RS 21/22 - Mavs @ Celtics (3:30PM EST, ABC)

[ejs78]

I dont think there was a question whether Brunson is good or not. But rather if he is $80M good.

The team will have zero cap space this summer and no starting center. So an option to sign and trade Brunson for useful pieces to plug holes becomes available.

I'm still not ready to bet so much on Dinwiddie because of 11 games. The guy has been in the league a long time and has never been efficient. I need a bigger sample size before I think of getting rid of the 2nd/3rd ballhandler.

They would have to get a real good center and I'm not sure who is really available.

Agreed. A package coming back for Brunson has to contain a center and a PG.

Only Detroit or New York come to mind as teams who want Brunson. Detroit can sign him outright. New York doesn't have cap space but may have assets Dallas can use.

I'll keep going with a Brunson for Grant package. Brunson just feels like a Detroit type of player to me and the fans here would go over the top loving him.

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[Otis Driftwood]

The type of defense we been playing in 2022 is insane. Idk how Kidd got these guys to buy in like this. I did not see this coming. Our games are a slow grind I love it.

Props should all go to Kidd. There won't be a single player on the Mavs that would be on any All Defense team (DFS will probably get a few votes at best) this year while Boston could have as much as 4. Boston's elite defense makes sense, Dallas's does not. Just an amazing display of defensive coaching by Coach Kidd.

Might want to throw a crumb or two Sean Sweeney’s way. Players all acknowledge he’s the guy. And Kidd brought him here specifically for his ability to coach D. Not dismissing JKidd at all but when Sweeney gets his shot at a HC job, this season is a nice feather in his resume.


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[Maverick41]

Interesting.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/best-defensive-rating-by-a-point-guard-in-2022

Yup and Luka is 7th overall in best defensive rating as well. Now I don't think Luka's some lockdown defender but I do think the narrative of him being a bad defender is now way past expired. His size is a huge reason why our switching style defense has been so effective.

Just wanted to throw this insane stat out there too......the whole entire Celtics starting lineup is all in the top 15 in Defensive Rating. Timelord being #1 and Horford #3. Props to how darn good that Celtics team has been 2022 but more props to the Mavs today for somehow looking the better defensive team today.

[Darren]

After shooting badly for most of the game, Dinwiddie comes up big!

I still can't believe that they've won this. They were so bad in the 1st half. The team made a lot of mistakes, gave up a lot of 2nd chance points, but still managed to win.

To be exact. Dinwiddle struggles at the rim nearly the whole game. Give Boston credit. The paint defense is great. But instead of hessitating and stop all of a sudden in paint, Dinwiddle should make better decision under those situation. The Mavs is actually defending the paint well, wait, without protecting the board during the first half. Just like the NYK game, Powell struggle against more muscle but mobile big.

The Mavs is still a work in process. The rate of hitting opened jumpers lack consistency. While both Dinwiddle and Brunson does try to get to the foul line, the successful rate is very low. This makes the strategy of doubling Luka worthing efforts. And the Mavs should have converted 80% of the FT. This is an area of concern when it comes to playoff run. Dirk learnt a big lesson in 2005 Finals for that.

Overall, not bad. A bit lucky to the Mavs lately. I like the way DFS contribute big time. The Mavs could not have come back or won without DFS. Green has put efforts defensively and has nice chemistry with some of the teammates offensively. But Green should learn from experience. Green gets bullied by experienced player getting some cheap fouls and getting favorable switch in paint.

For coaching, I don't like the decision for Kidd to keep both Brunson and Luka on the floor with 0.9 seconds left when Boston needing a 3. Indeed, Boston target Brunson immediately and then Luka. Fortunately, the refs do the Mavs a favor on the replay this time.

I kinda like Boston's strategy in the first half. Make a long pass immediately. Attack the paint. Get an inside out. Make a cross court pass. This push the tempo and make it impossible for Luka to file a complain to the refs. And Boston controls the tempo the whole first half.

[Bob8]

Dinwiddie hit the game winning shot, but he didn't have a good game. It's still just an 11 game sample size, let's take a deep breath and see how things go. Brunson is still a good and useful player.

It's small sample size but tell me in which of last 10 games was Brunson better than Dinwiddie? Dinwiddie just looks as more complete player out there, better Pg too.

My main question is, how likely is that paying Brunson 20+ millions per year, will make him being awful contract in the end? His size, mobility and D just isn't worth nowhere near that money. And you know that I have always liked Brunson, just not for that kind of money.

[Bob8]

After shooting badly for most of the game, Dinwiddie comes up big!

I still can't believe that they've won this. They were so bad in the 1st half. The team made a lot of mistakes, gave up a lot of 2nd chance points, but still managed to win.

To be exact. Dinwiddle struggles at the rim nearly the whole game. Give Boston credit. The paint defense is great. But instead of hessitating and stop all of a sudden in paint, Dinwiddle should make better decision under those situation. The Mavs is actually defending the paint well, wait, without protecting the board during the first half. Just like the NYK game, Powell struggle against more muscle but mobile big.

