Man, that was great. I just watched the highlights. I guess after watching Luka for three years I should know this but seeing his highlights just shows me how important shooters and an elite rim runner are to his game.
I think I am finally getting to enjoy John Hollinger's snark.
https://twitter.com/johnhollinger/status...7262092292
(07-04-2021, 03:06 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]I think I am finally getting to enjoy John Hollinger's snark.
He is one of the greatest follows NBA Twitter has to offer. Good for a pretty effective joke like 2-3 times per week. More if there's game action to inspire him.
(07-04-2021, 03:06 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]I guess after watching Luka for three years I should know this but seeing his highlights just shows me how important shooters and an elite rim runner are to his game.
It is just sad what Luka can do with a random collection of professionals and how limited at times things have looked in DAL the last couple years with talent that SHOULD be better. Either roster or coaching fail. Or both? Or maybe just TOXIC chemistry that overshadowed and poisoned the talent and the coaching.
(07-04-2021, 03:13 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]It is just sad what Luka can do with a random collection of professionals and how limited at times things have looked in DAL the last couple years with talent that SHOULD be better. Either roster or coaching fail. Or both? Or maybe just TOXIC chemistry that overshadowed and poisoned the talent and the coaching.
I mean, I don't disagree with some of your concerns, but it's not like he was over there playing NBA teams. I get that lots of international players are in the league now, and that the Euro leagues are getting better, but these national teams seem kind of thrown together at the last minute, to me. It's not like they had some huge training camp and regular season together to get ready for this tournament. I kind of feel like the Mavericks, playing with Luka in place of Slovenia, but against all the same teams Slovenia just faced, probably would've fared as well or better. You don't?
(07-04-2021, 03:17 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I mean, I don't disagree with some of your concerns, but it's not like he was over there playing NBA teams. I get that lots of international players are in the league now, and that the Euro leagues are getting better, but these national teams seem kind of thrown together at the last minute, to me. It's not like they had some huge training camp and regular season together to get ready for this tournament. I kind of feel like the Mavericks, playing with Luka in place of Slovenia, but against all the same teams Slovenia just faced, probably would've fared as well or better. You don't?
Jonas would probably finish with 30/25, if he played against the Mavs frontline.
Though I see a lot of pain in Sabonis future with Carlisle. UFC 300: Carlisle vs. Arvydas.
(07-04-2021, 03:20 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: [ -> ]Jonas would probably finish with 30/25, if he played against the Mavs frontline.
I mean...he played against them this year, yeah? Was that his line?
Do you not think that time practicing together, competing with each other every night matters? Are you saying it's literally just about putting the right 5 guys on the floor, and that's all that matters?
(07-04-2021, 03:24 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I mean...he played against them this year, yeah? Was that his line?
Do you not think that time practicing together, competing with each other every night matters? Are you saying it's literally just about putting the right 5 guys on the floor, and that's all that matters?
No obviously chemistry matters, but it´s not the first time these guys play together for their national teams. The talent pool is usually pretty limited. They have obviously spent a few weeks together preparing for the Olympic qualifiers, too. When did Memphis/Indiana finish their seasons? Must have been 5-6 weeks ago.
Great accomplishment for Slovenia taking down the hosts. Btw all four tournament hosts have failed to qualify. Italy has taken down Serbia in Belgrade. Maybe not the best idea to pile on the added home pressure.
(07-04-2021, 03:29 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: [ -> ]No obviously chemistry matters, but it´s not the first time these guys play together for their national teams. The talent pool is usually pretty limited. They have obviously spend a few weeks together preparing for the Olympic qualifiers, too. When did Memphis/Indiana finish their seasons? Must have been 5-6 weeks ago.
Chemistry is huge, sure, but what I'm talking about is organization. System. Personally, I think that matters a ton.
