(02-26-2025, 06:10 PM)Jym Wrote: that would certainly help
at the moment I think it's very, very possible that Luka wins more Rounds than we'll win playoff games over the next decade

(02-26-2025, 07:13 PM)audiosway Wrote: It really depends on how the Lakers deal with LeBron. Luka is a delicate situation. If LeBron stays and keeps trying to be "the guy" does Luka get irritated? On the other hand, if the Lakers move on from LeBron too soon in a negative way does it hurt Luka?

Then, you have the team building aspect of it. I'm sure they will have no problem getting players. It's just getting the right mix of players.

Finally comes the big question. Can Luka stay healthy and in shape enough to be effective at 28-29-30? He's lost a step already and he's just about to turn 26. He should be getting more athletic right now. The question also comes up about his temperament. Is he going to get Techs like last night. The refs do get tired of complaining as we have seen with Luka and with Cuban.

(02-26-2025, 07:13 PM)audiosway Wrote: It really depends on how the Lakers deal with LeBron. Luka is a delicate situation. If LeBron stays and keeps trying to be "the guy" does Luka get irritated? On the other hand, if the Lakers move on from LeBron too soon in a negative way does it hurt Luka?

Then, you have the team building aspect of it. I'm sure they will have no problem getting players. It's just getting the right mix of players.

Finally comes the big question. Can Luka stay healthy and in shape enough to be effective at 28-29-30? He's lost a step already and he's just about to turn 26. He should be getting more athletic right now. The question also comes up about his temperament. Is he going to get Techs like last night. The refs do get tired of complaining as we have seen with Luka and with Cuban.

(02-26-2025, 07:48 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Luka has played in 427 out of a possible 533 regular season games so far. Good for 80%. If you add in playoffs, Luka has played an additional 50 out 50 games. 

There is zero reason to think his body will break down. This is legit the first time he's ever missed any significant time for anything in his career and it was for a bad calf strain. Not even a major injury.

(02-26-2025, 11:00 PM)The Jom Wrote: Luka hate. Wow. I’m signing off.

(02-26-2025, 10:08 PM)audiosway Wrote: Also, you do realize it was a non contact calf injury right? That's incredibly bad in this day of the NBA for a 25 year old to have a serious non contact soft tissue injury. People making excuses for him is why he is this way.

(02-26-2025, 10:08 PM)audiosway Wrote: Also, you do realize it was a non contact calf injury right? That's incredibly bad in this day of the NBA for a 25 year old to have a serious non contact soft tissue injury. People making excuses for him is why he is this way.

(02-26-2025, 11:13 PM)audiosway Wrote: Not hate at all. Just keeping it real. He seems like a great kid. His talent and skill level is ridiculous. His work ethic is the problem.

(02-27-2025, 03:55 AM)FireNicoHarrison Wrote: He carried us to WCF and Finals in 3years.

Do you ever played sport at a professional level? Do you know what kind of fitness level is required to play at that level? Or are you talking just for fun?

(02-27-2025, 05:06 AM)audiosway Wrote: Me no. I’m a professional in a different field. But without name dropping I’ve known starters for the Dallas Stars, I know a guy who played for several MLB teams over a 13 year career and a friend that played for the Denver Broncos. So, yeah I have a pretty good idea of how a pro athlete needs to train.

I understand feelings are hurt. But, to ignore what is right in front of you doesn’t help either.

(02-12-2025, 11:22 AM)Smitty Wrote:    

Looking through my proposed 14-game absence of Davis, Gafford, and Lively. It's hard to find any easy win. I think the Mavs will be favored in 5 of them. Let's assume that's how many they win, putting their record at 33-35, before a possible return of the Mavs Big's. I think the Mavs can finish 10-4 or 9-5 from there. That puts them at 42 or 43 wins.

The 10th seed in the West last year had 46 wins. The current 9 and 10 seed, Kings and Warriors, are both on pace for 42 wins. The Kings have gotten worse and the Warriors possibly better, post-TDL. Then you have the Suns lurking at 11, on pace for 40 wins, but a true wildcard, with the toughest strength of schedule remaining in the NBA. The Spurs at 12 would have to win 61% (19-12) of their games to reach 42.

