06-03-2021, 08:47 PM
(06-03-2021, 07:46 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: Thanks for your thoughts. I would add some nuance to that. I think the Mavs did have a well-crafted plan for playing without Luka during the season, as they had to run those units out every game. Rick occasionally commented on their running a different offense with Luka off the court than with him.
I think the plan involved having Brunson, KP, and Hardaway keep those units afloat. For whatever reason, in this series, Brunson has not been able to be effective without Luka (size reasons?), and KP has disappeared. So, when they are out there, they indeed look like they just don't know what to do.
I think it would be worth trying to shore those units up a bit, in order to gain a little more breathing room for Luka and Tim. In the fourth quarter of this match, Luka was totally gassed, and his performance showed it.
If there indeed is a way to shore them up. Maybe there just isn't. I can't say I have any bright ideas.
Yes, those 3 guys are the ones I would expect to lead non-Luka rotations and seems like they did some of that at least couple times very well this season?
This is also why I said they either don't have the identity or don't have it down. Without KP that identity is not there or doesn't work and for whatever reason star level let alone Unicorn level KP hasn't been around. KP has been pretty much just a guy lately. No real explosions that might complement a couple of quality guards while Luka is out. Without KP that's just Brunson and THJ creating the lead offense versus an elite playoff team.
It doesn't work against the playoff quality opponent as you simply don't have a KP level replacement player.
Ok, well I could say something about Boban here, but I won't
