MAVS NEWS:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/st...turn-to-la


AD's return to LA

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://youtu.be/QOgPP5WKH1g

Luka told Cuban to shut up.

[audiosway]

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

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.

[SleepingHero]

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.

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.

[mvossman]

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.

I would rather bet on Luka in his late 20s than AD/Kyrie in their mid 30s.  That is when it's really going to hit.  We won't have control of our own first round picks during that timeframe, so its not going to be a viable option to trade an aging star for picks.  We will be doing everything we can to stay out of the lottery, which is going to be a lot of hoping our aging, injury prone stars can stay on the court.

[audiosway]

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.

So, a guy from age 19-25 played 80% of his games and has already lost a step in speed. No problem if he is a 5. Playing the point I would be concerned. Some of us have been concerned. If you don't think he has lost a step go look at him from 3 years ago.

He's been sent home twice to lose weight. He has had the same calf injury in 3 seasons. Again, he isn't Shaq playing the 5. He is the PG. And that's a major problem.

He doesn't even have to be ripped like LeBron. If he were just around 240-250 and in decent shape it would make a massive difference. Right now Luka is the same size as a premier edge rusher in the NFL. He is having calf injuries due to the weight. If he keeps it up the knees will start bothering him as well. Your joints and muscles can only handle so much weight. Especially, when you are in a very active professional sport.

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.

[The Jom]

Luka hate. Wow. I’m signing off.

[audiosway]

Luka hate. Wow. I’m signing off.

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.

[WildArkieBoy]

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.

The beauty of this is that the Mavs no longer need worry about Luca's fitness to play or loss of a step.  They now have an injured star who won't be 32 until March 11 and should be able to play sometime this season.  

wab

[FireNicoHarrison]

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.

This is absolutely wrong, it's the false narrative around Luka to justify the worst trade in sport history and a clear collusion from 2 buddies.

Lonney kicked Luka calf and injuried him 1 months before that game, Luka was forced to play Christmas game before Dallas lost a lot of games and he aggravated the injury (luckily it was not achilles tendon).

But like someone just said, we don't have to think anymore about a guy who averaged 66RS games.

Now it's time to think about Anthony street clothes day-to-Davis. Good luck.

[FireNicoHarrison]

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.

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?

He is not ripped like PG ,he is not fast like SGA and he is not athletic like Edwards but he destroyed all of them.
And you can't do it without a good fitness condition... You can't play 40 minutes PO basket every night if you are in a bad shape. You can't battle those freak athlete if you are fat. 

His genetics is different , look his father when was young... They are tanks.

He is not in his best shape, that's sure, but i take him over a couple of failed leaders who have won just alongside LeBron shadow.
And that's why all NBA laugh at us, we made a NBA 2K trade and we still try to motivate it with amateur speeches.

[audiosway]

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?

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.

[FireNicoHarrison]

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.

So you can understand what means play professional basketball at higher level... It's not a joke.

[Smitty]

   

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.

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

[michaeltex]

The key is getting the rest of the team back (and not losing anyone else to injury).

PJ is back, as is Powell. PJ is starter level and Powell is a warm body that plays hard while burning some minutes. I hope PJ's 0-fer last game is an outlier.

Turner has been GTD the last couple games, but I have no idea if he helps or not.

Everyone is trying to hang on until March 6th. There are reports of AD doing some light work and Lively doing even lighter work, but at least their doing more than sitting while everything heals. I haven't heard any word on Gafford, but he is a key rotation piece for any post-season success.

I will point out that the LBJ/AD bubble championship (which, IMO, deserves an *) was successful because the hiatus (from early March to late July) allowed AD to get fully healthy. So maybe coming back to a short regular season schedule then a more relaxed PO schedule might be something to look forward to?

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

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

I don't know if I could stomach a Lakers series.

[Smitty]

I don't know if I could stomach a Lakers series.

I want all the smoke, if both teams are full strength. Must see TV!

[mvossman]

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

Need to avoid the 8 spot.  A first playoff series against OKC would be brutal.

[Reunion Mav]

I want all the smoke, if both teams are full strength. Must see TV!

Great work Smitty. Every win over 5 is a bit of gravy. I like how this team is competing. I declare myself happy if we get to 8 looking at the schedule you so kindly posted.

[audiosway]

So you can understand what means play professional basketball at higher level... It's not a joke.

I agree. That's why it was very concerning for me when a source came out from within the Mavs saying they don't understand how someone can gain weight playing 40 minutes per night.