2024 NBA Playoffs: West Semifinals: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (DAL WINS 4-2)

[DrModesty]

OKC needs to blow it up, trade everybody, not a single salvagable part on this team. Shai is a fraud, Dort is a criminal who should be in prison for assault, Chet is overrated and weak.

Am I doing this right?

Hysterics aside, good game Mavs fans. Came down to the last 1-2 possessions and ya'll hit just a shot or two more than OKC did to win it. Another banger by PJ Washington too, he was clearly a good pickup. For him to be your leading scorer in two straight wins is pure found money. Game 4 is desperation time for OKC. See ya'll Monday!

Haha,made me laugh..naj,you future is bright OKC....I actually think the Best way for you to move forward would be to trade Giddey for a good C...SGA-Williams-Dort-Chet-C(someone like Allen or Claxton ) is a tittle contender for years to come

Yeah, threading the needle with addressing rebounding without disrupting the spacing/five-out offense will be tough. That's one of the reasons why I think Presti didn't want to be pressured into finding a solution to that by the trade deadline. It's not your standard "add a little more depth" problem, it's a tricky piece.

Yeah. It is very hard to find a big, who can rebound at a high level, shoot at a league average level, plays a physical game, can defend passably on the perimeter, isn't a ball stopper, isn't going to need a max contract and isn't going to take too many shots at the expense of Chet and J-Dub.

For example, look at the two bigs Dallas got at the trade deadline.

PJ Washington in this series he has been fantastic, but generally he is a mediocre rebounder, mediocre shooter from 3 and from the free throw line, has been a hit and miss defender for big stretches of his career. Against the Clippers he shot 10/32 (31%) from 3 and averaged 5 rebounds.

Daniel Gafford doesn't shoot the 3 at all, which kills the spacing advantage, has only been playing about 20 minutes a game, and has been a dodgy free throw shooter.

Jabari Smith Jr would be the ideal guy (And he could end up being max worthy yet).

[OkcSinceSGA]

And I don't like it from anyone, don't like anyone getting away with it.

You're either going to just draw a line and hold firm or allow incremental exceptions which is an endless spiral leading to well might as well just change the rule book. Well how about just consistently calling the rule book?

What ends up happening is the exact thing you point out, at times exaggerated reactions to push offs to bring attention to it. And then endless spirals of well was it a flop or can momentum bring a bigger guy down...

I just like the simple pure rule - if a defender moves his feet to get the angle and an arm is used to push him away, call the O foul. Everything else is peripheral.

Overall I agree big time on banning push offs, or anything that gives the offense an unfair advantage when they create the contact. I’ve been calling for rule changes for years to help defenders. I just laugh that SGA is pissing everyone off when he actually plays a legit game and is incredible at drawing fouls (even if some are soft).

This isn’t a Harden/CP3/Embiid scenario where he’s making non basketball moves, then falling like he got shot. In fact he almost never falls or flails.

It goes both ways sure. But again you're already arguing degrees like oh SGA isn't on the level of obvious floppers.

He did jump sideways into Luka. The basket was in front of him lol **** like that irritates me, even as one example does not reach Harden/CP3/Embiid levels of consistency.

I do hope refs clean it up for next game. I like more physicality but not at a level of punishment to get to the basket. Luka was absolutely pummelled today, and this is coming from someone who's complained plenty about his whining.

I think because people are conflating favorable whistle and flopping. And legit (exaggerated even) contact vs no contact. It seems minor, but it’s a big distinction. One implies he’s making non basketball plays, the other that he’s receiving a soft whistle. SGA doesn’t flop at all really.

What’s odd though is I have a hard time believing he’s strong enough to throw guys around that outweigh him 50-70 lbs. Maybe someone can ask Luka if he’s really that freakishly strong for his size?

[OkcSinceSGA]

Haha,made me laugh..naj,you future is bright OKC....I actually think the Best way for you to move forward would be to trade Giddey for a good C...SGA-Williams-Dort-Chet-C(someone like Allen or Claxton ) is a tittle contender for years to come

Yeah, threading the needle with addressing rebounding without disrupting the spacing/five-out offense will be tough. That's one of the reasons why I think Presti didn't want to be pressured into finding a solution to that by the trade deadline. It's not your standard "add a little more depth" problem, it's a tricky piece.

Yeah. It is very hard to find a big, who can rebound at a high level, shoot at a league average level, plays a physical game, can defend passably on the perimeter, isn't a ball stopper, isn't going to need a max contract and isn't going to take too many shots at the expense of Chet and J-Dub.

