02-04-2020, 10:13 AM
02-04-2020, 10:33 AM
It's got to be mental.
The Mavs have a lot of hard work to do between Luka's return and the beginning of next season to figure this out.
I love and appreciate Luka - as I've said multiple times, I wouldn't trade him for any other NBA player - but I really hope he's watching how his teammates play without him. If Luka develops the mindset of playing that style of ball as the key facilitator of it, then this team at least becomes a second round out instead of a first round out, even with the relative dearth of talent after Luka and KP.
The more we see the supporting guys - THJ, Maxi, DFS, Curry, Wright, and Brunson - throughout the season, the more clear it becomes that the Mavs aren't "Luka, KP, and a bunch of 7th-best-players-on-a-contender," but rather "Luka, KP, and a bunch of 5th-best players-on-a-contender." There is talent and quality (as well as inspiring determination!) here. Just need to figure out how to bring in that 3rd and 4th guy.
The Mavs have a lot of hard work to do between Luka's return and the beginning of next season to figure this out.
I love and appreciate Luka - as I've said multiple times, I wouldn't trade him for any other NBA player - but I really hope he's watching how his teammates play without him. If Luka develops the mindset of playing that style of ball as the key facilitator of it, then this team at least becomes a second round out instead of a first round out, even with the relative dearth of talent after Luka and KP.
The more we see the supporting guys - THJ, Maxi, DFS, Curry, Wright, and Brunson - throughout the season, the more clear it becomes that the Mavs aren't "Luka, KP, and a bunch of 7th-best-players-on-a-contender," but rather "Luka, KP, and a bunch of 5th-best players-on-a-contender." There is talent and quality (as well as inspiring determination!) here. Just need to figure out how to bring in that 3rd and 4th guy.
02-04-2020, 12:30 PM
Luka is very much Westbrook-esque in that he siphons the numbers across the board. As a result, it makes his teammates look a lot worse than they really are. Look back at Westbrook's MVP season.
Oladipo was viewed as a role player at best. Sabonis' efficiency was garbage and took more outside shots to open Westbrook's driving. Adams looked like a poor rebounder. McDermott had his worst year there, and so on.
When they traded for Paul George, NBA fans couldn't believe how much of a steal OKC got for their bit players. Turns out Indiana Pacers got the steal with 2 young, all-star studs.
Luka entering the Westbrook stage at age 20 is plenty good enough for me. It is not a knock on him but if this becomes a pattern long term then we should all be worried. Hopefully, Carlisle and company steers him in the right direction.
Oladipo was viewed as a role player at best. Sabonis' efficiency was garbage and took more outside shots to open Westbrook's driving. Adams looked like a poor rebounder. McDermott had his worst year there, and so on.
When they traded for Paul George, NBA fans couldn't believe how much of a steal OKC got for their bit players. Turns out Indiana Pacers got the steal with 2 young, all-star studs.
Luka entering the Westbrook stage at age 20 is plenty good enough for me. It is not a knock on him but if this becomes a pattern long term then we should all be worried. Hopefully, Carlisle and company steers him in the right direction.
02-04-2020, 12:37 PM
(02-04-2020, 12:30 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote: [ -> ]Luka is very much Westbrook-esque in that he siphons the numbers across the board. As a result, it makes his teammates look a lot worse than they really are. Look back at Westbrook's MVP season.
Your takes are getting beyond ridicoulous. Playing with Luka literally saved THJ reputation, DFS and Kleber are feasting from his passes. The whole team became confident because of the ease they are playing with. Mavs are still just 5-5 with Luka out yet you are making it look like they are better without him.
Only KP is playing better with Luka out, yet be very careful on an extremely small sample.
02-04-2020, 12:45 PM
(02-04-2020, 12:37 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Your takes are getting beyond ridicoulous. Playing with Luka literally saved THJ reputation, DFS and Kleber are feasting from his passes. The whole team became confident because of the ease they are playing with. Mavs are still just 5-5 with Luka out yet you are making it look like they are better without him.Take a chill pill my brother. Nothing but peace and love from me. What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Only KP is playing better with Luka out, yet be very careful on an extremely small sample.
