RS 24/25 - Mavs vs Bulls (Wed 830 EST Tonight)

[Dirk]

The Bulls do not have Myles Turner. Maybe we hold them under 175 points and get a W. The Bulls are 3-4 and just lost to dreadful Jazz --- Bulls fans want the team to blow it up, but it seems they perennially are neither awful nor good... so stuck in mud.

[Darren]

back-to-back-to-back? What kind of schedule it is?

The Bulls do not have Myles Turner. Maybe we hold them under 175 points and get a W. The Bulls are 3-4 and just lost to dreadful Jazz --- Bulls fans want the team to blow it up, but it seems they perennially are neither awful nor good... so stuck in mud.

The Mavs struggles to defend quality stretch big like Markkanen, KP, Horford, Turner and Siakam. Without Lively, things are even more difficult. With Kidd, you surely know it is a blow-out loss against two elite stretch bigs with decent backcourt. Right before the Finals, Kidd has already raised the white flag.

[Mavrelous]

Read on Twitter

Both PFs are out + the mobile center...

Luka should play the 4 exclusively, Naji the 3, and lean on Dinwiddie and Grimes to fill 70-80 minutes of backup...

[Archx]

I see Hospital Mavs are back on the menu. Each year like clockwork.

back-to-back-to-back? What kind of schedule it is?

It's back-to-back 1 day rest and then normal game again.

[joesha1698]

Mavs are a mixed bag. Things needs to change internally because we have a roster that has been put together in a certain way. I feel like we are in the same place that Boston was when they had Marcus Smart and their roster was inefficient on offense and they couldn't get to the next level. I feel like Mavs are in that same position[unless something changes internally or you make another trade - which can be overkill and cause morale issues] we're very likely to lose in the 2nd round or WCF this year to a more cohesive team.

[joesha1698]

The Mavs are one year away and their perfectly positioned to make a big move with the expiring contracts of Gafford, Maxi, and PJ Washington next year. This is definitely a referendum year. If they do not make it back to the finals, a lot of serious changes will be made. Mavs have to make internal improvements to make it back. Plus, there's no promise Kyrie is back if someone else offers him a longer term deal. Maybe that's better for the Mavs and Luka's style of play (so they can load up on more defenders), just saying. This year will determine a lot.

I think this year really rides on how much we develop PJ as a player. Luka/Kyrie (being willing to sacrifice stats and offense) so PJ can develop. Kidd playing the guys who consistently defend at a high level. And Kidd just getting Luka/Kyrie to buy into the need to develop certain players for the long run....I would even throw Lively in that mix to a degree... You don't have to worry about Klay- he's a veteran - he'll get in where he fits in.

[41Dirk41]

I see Hospital Mavs are back on the menu. Each year like clockwork.

It's what happens when you rely on heavy injury prone players (who are also mediocre).

But not so bad, our coach will have another excuse if we play trash this game too.

[joesha1698]

watching GS play the celtics (i know its early) but their schemes for attacking Boston on the offensive side and defensive side is just so smarter...but a lot of it comes down to not holding the ball. This is why man movement and ball movement is so important. They play such a smarter brand of basketball than Dallas. This is one of the biggest problems with Dallas and this is why they beat themselves so often. So much pressure is put on Luka and Kyrie to breakdown the defense and create because of this style of play and thus the losses to team we should beat.

[joesha1698]

..some of the best defense on Tatum too. I would play Tatum and Brown one on one with my best defenders and play them to their tendencies. I wouldn't double and leave their shooters open for easy threes.

[Maverick41]

watching GS play the celtics (i know its early) but their schemes for attacking Boston on the offensive side and defensive side is just so smarter...but a lot of it comes down to not holding the ball.

The bolded is the main thing. Coach Mazzulla operates with the 0.5 seconds rule which is to make a decision within 0.5 seconds. Pass, shoot or make a move. I'm personally a very big fan of this playstyle.

I actually see this team doing this a little more now but the problem is 2 players. Luka is the obvious one. Sometimes it's good with Luka, other times he overthinks or overdribbles. The other is Dinwiddie who tends to also stop the ball or take extra few seconds to make a decision. It's a big reason why I want Exum back because he makes decisions far quicker then Dinwiddie.

[Bob8]

watching GS play the celtics (i know its early) but their schemes for attacking Boston on the offensive side and defensive side is just so smarter...but a lot of it comes down to not holding the ball.

The bolded is the main thing. Coach Mazzulla operates with the 0.5 seconds rule which is to make a decision within 0.5 seconds. Pass, shoot or make a move. I'm personally a very big fan of this playstyle.