For example, look at the two bigs Dallas got at the trade deadline.

PJ Washington in this series he has been fantastic, but generally he is a mediocre rebounder, mediocre shooter from 3 and from the free throw line, has been a hit and miss defender for big stretches of his career. Against the Clippers he shot 10/32 (31%) from 3 and averaged 5 rebounds.

Daniel Gafford doesn't shoot the 3 at all, which kills the spacing advantage, has only been playing about 20 minutes a game, and has been a dodgy free throw shooter.

Jabari Smith Jr would be the ideal guy (And he could end up being max worthy yet).

You described Bam Adebayo then said Jabari Smith lol.

[ChipotleWest]

Wonder if Miami would look at 3 picks and Giddey+salary if Butler ends up wanting out anyway?

Riley would probably want Williams , don't think he'd be interested in Giddey

Problem is Riley doesn’t seem to care for picks or the draft. I’d give up Chet before Williams.

Well I don't think they're going to give up Butler to team up Chet and Bam, and Giddey is sort of a joke if the Miami Heat front office have watched this series. He's barely playable. I agree with Blisco they'd do it for Jalen Williams. But if I'm OKC I don't do that Butler is going to be 35 by the time the season starts Jalen Williams just turned 23.

[Astaluego]

Haha,made me laugh..naj,you future is bright OKC....I actually think the Best way for you to move forward would be to trade Giddey for a good C...SGA-Williams-Dort-Chet-C(someone like Allen or Claxton ) is a tittle contender for years to come

Yeah, threading the needle with addressing rebounding without disrupting the spacing/five-out offense will be tough. That's one of the reasons why I think Presti didn't want to be pressured into finding a solution to that by the trade deadline. It's not your standard "add a little more depth" problem, it's a tricky piece.

Move Giddey for a physical big. I’d move Chet to PF full time and get someone like Bam. Package Giddey, salary and a pick maybe for Bam.

looking from the outside..I think Chet's rim protection is elite..I don't think you need a 5...however more size in the 4.. Giddey+Draft capital needed for Markkanen. + an off season in the weight room for Holdrem and they will be more than fine.. (even if Miami rebuilt Bam is young enough to be untradeable...in my opinion)

[vulture]

The mavs are really committed to flopping in this series. You have to respect the commitment to trick the refs.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Riley would probably want Williams , don't think he'd be interested in Giddey

Problem is Riley doesn’t seem to care for picks or the draft. I’d give up Chet before Williams.

Well I don't think they're going to give up Butler to team up Chet and Bam, and Giddey is sort of a joke if the Miami Heat front office have watched this series. He's barely playable. I agree with Blisco they'd do it for Jalen Williams. But if I'm OKC I don't do that Butler is going to be 35 by the time the season starts Jalen Williams just turned 23.

No, I’m saying Butler wants out in general, goes elsewhere and then they send Bam for package to OKC

[ChipotleWest]

The mavs are really committed to flopping in this series. You have to respect the commitment to trick the refs.

I guess you missed all of Dorts flopping like a fish and SGA using his elbow constantly. Not sure we watched the same game. OKC was getting foul calls when they were flops and it was in Dallas in the playoffs.

[Fat]

Every playoff thread I’d see something about the refs.

[DrModesty]

Yeah, threading the needle with addressing rebounding without disrupting the spacing/five-out offense will be tough. That's one of the reasons why I think Presti didn't want to be pressured into finding a solution to that by the trade deadline. It's not your standard "add a little more depth" problem, it's a tricky piece.

Yeah. It is very hard to find a big, who can rebound at a high level, shoot at a league average level, plays a physical game, can defend passably on the perimeter, isn't a ball stopper, isn't going to need a max contract and isn't going to take too many shots at the expense of Chet and J-Dub.

For example, look at the two bigs Dallas got at the trade deadline.

PJ Washington in this series he has been fantastic, but generally he is a mediocre rebounder, mediocre shooter from 3 and from the free throw line, has been a hit and miss defender for big stretches of his career. Against the Clippers he shot 10/32 (31%) from 3 and averaged 5 rebounds.

Daniel Gafford doesn't shoot the 3 at all, which kills the spacing advantage, has only been playing about 20 minutes a game, and has been a dodgy free throw shooter.

Jabari Smith Jr would be the ideal guy (And he could end up being max worthy yet).

