(01-01-2021, 08:52 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]So far it has been Luka being overweight is a cause of all problems.
No. That is an inaccurate read of 99% of the opinions on here.
No it's been Powell is the root of all problems and here is my latest trade machine proposal to get him far away from here...
(01-01-2021, 11:14 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]No. That is an inaccurate read of 99% of the opinions on here.
Who says I was relating to ALL opinions on here? I was replying to you. As it was you who chose to jump on my comment on the post where it is very nicely explained that Luka "being fat" is not really a problem. You specifically are clearly singling out Luka being fat as one of the major problems of the team.
I am not denying Luka is heavy. I just think some here are way overreacting it.
@"omahen"
You said before:
"So far it has been Luka being overweight is a cause of all problems."
I have NOT said that. In fact in this very OP I clearly said I think it is a combination of Luka's weight AND KP's absence as the lionshare of the issue.
But now you are backtracking and saying:
"You specifically are clearly singling out Luka being fat as one of the major problems of the team."
Now THIS is true. Yes, Luka being overweight I think is a HUGE issue with this team. Luka's play is down and therefore everyone else's play will drop. It is ONE of the major problems, but it is not the "cause of all problems" as you falsely state.
Please do better at representing the opinions of others. Be fair to them in the same way you would want them to be fair with you.
(01-01-2021, 11:58 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I just think some here are way overreacting it.
This is fine. You can think that. But do not misrepresent what others are ACTUALLY saying. Read what they are writing within its full context.
3PA per game
Hardaway 6.8
Richardson 6
DFS 5.5
Luka 5.3
If they’re all 4 going to start together now and when KP gets back they need to find a better way to mesh together. Dorian has almost 70% of his shots from 3. Perhaps there’s a way to get him more involved offensively in pick and roll with Luka or 2nd chance put backs around the rim. The numbers will likely say that Hardaway and Richardson are the best 3pt shooters out of the bunch. I’d like to see more volume 3’s from them. Fewer contested 3’s from Luka and DFS. More post ups on mismatches from Luka. Games scripts like that against the Hornets should’ve had Hardaway taking closer to 8 3’s instead of 6. He was on fire. Luka should’ve stopped at 0-3 instead of 0-5. Give those late shot clock 3’s to the best shooters
(01-01-2021, 08:33 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]HE IS.
Not to discount that Luka is out of shape, because his conditioning has been THE talking point to start the season.
But those pics are from 2 different angles Kamm. I'm having a hard time noticing anything different around the waist that you keep pointing out, at least in those 2 pics. Plus the angle difference could be messing with it.
Again I think Luka has to work on his conditioning, but I see you keep posting these pics as like proof of Luka being fat and I just don't see it.
Our problems are all stemming from the offensive end. I think the problem is we let Curry go and to a certain extent Barea (cant believe I wrote that lol). We dont have any one player besides THJ and KP (who's not available yet) that are automatic buckets that teams have to be worried about. JRich is good but is finding himself and just operating on the fly trying to fit in. I'd love if DFS would get more involved with back cuts/lobs post ups like that one game last year vs the Spurs. THJ is best served catching and shooting but can't be blamed (sometimes) for the shots he takes that the defense gives him. Brunson looks like he should be a solid player but never really produces at enough of a clip to be respected and Burke (one of my fave so maybe i'm a bit biased) is a microwave that can either really help or really hurt. THJ sometimes tries to compensate for all of this taking early shots in the half court just to maybe get defenses to move.
We shoot too many threes and also Luka seems to want FTs every time he goes in the paint (whether he was really fouled or not). That kind of basketball is frustating to watch imo (the refs dont respect it) and is close to what the rockets do/did with harden dancing on players to get 3s or FTs but it never worked in the end when its time to get a bucket to start/end a run or cut into/build a lead.
We rely on Luka to generate All the offense driving or trying to drive. I'm not sure what the answer is but there's no one on this team that commands respect or drives fear into teams that can reliably get a bucket anytime they want even if the defense knows what they are gonna do. We dont have the JET/Curry type pick and pop or stop on a dime, no post ups, no redirkulous mid range fade aways, no real reliable staple that can be used to slow a game down and get a bucket, extend/end a run.
The Powell alley oop threat doesnt exist anymore and we need to respond cause right now all we have starts with Luka and Powell P&R which defenses kill two birds with one stone by just ignoring Powell outside the paint and crowding/fouling/hacking Luka and if the 3s stop falling (which they always do at some point)
Whats the play/player we throw the ball to and say get us a bucket?
Its a Luka step back or THJ on the move or some FGA that really isnt ideal. That's what we need to work on. I realize Powell is the most active "big" by far in that hes always moving and screening, etc but it's not respected by defenses and maybe we should try starting WCS at center with Powell along side with Luka, THJ and JR.
Sorry for the long post. By the way what's up with Nate Hinton? He was really active on the glass like James Johnson in preseason and is a role we could have a couple mins a game..... especially if we are gonna shoot so many 3s.
