Western Conference | Round 2 | (1) Phoenix Suns vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks (2-2)

[pj0tr]

Legler on ESPN postgame: Dallas dictated things with their defense and looked like the team we saw in the regular season

Watch on YouTube

I see no lies. Pelicans did to the SUns in Game 4 what the Mavericks did last night. Just completely bullied and bodied them and completely threw off their rhythm on offense.

Suns responded pretty well in Game 5, and I don't think we'll see Booker/CP3 combine for just 22 shots again.

[Archx]

I wanted to see the Mavs closed out but the guy from Wake Forest laid an egg on both sides of the ball. I just don’t think the mavericks have enough weapons to make this a series.

Mavs secret weapon Scott Foster still hasn't been used

I get why Mavs twitter wants this badly, but Luka doesn't exactly have the greatest history with Foster. Be careful for what you wish for.

We all know it's just a running joke, don't take it too seriously

[BoatsNZones]

Honestly just stoked this series was extended a couple more days at the very least. Huge for the Grizz/Warriors re rest.

[pj0tr]

Honestly just stoked this series was extended a couple more days at the very least. Huge for the Grizz/Warriors re rest.

If the Suns would've swept Dallas, and Golden State beats Memphis in 5, the Suns/Warriors series likely starts next Sunday with the Suns having 7 days off, with the Warriors having 4 days off.

Now if both teams finish in 5, the Suns will likely have 4 days off, with the Warriors having 3 days off.

If either series goes 6+, I don't see the WCF starting until next Tuesday at the earliest.

[CobraCommander]

What happened on this play? Was he just off balance?

Read on Twitter

Comedy ensues lol

Squat rack book. Squat rack lol

[CobraCommander]

So people gonna admit now that this IS a series that the mavs can win or we gonna keep acting like it’s over?

I would like to highlight that while Luka took 25 shots to get 26 points there was still an emphasis to get Brunson 21 shots and I think Luka played BETTER winning ball than the other 2 games

Felt like Luka played better even with less points because the other players had the ball in their hands as well and were pushed to make something happen. Win or lose we saw Brunson being inserted into the game plan offensively… is that Brunson, Luka or Kidds doing - I say Kidd coached them up and they listened - we have a series

[pj0tr]

So people gonna admit now that this IS a series that the mavs can win or we gonna keep acting like it’s over?

I would like to highlight that while Luka took 25 shots to get 26 points there was still an emphasis to get Brunson 21 shots and I think Luka played BETTER winning ball than the other 2 games

Felt like Luka played better even with less points because the other players had the ball in their hands as well and were pushed to make something happen. Win or lose we saw Brunson being inserted into the game plan offensively… is that Brunson, Luka or Kidds doing - I say Kidd coached them up and they listened - we have a series

It is a series lol. Only way it wouldn't have been if the Suns won last night. It was a must win for Dallas, and they came through.

Sunday is another must win for them.

[Dirk]

Read on Twitter

?

**** outta here “NBA 1st Team”.

He looked pretty strong here

[CobraCommander]

Kidd postgame on Luka responding well to Kidd calling him out for defensive issues in today's shootaround:

"he's one that's never run from criticism"

Kidd praised Luka's defense in the game

Luka is a self-critical individual, I like that about him. He doesn't really shy away from criticism, and knows he has to be better in the future when it comes to his conditioning. It was also a little distasteful and frankly just blatantly false of the haters to jump on him for what was a truly awful defensive game, yes, but still only one game. Luka has played a good defensive season this year, but we've already seen this with Dirk and many other players. If you are a white European, you are put in a box as a cerebral, but no defense player. Luka is not an all-world defender, do not get me wrong, but he is actually average in that regard already on most nights, if not above average, so really doesn't deserve the treatment he sometimes gets.

I don’t see the goat potential that a lot of you see…

But there is one thing I do see that makes me think he might have a chance to at least make a top 15 argument (which is insane)

Luka takes Feedback well in public. If (big IF) he keeps this up his whole career and takes this feedback and Turn it into work ethic in all things basketball then maybe he can be top 15 or better player.

