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Mavs will never win shit as long as they pretend he's a starting NBA center. Completely punked tonight.

It's funny and sad...all of the "We love our boys in blue" from the last 4 years have contributed to big moments in this series (Brunson, Kleber, DFS) but it was Powell who ended up choking and he has been here the longest. It was his moment to contribute and he blew it...and I'm pretty sure it has been MONTHS since he has missed both free throws at the line

I remember a playoff loss in Portland where I was done with lots of players.

I thought there were four other players on the floor.  Must have blacked out there for the end...

(04-23-2022, 10:37 PM)ballsrchr Wrote: [ -> ]I thought there were four other players on the floor.  Must have blacked out there for the end...

Unfortunately current NBA rules do not allow those other 4 players to shoot free throws for you.


Ultimately, I hope this is a wake up call to the front office... don't let Powell's regular season offensive rating blind you, he is NOT an NBA starter on any team that wants to contend. If we lose this series, it will be because DP wasn't able to do enough against Gobert, and he's not an offensive threat. Mavs must find a starting center who can rebound and score in more than one spoon-fed way.

I am not a big fan of DP over the years, but this OP is a fairly stupid knee-jerk.

Yes Powell missed 2 key free throws. Unfortunately, that can happen.

But he was not generally a negative this game - he was a +6 in plus/minus. (Gobert, for all his gaudy stats, wasn't nearly as much of a plus as Powell in this game.) And DP's free throw shooting is good compared to most bigs, and actually happens to be one of the pluses he tends to bring -- of the players in the closing lineup, he's better FT% than most.

This time he missed. It can happen. It's frustrating. But if he does what he usually does, Mavs win. And there were far bigger culprits, if you feel the need for one for a loss in a tough away venue. (I don't see the need. You lose sometimes. Move on. Play again.)

This thread is a knee jerk but let's be honest, you know that was a long plane ride home for Powell.

Luka's got to be able to trust him in that situation. Powell needs to develop a short memory and should be in the gym practicing so that doesn't happen again. Guy just earned a choker reputation, needs to be ready to reverse that if another opportunity comes up. He's not a young player anymore, the veterans need to be reliable in the clutch

(04-24-2022, 01:24 AM)MrGoat Wrote: [ -> ]This thread is a knee jerk but let's be honest, you know that was a long plane ride home for Powell.

Luka's got to be able to trust him in that situation. Powell needs to develop a short memory and should be in the gym practicing so that doesn't happen again. Guy just earned a choker reputation, needs to be ready to reverse that if another opportunity comes up. He's not a young player anymore, the veterans need to be reliable in the clutch

That's part of sports - the human equation.

Sure, DP is kicking himself. But he went 2 for 2 a minute earlier, and he doesn't have a history of screwing up FTs. He still has to move forward from this. But it's not just DP, so do all the rest of the team who could NOT even create a half-decent shot in the last 11 secs, with the game on the line.

I assume DP will be fine, and the rest too. But we'll have to see how they respond.

Powell is a professional.  He needs to make those.  With that being said, I don't think he choked.  Both free throws were not choked attempts.   But he missed.  He needs to make those (at least one).

Powell has been good this year.   Maxi has been better this series.   I think we are seeing this is not the best series/matchup for Powell.  And Powell, maybe more than anyone on the roster is tied to Luka's play.   But Powell is going to need to play well.  He is going to get minutes.     

Powell has a place here.  Maxi has a place here.  But both are limited players.  Powell does all the little things and really helps get the "Luka Offense" running.   But he is limited.   Maxi is also limited.   He has injury concerns and if he is not hitting his open threes, his limitations stick out like a sore thumb.   I would take both Powell and Maxi on my team.   But I also would move either of them to find a player not as limited.   I think keeping both may not be in the long term cards due to salary...I think.    Especially if you find a higher quality player.   I think it is more likely Powell is around longer, but we will see.

I’m more upset with Maxi than I am Powell. The Mavs needed another 25-30 min game from Maxi - like game 2. Instead, they only got 18 minutes (and only 4 shot attempts) because of his 6 fouls. Maxi has to be smarter playing with 4 or 5 fouls. Maxi gives the Mavs’ the best option for playing 5-out while also not giving the Jazz an easy target on defense.

Powell wasn’t even bad yesterday. People are forgetting the difficult lob he converted into a layup at 3:23 and the 2 clutch free throws that he made at 1:43. He also initially had the stop (with a clean vertical challenger while getting elbowed in the face) on Mitchell at 0:32.

Luka will learn with more experience. 30 seconds left in a playoff game with a 1-pt lead...you are not going to run a screen/roll action with a player who is 7th in scoring/shot attempts. The Jazz were glad that he passed to Powell so they could foul him with 20 seconds on the clock instead of milking the clock and leaving only 7 seconds left.

From a basketball perspective, that was technically the right play (aside from running it way too early) but from an NBA perspective, the opposing team is thrilled if you are letting a player not used to those situations decide the game there. That would be like the Mavs defense forcing the ball to go to Danuel House in the same situation.

(04-24-2022, 02:49 PM)SwisherPrice Wrote: [ -> ]Luka will learn with more experience. 30 seconds left in a playoff game with a 1-pt lead...you are not going to run a screen/roll action with a player who is 7th in scoring/shot attempts. The Jazz were glad that he passed to Powell so they could foul him with 20 seconds on the clock instead of milking the clock and leaving only 7 seconds left.

From a basketball perspective, that was technically the right play (aside from running it way too early) but from an NBA perspective, the opposing team is thrilled if you are letting a player not used to those situations decide the game there. That would be like the Mavs defense forcing the ball to go to Danuel House in the same situation.