You described Bam Adebayo then said Jabari Smith lol.

Bam would be great too, but he is going to be a max guy for ever and he doesn't space the floor.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Yeah, threading the needle with addressing rebounding without disrupting the spacing/five-out offense will be tough. That's one of the reasons why I think Presti didn't want to be pressured into finding a solution to that by the trade deadline. It's not your standard "add a little more depth" problem, it's a tricky piece.

Move Giddey for a physical big. I’d move Chet to PF full time and get someone like Bam. Package Giddey, salary and a pick maybe for Bam.

looking from the outside..I think Chet's rim protection is elite..I don't think you need a 5...however more size in the 4.. Giddey+Draft capital needed for Markkanen. + an off season in the weight room for Holdrem and they will be more than fine.. (even if Miami rebuilt Bam is young enough to be untradeable...in my opinion)

Markkanen is another great target and idea. He can stretch the floor but is pretty physical. I just think Bam’s ability to switch and guard 1-5 would fit perfectly on OKC.

[DrModesty]

Dort and Luka are both flopping because they are trying to get each other in foul trouble and the refs are wise to it, so they just avoid making the calls unless they really have to.

[CobraCommander]

Lol...what!?

#1 sed in the west
2nd in MVP
30ppg

Just say you don't watch ball

Sent from my Pixel 6 using RealGM mobile app

Or ever watched basketball ever -

SGA roster is much worse than Dallas- okc avg 23 years old - that means OKC is essentially closer in age of Lively than the 28 year old Mavs lol

Who won MVP this year. I forgot was it Luka? SGA?

It was the best player on planet earth...why do you ask?

[OkcSinceSGA]

Yeah. It is very hard to find a big, who can rebound at a high level, shoot at a league average level, plays a physical game, can defend passably on the perimeter, isn't a ball stopper, isn't going to need a max contract and isn't going to take too many shots at the expense of Chet and J-Dub.

For example, look at the two bigs Dallas got at the trade deadline.

PJ Washington in this series he has been fantastic, but generally he is a mediocre rebounder, mediocre shooter from 3 and from the free throw line, has been a hit and miss defender for big stretches of his career. Against the Clippers he shot 10/32 (31%) from 3 and averaged 5 rebounds.

Daniel Gafford doesn't shoot the 3 at all, which kills the spacing advantage, has only been playing about 20 minutes a game, and has been a dodgy free throw shooter.

Jabari Smith Jr would be the ideal guy (And he could end up being max worthy yet).

You described Bam Adebayo then said Jabari Smith lol.

Bam would be great too, but he is going to be a max guy for ever and he doesn't space the floor.

I don’t consider shooting a bunch of 3s to be the only way to space the floor. Bam takes a high percentage from mid in pick and pop and shoots fantastic from there.

[CobraCommander]

I don’t get why people gotta hate to enjoy ball.

If you a mavs fan before Luka Or a OKC fan...be a normal blinded by love of your area fan.

But the rest of us should be here to enjoy ball. I don’t have a dog in the fight - im a wiz fAn. I love both teams....only person in the either series I think is a problem is Jason Kidd...rest of these guys are people I love to watch play or coach

[Patches Perry]

Haha,made me laugh..naj,you future is bright OKC....I actually think the Best way for you to move forward would be to trade Giddey for a good C...SGA-Williams-Dort-Chet-C(someone like Allen or Claxton ) is a tittle contender for years to come

Yeah, threading the needle with addressing rebounding without disrupting the spacing/five-out offense will be tough. That's one of the reasons why I think Presti didn't want to be pressured into finding a solution to that by the trade deadline. It's not your standard "add a little more depth" problem, it's a tricky piece.

Yeah. It is very hard to find a big, who can rebound at a high level, shoot at a league average level, plays a physical game, can defend passably on the perimeter, isn't a ball stopper, isn't going to need a max contract and isn't going to take too many shots at the expense of Chet and J-Dub.

For example, look at the two bigs Dallas got at the trade deadline.

PJ Washington in this series he has been fantastic, but generally he is a mediocre rebounder, mediocre shooter from 3 and from the free throw line, has been a hit and miss defender for big stretches of his career. Against the Clippers he shot 10/32 (31%) from 3 and averaged 5 rebounds.

Daniel Gafford doesn't shoot the 3 at all, which kills the spacing advantage, has only been playing about 20 minutes a game, and has been a dodgy free throw shooter.

Jabari Smith Jr would be the ideal guy (And he could end up being max worthy yet).