Agree that these guys have all likely grown up playing together (or at least against each other, similar to our AAU). And, they have probably been coordinated at least a little over email, zoom, whatever, for months. AND, I think the Olympics, themselves, will probably be a different story in terms of team preparation. But for this tournament, it doesn't even seem like these national teams were able to plan ahead on who would actually play, due to the NBA playoffs. If the Mavs were still in the playoffs, for example, Slovenia wouldn't be going to the Olympics, I don't think.
Just seems odd to suggest that a situation like that, where the best individual player makes even
more of a difference, is somehow an indication that if Luka had this exact Slovenian team with him they would've beaten the Clippers (who are obviously better than any of the squads in this tournament, right?). That's the meaning I took from @"Kammrath"'s post, but I'm hoping I have that wrong because it seems crazy to me.
(07-04-2021, 03:29 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote: [ -> ]They have obviously spent a few weeks together preparing for the Olympic qualifiers, too. When did Memphis/Indiana finish their seasons? Must have been 5-6 weeks ago.
Yeah, maybe some of them have had more time together than I assumed. Sometimes I forget how much time these NBA rounds take.
Melli, Green and Doncic will play in Tokyo. Wouldn´t be suprised if Kleber joins the German team for the group stage.
Looks like Slovenia will be in a group with Japan, Spain, and Argentina. Should be an interesting group for them with the host country + 2 traditional international powers.
(07-04-2021, 03:17 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I mean, I don't disagree with some of your concerns, but it's not like he was over there playing NBA teams.
My point (maybe better articulated was this):
I think Luka just faced a LARGER talent discrepancy (his teammates vs the opponents) than he would in the NBA and fared better. Lithuania had just won 17 of 18 in that competition and had much more talent than Luka's squad.
Or another way: Luka is so talented by himself that maybe 2nd round exit from the playoffs is the FLOOR (if he is healthy) and the Mavs have just had two first round exits. Why?
Could his NBA roster the last two years been THAT bad? Was the coaching much worse than we thought? Was there toxic chemistry that made the "sum" far worse than the "parts"?
(07-04-2021, 01:19 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Didn't think it was possible, but here we are. Luka is absolutely phenomenal.
Congratulations man, well deserved
(07-04-2021, 04:47 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]I think Luka just faced a LARGER talent discrepancy (his teammates vs the opponents) than he would in the NBA and fared better. Lithuania had just won 17 of 18 in that competition and had much more talent than Luka's squad.
Ah, gotcha, thanks! That is an interesting thought.
Luka nearly did the same thing for the Mavs against the Clippers but unfortunately, he is only a little better than Kawhi and couldn’t totally make up for the general talent gap between the two teams. Luka is three levels above anyone on Lithuania however, so no problem. He’s so good, his tiny nation is a real threat to medal. Very few rosters will have a number one option in striking distance of Luka. He’s the best player in the world. It’s hard to believe he plays for the Mavs.
After watching alot of FIBA Basketball in the qualifiers right next to NBA conference finals, I really have to say playing under clear FIBA rules with mostly competent refs is refreshing to see, esp. compared against NBA playoff ruling (swallow your whiste). There's still physicality, but most of the wrestling matches, minor bumps, holds, grabs just go away when being called more strictly. It's more Basketball.
And it's natural that the best pure Basketball player in the world (if you take out the over-emphasized athletic factor in the NBA) shines on this stage.
(07-04-2021, 04:47 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]Could his NBA roster the last two years been THAT bad? Was the coaching much worse than we thought? Was there toxic chemistry that made the "sum" far worse than the "parts"?
A combination of all 3 perhaps...
I really truly believe Luka tuned out RC and hated his approach to playing the game. Carlisle kept wanting to gain more control and enforce rigid rules onto Luka and I think it really hampered his creativity. I mean look at last year Luka and some of his passes versus this year. I just think Luka is so damn good even his "meh" games are still all-timers.
I think the Mavs put together a flawed roster. JRich/Melli/Burke all aren't good enough to be on a championship team and barely received run in the playoffs. Then you got one dimensional guys in Powell/Brunson/Boban who all can't defend but can score in a multitude of ways.