The Mavs dont have enough other weapons to dictate things. Its not like we have entire team of great players and the opponents can chose their poison. It had to be Powell, or DFS, or Bullock, or Maxi. All these have not done these things before, to decide playoff games regularly with experience and could all be prone to miss in these situations. Jazz took care of doubling Luka and covering Brunson and SD. From there on , you are fine with anyone else deciding the game.

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(04-24-2022, 11:33 AM)VintagePejav2 Wrote: [ -> ]I’m more upset with Maxi than I am Powell. The Mavs needed another 25-30 min game from Maxi - like game 2. Instead, they only got 18 minutes (and only 4 shot attempts) because of his 6 fouls. Maxi has to be smarter playing with 4 or 5 fouls. Maxi gives the Mavs’ the best option for playing 5-out while also not giving the Jazz an easy target on defense.

Powell wasn’t even bad yesterday. People are forgetting the difficult lob he converted into a layup at 3:23 and the 2 clutch free throws that he made at 1:43. He also initially had the stop (with a clean vertical challenger while getting elbowed in the face) on Mitchell at 0:32.

I agree that Powell plays well. He is the key to the great defensive movements we see, and the rotation and switces on defense. But also offense. He has great positioning on offense, and is good in re-distributing the ball to others. He does it with immense pace for a big guy. You can see a clear drop off for instance if Maxi is trying to set screens and pass the ball further to teammates, with Powell, this is super smooth and quick. Powell's quickness is the key for both out defensive but also offensive gameplans. He will be much more a factor with Luka in the lineup.

(04-24-2022, 02:49 PM)SwisherPrice Wrote: [ -> ]Luka will learn with more experience. 30 seconds left in a playoff game with a 1-pt lead...you are not going to run a screen/roll action with a player who is 7th in scoring/shot attempts. The Jazz were glad that he passed to Powell so they could foul him with 20 seconds on the clock instead of milking the clock and leaving only 7 seconds left.

From a basketball perspective, that was technically the right play (aside from running it way too early) but from an NBA perspective, the opposing team is thrilled if you are letting a player not used to those situations decide the game there. That would be like the Mavs defense forcing the ball to go to Danuel House in the same situation.

It´s also a question that should be asked about the coaching staff. Why is Powell out there and not Bertans, the Mavs best career FT shooter?

But I´m not done with Powell, because he missed two FTs. That happens.

This is Erick Dampier 2.0. We are always playing 4 on 5 offense in every play-off game, when he´s on the floor. If you add Luka´s heroball tendencies, the whole offense becomes a lot more predictable for Utah than the "five man equal"-offense with Kleber, that confused the Jazz so much and got us the 2-1 lead.

Powell had six points through three games for crying out loud. The Clippers took him out of the play-offs the last two years.

We don´t necessarily need to get rid of Powell as a roleplayer, but we need a better starting center or an additional more traditional center that provides defense and some scoring threat beyond Luka lobs. And if Powell stays, for the love of god, he´ll be 31 years old next summer, don´t offer him more than $4-5M a year.

(04-24-2022, 07:50 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Powell is a professional.  He needs to make those.  With that being said, I don't think he choked.  Both free throws were not choked attempts.   But he missed.  He needs to make those (at least one).

Powell has been good this year.   Maxi has been better this series.   I think we are seeing this is not the best series/matchup for Powell.  And Powell, maybe more than anyone on the roster is tied to Luka's play.   But Powell is going to need to play well.  He is going to get minutes.     

Powell has a place here.  Maxi has a place here.  But both are limited players.  Powell does all the little things and really helps get the "Luka Offense" running.   But he is limited.   Maxi is also limited.   He has injury concerns and if he is not hitting his open threes, his limitations stick out like a sore thumb.   I would take both Powell and Maxi on my team.   But I also would move either of them to find a player not as limited.   I think keeping both may not be in the long term cards due to salary...I think.    Especially if you find a higher quality player.   I think it is more likely Powell is around longer, but we will see.

I think it's true that this isn't the best matchup for Dwight. My question is, when would that change? Like, even if the Mavs make it to the next round, we'll have Ayton or Valanciunis waiting... those are even WORSE matchups, because both of those guys are offensive threats.

It was two missed free throws guys...if we're just throwing players under the bus for missing free throws then let's include Dirk for game 3 of the 06 finals too.

I'm in the "this is more on Maxi for fouling out in 18 minutes" camp.

(04-25-2022, 10:45 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]It was two missed free throws guys...if we're just throwing players under the bus for missing free throws then let's include Dirk for game 3 of the 06 finals too.

I'm in the "this is more on Maxi for fouling out in 18 minutes" camp.

I'd take it a step further and say some of the Maxi calls were bullshit, but then again you have to be used to getting jobbed by the refs if you are a Mavs fan.

I’m guessing the anger directed at Dwight is entirely from people who have never been in a similar situation. It’s tough. The rim is like a sphincter muscle. It tightens up at critical moments. Exactly the thing that makes Luka so unbelievable in the clutch.

Being a team player and a good teammate means you understand what happens and love helping your brothers find redemption in a comeback game. (Which is why Brunson’s game 2 was so fun, coming on the heels of the game 1 disappointment.) None of Dwight’s teammates feel anything even resembling the OP’s original reaction.

(04-25-2022, 06:38 PM)Jommybone Wrote: [ -> ]I’m guessing the anger directed at Dwight is entirely from people who have never been in a similar situation. It’s tough. The rim is like a sphincter muscle. It tightens up at critical moments

This 1000%. The feeling of your heart pounding out of your chest and you know everyone is watching you is like nothing else. I don't blame Dwight for missing those, they were hard. I am incredibly disappointed though.