MavsBoard

(06-18-2022, 06:37 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]There are a lot of people still sleeping on the Mavs, thinking this run was a fluke. Their thinking is that the Mavs aren't perfect (which is true) and that they have weaknesses (which they do), all the while failing to see that (a) every other team also has flaws, and (b) the Mavs have been learning how to win, already, as is, despite their flaws, in the highest level of play.

The regular season says this team was better than or in the same tier, record-wise, than everyone except PHX and maybe MEM. The results since Jan 1 were either 1st or 2nd in the NBA. Their postseason had them in the top 4.

It's not a fluke.

They do need to improve, because other teams will be working to get better too. But they are definitely a very real threat to win a title in 2022-23. Even as is, before Wood. But while some writers and fans are still thinking "the Mavs might become good next year," make no mistake,  the NBA is very aware of their immediate potential.

Perfectly stated, bravo!

(06-18-2022, 03:54 AM)khaled1987 Wrote: [ -> ]Don't like this one, was hoping for a big name assistant tbh. 
Well, let's hope he is great addition

I like that we are getting younger there, too. I assume being an NBA assistant is a hard job physically and I´d rather have somebody in their physical prime that is very close to the current style of basketball.

There are three headcoaches left over 60 (Carlisle, Casey, Rivers) and one over 70 (Popovich). Only one of them is coaching a winning team. We have some head coaches in their 30s, a ton in their early 40s now.

Crawford and Sweeney became NBA assistants in their 20s, cause they were not good enough for the NBA. I wonder if Pinson should´t accept the same reality, instead of the Mavs committing a roster spot to him.

(06-18-2022, 06:37 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]There are a lot of people still sleeping on the Mavs, thinking this run was a fluke. Their thinking is that the Mavs aren't perfect (which is true) and that they have weaknesses (which they do), all the while failing to see that (a) every other team also has flaws, and (b) the Mavs have been learning how to win, already, as is, despite their flaws, in the highest level of play.

The regular season says this team was better than or in the same tier, record-wise, than everyone except PHX and maybe MEM. The results since Jan 1 were either 1st or 2nd in the NBA. Their postseason had them in the top 4.

It's not a fluke.

They do need to improve, because other teams will be working to get better too. But they are definitely a very real threat to win a title in 2022-23. Even as is, before Wood. But while some writers and fans are still thinking "the Mavs might become good next year," make no mistake,  the NBA is very aware of their immediate potential.

So, I don’t want to rain on this parade you have going here, I just don’t see it. I’m glad for you that you can be so optimistic, but if we run out next year trying to do basically the same thing as we did this year, only with better offensive firepower, I think WCF is really the furthest we can go. 


The team built this year was a group of offense first guys just like Kidd said in the middle of the season. We may have added to the defense with Wood, we may not have, time will tell on that. I tend to lean toward hope in that regard. 

However, if the offense continues to be standing around the 3 point line and wait for Luka to figure something out, then next time give the ball to Jalen and let him figure something out. I think we’re doomed to repeat the same thing we saw this year where few wanted to do anything with the ball when Luka is in the game. It was I go, then you go combined with live by the 3 die by the 3.

I hope it’s different, cause standing on the 3 point line does 1 thing well for the other team, it gives them rest. Even if we are the best offense in the league doing that, it will fail on us eventually. If we continue to be a middle of the pack defense, this will never be a championship team.

So hats off to you guys that believe we are close. I would like to be there with you. I just can’t get there.

(06-19-2022, 12:41 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]So, I don’t want to rain on this parade you have going here, I just don’t see it. I’m glad for you that you can be so optimistic, but if we run out next year trying to do basically the same thing as we did this year, only with better offensive firepower, I think WCF is really the furthest we can go. 


The team built this year was a group of offense first guys just like Kidd said in the middle of the season. We may have added to the defense with Wood, we may not have, time will tell on that. I tend to lean toward hope in that regard. 

However, if the offense continues to be standing around the 3 point line and wait for Luka to figure something out, then next time give the ball to Jalen and let him figure something out. I think we’re doomed to repeat the same thing we saw this year where few wanted to do anything with the ball when Luka is in the game. It was I go, then you go combined with live by the 3 die by the 3.