The Mavs is still a work in process. The rate of hitting opened jumpers lack consistency. While both Dinwiddle and Brunson does try to get to the foul line, the successful rate is very low. This makes the strategy of doubling Luka worthing efforts. And the Mavs should have converted 80% of the FT. This is an area of concern when it comes to playoff run. Dirk learnt a big lesson in 2005 Finals for that.

Overall, not bad. A bit lucky to the Mavs lately. I like the way DFS contribute big time. The Mavs could not have come back or won without DFS. Green has put efforts defensively and has nice chemistry with some of the teammates offensively. But Green should learn from experience. Green gets bullied by experienced player getting some cheap fouls and getting favorable switch in paint.

For coaching, I don't like the decision for Kidd to keep both Brunson and Luka on the floor with 0.9 seconds left when Boston needing a 3. Indeed, Boston target Brunson immediately and then Luka. Fortunately, the refs do the Mavs a favor on the replay this time.

I kinda like Boston's strategy in the first half. Make a long pass immediately. Attack the paint. Get an inside out. Make a cross court pass. This push the tempo and make it impossible for Luka to file a complain to the refs. And Boston controls the tempo the whole first half.

Those wins against good teams are far more important than losing against bad teams, because it shows that Mavs can play and win against anyone in playoffs. It's not only about luck to win those kind of games, it's shows character that Mavs have much more this year than previous years. Kidd should get a big credit for this kind of transformation. Mavs have just incredible record against top teams in 2022, they have lost only 1 game against Suns and GSW, just unbelievable record.

[Darren]

Dinwiddie hit the game winning shot, but he didn't have a good game. It's still just an 11 game sample size, let's take a deep breath and see how things go. Brunson is still a good and useful player.

It's small sample size but tell me in which of last 10 games was Brunson better than Dinwiddie? Dinwiddie just looks as more complete player out there, better Pg too.

My main question is, how likely is that paying Brunson 20+ millions per year, will make him being awful contract in the end? His size, mobility and D just isn't worth nowhere near that money. And you know that I have always liked Brunson, just not for that kind of money.

I'd rather unload some salary and wait for Tyler Herro / Bradley Beal. I think Josh Green could return at 3M per. Unload Hardaway, Bertans and even Bullock might make things possible.

[Bob8]

Dinwiddie hit the game winning shot, but he didn't have a good game. It's still just an 11 game sample size, let's take a deep breath and see how things go. Brunson is still a good and useful player.

It's small sample size but tell me in which of last 10 games was Brunson better than Dinwiddie? Dinwiddie just looks as more complete player out there, better Pg too.

My main question is, how likely is that paying Brunson 20+ millions per year, will make him being awful contract in the end? His size, mobility and D just isn't worth nowhere near that money. And you know that I have always liked Brunson, just not for that kind of money.

I'd rather unload some salary and wait for Tyler Herro / Bradley Beal. I think Josh Green could return at 3M per. Unload Hardaway, Bertans and even Bullock might make things possible.

I don't believe Herro will be available for Mavs and I don't like Beal at all. You have Luka as alpha, you need players that can understand and respect that. You will need to unload Spencer in that case too. I believe Mavs should find good players on position 3-5 more than 1-2. Ayton would have been perfect but again, unlikely they can get him. I guess they will need to find players, who are not top level, but still better than Kleber, Powell...

[Mavrelous]

Brunson confidence is shattered, and Luka yelled at him yesterday on NT, this isn't Brunson that used to slice and dice defenses with hissy moves, he's competing with Maxi who passes up more open shots, I hope Kidd/Luka work on him, to have him restored for the PO.

[arkuo]

Brunson confidence is shattered, and Luka yelled at him yesterday on NT, this isn't Brunson that used to slice and dice defenses with hissy moves, he's competing with Maxi who passes up more open shots, I hope Kidd/Luka work on him, to have him restored for the PO.

Brunson has physical limitations being 6 foot flat and built like a forward. He has a place in Dallas if he wants to come back as a good backup point. But i dont think a backup point guard can be worth 20 mils. I'd prefer Dallas keep him at 17M and send out THJ if they have to. Maybe break down that THJ contract into 2 players coming back.

This is a test of character for Brunson IMO. Jordan punched the lights out of Steve Kerr and Kerr bounced back to hit big shot after big shot. If Brunson crawls back into a hole after being yelled at by Luka then he has no place asking $80M for himself. You gotta man up IMO.

[Bob8]

Brunson confidence is shattered, and Luka yelled at him yesterday on NT, this isn't Brunson that used to slice and dice defenses with hissy moves, he's competing with Maxi who passes up more open shots, I hope Kidd/Luka work on him, to have him restored for the PO.

I believe it's more simple, he overachieved in a strange Covid season. He's good player, but not as good as he looked few months back. Bertans was fantastic in first Washington season and he has got fantastic contract because of that, I don't believe Mavs should do the same mistake with Brunson, especially knowing that D in playoffs doesn't favour players like Brunson.