I actually see this team doing this a little more now but the problem is 2 players. Luka is the obvious one. Sometimes it's good with Luka, other times he overthinks or overdribbles. The other is Dinwiddie who tends to also stop the ball or take extra few seconds to make a decision. It's a big reason why I want Exum back because he makes decisions far quicker then Dinwiddie.

Playing 5 out offense with great spacing, where everyone is good 3 point shooter kinda helps and like cherry on the cake, everyone is great defender. Boston can't do things nobody else can.

[Apz]

And it became so quiet in here when there is nothing to complain about. Get yourself some girls

[41Dirk41]

watching GS play the celtics (i know its early) but their schemes for attacking Boston on the offensive side and defensive side is just so smarter...but a lot of it comes down to not holding the ball. This is why man movement and ball movement is so important. They play such a smarter brand of basketball than Dallas. This is one of the biggest problems with Dallas and this is why they beat themselves so often. So much pressure is put on Luka and Kyrie to breakdown the defense and create because of this style of play and thus the losses to team we should beat.

Man, do you really want to compare Kerr and Kidd?
It's a bloodbath.

Dallas have one the most predicable offense in the NBA history with probably the most talented back court ever. It's hurt to watch some games.

[41Dirk41]

And it became so quiet in here when there is nothing to complain about. Get yourself some girls

All hype for last year Finals run is just gone my friend, we need the last step and everybody here know who is the ballast.

[joesha1698]

watching GS play the celtics (i know its early) but their schemes for attacking Boston on the offensive side and defensive side is just so smarter...but a lot of it comes down to not holding the ball. This is why man movement and ball movement is so important. They play such a smarter brand of basketball than Dallas. This is one of the biggest problems with Dallas and this is why they beat themselves so often. So much pressure is put on Luka and Kyrie to breakdown the defense and create because of this style of play and thus the losses to team we should beat.

Man, do you really want to compare Kerr and Kidd?
It's a bloodbath.


Dallas have one the most predicable offense in the NBA history with probably the most talented back court ever. It's hurt to watch some games.

Well, Kidd did go visit Phil Jackson this summer...Steve Kerr is a protege of Phil. I do feel like Kidd is on the right track if he's at least going to see Phil. ***fingers crossed***

[Mavrelous]

watching GS play the celtics (i know its early) but their schemes for attacking Boston on the offensive side and defensive side is just so smarter...but a lot of it comes down to not holding the ball. This is why man movement and ball movement is so important. They play such a smarter brand of basketball than Dallas. This is one of the biggest problems with Dallas and this is why they beat themselves so often. So much pressure is put on Luka and Kyrie to breakdown the defense and create because of this style of play and thus the losses to team we should beat.

This style is prone to turn overs, and in a PO setting against quality opponents, was never effective, but, for RS, I'd love to incorporate more of it, it reduces the toll on the lead guards, engages players more and builds their confidence, just look at Buddy Hield...
Mavs never tried it because this simply doesn't work when you have players like DFS, Bullock, Maxi and Powell as 4 of your top 7 rotation guys, but with Naji, PJ, Klay and Lively, I'm much more comfortable with trying it.

[41Dirk41]

watching GS play the celtics (i know its early) but their schemes for attacking Boston on the offensive side and defensive side is just so smarter...but a lot of it comes down to not holding the ball. This is why man movement and ball movement is so important. They play such a smarter brand of basketball than Dallas. This is one of the biggest problems with Dallas and this is why they beat themselves so often. So much pressure is put on Luka and Kyrie to breakdown the defense and create because of this style of play and thus the losses to team we should beat.

Man, do you really want to compare Kerr and Kidd?
It's a bloodbath.


Dallas have one the most predicable offense in the NBA history with probably the most talented back court ever. It's hurt to watch some games.

Well, Kidd did go visit Phil Jackson this summer...Steve Kerr is a protege of Phil. I do feel like Kidd is on the right track if he's at least going to see Phil. ***fingers crossed***

I can go visit Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs but unfortunately the day after I'll always be the same programmer guy...

[Dirk]

A star is born

And who is this guy

[arkuo]

And it became so quiet in here when there is nothing to complain about. Get yourself some girls

Everybody's just waiting for the playoffs. Can we fast forward to the playoffs already?

All these BS games against cellar dwellers like the Bulls are boring AF.

[Mavrelous]

Stein is reporting that PJ and Lively are likely out against the Suns also.