I am just saying number wise some teammates (KP in particular) have to sacrifice their numbers for Luka's domination. There are so many points, assists, rebounds, etc. you can have in a game, and with Luka's sky high usage %, somebody's numbers won't look as pretty. It's just the nature of the beast.
Look at Oladipo in OKC or Bosh in MIA as prime examples.
Just so things don't get mixed up: Luka makes his teammates better. The team is better with Luka. Relax my friend, I am a Mavs fan like the rest of y'all.
02-04-2020, 05:20 PM
(02-04-2020, 12:45 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote: [ -> ]I think 'sacrifice' is the wrong term here. KPs getting plenty of attempts, but he doesn't seem to connect when getting setup by Luka.(02-04-2020, 12:37 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Your takes are getting beyond ridicoulous. Playing with Luka literally saved THJ reputation, DFS and Kleber are feasting from his passes. The whole team became confident because of the ease they are playing with. Mavs are still just 5-5 with Luka out yet you are making it look like they are better without him.Take a chill pill my brother. Nothing but peace and love from me. What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Only KP is playing better with Luka out, yet be very careful on an extremely small sample.
I am just saying number wise some teammates (KP in particular) have to sacrifice their numbers for Luka's domination. There are so many points, assists, rebounds, etc. you can have in a game, and with Luka's sky high usage %, somebody's numbers won't look as pretty. It's just the nature of the beast.
Look at Oladipo in OKC or Bosh in MIA as prime examples.
Just so things don't get mixed up: Luka makes his teammates better. The team is better with Luka. Relax my friend, I am a Mavs fan like the rest of y'all.
But even last night's game in IND was a tale of two halves. Sure KP ended up with a gaudy 38/12 line, he did most of his FG damage in the first half. I think he was 1-6 (1-8? maybe) in the 2nd half, so it was the rest of the team keeping up the pressure.
I think it is the trust building that needs to continue. Luka needs to understand how to keep everyone else involved and efficient while making his individual contribution. I know he's grinding his teeth when he makes a drive-and-dish only to see the shot clank off and go the other way. But it will get better and the MBT will tweak the team to upgrade key positions.
I dunno...maybe KP would play better if he felt like HE was the alpha dog.
02-04-2020, 10:52 PM
(02-04-2020, 05:20 PM)michaeltex Wrote: [ -> ](02-04-2020, 12:45 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote: [ -> ]I think 'sacrifice' is the wrong term here. KPs getting plenty of attempts, but he doesn't seem to connect when getting setup by Luka.(02-04-2020, 12:37 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Your takes are getting beyond ridicoulous. Playing with Luka literally saved THJ reputation, DFS and Kleber are feasting from his passes. The whole team became confident because of the ease they are playing with. Mavs are still just 5-5 with Luka out yet you are making it look like they are better without him.Take a chill pill my brother. Nothing but peace and love from me. What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Only KP is playing better with Luka out, yet be very careful on an extremely small sample.
I am just saying number wise some teammates (KP in particular) have to sacrifice their numbers for Luka's domination. There are so many points, assists, rebounds, etc. you can have in a game, and with Luka's sky high usage %, somebody's numbers won't look as pretty. It's just the nature of the beast.
Look at Oladipo in OKC or Bosh in MIA as prime examples.
Just so things don't get mixed up: Luka makes his teammates better. The team is better with Luka. Relax my friend, I am a Mavs fan like the rest of y'all.
But even last night's game in IND was a tale of two halves. Sure KP ended up with a gaudy 38/12 line, he did most of his FG damage in the first half. I think he was 1-6 (1-8? maybe) in the 2nd half, so it was the rest of the team keeping up the pressure.
I think it is the trust building that needs to continue. Luka needs to understand how to keep everyone else involved and efficient while making his individual contribution. I know he's grinding his teeth when he makes a drive-and-dish only to see the shot clank off and go the other way. But it will get better and the MBT will tweak the team to upgrade key positions.
I dunno...maybe KP would play better if he felt like HE was the alpha dog.
Seems like we're watching a different Luka out there because I thought that's exactly what he's been doing all season. Getting everyone involved. So many times during a game when I thought he should've taken the shot or should've driven to the basket instead of passing it.