THJ/Maxi/DFS are the only players on this team that can do more than 1 thing on the court. THJ can create his own shot (albeit in a less than ideal manner at times). Maxi and DFS are the only 2 that can defend and hit a 3 consistently. You need more than 3 guys that can do that on an NBA team. And even still those guys aren't supremely special (save maybe DFS defense).
Then you have KP who is SUPPOSED to be a unicorn on defense and a varied offensive player. He didn't have it last year. Lots of reasons why. I think playing under RC certainly was a bigger factor in it than I originally thought.
Thankfully though as long as we have Luka we can fix this EASY. Just sign better players. Donnie obviously couldn't get it done in a timely manner. Lets hope Nico Harrison can.
(07-05-2021, 06:11 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I really truly believe Luka tuned out RC and hated his approach to playing the game. Carlisle kept wanting to gain more control and enforce rigid rules onto Luka and I think it really hampered his creativity. I mean look at last year Luka and some of his passes versus this year. I just think Luka is so damn good even his "meh" games are still all-timers.
According to the reports RC handed Luka the keys to the offense and let him do his thing. Even call some post ups (we all know what RC thinks about the post game). Would actually say that last years offense looked more like the RC offense of the last ten years. Had more flow elements and more screen action for guys like THJ or Curry. This year it was a lot of Harden/Rockets-ball. Mismatch hunting and iso ball. Obviously also roster related. KP and Powell not the same. JRich instead of Curry.
The myth of RC the rigid coach that likes to make all the decisions is not really matching his offensive philosophy. Flow with multiple ballhanders that can all create of the dribble. He rarely calls plays (usually only out of timeouts, sometimes the initial action...horns, spain pick and roll).
According to Cato the RC/Luka situation was mostly about off court stuff (treatment of teammates, RCs "anger issues") and the influence of Bob.
(07-05-2021, 06:11 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I think the Mavs put together a flawed roster. JRich/Melli/Burke all aren't good enough to be on a championship team and barely received run in the playoffs. Then you got one dimensional guys in Powell/Brunson/Boban who all can't defend but can score in a multitude of ways.
Already mentioned it in the roster thread. The usual Mavs move. Good offense. Add defensive specialists that cannot play offense. Realize that they are hurting the offense. Adjust against and trade them for another one-way player like Redick.
Disagree on the Powell part. Would argue that his defense was better than his offense. Powell is one dimensional on offense (pick and roll only, rim runner) but one of the better defenders.
(07-05-2021, 06:11 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]THJ/Maxi/DFS are the only players on this team that can do more than 1 thing on the court. THJ can create his own shot (albeit in a less than ideal manner at times). Maxi and DFS are the only 2 that can defend and hit a 3 consistently. You need more than 3 guys that can do that on an NBA team. And even still those guys aren't supremely special (save maybe DFS defense).
This. The Mavs need
Two-way players. Ideally versatile wings that can play multiple positions.
(07-05-2021, 06:11 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Then you have KP who is SUPPOSED to be a unicorn on defense and a varied offensive player. He didn't have it last year. Lots of reasons why. I think playing under RC certainly was a bigger factor in it than I originally thought.
Disagree but hope that you are right. It is easy to blame the outgoing coach/GM. RC didn´t turn KP into oldman Dirk on defense. I guess we can argue about the way KP was used on offense. I think RC did what was best for the team. Reduced KPs inefficient iso/post touches. Turned him into a catch and shoot/finish only player. KP obviously thinks of himself as a "star" player but if he cannot back it up on the court there is no reason to give him the special treatment.
(07-05-2021, 06:11 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Thankfully though as long as we have Luka we can fix this EASY. Just sign better players. Donnie obviously couldn't get it done in a timely manner. Lets hope Nico Harrison can.
The Mavs gave up bball knowledge/ X´s and O´s and went all out on recruiting. If they cannot land one of the bigger fishes this season things could get really ugly.