At top end highschool basketball camps I have heard more than one person say - are you Kobe or are you shaq ?

Kobe was matrix… 6’6” pretty athletic … same as everyone else in the nba - Matrix

Shaq was built like a god from day one…

Kobe could have been rich and avg and reallly rich and maybe one a ring or two on lakers with shaq

Shaq was destined-

Kobe worked his ass off to be great… but he worked his ass off off the the court even more.. studied and improved and kept doing it till his last game.

Shaq got good enough - but he was already a god day one….


One of those two maxed out their potential … the other didn’t - they both great … but if you not built like shaq you need to work to get in the pantheon-

Luka built like and talented like shaq but if he gets that Kobe work ethic… and that Jordan brain that learned I can’t do it alone even if I can sometimes- why not be top 15… but can’t be top 15 coming in out of shape and playing bad or sub par defense for a career. Gotta get it all year and on both ends.

[DroseReturnChi]

Felt like Luka played better even with less points because the other players had the ball in their hands as well and were pushed to make something happen. Win or lose we saw Brunson being inserted into the game plan offensively… is that Brunson, Luka or Kidds doing - I say Kidd coached them up and they listened - we have a series

Luka still took 25 shots in a rather poor game. has nothing to do with brunsons bad performance when his game 3 eclipsed previous games. the role players needs to man up and replicate their rs performance. but people always forget most players even stars do poorly when the pressure is on including lebron.

the argument that luka playing lebron ball making his teamates suffer is a myth. even avging 35pts the guy is a triple double mahine the shots arent just falling. its stupid people would prefer someone like a steph who cant do more when the situation is needed. more is always better. the only instance steph and tatum would be better would be like miami's superteam when you have 3-4 mvps stacked for usage.

[CobraCommander]

Read on Twitter

?

**** outta here “NBA 1st Team”.

He looked pretty strong here

He is only doing bench and curls and occasional shrugs lol… but skipping leg day.

When Brunson bullied him he needed that squat rack and deadlift strength lol

[Dundalis]

So people gonna admit now that this IS a series that the mavs can win or we gonna keep acting like it’s over?

I would like to highlight that while Luka took 25 shots to get 26 points there was still an emphasis to get Brunson 21 shots and I think Luka played BETTER winning ball than the other 2 games

Felt like Luka played better even with less points because the other players had the ball in their hands as well and were pushed to make something happen. Win or lose we saw Brunson being inserted into the game plan offensively… is that Brunson, Luka or Kidds doing - I say Kidd coached them up and they listened - we have a series

Dallas winning this game had almost zero to do with anything offensively. It was all about defense. If Dallas played with this level of defensive intensity and unity the first two games, they could have had the same results with Luka putting up his points. Luka having less ball dominance allowing others to have the ball more, but they play the same defense as the first two games, they get blown away just the same. Luka should be able to get his 40+ which he could have done anyway with better efficiency (the idea that your superstar shouldn't do this and should instead ensure he scores less to facilitate extra for others is weird, and not remotely in keeping with superstar performances from most winning teams), and someone like Brunson still do exactly what he did this game. It's important to note Dallas has nobody with any semblance of ball handling ability in the rotation outside of Brunson and Dinwiddie. Luka playing with a derth of ball handlers his whole career has been a big reason for his huge usage rate.

It's also pretty important to note that part of the reason Luka actually took more of a backseat this game had nothing to do with Kidd coaching anyone up, but simply the fact that Brunson actually did his job and actually started knocking down shots and being an effective creator. If in the next game Brunson (or Dinwiddie), get hot, Luka will do the same thing. If they go back to looking like trash, Luka will dominate the ball the way he did the first two games out of necessity.

But either way, unless Dallas can maintain their defensive level, and even then get some luck given how much more talented the Suns are, it doesn't matter.

[Archx]

So people gonna admit now that this IS a series that the mavs can win or we gonna keep acting like it’s over?

