MAVS 107, CELTICS 104

[burekemde]

The only guy whose performance bummed me out tonight was WCS. He has had some impactful minutes this season, imo, but tonight I thought he was really ineffective on both ends. 

Literally everyone else did their thing, to one degree or another. 

I'm becoming more and more fascinated by Ntilikina, personally. He looks confident on the offensive end. I didn't expect that.

Fully agree nice observations KL. And thx again for an amazing recap to ML! After the games, this is the favoruite thing to do and read.

I think WCS is playing really bad this season. Comes too late, and without effort. I dont recall a single time he challenged a shot around the rim this season. On the other end, he doesnt have that feel for scoring around the basket. He is very ineffective indeed.

Frank. He has something to prove. And he does prove it. Playing with confidence. What a great signing.

Luka - He opened the game scoring with a two pointer, getting open on a step back mid range. Then he closed the game, with a step back 3 to win the game. That's what a real leader does - opens and closes the games. In between he was doubled like crazy, and found teammates well. Celtics did close him on some situations and he made some mistakes there, but in general he found teammates really well, and today Mavs shot better than earlier in season in these open situations, and this showed up. Despite that, the open shots, should and will get better over time. The entire team, including Luka, needs to find a way to benefit from the double teams. When this happens - the lanes to basket will open up to Luka. The paint was stacked once again I noticed and I dont believe this will continue once the 3 point shots start to go in more regularly.

Brunson - Amazing player. We need to sign him long term. The thing about Brunson. Since his first game and until now, he kept improving. Not once did he decrease his level of play. You always sign these players long term that keep improving and are on that kind of trajectory. He can easy be a all star someday, and important championship starting level player. His skills are rare, you dont find many players that can do the tricks and difficult shots and dribbles what Brunson does. He is a star in my eyes already. We just need to play him next to Luka. This season he seems to developed more confidence, showing even in the most clutch situations, his rare skillset. Previous seasons we all knew he had those skills, but maybe didnt yet develop that confidence to show it. Now, his confidence is shining. And Luka can see this, and knows what he can do, and defering the playmaker role several times to Brunson. Now we are really dangerous with two playmakers in same lineup!

THJ - Really really really impressed by this man. Mature player now and sets the team before his stats. He has developed so much since his first season here, where his shooting and stats were focus, and not necessary doing the small things for the team and defense. I was critical of him some seasons ago of his defense. Now, he does a ton of those small things. In the open court, in defense, its just clear he has become a team player and does what it needs to win. He is more and more to me a championship piece as well. He has that maturity to his game he didnt had before. He makes many smart plays now.

Bullock - It is clear the guy can shoot. The catch and shoot, he does this with crazy motion and quick release. These skills are much appreciated in a Luka run offense, where he finds those small spaces for these skills. It is the skill that also Curry has and that Mavs are really missing. Bullock brings this back IMO. Very impressive shooter, although his percentage is not that yet impressive, but it is clear that his quick release and motion is indicative of a great shooter. He is a big improvement over Jrich that does not have this catch and shoot skill. I think he will fit in very well, once the offense is set more. 

KP - Great to see him back, his skills are also rare (we tend to forget this) and he helps the team so much on the defensive end. He was used more correctly this game offensively. Although a fewer post ups are needed but thats up to the coaching. But his blocks and rebounds, make fear on the opponents, and this changes games IMO more than people notice. The paint was much more secure with him back. When Maxi is playing next to him, this will be even better.

Overall, the team is getting into shape. There are still many weird situations where the angles and scheme breaks down. But all in all, the chemistry is developing.