02-04-2020, 11:02 PM
(02-04-2020, 10:52 PM)donzingis38 Wrote: [ -> ]I don't disagree, but sometimes it seems like he (Luka) feels like he's got to take on the burden rather than playing within the team, especially if some of the other shooters get off to a slow start. Every time he plays it's Must See TV for me, but it's nice when there is someone else getting the Dirkie.(02-04-2020, 05:20 PM)michaeltex Wrote: [ -> ](02-04-2020, 12:45 PM)Fuerza1 Wrote: [ -> ]I think 'sacrifice' is the wrong term here. KPs getting plenty of attempts, but he doesn't seem to connect when getting setup by Luka.(02-04-2020, 12:37 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Your takes are getting beyond ridicoulous. Playing with Luka literally saved THJ reputation, DFS and Kleber are feasting from his passes. The whole team became confident because of the ease they are playing with. Mavs are still just 5-5 with Luka out yet you are making it look like they are better without him.Take a chill pill my brother. Nothing but peace and love from me. What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Only KP is playing better with Luka out, yet be very careful on an extremely small sample.
I am just saying number wise some teammates (KP in particular) have to sacrifice their numbers for Luka's domination. There are so many points, assists, rebounds, etc. you can have in a game, and with Luka's sky high usage %, somebody's numbers won't look as pretty. It's just the nature of the beast.
Look at Oladipo in OKC or Bosh in MIA as prime examples.
Just so things don't get mixed up: Luka makes his teammates better. The team is better with Luka. Relax my friend, I am a Mavs fan like the rest of y'all.
But even last night's game in IND was a tale of two halves. Sure KP ended up with a gaudy 38/12 line, he did most of his FG damage in the first half. I think he was 1-6 (1-8? maybe) in the 2nd half, so it was the rest of the team keeping up the pressure.
I think it is the trust building that needs to continue. Luka needs to understand how to keep everyone else involved and efficient while making his individual contribution. I know he's grinding his teeth when he makes a drive-and-dish only to see the shot clank off and go the other way. But it will get better and the MBT will tweak the team to upgrade key positions.
I dunno...maybe KP would play better if he felt like HE was the alpha dog.
Seems like we're watching a different Luka out there because I thought that's exactly what he's been doing all season. Getting everyone involved. So many times during a game when I thought he should've taken the shot or should've driven to the basket instead of passing it.
02-05-2020, 12:19 PM
02-05-2020, 11:51 PM
02-07-2020, 05:29 PM
02-08-2020, 09:15 PM
02-09-2020, 12:13 AM
02-09-2020, 11:39 AM
(02-08-2020, 09:15 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1226328021323452416
Well I said what about Breakfast at Tiffany's...
02-09-2020, 01:03 PM
(02-09-2020, 11:39 AM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]Well, that's the one thing we've got...(02-08-2020, 09:15 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1226328021323452416
Well I said what about Breakfast at Tiffany's...
02-09-2020, 01:23 PM
(02-09-2020, 12:13 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/bobbykaralla/status/...6028820480
To be honest our offense without Porzingis and Doncic has been a bit of an insult to both of them. Especially Doncic needs to cut down on the (3pt) one man show. All the alleged roleplayers that can only function playing off the stars, have stepped up in their absence.
Curry is averaging nearly 20 PPG while shooting 50/50/85 with one missed FT.
DFS is putting up 13/6 shooting 50/43/100 and averaging over THREE assists per game.
Brunson is putting up 48/50/93 averaging 17/5/4.
That is some crazy value for money.
02-09-2020, 02:44 PM
(02-09-2020, 01:03 PM)ClutchDirk Wrote: [ -> ](02-09-2020, 11:39 AM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]Well, that's the one thing we've got...(02-08-2020, 09:15 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1226328021323452416
Well I said what about Breakfast at Tiffany's...
You caught it.
02-10-2020, 03:20 PM
![[Image: EQcMeLgX0AIPZVx?format=png&name=large]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQcMeLgX0AIPZVx?format=png&name=large)
02-10-2020, 05:07 PM
02-12-2020, 05:13 PM