My biggest fear is that Rondo goes off for a couple of games and we're all subjected to trash talk from @"robillionaire".
I know this won't be a popular take, but this has occurred to me.
Luka has been acting like a major-league jerk with respect to the Clippers, in a way that we all love to watch. I adore seeing him talking smack to the likes of Pat Bev and Paul George.
However, there is an argument to be made that he is baiting the Clips into retaliating physically. And that if it happens, the response will not be outrage, but a feeling that he asked for it.
I'm actually sort of hoping that the refs call the game tightly, so as to forestall that kind of antics, and that Luka maybe dials it back a tad, given that the Clips are now a bunch of cornered animals.
(05-27-2021, 12:11 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]I know this won't be a popular take, but this has occurred to me.
Luka has been acting like a major-league jerk with respect to the Clippers, in a way that we all love to watch. I adore seeing him talking smack to the likes of Pat Bev and Paul George.
However, there is an argument to be made that he is baiting the Clips into retaliating physically. An that if it happens, the response will not be outrage, but a feeling that he asked for it.
I'm actually sort of hoping that the refs call the game tightly, so as to forestall that kind of antics, and that Luka maybe dials it back a tad, given that the Clips are now a bunch of cornered animals.
There's something to this. I'm for him dailing it back.
(05-27-2021, 12:25 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]There's something to this. I'm for him dailing it back.
Clippers are chirping all the time. He is just returning the favor. Dirk was an underrated trash talker as well. I prefer an emotional leader over an lifeless robot like Kawhi.
(05-27-2021, 12:11 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]Luka has been acting like a major-league jerk with respect to the Clippers, in a way that we all love to watch. I adore seeing him talking smack to the likes of Pat Bev and Paul George.
However, there is an argument to be made that he is baiting the Clips into retaliating physically. An that if it happens, the response will not be outrage, but a feeling that he asked for it.
I don't think so. They acted like punks last year with all "dame time" teasing and all roughness against Mavs. And look at them again this year - Kawhi dunks on Kleber and half a team is flexing there like they actually contributed in any way. KP slips on PG crossover and again a bunch of bench scrubbs is making fun of him. No one likes that and certainly no one objects when Luka is giving them a taste of their own medicine.
I am 100 % sure the response on something unsportsmanlike would be league wide outrage that just couldn't go without consequences.
(05-27-2021, 12:35 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Clippers are chirping all the time. He is just returning the favor. Dirk was an underrated trash talker as well. I prefer an emotional leader over an lifeless robot like Kawhi.
Yeah, I agree with that. I wouldn't argue that he become a robot. He's obviously enjoying himself, and the Clippers, especailly Pat Bev, are just getting what they've given. Maybe I'm just too soft, but at some point, after witnessing the verbal humiliation that Luka has foisted upon Pat, at some point I start to think, "ok Luka, back to the game bro".
But man, I'm not going to complain. I mean, I'm being hypocrital, I've been posting LOL's about Luka following Pat around the court yelling. I'm sure my take here is more about me than about what Luka should do.
Oh wait...obviously...we need to call in Harrison Barnes for some counseling. :-D
(05-27-2021, 12:35 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Clippers are chirping all the time. He is just returning the favor. Dirk was an underrated trash talker as well. I prefer an emotional leader over an lifeless robot like Kawhi.
"Dialing it back a tad" is not the same as being a "lifeless robot," lol.
It's one thing to be the brash young pup when you're the clear underdog. It's actually a different thing when you're beating the tar out of the other team, and are rubbing salt in the wound. Maybe it shouldn't be, but it is.
Looking on from an ivory tower, I think Luka is right. I just don't want him to be dead right.
(05-27-2021, 12:43 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]Oh wait...obviously...we need to call in Harrison Barnes for some counseling. :-D
Could certainly tell him how Beverley feels right now.
I remember one day at practice we're standing on the sidelines on the gym and said, 'Oh man, Dirk, you're about to get to 20 years. That's impressive. Do you think I can get to 20 years?' He's like, 'No way man. You need major skill to get to 20 years.'
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/maveri...-nowitzki/
(05-27-2021, 12:41 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I am 100 % sure the response on something unsportsmanlike would be league wide outrage that just couldn't go without consequences.
Wish I had your faith in the system.
Seems to me that the Clippers have built a reputation for being dirty players, and the league does nothing but reward them.
(05-27-2021, 12:11 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]I know this won't be a popular take, but this has occurred to me.
Luka has been acting like a major-league jerk with respect to the Clippers, in a way that we all love to watch. I adore seeing him talking smack to the likes of Pat Bev and Paul George.
