might be the best offensive backcourt on paper. Guess what. It won't matter if they give the same amount of points (or close to it) to their opponents on the other end.

[Dirk]

Did everyone saw McGee do this

[HotRocks34]

Defense looked fine before Luka, if his minutes stay low, he's an OK defender, but the more he plays, the more he'll allow dribble penetration.

He was extra bad last night because he's out of shape.

Luka is often on SF's and PF's. He can do that because of his size, but Kyrie can't because he's shorter.

For sure, a lot of defensive help will need to be brought in to help out. Ross was going to come but Phoenix had more money to give him and the Suns told him "come win a ring".

[HotRocks34]

Did everyone saw McGee do this

He has new life. Let's hope it stays that way!

[Perdido/BR]

Nice post, hate the nickname though, how about Homies with Handles. Why doesn’t Wood start though. That would solve point 4 and 6.

Someone on reddit said "Fatty and Flatty". I liked that one.

[Dmagic]

why Kidd trippin on c wood

[dk1115]

Since Luka is out of shape, let's just call them the handle brothers.

[WillyJakkz]

Did everyone saw McGee do this

Yeah I thought JaVale played well and should start using Powell as the energy guy instead to get better results since he'd be matching up with the other teams backup C's.

And to me Wood isn't playing because he gets shoved around alot. That dude is light in the ass and doesn't cause havoc in the lane offensively or defensively. His best weapon is spreading the floor and the occasional post putback or score.

He got shoved by Sabonis (no biggie as Sabonis does that to alot of bigs) but seeing him in Kyrie's debut (can't remember who they played) Wood consistently gets out worked. Not a good trait and you see why he gets traded or moved by alot.

[HotRocks34]

Game 3 update (Spurs at Mavs, 2/23/23):


* Kyrie playing on-ball, bringing up the ball

* Luka playing off ball and a bit more in the post

(game ongoing so more to report later)

[HotRocks34]

Halftime thoughts:


* I really like Kai on ball. It picks the pace up a bit, lets him attack when he wants, and gives Luka more time to relax and to set up in the post (or on the perimeter for open 3's)

* Kai had a great drive and kick to Luka for a wide open made three near the half

* I've always thought Kai was a relatively-low turnover player. Letting him make decisions might be a good way to go

[Mr B]

Halftime thoughts:


* I really like Kai on ball. It picks the pace up a bit, lets him attack when he wants, and gives Luka more time to relax and to set up in the post (or on the perimeter for open 3's)

* Kai had a great drive and kick to Luka for a wide open made three near the half

* I've always thought Kai was a relatively-low turnover player. Letting him make decisions might be a good way to go

They are playing at a faster pace when Kyrie is on the court. They have the green light to run if Kyrie, Josh Green, or Bullock get the rebound. They seem to have a good balance or running and Luka’s more methodical style.

[HotRocks34]

Second half:

* Green is bringing up the ball. Kyrie off ball. Luka mostly in the post.


Kidd is experimenting now. Seeing what will work best.

[zimpy27]

Kyrie was best used as an ancillary scorer to a heliocentric offense around LeBron. it took Cavs a while to figure out that this was the best way to use him for impact. I t has also been the most impactful he's been in his career.

Of course the negative of this is that he hated it and it was a major reason for why he wanted to leave the Cavs and be more that heliocentric player.

So I'm guessing Mavs know this, they know that it's best to run offense through Luka with Kyrie as the ultimate pressure release when it doesn't work. But if they do that they probably lose him in the summer.

So I'm guessing plan is to try make Kyrie a major focal piece of the offense until he re-signs with them.

[HotRocks34]

Kyrie was best used as an ancillary scorer to a heliocentric offense around LeBron. it took Cavs a while to figure out that this was the best way to use him for impact. I t has also been the most impactful he's been in his career.

Of course the negative of this is that he hated it and it was a major reason for why he wanted to leave the Cavs and be more that heliocentric player.

So I'm guessing Mavs know this, they know that it's best to run offense through Luka with Kyrie as the ultimate pressure release when it doesn't work. But if they do that they probably lose him in the summer.

So I'm guessing plan is to try make Kyrie a major focal piece of the offense until he re-signs with them.

It's going to be interesting to see how things unfold and what the offense looks like.

It's looking solid tonight. But there's still a lot to figure out.

[HotRocks34]

Kyrie starts the 4Q with a SmallBall lineup and he's running point (I think). Only 1 big playing (Powell).

Speed and running, Dallas crushes the Spurs early in the period 22-8.

Staggering Luka and Kai and letting "Kai's group" run is a good strategy, IMO. It worked well here.