I hope it’s different, cause standing on the 3 point line does 1 thing well for the other team, it gives them rest. Even if we are the best offense in the league doing that, it will fail on us eventually. If we continue to be a middle of the pack defense, this will never be a championship team.

So hats off to you guys that believe we are close. I would like to be there with you. I just can’t get there.

The Mavs were the 6th ranked defense last year, that's not middle of the pack.

In terms of offense, the Mavs just added a versatile and long scorer to the starting lineup. He's better than both Maxi and Powell at both of their offensive specializations, and he can also do things they can only dream of. If Wood lives up to his potential, I expect that kind of multiplicative increase in offensive efficiency that we saw on defense last year by adding Bullock to DFS and Kleber.

(06-19-2022, 12:46 AM)Branduil Wrote: [ -> ]The Mavs were the 6th ranked defense last year, that's not middle of the pack.

In terms of offense, the Mavs just added a versatile and long scorer to the starting lineup. He's better than both Maxi and Powell at both of their offensive specializations, and he can also do things they can only dream of. If Wood lives up to his potential, I expect that kind of multiplicative increase in offensive efficiency that we saw on defense last year by adding Bullock to DFS and Kleber.

For the year their defense looked good, sure. Not post trade and not throughout the playoffs which is the team we have now plus Wood.

In terms of adding Wood, does it continue to be I go, then you go with everyone else standing on the 3 line? All you’re doing there is adding another player in the I go, then you go rotation.

(06-19-2022, 12:49 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]For the year their defense looked good, sure. Not post trade and not throughout the playoffs which is the team we have now plus Wood.

The Mavs had the 9th-rated defense in the playoffs. Not great but still not middle of the pack overall. The biggest issues were clearly rebounding, shot-blocking, and guys playing too many minutes. Wood should help 1 and 3, remains to be seen on 2.

(06-19-2022, 12:54 AM)Branduil Wrote: [ -> ]The Mavs had the 9th-rated defense in the playoffs. Not great but still not middle of the pack overall. The biggest issues were clearly rebounding, shot-blocking, and guys playing too many minutes. Wood should help 1 and 3, remains to be seen on 2.

16/2 = 8 right? So they were below dead center of the whole. How else would you like me to describe it if that is not middle of the pack? I THINK/HOPE Wood will probably help with the defense, the rebounding will for sure be a plus. Enough to break us into the top 5ish? I very seriously doubt it. I think we’re a pretty large distance away on that front.

(06-19-2022, 01:03 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]16/2 = 8 right? So they were below dead center of the whole. How else would you like me to describe it if that is not middle of the pack? I THINK/HOPE Wood will probably help with the defense, the rebounding will for sure be a plus. Enough to break us into the top 5ish? I very seriously doubt it. I think we’re a pretty large distance away on that front.

The entire NBA is not 16 teams. Middle of the pack would be the 11-19th range.

(06-19-2022, 01:37 AM)Branduil Wrote: [ -> ]The entire NBA is not 16 teams. Middle of the pack would be the 11-19th range.

You said in the playoffs, the playoffs has 16 teams in it.

(06-19-2022, 12:41 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]I just don't see it. .

If you want to close your eyes to what has ALREADY happened, so be it.

But when the results are there over and over (and they are) and the Mavs keep landing at or near the top of the ladder (and they have), it's not some sort of wild optimism to see what's happening. It's denial - a need for negativity, really - that keeps proclaiming that what has been happening is not there.

The Mavs are very very good. Before Wood. Should be even better with him added.

I pointed this out before the playoffs, and was told it was too early to call them good - even though they had accumulated win totals in the very upper echelon of the NBA. 5th best win total, despite learning new system from scratch. Despite a MAJOR roster change mid-season. Best (or 2nd best) since turn of the year.

Then they went into playoffs, with no experience in knowing how to win a series in the playoffs, having to learn on the run, and finished in the top 4. OF THE ENTIRE NBA. That's not some sort of rosy optimism, it's what is.

All the "could have been betters" you cite are ignoring the most important thing you want to gloss over, which is that they have been learning how to win games. You don't win on style points, or stat battles, or rankings in this category or that. And each time they learn how to win another way, it only gets better. Same in the playoffs - they had to learn how to win in that crucible, under fire, against the best of the best -- and they learned how to take down battle-tested teams, including the clear #1 seed, and losing only to the eventual champs.