However, there is an argument to be made that he is baiting the Clips into retaliating physically. And that if it happens, the response will not be outrage, but a feeling that he asked for it.
I'm actually sort of hoping that the refs call the game tightly, so as to forestall that kind of antics, and that Luka maybe dials it back a tad, given that the Clips are now a bunch of cornered animals.
(05-27-2021, 12:25 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]There's something to this. I'm for him dialing it back.
(05-27-2021, 12:43 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, I agree with that. I wouldn't argue that he become a robot. He's obviously enjoying himself, and the Clippers, especially Pat Bev, are just getting what they've given. Maybe I'm just too soft, but at some point, after witnessing the verbal humiliation that Luka has foisted upon Pat, at some point I start to think, "ok Luka, back to the game bro".
But man, I'm not going to complain. I mean, I'm being hypocritical, I've been posting LOL's about Luka following Pat around the court yelling. I'm sure my take here is more about me than about what Luka should do.
Oh wait...obviously...we need to call in Harrison Barnes for some counseling. :-D
You can count me in the camp that wants Luka (and
ALL the Mavs) to focus on the more fundamental aspects of winning basketball, instead of all the trash talk and head games and extracurricular bullshit.
Bearing that in mind, I believe that Rick Carlisle is not only a better coach than anyone around here, but he is also light years closer to the situation and has insights that will never occur to any of us. I trust coach Carlisle to do his job, a significant part of which is protecting his young superstud.
(05-27-2021, 01:00 PM)Hogmelon Wrote: [ -> ]You can count me in the camp that wants Luka (and ALL the Mavs) to focus on the more fundamental aspects of winning basketball, instead of all the trash talk and head games and extracurricular bullshit.
And furthermore ...
I don't think I'm being hypocritical when I say that Pat Beverley deserves every little bit of vitriol that Luka pours on him.
(05-27-2021, 01:00 PM)Hogmelon Wrote: [ -> ]I believe that Rick Carlisle is not only a better coach than anyone around here
Do you mean you think he can coach better than any of us could, or that your opinion of him is higher than any of ours?
If it's the latter, I got some news for you: before President Biden appointed me as the head of the THJ defense team I enjoyed a long, successful stint as head of the Carlisle Project.
(05-27-2021, 01:04 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]before President Biden appointed me as the head of the THJ defense team I enjoyed a long, successful stint as head of the Carlisle Project.
You can have those, and I'll just be on your team, if I can have the
First to Believe in DFS title.
(05-27-2021, 01:00 PM)Hogmelon Wrote: [ -> ]You can count me in the camp that wants Luka (and ALL the Mavs) to focus on the more fundamental aspects of winning basketball, instead of all the trash talk and head games and extracurricular bullshit.
I think extracurricular bullshit is actually helping them with fundamental aspects of the game. In any case, it is 99 % just Luka and it is clearly driving him to play excellent.
(05-27-2021, 01:04 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Do you mean you think he can coach better than any of us could, or that your opinion of him is higher than any of ours?
If it's the latter, I got some news for you: before President Biden appointed me as the head of the THJ defense team I enjoyed a long, successful stint as head of the Carlisle Project.
The former? Definitely.
The latter? Maybe (but probably not).
(05-27-2021, 01:00 PM)Hogmelon Wrote: [ -> ]You can count me in the camp that wants Luka (and ALL the Mavs) to focus on the more fundamental aspects of winning basketball, instead of all the trash talk and head games and extracurricular bullshit.
Bearing that in mind, I believe that Rick Carlisle is not only a better coach than anyone around here, but he is also light years closer to the situation and has insights that will never occur to any of us. I trust coach Carlisle to do his job, a significant part of which is protecting his young superstud.
Thanks for the comment. Not quite sure just what you are saying.
A. If Carlisle thinks Luka's trash talk is risking retaliation, he will rein Luka in.
B. If the Clips start making dirty plays on Luka, Carlisle will convince the refs to put a stop to it.
C. Something else.
(05-27-2021, 01:13 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I think extracurricular bullshit is actually helping them with fundamental aspects of the game. In any case, it is 99 % just Luka and it is clearly driving him to play excellent.
Maybe you're right.
You can be an elite trash-talker and end up with a broken leg. Russell Westbrook says hi.
Now that the Mavs are in the driver's seat, I think Luka would be well-advised to turn back the trash talk from 100 to 90. Or more, depending on how the game is going. But if he can't play excellently without trash-talking, then it's his risk to take.
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media.giphy.com/media/jx5MJyZqAFsLS/giphy.gif)