I kind of liked this game. The mavs were on a tight rotation. This leaves few(er) options for the Dirkie Award. Once again Kyrie and Luka account for--only 69 of the total points. I really don't like to see our stars playing so many minutes, but this game was important--so be it.
The Luka/Kyrie duo was pretty good tonight. The supporting staff were--more or less--there.
Not going to beat around the bush. I'm giving my Dirkie to Kyrie Irving.
Special call out for Dwight Powell...and DJJ.
Easy win for Kyrie tonight, imho.
Honorable mentions to DJJ, Powell and Green, who had 2-3 spurts of really excellent defense.
Kyrie for me. There were some role players who were huge and deserve their props, but Kyrie made some huge plays late. Getting boards too.
2 big shots by Kyrie at the end plus great numbers across the board earns him the dirkie - he is a very underrated rebounder (27 rebs in his last 3 games?) and defender
But runner up honors to Dwight - hit one of the biggest shots of the night on the 3 point play - he played as physical as I've seen him play in a Mavs uni (made the DJJ dunk at the end possible) - so credit where credit is due
Kyrie. Big reminder of what we were missing when he missed those 12 games.
Shoutout to DJJ too for doing what he could to reduce our disadvantage in the paint with his athleticism and hops which was really needed with Lively out
Kyrie played fantastic. He’s on a rebounding heater! 8 boards tonight to go with his big time efficient scoring. Luka was good. Powell and DJj gave the Mavs just enough athleticism to compete against a long TWolves team. The rest of the guys were completely outmatched but played hard and limited the damage. Great win, of course. Luka and Kyrie are a great fit on offense and at the end of games.
Kyrie was great, and on a normal night he would get my vote. But the story of this game was that we had no chance with Lively out, including suggestions to sit Luka. We got 28 minutes from Dwight Powell against that frontcourt making key plays and holding his own (with a team high +14). As thin as we are in the frontcourt right now, Powell was crucial.
That was bar none the best game the Mavs have played this year and it wasn't even close for me. The shots weren't even falling and they still found a way to pull through.
Kyrie Motha Ducka Irving was HIM tonight. He was lethal. I can't recall another Mav player other than the big 2 (Luka and Dirk) putting the team on his back and just finding ways to win both offensively and defensively like Kyrie did tonight. He was literally everywhere. The hustle, the grit, the clutchness, it was a MASTERCLASS. His 4th quarter performance led this team to a victory by igniting the 11-0 run that sealed the game after the Wolves hit first. His 3rd quarter was filled with countless of counterpunches and diving for loose balls that it made a tear come to my eye. He was bar none the MVP of the game, AND elevated his performance to seal the deal with his defense and rebounding. I'd never have imagined I'd say Kyrie Irving was a menace on the boards, nor that he was a defensive stopper. But he was that. Dirkie for you Kyrie.
Luka had statistically an incredible night, but it was apparent he's hurting. If it wasn't the quad stopping him from running properly, it was the ankle preventing him from planting. Despite that he still put up 34pts on 12/26 shooting and 5/12 from 3. It's pretty insane this is a pedestrian night for Luka. Michael Jordan was the only dude I can ever remember who made 30pts feel like a bad night. Luka is on that level. He is insane. Hope he gets better soon.
Shoutout to Dwight Powell. He had some pretty horrible moments, mostly rebounding, but he did affect the game in a positive way. His ability to pass off the short roll was a tried and true method for the Mavs tonight. It led to 8 pts including a dagger 3 for Kyrie in the quarter in the 4th. And before anyone says it's easy for a big to do that, look at Gobert trying to pass out of pressure to Edwards tonight! Powell worked and worked and was physical all night with Gobert and KAT. He was great. He set some great screens that freed the Mavs, and there was one moment in the 3rd where he orchestrated a broken play within the flow of the offense that got Luka an easy layup. Of course Powell wasn't without faults. I felt like his defense did let the team down at times, and Minny feasted on the boards. But tonight Powell worked his ass off and made the plays happen that led the Mavs to a win.
DJJ and Grant also deserve some special mention. DJJ had I felt the 3rd most impactful night of any Mav. He was everywhere and worked so hard on the glass. His weakside help prevented at least 3 layups by my count. He rebounded very well despite giving up 5 inches to KAT, Reid, and Gobert. Grant too. He worked very hard on defense. His shot still is lost, and I'm not sure where the player he was in the first 10 games went, but I hope he bounces back soon.
What a statement win from these Mavs!!!
Kyrie with the Dirkie-deserving performance. Dwight giving it his all while taking numerous shots to the head on the court and, postgame, in the Dirkie thread. (Kidd with a strong outing too but bashed in the game thread.)
Kyrie was the best player on the floor but for me the story of the game was foul trouble. Towns and Gobert aren't in foul trouble if Powell isn't pressuring them with his relentless work on the boards. Drawing a game high eight fouls. Forcing the Wolves to go with smaller lineups.
Luka gets 34 points but zero votes for Dirkie? That's insane! He's that good
I voted for Kyrie but DP was way above his mean last night.
(01-08-2024, 09:53 AM)MFFL Wrote: [ -> ]Luka gets 34 points but zero votes for Dirkie? That's insane! He's that good
At some point he was 6/17 from the field, 3/6 from the line. Honestly felt like a bad Luka game. And then he turns it up for a couple of minutes and all of a sudden he has 30+ points. Three 3s in the late third quarter.
DJJ is too good...it will be a shame when we lose him to FA because he's the perfect role player. Not a regular one-dimensional 3 and D guy who can't do anything when his shot doesn't fall. He has proven many times this season that he can miss all of his threes but still contribute and be a positive on the floor. And then there will be games where he makes up for it when he's making more threes.