Even if the Mavs make the play-in, they will likely have to win two games to even earn the chance to face the 1 seed Thunder. It is becoming more and more difficult to stay positive, but it would be really intriguing to see how a healthy Mavs roster matches up against the best in the West.

(02-27-2025, 08:51 AM)Smitty Wrote: Two weeks in the NBA is a looonnggg time. If the Mavs (-9.5) can beat the [14-43] Hornets tonight, they will have gone 4-2 since this post. Maybe they only win one more in the next 8 and my original prediction is accurate.... That's no fun though! With new information, we can change our opinions.

With LAL and GSW playing some of their best basketball, I can see them climbing up in the standings. I'm going to make a prediction that the Lakers finish as the 2 seed and the Warriors get the coveted 6 seed.

What does that mean for the Mavs. It means that the Mavs have to catch one of Clippers or Timberwolves to capture the 7/8 spot. After tonight, it's very possible that the Mavs and Timberwolves have identical records. (Mavs beat CHA & Lakers beat MIN). Meaning they're both within a game of LAC.

I'm now less worried about dropping out of the play-in all together. The Suns have imploded and have the hardest SOS remaining. The Spurs lost Wemby. The Kings traded away Fox and have the 2nd toughest SOS remaining. Again, two weeks is a lonnnggg time in the NBA. So, my focus is on the Mavs staying out of 9/10, giving them a chance to land the 7-seed in a one game playoff, or at worst, two chances to get into the tournament. With the recent reports on the Bigs and their likelihood of making a return relatively soon, I believe it's possible for the Mavs to stay out of 9/10 and capture that 7/8 spot.

SOS:
PHX #1 (.558)
SAC #2 (.557)
LAC #5 (.538)
DAL #19 (.494)
GSW #20 (.493)
MIN #29 (.438)



I would love to see this be the final seeding and playoff bracket:

1 OKC vs 8 MIN

4 DEN vs 5 HOU



3 MEM vs 6 GSW

2 LAL vs 7 DAL

(02-27-2025, 11:14 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: I don't know if I could stomach a Lakers series.

(02-27-2025, 08:51 AM)Smitty Wrote: Two weeks in the NBA is a looonnggg time. If the Mavs (-9.5) can beat the [14-43] Hornets tonight, they will have gone 4-2 since this post. Maybe they only win one more in the next 8 and my original prediction is accurate.... That's no fun though! With new information, we can change our opinions.

With LAL and GSW playing some of their best basketball, I can see them climbing up in the standings. I'm going to make a prediction that the Lakers finish as the 2 seed and the Warriors get the coveted 6 seed.

What does that mean for the Mavs. It means that the Mavs have to catch one of Clippers or Timberwolves to capture the 7/8 spot. After tonight, it's very possible that the Mavs and Timberwolves have identical records. (Mavs beat CHA & Lakers beat MIN). Meaning they're both within a game of LAC.

I'm now less worried about dropping out of the play-in all together. The Suns have imploded and have the hardest SOS remaining. The Spurs lost Wemby. The Kings traded away Fox and have the 2nd toughest SOS remaining. Again, two weeks is a lonnnggg time in the NBA. So, my focus is on the Mavs staying out of 9/10, giving them a chance to land the 7-seed in a one game playoff, or at worst, two chances to get into the tournament. With the recent reports on the Bigs and their likelihood of making a return relatively soon, I believe it's possible for the Mavs to stay out of 9/10 and capture that 7/8 spot.

SOS:
PHX #1 (.558)
SAC #2 (.557)
LAC #5 (.538)
DAL #19 (.494)
GSW #20 (.493)
MIN #29 (.438)



I would love to see this be the final seeding and playoff bracket:

1 OKC vs 8 MIN

4 DEN vs 5 HOU



3 MEM vs 6 GSW

2 LAL vs 7 DAL

(02-27-2025, 11:34 AM)Smitty Wrote: I want all the smoke, if both teams are full strength. Must see TV!

(02-27-2025, 06:55 AM)FireNicoHarrison Wrote: So you can understand what means play professional basketball at higher level... It's not a joke.