I would like to highlight that while Luka took 25 shots to get 26 points there was still an emphasis to get Brunson 21 shots and I think Luka played BETTER winning ball than the other 2 games

Felt like Luka played better even with less points because the other players had the ball in their hands as well and were pushed to make something happen. Win or lose we saw Brunson being inserted into the game plan offensively… is that Brunson, Luka or Kidds doing - I say Kidd coached them up and they listened - we have a series

Are you going to be shocked if tell you that Luka had the highest USG% in this game than in any other playoff game so far? What a weird coincidence that you're praising him for taking a step back and let others do their thing

But you people still don't get it. Brunson has a high USG% this entire time (30%), that's almost the same as some top guys as nr1 option on other teams. He actually managed to score points and abuse Booker, we didn't see that in first two games and Kidd called him out. He was missing point blank layups and open jumpers.

So, what was the real difference? Brunson and others stepping up. Even if Luka had a poor shooting performance, he still dominated with controling the game and he had the best DRTG of any Mavs player and was +20 for the game. All that is needed is a little bit of help from every Mavs player to give themselves a chance. Doncic hogging the ball or whatever is completely out of context and a very lazy analysis.

[CobraCommander]

Felt like Luka played better even with less points because the other players had the ball in their hands as well and were pushed to make something happen. Win or lose we saw Brunson being inserted into the game plan offensively… is that Brunson, Luka or Kidds doing - I say Kidd coached them up and they listened - we have a series

Luka still took 25 shots in a rather poor game. has nothing to do with brunsons bad performance when his game 3 eclipsed previous games. the role players needs to man up and replicate their rs performance. but people always forget most players even stars do poorly when the pressure is on including lebron.

the argument that luka playing lebron ball making his teamates suffer is a myth. even avging 35pts the guy is a triple double mahine the shots arent just falling. its stupid people would prefer someone like a steph who cant do more when the situation is needed. more is always better. the only instance steph and tatum would be better would be like miami's superteam when you have 3-4 mvps stacked for usage.

Bad game?!

Luka leads the team to a victory and was the catalyst and calling it a rather poor game... I take today over the last 2 games cause the results matter more than the stats to all but maybe Luka historians

We saw it this so differently- I think that was Lukas best game of series

I think I’m right because as lukas teammates said post game interviews “Luka was turnth on defense that got us lit”.
I don’t know what that means for certain but I know it motivated them
I caught up with Jason Kidd in the gym this morning and asked him...and he agreed

Watch on YouTube

[CobraCommander]

So people gonna admit now that this IS a series that the mavs can win or we gonna keep acting like it’s over?

I would like to highlight that while Luka took 25 shots to get 26 points there was still an emphasis to get Brunson 21 shots and I think Luka played BETTER winning ball than the other 2 games

Felt like Luka played better even with less points because the other players had the ball in their hands as well and were pushed to make something happen. Win or lose we saw Brunson being inserted into the game plan offensively… is that Brunson, Luka or Kidds doing - I say Kidd coached them up and they listened - we have a series

Are you going to be shocked if tell you that Luka had the highest USG% in this game than in any other playoff game so far? What a weird coincidence that you're praising him for taking a step back and let others do their thing

But you people still don't get it. Brunson has a high USG% this entire time (30%), that's almost the same as some top guys as nr1 option on other teams. He actually managed to score points and abuse Booker, we didn't see that in first two games and Kidd called him out. He was missing point blank layups and open jumpers.

So, what was the real difference? Brunson and others stepping up. Even if Luka had a poor shooting performance, he still dominated with controling the game and he had the best DRTG of any Mavs player and was +20 for the game. All that is needed is a little bit of help from every Mavs player to give themselves a chance. Doncic hogging the ball or whatever is completely out of context and a very lazy analysis.

Slow up big guy - I’m talking defense and effort on that side of the ball....we saying the same thing - I think it was his best game and I didn’t make money cause I’m a coward...but my bet that they get to finals is still in play

[Dundalis]

Have not watched the game, but box-score suggests the Mavs played like a team today and simply outplayed the Suns.