You don't like their style of play, when they win? So frickin what? You do what's effective, get your wins, and move on. As they did. Lots of games where the other team said "Watch this, we'll get more rebounds" - getting all those style points, baby!!! --- and Mavs reply was "Oh no, oh my, you may win the middle" then they rained 3s while the opponent was getting 2s.

It's not how you win stat battles. It's not style points. It's being able to figure out how to win on the scoreboard. Which they have done, and kept doing.
 
That's not an IF. Or a WISH. Or a MAYBE. It is WHERE THEY ARE.

That was with a very short roster, playing on fumes. Won anyhow through a long two rounds, then it caught up with them. But with some reinforcements (and they have two already), they should be even better (and they were already FINAL FOUR). Whether you like it or not.

(06-19-2022, 01:54 AM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]If you want to deny/ignore what has ALREADY happened, so be it.

But when the results are there over and over (and they are) and the Mavs keep landing at or near the top of the ladder (and they have), it's not some sort of wild optimism to see what's happening. It's denial - a need for negativity, really - that keeps proclaiming that what has been happening is not real.

The Mavs are very very good. Before Wood. Should be even better with him added.

I pointed this out before the playoffs, and was told it was too early to call them good - even though they had accumulated win totals in the very upper echelon of the NBA. 5th best win total, despite learning new system from scratch. Despite a MAJOR roster change mid-season. Best (or 2nd best) since turn of the year.

Then they went into playoffs, with no experience in knowing how to win a series in the playoffs, having to learn on the in, and finished in the top 4. OF THE ENTIRE NBA. That's not some sort of rosy optimism, it's what is.

All the "could have been betters" you cite are ignoring the most important thing you want to gloss over, which is that they have been learning how to win games. You don't win on style points, or stat battles. And each time they learn how to win another way, it only gets better. Same in the playoffs - they had to learn how to win in that crucible, under fire, against the best of the best -- and they learned how to take down battle-tested teams, including the clear #1 seed, and losing only to the eventual champs.

You don't like their style of play, when they win? So frickin what? You do what's effective, get your wins, and move on. As they did. Lots of games where the other team said "Watch this, we'll get more rebounds" - getting all those style points, baby!!! --- and Mavs reply was "Oh no, oh my, you may win the middle" then they rained 3s while the opponent was getting 2s.

It's not how you win stat battles. It's not style points. It's being able to figure out how to win on the scoreboard. Which they have done, and kept doing.
 
That's not an IF. Or a WISH. Or a MAYBE. It is WHERE THEY ARE.

That was with a very short roster, playing on fumes. Won anyhow through a long two rounds, then it caught up with them. But with some reinforcements (and they have two already), they should be even better. Whether you like it or not.

Call it what you want, Nico said himself in that interview that the team will be better next year. At the same time he said “Will we get to the WCF again? I don’t know.” I’m with him, I don’t know. You’re not, cool.

What has been happening is parity in the NBA. Last year, Phoenix was a Finals team, this year they were a best record in the league team with a second round exit. Last year Atlanta was an ECF team, this year they were a play in team with a first round exit.

LOL Denial is so cute. You are bound and determined to proclaim these Mavs have no chance. Even when they win. And win. And win. And win.

You can't take away what they have already done. I'm sure it's killing you that they have kept winning, even though you keep saying they can't.

Get used to it. This team will continue to be really really good, whether you like it or not. (And whether they do it with style points like you like, or not.)

(06-19-2022, 02:22 AM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]LOL Denial is so cute. You are bound and determined to proclaim these Mavs have no chance. Even when they win. And win. And win. And win.

You can't take away what they have already done. I'm sure it's killing you that they have kept winning, even though you keep saying they can't.

Get used to it. This team will continue to be really really good, whether you like it or not. (And whether they do it with style points like you like, or not.)

The vitriol that you type with is seeping through the screen. Sorry for making you cry to your mommy on father’s day. Have a good night and great day!

You're right. I am probably over the top in pushback. But I do think you are soooooooooooooo far off base (I mean, to the point of being DELIBERATELY blind), and being so intentionally negative for no reason, that it's hard for me to keep from putting you on blast. What you got was my toned-down version from how I really felt! lol  Sorry for the overkill, will try to do better.

