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I'm desperate so it would be starting DP as my last hope...also Green would get meaningful minutes...

No starting but I would try Melli on PG. DFS is getting bullied. KP and WCS are both unplayable. Not sure if Powell is any better.

I don't think Mavs are actually capable of defending against Clippers, so going all offense as they have been might be the best option. If you insist on changing something on defense, it would have to be on Kawhi. He is good, but not that good. He is basically doing whatever he wants. I would try to go a bit smaller perhaps, with JRich for Kleber (JRich on George, DFS on Kawhi). Just to give him something different to work against, Kleber is no obstacle at all and he knows it.

Might switch up to buffalo trace bourbon next game instead of 4 roses.

(05-30-2021, 11:24 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Might switch up to buffalo trace bourbon next game instead of 4 roses.

In addition to this, you might want to tweak your start time for drinking, too. I'd say two hours earlier should do it.

(05-30-2021, 11:32 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]In addition to this, you might want to tweak your start time for drinking, too. I'd say two hours earlier should do it.

Team would still look ugly...not enough alcohol to make them look pretty...

All defense lineup is the only one that might work to stop Kawhi and PG. And play more Zone.

Luka
J-Rich
DFS
Kleber
KP

Our best five defenders. Thats the onlz chance. If they find a way to make stops. Luka and offense will find a way to win the game. Ive said it all season long, but thats our best lineup. When THJ plays well on offense, he looks like the better one to start, but unfortunately in such a tough series against PG and Kawhi, id like to see a great defender play and bring toughness.

Pray Redick gets healthy enough to suit up but I doubt it.

(05-30-2021, 11:04 PM)ClutchDirk Wrote: [ -> ]I'm desperate so it would be starting DP as my last hope...also Green would get meaningful minutes...

Agree.  Play DP and Green more.  Play the Euros, except for Luka, less. Rick’s vision to win the series with big, slow lumbering Euros with some offensive skill doesn’t have a snowball’s chance.  The Mavs can’t even beat the Clippers small lineups on the boards. The Mavs need to get a lot more athletic.

(05-31-2021, 01:57 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: [ -> ]The Mavs need to get a lot more athletic.

This is probably a good concept to roll right past this series and into the summer with, tbh. 

The older Luka gets, the more he'll benefit from having athletes around him, imo, and athletes who can shoot are hard to find.

(05-31-2021, 01:14 AM)SwisherPrice Wrote: [ -> ]Pray Redick gets healthy enough to suit up but I doubt it.

He'll be another traffic cone on defense. Mavs have enough of those.  He may hit a couple of 3's, but who is he stopping?

For all the hubub of the Mavs getting massively better on the defensive end last offseason:

Kawhi: 33ppg/8.5rpg/3.75apg on 62.6% FG/47.8% 3pt/87.5 FT

PG: 25ppg on  50% FG/ 34% 3pt 

Currently the star duo is TOASTING the Mavs perimeter players. Should this continue you can basically say last offseason was completely useless and a spinning of the tires.

J-rich needs to play a lot more. DP as well. He has great defensive movement. Needs to move a lot better on D.

Play the team that got you here. Switch THJ with JRich. It’s still obvious that when THJ isn’t scoring he brings nothing to the the table. 
Also, keep THJ off your starting lineups for next year and pay him as the bench player he is! He scored like those 2 first games during the season from the bench.

Mavs needs a dynamo.
Mavs need a GREEN light.
I know he is a rookie but he needs to be out there.
Tell him he doesn't need to worry about making mistakes or not contributing in points, just hustle and defend. 

I can guarantee right now, he'd be playing like a mad man.

Clippers need a monkey wrench thrown at em. I think Green can be just that. Give the dude the chance to prove the pick is a very good one, instead of just good.

The defense can't stop Kawhi...but it has to try.  This is the playoffs!  Get aggressive.  Play the ball!  Too many times the defense pulls off the ball only to give an easy lane to the basket.  The defense CAN stop PG by playing him tight and hard.  Get into his mind.  He will implode...but it's best not to let him get started.

