Game 26 Dirkie Thread: AD waves at Flagg in a head to head tie!!!

[ballsrchr]

At first glance it seemed the Mavs should roll over the Nets. Such was not the case. First they had to knock off some 5 day rust. Well...I'm not sure they ever did. Shooting percentages were close. The Mavs were down 11% on 3 point shots, and down 7% on Free throws. So it was iffy. For some reason the Mavs like to keep other teams in the game. I guess it makes for an exciting game...depending on which team you're rooting for.

Who do I vote for the Dirkie award? Anthony Davis for great stats and all around play? Naji for his mincing little steps and great floaters? PJ for?...naw. Cooper Flag for efficiency and all around play? Klay for doing what he is suppose to be doing? BW for his speed and flash, and pretty good play? Max Christie good all around play.

During the game it seemed like Christie was great on defense. Anthony Davis is so smooth, efficient...and not injured yet. Cooper Flagg who continues to grow and impress.

Oh what the hell! I'm always so down on Anthony Davis that I'm going to give it to him...again.

Cooper Flagg is my second choice. Kind of like kissing your sister at the prom. Oh...wait!...taking your sister to the prom. That's better.

[SleepingHero]

This was a good fun game.

Truthfully Brooklyn has been playing better than their record suggests- much like the Mavs. There was a lot to like this game and some things not to like.

First, this was the first game where Nemby has looked human in a good long while. Brooklyn definitely scouted him and took him out multiple plays. They used Mann as their primary defender and fronted/doubled off of most PnR's. Unfortunately Nemby's size made it pretty difficult for him to find anyone. Despite that he had some solid looks and generally pesky defense. Most of his shots were heaves and prayers. Chalk it up to a learning experience and I hope he comes out better prepared against Utah.

Second, I didn't really like how PJ played this game. He game out trying to be aggressive but he got into foul trouble early. In the game time he did play, he felt like he was looking for his shot more than the flow of the offense. I might be off-base with this one, but it definitely appeared like PJ was trying to makeup for lost time due to foul issues.

AD had a great game. It was surprising given how inconsequential he looked in the first half. Barely found the ball on offense and pouted every time a guy missed an open lob attempt. The second half was a breath of fresh air. He was active in all of his minutes, he had several great defensive plays, and offensively he found ways to just punish Brooklyn inside. Seriously great game from him. A quiet 24/14/3/3, but a great game nonetheless.

Cooper sheesh man. At 18 years old he keeps surprising me. Brooklyn scouted him well and made sure to give him the 3 as much as he wants. What does Cooper do? Attack and kill them in transition, and use the space to drive as much as he wants. It's pretty incredible how well he's been getting to the rim and finishing. It looks unstoppable at times. I shudder to think how lethal he will be offensively once he can dial in his 3pt shooting. Defensively he made so many crazy plays that led to transition points.

Highlight of the night has to be the emphatic block by Christie that led to a Klay lob to PJ for the jam. Then PJ stealing the inbounds pass and kicking it out for a Klay 3 in the span of 2 seconds. I jumped out of my seat for that one.

Solid game by the Mavs. It's great to see them play as a team.

Side note: Michael Porter Jr. is a crazy good offensive player. I always knew he could score, but my goodness when he gets going he is a tier 1 scorer.

[ballsrchr]

This was a good fun game.

Truthfully Brooklyn has been playing better than their record suggests- much like the Mavs. There was a lot to like this game and some things not to like.

First, this was the first game where Nemby has looked human in a good long while. Brooklyn definitely scouted him and took him out multiple plays. They used Mann as their primary defender and fronted/doubled off of most PnR's. Unfortunately Nemby's size made it pretty difficult for him to find anyone. Despite that he had some solid looks and generally pesky defense. Most of his shots were heaves and prayers. Chalk it up to a learning experience and I hope he comes out better prepared against Utah.

Second, I didn't really like how PJ played this game. He game out trying to be aggressive but he got into foul trouble early. In the game time he did play, he felt like he was looking for his shot more than the flow of the offense. I might be off-base with this one, but it definitely appeared like PJ was trying to makeup for lost time due to foul issues.

AD had a great game. It was surprising given how inconsequential he looked in the first half. Barely found the ball on offense and pouted every time a guy missed an open lob attempt. The second half was a breath of fresh air. He was active in all of his minutes, he had several great defensive plays, and offensively he found ways to just punish Brooklyn inside. Seriously great game from him. A quiet 24/14/3/3, but a great game nonetheless.

Cooper sheesh man. At 18 years old he keeps surprising me. Brooklyn scouted him well and made sure to give him the 3 as much as he wants. What does Cooper do? Attack and kill them in transition, and use the space to drive as much as he wants. It's pretty incredible how well he's been getting to the rim and finishing. It looks unstoppable at times. I shudder to think how lethal he will be offensively once he can dial in his 3pt shooting. Defensively he made so many crazy plays that led to transition points.

Highlight of the night has to be the emphatic block by Christie that led to a Klay lob to PJ for the jam. Then PJ stealing the inbounds pass and kicking it out for a Klay 3 in the span of 2 seconds. I jumped out of my seat for that one.

Solid game by the Mavs. It's great to see them play as a team.

Side note: Michael Porter Jr. is a crazy good offensive player. I always knew he could score, but my goodness when he gets going he is a tier 1 scorer.

Great review by a basketball aficionado.  I marvel at your (and a few other's) succinct phrases.  This old driveway point guard enjoys the game so much more when you guys share your views.  Just one of the many reasons I come to this forum.  Thanks!

"Old Driveway Point Guard"...if I knew how to put that under my name...I would, but I don't, so I won't.

[SleepingHero]

Great review by a basketball aficionado.  I marvel at your (and a few other's) succinct phrases.  This old driveway point guard enjoys the game so much more when you guys share your views.  Just one of the many reasons I come to this forum.  Thanks!

"Old Driveway Point Guard"...if I knew how to put that under my name...I would, but I don't, so I won't.

Always appreciated my man.

Its unfortunate real life has become very busy that I have so little time recently. 

But good news is that the "Old Driveway Point Guard" has gotten his wish and has a new title under his name!

[ballsrchr]

Always appreciated my man.

Its unfortunate real life has become very busy that I have so little time recently. 

But good news is that the "Old Driveway Point Guard" has gotten his wish and has a new title under his name!

Haaa!  Thanks!  Emphasis on the "Old" part.  Real life/personal life balance is very hard to achieve.  Try very hard.  There's an old adage about "work getting in the way of life."  It's true.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

They had 4 bigs in the lineup next to Nemby. There was nowhere for him to drive and kick. I really don't understand the concept of having both Christie and Klay come off the bench.

[Chicagojk]

I would pick someone from the bench (Klay, Max or Williams).   All hit big shots.    It feels like some of these games would have been lost without some Klay threes during this stretch.  Same thing last night but Max also hit big shots.  Williams had a big three late.   Their three point shooting help mitigate a little of the hot shooting by the Nets.  Williams on had one three but the three of them had 8 of our 10 three pointers.   The Nets made 17 and shot 44% from three.  It would have been higher removing the last few misses.