(06-19-2022, 12:53 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]In terms of adding Wood, does it continue to be I go, then you go with everyone else standing on the 3 line? All you’re doing there is adding another player in the I go, then you go rotation.

So, let's assume "I go, you go" is something that has to be solved...

Is it best solved by adding a one dimensional offensive guy or a multi-dimensional offensive guy?  Seems to me the only way to solve it is adding more multi-dimensional guys, right?

There may be things to criticize about adding Wood, but his ability to shoot the three better than Maxi and roll and score better than Powell (with some floor game to boot), isn't one of them.

(06-19-2022, 07:50 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]So, let's assume "I go, you go" is something that has to be solved...

Is it best solved by adding a one dimensional offensive guy or a multi-dimensional offensive guy?  Seems to me the only way to solve it is adding more multi-dimensional guys, right?

There may be things to criticize about adding Wood, but his ability to shoot the three better than Maxi and roll and score better than Powell (with some floor game to boot), isn't one of them.

So, I’ll have to reread what I wrote, but I’m pretty sure there was some optimism in my post regarding adding Wood. Attacking the close out when Luka’s turn in the I go, you go rotation is for sure a positive. Also if DFS improves on his confidence to do the same, that also really helps. The offense we run is pretty much founded by the trio of Mike, Dan and Tony and the hate for what that man has done to the NBA knows no bounds to me. I will forever be unconvinced that following something he created will be a positive for a team. What the GSW has done with 5 out is added off-ball motion to the 5 out system of play. If we add THAT (which I think Wood could very much help in that regard)? We could very well do it even better than the Warriors with the group assembled. The group assembled, however, isn’t ready to play the brand of defense the GSW play however. THAT is what has made them a dynasty. 


The goal is to win a championship, sure. To me, the way to do that is to build for a dynasty. I will backtrack on something I did say in the original post to this discussion. I CAN see this team winning a championship. In my mind it would take a Dirk-like 2011 supernova type run from Luka. There is a very outside chance that could even happen with him. To believe that would happen is too much for me to hope for, so I said what I said, “I can’t get there” but, I’m glad for those that can.

@"ItsGoTime", your posts have seemed increasingly concerned with proving that you’re somehow more of a pure basketball fan or even smarter than the rest of us because you’re able to keep from “falling for” the “fake” or “fluke” success the team has achieved.

We ALL wish the team was better in some ways. Maybe the wish list differs from fan to fan, and debating that stuff is kind of what we do here, but NONE of us think this team is the Shaq/Kobe Lakers.

I think most of us are HAPPY that the team has done well and willing to embrace the optimism for the near future that comes with this level of success. I think we all understand that the success came, in part, because of some favorable random happenings…good shooting at the right time, injuries in the West, etc, etc. But honestly, that’s just how “sports” works. And, there are also a great many achievement/improvement-based factors for which the Mavs deserve credit. 

No, of course success in the near future isn’t guaranteed. But, as we’ve seen, it’s not guaranteed for any team. I would imagine Clippers and Nets fans are pretty disappointed right now, despite having teams that I suspect we would’ve unanimously voted were better than the Mavs going into the last off season. Nothing will ever be a lock. 

What’s rubbing people the wrong way about your posts, I suspect, is that for the past two years, the BETTER the team has gotten, the more NEGATIVE your opinion of them seems to have grown. You seem to believe it’s somehow your job to balance out some type of opinion imbalance that you perceive. Personally, I don’t think any such imbalance exists. 

There are plenty of people here who don’t agree with everything the Mavs are doing. Even the most core principles around which the team is being built are challenged aggressively on a daily basis, and in ways that promote fun, engaging conversation. 

There are frequently stated opinions of yours with which I agree. But, more and more often, your stuff is starting to read like you’re upset that the team is winning. Again, I don’t think you mean it that way, but it kind of comes across like, “because I don’t agree with how the team is being constructed, I have decided to do everything I can to keep others from enjoying this.”

This is already at least the third best era of Mavs basketball ever, and the needle is pointed up (for now). I don’t really think that’s opinion. Sure, they might not get to where we hope next year, or the year after, and sure, the entire team might look drastically different in a few seasons, but this is the team we have now, and they’re GOOD! Honestly, how many times do you get to experience a top/4 finish as the fan of a pro sports team!?