[Mavrelous]

Brunson confidence is shattered, and Luka yelled at him yesterday on NT, this isn't Brunson that used to slice and dice defenses with hissy moves, he's competing with Maxi who passes up more open shots, I hope Kidd/Luka work on him, to have him restored for the PO.

I believe it's more simple, he overachieved in a strange Covid season. He's good player, but not as good as he looked few months back. Bertans was fantastic in first Washington season and he has got fantastic contract because of that, I don't believe Mavs should do the same mistake with Brunson, especially knowing that D in playoffs doesn't favour players like Brunson.

Maybe he did gain for the over-spaced lanes, I'm not looking at stats, but from watching him, he went from a player making most of his damage under the rim or from close-mid range, to mid-range and long distance shooter.
There's a stark difference between the 2, one feeds off Luka, one creates instead of Luka, if he continues like that, it's not justifiable to hand him that contract.

[Bob8]

Brunson confidence is shattered, and Luka yelled at him yesterday on NT, this isn't Brunson that used to slice and dice defenses with hissy moves, he's competing with Maxi who passes up more open shots, I hope Kidd/Luka work on him, to have him restored for the PO.

I believe it's more simple, he overachieved in a strange Covid season. He's good player, but not as good as he looked few months back. Bertans was fantastic in first Washington season and he has got fantastic contract because of that, I don't believe Mavs should do the same mistake with Brunson, especially knowing that D in playoffs doesn't favour players like Brunson.

Maybe he did gain for the over-spaced lanes, I'm not looking at stats, but from watching him, he went from a player making most of his damage under the rim or from close-mid range, to mid-range and long distance shooter.
There's a stark difference between the 2, one feeds off Luka, one creates instead of Luka, if he continues like that, it's not justifiable to hand him that contract.

Basketball in December and January was nearer to G-league than Nba, many players playing with 10 days contract.

[Mavrelous]

I believe it's more simple, he overachieved in a strange Covid season. He's good player, but not as good as he looked few months back. Bertans was fantastic in first Washington season and he has got fantastic contract because of that, I don't believe Mavs should do the same mistake with Brunson, especially knowing that D in playoffs doesn't favour players like Brunson.

Maybe he did gain for the over-spaced lanes, I'm not looking at stats, but from watching him, he went from a player making most of his damage under the rim or from close-mid range, to mid-range and long distance shooter.
There's a stark difference between the 2, one feeds off Luka, one creates instead of Luka, if he continues like that, it's not justifiable to hand him that contract.

Basketball in December and January was nearer to G-league than Nba, many players playing with 10 days contract.

He was doing it in November also, the Mavs started 9-4, beating bad teams but being blown out by good teams, it was mainly Brunson, Luka had horrible on/off numbers back then, Brunson was the one carrying the team offensively.

[Bob8]

Maybe he did gain for the over-spaced lanes, I'm not looking at stats, but from watching him, he went from a player making most of his damage under the rim or from close-mid range, to mid-range and long distance shooter.
There's a stark difference between the 2, one feeds off Luka, one creates instead of Luka, if he continues like that, it's not justifiable to hand him that contract.

Basketball in December and January was nearer to G-league than Nba, many players playing with 10 days contract.

He was doing it in November also, the Mavs started 9-4, beating bad teams but being blown out by good teams, it was mainly Brunson, Luka had horrible on/off numbers back then, Brunson was the one carrying the team offensively.

Maybe I have a wrong feeling but it seems to me that Brunson suffers a lot against good D, what might be a big problem especially in playoffs.

[Mavrelous]

Maybe I have a wrong feeling but it seems to me that Brunson suffers a lot against good D, what might be a big problem especially in playoffs.

No, you're right, but he elevated his play at the beginning of this season, and I'm hoping for better showing, we'll wait and see.
P.S. This game had a PO feel to it, especially in the 2nd half, in the 1st qtr I think both teams were still napping.

[Bob8]

Maybe I have a wrong feeling but it seems to me that Brunson suffers a lot against good D, what might be a big problem especially in playoffs.

No, you're right, but he elevated his play at the beginning of this season, and I'm hoping for better showing, we'll wait and see.
P.S. This game had a PO feel to it, especially in the 2nd half, in the 1st qtr I think both teams were still napping.

This year's playoffs might be the most important thing in his career.

[mabundo_nagumbe]

Maybe I have a wrong feeling but it seems to me that Brunson suffers a lot against good D, what might be a big problem especially in playoffs.

No, you're right, but he elevated his play at the beginning of this season, and I'm hoping for better showing, we'll wait and see.
P.S. This game had a PO feel to it, especially in the 2nd half, in the 1st qtr I think both teams were still napping.

This year's playoffs might be the most important thing in his career.

Word. Playoffs will determine his worth, and if he shrinks again, we shouldn't offer more than 10m per season. If he rejects, you let him walk and cry over not trading him before trade deadline