The defensive intensity from the Mavs was insane, the Suns really didn't look like they expected Dallas to play this kind of defense in any game. It's good to see, but once again Luka showed that his conditioning is not there. He played amazing defense today - for him -, and the shots suddenly didn't fall. It's both alarming and encouraging, alarming for this series, and encouraging for the future, because he obviously still has levels to go. I expect the Suns to put the stranglehold on this series on Sunday, but this was still a great game for us Mavs fans, because a lot of us expected this to be a sweep after the first two games.

Whats alarming to me is that he may have to carry a team full of players who in an ideal world should all be bench players on top teams, for the better part of his career. Luka does need to come into the season in better shape there's no question about that, but the luxury other superstars have to be able to rely on teammates with high level and even elite talent in many cases, is something Luka has not experienced in the NBA, and might not for a long time. Despite the win today, it's so abundant how inferior the Mavs are talent wise. Not just to the Suns, but even looking at the rosters of the remaining playoff teams. They are a team that plays way above themselves, Im not sure how much should be attributed to Luka, but I think a lot. I always thought the way Carlisle set the team up had guys playing up to or above their talent compared to on other teams (you can actually see this in some acquisitions and some players that have left the team in recent years), but some of that has remained despite Carlisle leaving.

[Freighttrain]

It's games like these that show Booker is a tier well below other young stars such as Tatum, Luka, Ja, etc. He's just not a superstar player that can lead a team as those guys can. After hitting those early 2 threes his presence was barely felt. Slandering Luka was perhaps justified, but even a bad Luka game is better than an average Booker game. The standards are way different.

I also just realized that no matter which team the Suns face if they were to move on, the best player will always be on the other team. Have we seen a team win in the last 20 years without having the best player since the second round? 03 Pistons?

Pretty obvious this poster didn't watch Ja against Minnesota whatsoever, or Tatum against the Nets in round 1 last year, or Tatum against the Bucks in Game 1.

You do realize all of them are younger and have achieved more individually than Booker. Ja is having a better series now against the Warriors than any series Booker ever had. Luka toyed with the Clippers facing Kawhi & PG13 and is just flat out the best player in this series, and Tatum was dominant against KD whilst being the number one offensive go-to guy. What has Booker done?

[Statlanta]

I think the Mavericks were gonna play better at home regardless of Luka's usage rate. The thing that stands out is Chris Paul's turnovers. The game was too close for the Mavs to feel they are in the series.

[sunsbum]

So people gonna admit now that this IS a series that the mavs can win

only desperate luka fans.

[Gimli]

I still believe the Mavs win the series, though I've lost hope after games 1 and 2. But now I'm a believer again. And Kidd did come up with a good plan, should have had faith in him.

While I still claim that LD has to play the PF, if JB is the PG, I can also say the following, that imo was completely missed.

It wasn't that Doncic just needs more help, JB was ignored when he got the ball in game 1 and game 2. JB is small, thus he needs a lot of space and movement to operate. In games 1 and 2, he got the ball, then he got the screen and everyone just stood still. It wasn't really, well "JB is the PG for this play". They kept the same offensive scheme as for Doncic, roughly speaking, everyone stands still, except the screener who comes to JB. This type of offense doesn't work for JB, unless it's the Jazz.

Only today did the Mavs start respecting JB as the PG. When he got the ball, they did everything so that he could be successful with it. Even Doncic played in the post a bit, he didn't just stand around, doing nothing. But only a bit, mainly he did just stand around. It wasn't just LD who needed help, JB also needed help. Game 1 and Game 2 offense wasn't the right type of offense for him, so he couldn't do anything. JB just needed space and off ball movement.

And once Doncic didn't have to do eveything on offense, defense naturally improved, so they could play it for whole 48 min. It was also easier to score, so morale was high for the whole game. Rotations weren't missed and they could play the prepared defensive schemes.