NBA restart | Chokers (40-28) vs Phoenix | Sun 9 pm ET

[Dirk]

[dirkforpres]

I have absolutely no faith left in Rick Carlisle after this year. I’m 50-50 on even watching any more of the games this season after that Rockets choke job. They should all be ashamed

[BlueSan]

Ha, as pathetic as that sounds I am on the same boat as you. Pathetic even as I write it down but I cannot lie about it.

And it is not just Rick. It is the team, I really disliked the pussy mentality in most of the games in the final clutch time.

It wasn't about the loss, it wasn't about the fact that they choked. It is because it was an out of the world type of choke and not the first time we have seen it. Totally lost any kind of passion to watch anything, that is how bad of an effect they have left on me.

And as a basketball player who played on a quite high level myself, I also agree that I would be ashamed and mad about myself as an individual and a team had this happened. I would have a serious conversation about it afterward. I know it, they know it, we all know it that it is the MENTALITY with which they have approached it that is the problem. You cannot be just all smiles and fun and think you will win those types of games or make a run in the playoffs. You need to have a killer mentality. Something this team is capable of doing and has the players for, but has on multiple occasions showed us they are too much of greenhorns to maintain it throughout the games.

[wolfram]

It is mind blowing how many historic chokes they've had this year. Raptors game, now this one. It looks like they have no hustle, starting with Luka. He should set the tone as a leader. Also KP. Too soft. Don't know really is it conditioning, mental or both.

[Michaellam1987]

Honestly, it doesn’t matter after the disappointing loss to HOU, we are designated to the #7 seed, likely to face LAC. And honestly, with the embarrassing defense effort and lack of ability in tight late game situation, I don’t think we can win a playoff series against any of those potential opponents, or even make it a respectable loss.

[Teffer10]

Ha, as pathetic as that sounds I am on the same boat as you. Pathetic even as I write it down but I cannot lie about it.

And it is not just Rick. It is the team, I really disliked the pussy mentality in most of the games in the final clutch time.

It wasn't about the loss, it wasn't about the fact that they choked. It is because it was an out of the world type of choke and not the first time we have seen it. Totally lost any kind of passion to watch anything, that is how bad of an effect they have left on me.

And as a basketball player who played on a quite high level myself, I also agree that I would be ashamed and mad about myself as an individual and a team had this happened. I would have a serious conversation about it afterward. I know it, they know it, we all know it that it is the MENTALITY with which they have approached it that is the problem. You cannot be just all smiles and fun and think you will win those types of games or make a run in the playoffs. You need to have a killer mentality. Something this team is capable of doing and has the players for, but has on multiple occasions showed us they are too much of greenhorns to maintain it throughout the games.

This team is in need of some type of tough guy with some strength.
Like many of the rosters in the Dirk era, this team is full of a bunch of nice guys, and other than Boban and maybe Luka, this team lacks bulk, strength and attitude.
The one year we added some strength and attitude (Stevenson, Cardinal and Tyson) we won a championship.

I know the league is headed in the long-lanky-athletic-skilled direction, but I think it would be nice to have a bully or two with winning attitudes on the roster. Rick has had them (Artest, SJax, Stevenson) before with some success so I don't understand why we can't add one or two to help bring some toughness to this team.

[Bluelabel24]

how many wins do mavs need to clinch playoffs?

[Teffer10]

how many wins do mavs need to clinch playoffs?

1 win or a Memphis loss.....I think.

[aggerrard]

Luka looks rusty with his shots and finishes at the rim. His ability to create space and incredible footwork is still there. A game or two and he'll find his rythm scoring and shooting it more efficiently.

[dirkforpres]

Our moron coach putting in Cleveland over Trey Burke. Sounds about right

[aggerrard]

Our moron coach putting in Cleveland over Trey Burke. Sounds about right

Wondered what was up with Burke

Starting the 2nd.

[aggerrard]

What the **** are Wright doing? Had a wide open layup and passed it up.

[leolozon]

Yeah, Burke can get hot, but he looks selfish, he isn't a good decision maker and he's bad defensively. I would rather have him as a catch and shoot guy than a ball handler.

[aggerrard]

DFS should just stop trying to attack and create his own shot. Looks so awkward and his vision disappears.

[dirkforpres]

Luka hitting his FTs is a welcome surprise

[aggerrard]

Luka hitting his FTs is a welcome surprise

Yeees. If he just can hit them consistently like he did in October, it'll be very welcome

[aggerrard]

And only one attempt from 3 by Luka in the half. As long as he can't hit his shots, that's other good news.

[dirkforpres]

And only one attempt from 3 by Luka in the half. As long as he can't hit his shots, that's other good news.

He needs to be a primary slasher. He’s so effective when he drives, I wish he would look to do that more than the step back

[Captain_Obvious]

It physically hurts to watch Delon out there

[Archx]

Everyone outside Doncic and KP is trash tonight. DFS, Curry, Delon and to some extent THJ shouldn't even see 1 minute after the restart. Someone took their powers or something...