Part of the problem is that most guys who fit the mold are max guys, and OKC already needs to earmark 3 max deals for Shai, Dub and Chet.

However, given that this is a question I've been thinking about all season, the names I've thought about are:

1. Bam - Perfect fit, but also expensive and maybe not even someone Miami is willing to part with.

2. Evan Mobley - Good shooting potential especially with Chip Engelland's guidance, good rebounder, a guy Presti was trying to move mountains to get a couple years ago in the draft

3. Anthony Davis - I don't care for this idea as he is older, injury prone and expensive, but honestly a perfect fit.

4. Lauri Markkanen - Incredible shooting and rebounding, but expensive

5. Kelly Olynyk - This is the guy who was attainable at the trade deadline and gives you a bit of rebounding and shooting. He'd be a good fit off the bench.


The most likely direction will be Jaylin Williams becoming that guy, as he has shown good 3pt and rebounding potential. He is a year or two away though, and we'd need a backup big to supplement his role.

[BliscoSantos]

Move Giddey for a physical big. I’d move Chet to PF full time and get someone like Bam. Package Giddey, salary and a pick maybe for Bam.

looking from the outside..I think Chet's rim protection is elite..I don't think you need a 5...however more size in the 4.. Giddey+Draft capital needed for Markkanen. + an off season in the weight room for Holdrem and they will be more than fine.. (even if Miami rebuilt Bam is young enough to be untradeable...in my opinion)

Markkanen is another great target and idea. He can stretch the floor but is pretty physical. I just think Bam’s ability to switch and guard 1-5 would fit perfectly on OKC.

Chet and Laury are too similar,wouldn't help that much against real C's...Chet should be the PF(like Dirk was) and you need someone like Tyson Chandler(what he was to Dirk) ...Claxton,Allen,Sengun(but there's little chance Rockets let him go) would be amazing,but even someone like WCJ would be good on C for them

[ChipotleWest]

You described Bam Adebayo then said Jabari Smith lol.

Bam would be great too, but he is going to be a max guy for ever and he doesn't space the floor.

I don’t consider shooting a bunch of 3s to be the only way to space the floor. Bam takes a high percentage from mid in pick and pop and shoots fantastic from there.

It's crazy to me that OKC was involved with the Mavs getting both Lively and Gafford but got neither, they should have just kept one of them for themselves. That could cost them the season.

[Astaluego]

Move Giddey for a physical big. I’d move Chet to PF full time and get someone like Bam. Package Giddey, salary and a pick maybe for Bam.

looking from the outside..I think Chet's rim protection is elite..I don't think you need a 5...however more size in the 4.. Giddey+Draft capital needed for Markkanen. + an off season in the weight room for Holdrem and they will be more than fine.. (even if Miami rebuilt Bam is young enough to be untradeable...in my opinion)

Markkanen is another great target and idea. He can stretch the floor but is pretty physical. I just think Bam’s ability to switch and guard 1-5 would fit perfectly on OKC.

I felt that when the Raptors made OG available it was the perfect move for you... I think Presti has done an outstanding job building the team (again) but he struggles when it comes to putting the finishing touch... Lauri's preference is that it is probably available at the right price

[RunOKC]

The thunder super deserve to lose. Not because of what happened on the court. But because they’re a bunch of **** bitches.

Your team has Luka Doncic who's the poster boy for acting like a bitch

Looks like it's rubbing off onto quite a few Mav fans too

Look at the post by the neutral observers in the thread and you’ll see that this is the clowniest comment ever.

SGA has elbowed a Mavs player 4 times in 2 games. Dort should’ve fouled out early in the 3rd. The refs are feeding OKC callas that Dallas can only dream of. And OKC played hack for 5 minutes.

This game was a great victory for my team. But it was also a basketball moral victory.

Yeah sure.. OKC got straight up jobbed by Ed Malloy and James Williams in game 2 and we heard nothing from all these 'neutral observers' so I'm not going to take the word of the same 4-5 people complaining in the game thread over what I saw.

There were a ton of bad calls/non-calls both ways but no one should be blaming the refs today. Luka got rewarded at least 5 FT's due to flopping but you guys won't say a word about that. Keep in mind SGA has the ball basically the entire game and got maybe two questionable foul calls today but all I see is crying. Dort moves his feet.. you guys do know you're allowed to make contact with an offensive player if you're in legal guarding position right?

Mavs deserved the win. On to game 4.