GAME 42 DIRKIE: Naji!!

[SleepingHero]

[SleepingHero]

Mavs somehow kept their composure after that 3rd quarter and managed to stave off the also hampered Thunder. Were there very embarrassing, hard to watch, moments this game? Sure, but they managed to get it done.

[KillerLeft]

Lots of choices tonight. I’m going with the knife, Naji Marshall, who broke the scoring drought in the fourth and got the ship righted.

[ballsrchr]

Well...how about that! We have a whole passel of players who deserve at least some consideration tonight for my Dirkie.

Night in, night out, P.J. Washington is a stout mainstay for the Mavs. He is the third best player for the Mavs...however...it seems that someone else almost always elevates their play to pass, or be more important, to the team on that given night. This is why P.J. doesn't get more Dirkies than he does.

I wonder why Omax doesn't get more minutes. Look at his play! He's a sparkplug. Maybe later.

I'm among those few who think Kleber is very important to the team. YES...it irritates the hell out of me when he hesitates to shoot the ball. Maybe later...

I think Naji Marshall has recuperated from the illness and injuries he had earlier been fighting through. Now I'm seeing what I expected to see. Dirkie worthy? Oh hell yeah. But...

Kyrie Irving is the man. Coming back from a back injury and he shows just how important he is to the team. I wish I could give two Dirkies, but I can't. So I'm giving my Dirkie to Kyrie.

[SleepingHero]

I decided to go with PJ. Not only was he great all around offensively and defensively the entire night, he certainly played the mind games expertly tonight. Whether that be just instigating enough to throw the Thunder off their game in the 1st half, or trying to goad Dort into his 2nd tech, PJ the troll was masterful tonight.

And what really sealed me on PJ was late in the 4th, Jaylin Williams was destroying the Mavs every time down. Grimes couldn't stop him, Klay couldn't stop him. Kyrie tried but failed. Naji had a couple good moments but again, J-Dub decided to just hit crazy shot after crazy shot. That was until PJ switched onto him 3 possessions straight, during which he shut him down completely and shifted all the momentum into the Mavs favor. That was big.

Great game from PJ!

[ThisIStheYear]

Forgot we did these. Naji and PJ basically tied.

[Chicagojk]

Got to give Maxi some props.  For the first time in several games, he didn't look scared of the moment.  Put me in the group though that iI am doubtful of him in big moments, at the moment.  

PJ deserves props.  When he has a set role and not asked to be one of the main scorers, he provides so much.  He provides toughness, size, defense, etc.    When he is consistent on open threes this is just a cherry on top.

Kyrie deserves some props.  When he is available and not rusty, he just pushes everyone down a notch where they are in better roles.  It is amazing how just having one star available and playing well just makes everything look better.

But I think I am split on Marshall and Dinwiddie.  The Dinwiddie holding the ball in some of our dry spells are just maddening, but he is much better in a complimentary role.  He hit two huge shots.  I really wonder if he is going to be Kidd's choice in the finishing lineup when everyone is healthy.  I would guess no, but Kidd does have trust in him.

I give it to Marshall.  Just because he also hit big shots and was an impact on defense.  Also much needed help on the boards.  BTW, Mavs need to be better there.  Especially against a team like OKC, who was without their best rebounder.    With everything else OKC does, Mavs can't give up so many second chance points.  But that is for another thread.

A few notes:
Glad Omax got some minutes.  10 minutes for Omax with a short handed team isn't going to be the difference in winning and losing.  He did some really nice things and had some rough moments.  Playing in an important game and having some success will give him much more confidence than anything else you can do.

I agree Gafford didn't look good last night and OKC may be a tough matchup for him.  I would urge caution though.  Tough to really judge our centers without Luka.  He is the puppet master.  Although I think last night limiting his minutes down the stretch was the right move. 

Also loved Marshall after playing New Orleans last game did the grand theft Alvarado twice against OKC. We need support players who do these pest things.

Jaylin Williams...i loved him entering the draft. He is a third center. Time will tell if he will be a backup in the league. He has such a knack on taking chargers. Just really impessive. Especially for a guy who is verticall challenged. Nice passing and good bbiq. If he can hit the three consistenty, I like his chances of being a good backup in the league.

Lastly, maybe Kidd knows what he is doing?  I still want to see more Grimes.  Even though his stats were minimal, I thought he was a postive impact in his 22 minutes.  But seeing how Din and Marshall impacting winning, maybe Kidd's vision is right.  I am still having trouble seeing how the Klay, Marshall and Grimes minutes work out when everyone is healthy.  Someone is going to be the loser there.  I go back and forth who I think that is going to be.  It even gets trickier if Dinwiddie also eats into those minutes.

[LukaMVP]

Kyrie made a strong comeback for us to get this much needed win. Kyrie made influences beyond what was shown on the scoreboard imho.