07-11-2023, 12:31 AM
The first 25 minutes of the game tonight was pretty putrid. Basically horrific all around. Some great flashes but overall you can forget about it.
Then Moore, Jelly, and Hardy all seemingly woke up, Lively and OMax continued their hustle, and before you knew it the Mavs stormed back like crazy.
The shot selection for the first half from Hardy was awful. Then he started to get others involved which only opened up the game for him. He drove to the basket and started to convert. Then his shot started to fall. He still somehow ended up with 24 points. Still, pretty dissapointed from his showing today. Hopefully he takes it as a learning lesson and comes out stronger.
Lively is still really raw. His defense ranged from "kinda bad" to "great' throughout the game. Sometimes he contested well and PHI still made the shot. Sometimes he didn't contest at all and PHI made the shot. But when winning time came around he locked in and his presence was massively felt. He grabbed several clutch boards that helped seal the game. Its obvious he is dependent on good guard play. I couldn't count how many times our guards couldn't spot the easy lob window to Lively in the short roll. Gives me hope next to Luka (and some chemistry) he could carve out a niche role next season as long as his physicality is honed and he doesn't foul like crazy.
OMax is the real prize to be honest. His defense and activity was incredible throughout the game. His ability to cover space is immense. He literally just eats up passing lanes. He had 1 play where he seemingly got beat then somehow blocked the 3pt shot out of nowhere??? He literally makes me go "how can he do that on defense" multiple times a game. He's very jittery both offensively and defensively. He probably is going to be called for traveling a bunch next year with how he counts his steps. But these are all things that can be worked out through development. None of his threes landed, and his shot release is pretty slow. He needs to get that skill up to snuff if he wants to make it in the league. But if he does? Sheesh he can really be an impact player day 1.
Taje Moore gets the MVP of the night to me. Braxton Key could be runner up. Both guys were integral to the Mavs even being able to come back.
Then Moore, Jelly, and Hardy all seemingly woke up, Lively and OMax continued their hustle, and before you knew it the Mavs stormed back like crazy.
The shot selection for the first half from Hardy was awful. Then he started to get others involved which only opened up the game for him. He drove to the basket and started to convert. Then his shot started to fall. He still somehow ended up with 24 points. Still, pretty dissapointed from his showing today. Hopefully he takes it as a learning lesson and comes out stronger.
Lively is still really raw. His defense ranged from "kinda bad" to "great' throughout the game. Sometimes he contested well and PHI still made the shot. Sometimes he didn't contest at all and PHI made the shot. But when winning time came around he locked in and his presence was massively felt. He grabbed several clutch boards that helped seal the game. Its obvious he is dependent on good guard play. I couldn't count how many times our guards couldn't spot the easy lob window to Lively in the short roll. Gives me hope next to Luka (and some chemistry) he could carve out a niche role next season as long as his physicality is honed and he doesn't foul like crazy.
OMax is the real prize to be honest. His defense and activity was incredible throughout the game. His ability to cover space is immense. He literally just eats up passing lanes. He had 1 play where he seemingly got beat then somehow blocked the 3pt shot out of nowhere??? He literally makes me go "how can he do that on defense" multiple times a game. He's very jittery both offensively and defensively. He probably is going to be called for traveling a bunch next year with how he counts his steps. But these are all things that can be worked out through development. None of his threes landed, and his shot release is pretty slow. He needs to get that skill up to snuff if he wants to make it in the league. But if he does? Sheesh he can really be an impact player day 1.
Taje Moore gets the MVP of the night to me. Braxton Key could be runner up. Both guys were integral to the Mavs even being able to come back.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.
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