With one head butt, and possibly an elbow to Luca's neck, Marcus Morris has done his job for the Clippers.  Somebody needs to get aggressive with Morris.  Foul him out!  He can't keep from getting techs if you play him tight...with force.

On offense:  Take the 3 point shot when OPEN, but don't force it. Get a lot more aggressive when driving to the basket.  Take more shots in the paint.  Make the damn free throws!  Somebody needs to tell THJ that not even Baryshnikov could get a basket while doing a pirouette and/or jumping around like a kangaroo rat.  Face the basket and take the shot.  Just a little judicial shot selection will do wonders for THJ. 

Luka isn't getting any support.  You can't win a championship by milling about on the 3 point line and depending solely on Luka to generate offense.  We have a one dimensional offense.  This game plan has to be on the coaches...

Again...this is the playoffs.  If a player is hot (Luka) and has the entire team hitting on all cylinders...play him the entire quarter.  Don't kill the surge/streak by pulling him out.  He (Luka) can rest at the beginning of the next quarter.

Expand the rotation a bit.  Green should be playing some meaningful minutes...if only for the athleticism, effort, and energy.  A coach can't pull a player who hasn't play any minutes out of the hat (bench) and expect him to hit the floor running.  It takes playing time to...play.

Attitude.  Without a healthy Luka the team looks discouraged.  The coaches need to come up with a game plan that will at least give the team hope and confidence.

Attitude.  ....I was going to write something about KP...to hell with it.  I am still firmly in the "trade him for a bag of chips" camp.  Not because he can't be a good player on his "own" team...but because he doesn't fit on a team with Luka.  It's that simple.

It just seems every response the Mavs can make, the Clippers have the better answer.   But for one, something needs to be done with Kleber on Leonard.   Kleber is an above average defender to good defender, although last night it seemed like he didn't stop anyone.    But Leonard had the cheat code with Kleber last year and it has carried over to this year.  Kleber can play good defense and contest on him, but it just doesn't matter.  I agree with someone earlier who says Leonard knows what to expect and it not surprised with anything.  Ever have that friend who you score on almost  every time?  That is Leonard vs Kleber.  

The Mavs have limited options, but I think trying someone else on Leonard would be my move.   Now, the limited options the Mavs have again this year after getting destroyed by him last playoffs is also a Scarlett letter for the front office.  But I will save that battle for another day.

(05-31-2021, 07:30 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Kleber before COVID-19 was an above average defender to good defender

FIFY.

(05-31-2021, 02:32 AM)burekemde Wrote: [ -> ]J-rich needs to play a lot more. DP as well. He has great defensive movement. Needs to move a lot better on D.

I said this all along. Even after Achilles's surgery, Powell is probably their best big defender perimeter-wise, not Maxi. Powell has the quickness to show on P & R's and recover back to his man.

I think its possible that nothing will work but the one thing that is *different* enough to maybe make an impact good or bad is Powell starting in place of Maxi. Maxi is just a zero at both ends right now. Powell has shown that he can be an effective starter and maybe even Rick's preferred starter for most matchups (especially regular season).

DP obviously adds a vertical threat and his constant screen setting and energy will help get the offense moving again. The Mavs best chance to win this series is probably to outscore the Clippers and hope Luka can outshine the Clippers' stars.

On defense it's a challenge with KP and Powell both having to stretch out to the perimeter. THJ, DFS get blown by easily so I am not sure what to do other than try to scheme to crowd the paint and give up 3s. This could also be a losing strategy in that the Clips are the best 3 point shooting team in the league. You will try to close out on them but giving up layups all game is an even worse strategy. I think you try to build a wall and force outside shots or jumpers. I would rather die by outside shot than a layup line and free throws.

I also think DP + Luka on offense could force more fouls. Really to be honest with it if you can scheme a way to get KL or George in foul trouble, that might be your best bet. They have both been hot for 4 games now so at least one of them (probably PG) is due for an off night shooting. Mavs just have to cut down on penetration. I know their team is not good individually so they have to pack the paint as a group and dare guys to shoot. I don't see another way around it. Sometimes teams don't shoot well outside when the pressure is on. It's easier to shoot a layup than a 3 pointer.