Luka. That extra weight is helping him out on the boards.
Luka's conditioning and KP's absence both have a negative effect on team performance, but there are a lot of others who are missing shots and looking out-of-place.
This feels like some periods during the last two seasons where Luka felt a big burden because he couldn't trust his teammates to hit open shots and ended up trying to do too much. Now he's not in shape to perform as well as then and everything craters. I think Rick's going to run him into shape. He certainly looked better in the paint against Bam last night.
Certainly missing KP is a thing. He was getting to be a monster last season and I was crushed when he got hurt. We have really only seen glimpses of what he and Luka can become. So getting our unicorn back is key.
Another factor not talked about is the timing for starting this weird season. Short notice with a compressed off season and the Covid isolation left a LOT to be desired on team prep. I think they only had a week-ish of 5 on 5 time before the first game. Add to it the fact that the season launches 3 days before Christmas so all the holiday distractions are going on as well. I mean, these guys are well paid, world class athletes, but they are still human and it's a rough time to be trying to get into a season's rhythms.
PHO was first game and they were probably over-prepped compared on a normal regular season game. LALs were about LeB and AD on national TV. Mavs did well with LACs but they had the day off for their family holiday the day before. Mavs get back to DAL and back to home and family then go out and throw up a stinker against Charlotte before starting to look like something with potential against MIA.
This has been an extended exhibition season and the real season starts now. Let's re-convene in two weeks and see what it looks like then.
(01-02-2021, 11:52 AM)michaeltex Wrote: [ -> ]Another factor not talked about is the timing for starting this weird season. Short notice with a compressed off season and the Covid isolation left a LOT to be desired on team prep. I think they only had a week-ish of 5 on 5 time before the first game. Add to it the fact that the season launches 3 days before Christmas so all the holiday distractions are going on as well. I mean, these guys are well paid, world class athletes, but they are still human and it's a rough time to be trying to get into a season's rhythms.
This HAS been talked about and no one has answered WHY it's different for this group as opposed to all the other teams in the NBA who had the EXACT same information as the Mavs about the timing of the season. I mean, all the players in the NBA are well paid, world class athlete humans going through a rough time to get into a season's rhythm.
(01-02-2021, 11:52 AM)michaeltex Wrote: [ -> ]PHO was first game and they were probably over-prepped compared on a normal regular season game. LALs were about LeB and AD on national TV.
WHY was Phoenix over-prepped compared to a normal season game? Why was it only about Lebron and AD on National TV?
These are just excuses unless you can give a reason for them not being so because EVERYONE in the NBA had the same experience, which means you can't make a statement like that without giving reasons WHY it's different for the MAVS as opposed to the other teams. THEN is when we could agree or disagree on the validity of the claim as to WHY. As it is, there's nothing to really agree or disagree with.
(01-02-2021, 03:42 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]This HAS been talked about and no one has answered WHY it's different for this group as opposed to all the other teams in the NBA who had the EXACT same information as the Mavs about the timing of the season. I mean, all the players in the NBA are well paid, world class athlete humans going through a rough time to get into a season's rhythm.
Quite right, the unusual circumstances are unusual for every team.
My thoughts are some combination of the following:
1) lots of teams besides the Mavs are also struggling. The standings are WEIRD right now. So, the circumstances are affecting other teams, too. We’re just hyper focused on our team. For example, Denver fans are probably WAY more freaked out than we are, and their star is playing WELL. Luka isn’t, so there’s reason to believe this is a temporary situation for the Mavs.
2) The Mavs got YOUNGER this off-season, and experience wasn’t their strong suit to being with. Mix in a different approach with more time spent on defense with that youth and less prep time than usual, and I can understand why they might be prone to a little early season funk. Someone mentioned the other day that they’re ALSO tangibly transitioning farther away from the Barea/Dirk Mavs from a leadership standpoint, which I think might be a bigger adjustment than we realize, especially with KP out and Powell not being himself yet (if he ever will be). If Luka really is the team’s leader, then, well...he’s 21. That’s going to be a work in progress.
3) sometimes, things just work. Point being, some of the teams who look prepared might have actually lucked into a mix of goals/personnel that just fit together more quickly. That doesn’t necessarily mean those teams did training camp any better than other teams (although it could mean that) and it doesn’t mean they will all look this good in a month.
(01-02-2021, 04:23 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Quite right, the unusual circumstances are unusual for every team.
My thoughts are some combination of the following:
1) lots of teams besides the Mavs are also struggling. The standings are WEIRD right now. So, the circumstances are affecting other teams, too. We’re just hyper focused on our team. For example, Denver fans are probably WAY more freaked out than we are, and their star is playing WELL. Luka isn’t, so there’s reason to believe this is a temporary situation for the Mavs.
2) The Mavs got YOUNGER this off-season, and experience wasn’t their strong suit to being with. Mix in a different approach with more time spent on defense with that youth and less prep time than usual, and I can understand why they might be prone to a little early season funk. Someone mentioned the other day that they’re ALSO tangibly transitioning farther away from the Barea/Dirk Mavs from a leadership standpoint, which I think might be a bigger adjustment than we realize, especially with KP out and Powell not being himself yet (if he ever will be). If Luka really is the team’s leader, then, we’ll...he’s 21. That’s going to be a work in progress.
3) sometimes, things just work. Point being, some of the teams who look prepared might have actually lucked into a mix of goals/personnel that just fit together more quickly. That doesn’t necessarily mean those teams did training camp any better than other teams (although it could mean that) and it doesn’t mean they will all look this good in a month.
I was about to bring up Denver. Jokic playing at a "MVP level" and being in top shape, and they are 1-4. MPJ is shooting 58 % from the field and 42 % from 3. And avg 19 ppg. Its not like they are not playing well on offense so far. Defense has been the problem early on for them without Grant. 29th in Def Rating.
Grant with 4 straight 25+ games for DET as well. Grant, Plumlee and Torrey Craig are all gone from last years team who were 3rd, 8th and 9th on the team in minutes played. I think they lost some valuable depth. Relying on "young players" to contribute. Bol Bol/Hartenstein etc. pp
(01-02-2021, 04:23 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Quite right, the unusual circumstances are unusual for every team.
My thoughts are some combination of the following:
1) lots of teams besides the Mavs are also struggling. The standings are WEIRD right now. So, the circumstances are affecting other teams, too. We’re just hyper focused on our team. For example, Denver fans are probably WAY more freaked out than we are, and their star is playing WELL. Luka isn’t, so there’s reason to believe this is a temporary situation for the Mavs.
2) The Mavs got YOUNGER this off-season, and experience wasn’t their strong suit to being with. Mix in a different approach with more time spent on defense with that youth and less prep time than usual, and I can understand why they might be prone to a little early season funk. Someone mentioned the other day that they’re ALSO tangibly transitioning farther away from the Barea/Dirk Mavs from a leadership standpoint, which I think might be a bigger adjustment than we realize, especially with KP out and Powell not being himself yet (if he ever will be). If Luka really is the team’s leader, then, we’ll...he’s 21. That’s going to be a work in progress.
3) sometimes, things just work. Point being, some of the teams who look prepared might have actually lucked into a mix of goals/personnel that just fit together more quickly. That doesn’t necessarily mean those teams did training camp any better than other teams (although it could mean that) and it doesn’t mean they will all look this good in a month.
Totally agree with all this nuance and all the POSSIBILITIES of the why. I also believe this is a funk that they will figure out as a squad, ESPECIALLY when KP returns. I really think that is a big lynch pin to all this. I myself have watched the games with ZERO expectations, haven't even weighed in on the game thread polls as to who will win, I'm that indifferent to the winning aspect of the early season.
Some of the reasons are because I've seen RC's pattern of tinkering with lineups for the first part of the season before solidifying players and roles. Can't get mad when this is the "gathering information" point of the season. Some guys (like KP and Powell) are still working out kinks from injuries. Also, we've added a legit starter to this group which is a pretty big shake-up because it moves players into new positions (THJ into a possible/probable different spot, DFS the same and Powell in a position he has not succeeded in in the past.).
Those are my reasons WHY. They don't excuse these professionals from poor play though in my mind.
(01-02-2021, 04:23 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Quite right, the unusual circumstances are unusual for every team.
My thoughts are some combination of the following:
1) lots of teams besides the Mavs are also struggling. The standings are WEIRD right now. So, the circumstances are affecting other teams, too. We’re just hyper focused on our team. For example, Denver fans are probably WAY more freaked out than we are, and their star is playing WELL. Luka isn’t, so there’s reason to believe this is a temporary situation for the Mavs.
2) The Mavs got YOUNGER this off-season, and experience wasn’t their strong suit to being with. Mix in a different approach with more time spent on defense with that youth and less prep time than usual, and I can understand why they might be prone to a little early season funk. Someone mentioned the other day that they’re ALSO tangibly transitioning farther away from the Barea/Dirk Mavs from a leadership standpoint, which I think might be a bigger adjustment than we realize, especially with KP out and Powell not being himself yet (if he ever will be). If Luka really is the team’s leader, then, we’ll...he’s 21. That’s going to be a work in progress.
3) sometimes, things just work. Point being, some of the teams who look prepared might have actually lucked into a mix of goals/personnel that just fit together more quickly. That doesn’t necessarily mean those teams did training camp any better than other teams (although it could mean that) and it doesn’t mean they will all look this good in a month.
How dare you bring reason and logic to this conversation!
(01-02-2021, 05:07 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Some of the reasons are because I've seen RC's pattern of tinkering with lineups for the first part of the season before solidifying players and roles. Can't get mad when this is the "gathering information" point of the season.
Couldn’t agree more. Carlisle is having to adjust to this crazy season just as much as the players, and as you said above, his process has always been experimental to start the season. This has to be cramping his style quite a bit.