MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

@MavsMuse
Every player in the past 45 years who averaged at least 20 PPG, 6 RPG, and 4 APG as a rookie:

• Michael Jordan
• Luka Dončić

And now, Cooper Flagg. Generational.

[michaeltex]

Other than keeping pressure up for ROY honors, what reason is there to keep playing Coop for these last few weeks of the season? He's seen everything there is to see this year and keeping him on the court for meaningless games doesn't make sense. There's no body left on the schedule who is really playing hard for position. Most of the playoff teams are just trying to get through the next couple weeks without injuries.

I think it's time Coop's sprained arch flares back up, forcing some missed games.

[numnuts23]

Other than keeping pressure up for ROY honors, what reason is there to keep playing Coop for these last few weeks of the season? He's seen everything there is to see this year and keeping him on the court for meaningless games doesn't make sense. There's no body left on the schedule who is really playing hard for position. Most of the playoff teams are just trying to get through the next couple weeks without injuries.

I think it's time Coop's sprained arch flares back up, forcing some missed games.

Zero chance - they are gonna play him until the end of the season.  As fans, given what this season has been like, there is no way they are going to sit the one player everyone comes to watch.  On top of that - I think Kidd is wanting to give him every chance to get ROY.

[michaeltex]

Zero chance - they are gonna play him until the end of the season.  As fans, given what this season has been like, there is no way they are going to sit the one player everyone comes to watch.  On top of that - I think Kidd is wanting to give him every chance to get ROY.

It's just that the last 3-4 games will be against teams just mailing it in. Apart from protecting your core player, sitting Flagg reduces the Mav's chances of "winning by accident" in the lottery race.

[numnuts23]

It's just that the last 3-4 games will be against teams just mailing it in. Apart from protecting your core player, sitting Flagg reduces the Mav's chances of "winning by accident" in the lottery race.

Yeah, I see it - but after the disaster the Mavs have been since Nico blew it up, they are going to want Flagg to get ROY.  While I don't agree, I think they see it as pretty important.

[Smitty]

Other than keeping pressure up for ROY honors, what reason is there to keep playing Coop for these last few weeks of the season? He's seen everything there is to see this year and keeping him on the court for meaningless games doesn't make sense. There's no body left on the schedule who is really playing hard for position. Most of the playoff teams are just trying to get through the next couple weeks without injuries.

I think it's time Coop's sprained arch flares back up, forcing some missed games.

I'd like for him to play in all of them the rest of the way. Hit the 70 games played mark. Finish the season strong. On a high note. I think he wants to play, which is also part of it.

[Scott41theMavs]

Zero chance - they are gonna play him until the end of the season.  As fans, given what this season has been like, there is no way they are going to sit the one player everyone comes to watch.  On top of that - I think Kidd is wanting to give him every chance to get ROY.

That, and that the tank must be ethical.

[myconsumerclub]

Well we just beat Portland damn it.

I see we had a lot of guys going for the tank but between Flagg, Bag, and Naji our guys could not get it done.

Bagley is showing again why he is a pleasant surprise from our dumping AD to the Wizers.

Flagg needs to demonstrate he is the ROY so I understand his effort but Bag and Naji are playing like they are trying to earn a spot on a team and show what they can do.

We got 50 losses and Memphis has 49 but we both have 24 wins so damn it we need some breathing room. MIL, UTA, and CHI are the 3 most winnable games that remain for MEM but they got the memo and are clearly trying hard to tank. The rest of their games look tougher with NY, PHO, TOR, CLE, DEN, and HOU.

Someone needs to tell these teams like Portland that we will beat them if they slack off because we got guys that are still playing for real so if they think they can just relax and take the night off its not a guaranteed win, you can lose. They need to really try hard against us.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

It's just that the last 3-4 games will be against teams just mailing it in. Apart from protecting your core player, sitting Flagg reduces the Mav's chances of "winning by accident" in the lottery race.

That's how they got CF in the first place.

[loki]

I'd like for him to play in all of them the rest of the way. Hit the 70 games played mark. Finish the season strong. On a high note. I think he wants to play, which is also part of it.

I have no issues with Flagg playing the rest of the way, but the other role players who could help them win games need to be shut down. I want to see heavy minutes for the 3rd stringers/2-ways, especially in the 4th quarter.

[myconsumerclub]

I would not expect guys like Bagley and Middleton and others who are not on a contract next season to tank when they can showcase their game to increase their odds of getting on a team or resigned. I really hope we resign Bagley he is looking like a great option to replace Gafford when he gets traded if that is still an option plus I think he can play at PF and obviously he is our best 3 point shooter in terms of his % he makes.

Note Former maverick OMax was able to score 31 points against Houston in his most recent game.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

 Note Former maverick OMax was able to score 31 points against Houston in his most recent game.

Let's not lose sight, amongst the Luka and Grimes deals, that Nico essentially traded OMax for ZERO games from Exum.

[F Gump]

Players don't tank. They play to win, to dominate their opponent (if they can), and to do good basketball plays. It's up to the coach to play a losing lineup.

Against POR, not sure how you can lose against what the Blazers did. They were way bad. Ugly ugly basketball.

But POR is essentially locked into their post season slot already. So W/L didn't really matter either way to them and their situation -- but they weren't tanking. They were just AWFUL.

[Scott41theMavs]

Players don't tank. They play to win, to dominate their opponent (if they can), and to do good basketball plays.  It's up to the coach to play a losing lineup.

Against POR, not sure how you can lose against what the Blazers did. They were way bad. Ugly ugly basketball.

But POR is essentially locked into their post season slot already. So W/L didn't really matter either way to them and their situation -- but they weren't tanking. They were just AWFUL.

I think the bolded is going to be a fairly significant problem for the Mavs the rest of the way - for example, the Suns and the Spurs. I know that the Spurs are super-dominant, but the big issue there is that Pop is one of the biggest d***heads on planet earth and loves to force-feed us wins when we're tanking.

[Chicagojk]

I am quite surprised Dallas has not won more recently.  They are not a good team, but they have professional players up and down the roster.  It is a stark contrast to Utah and Memphis.   It is quite impressive they have only won a game or so.   I expect they will pick up a few wins over the last 8 games.  I wish it was not the case, but i am expecting it.  In addition to having professional players, you will also see teams take a breath while playing the lowly mavs and the Mavs will surprise.

[Chicagojk]

Well too late for that. For a guy who thinks he is the smartest guy 8n the room, he sure does dumb things often. Selling to that family was just all sorts of stupid. Being able to be almost bought out within four years is just the chef kiss.

https://x.com/townbrad/status/2038680760383689166?s=61

[loki]

Well too late for that. For a guy who thinks he is the smartest guy 8n the room, he sure does dumb things often.  Selling to that family was just all sorts of stupid.  Being able to be almost bought out within four years is just the chef kiss.

https://x.com/townbrad/status/2038680760383689166?s=61

When you think you're the smartest guy in the room you have to constantly prove yourself by avoiding "normal" decisions. 

Run it back with a title team? No, keep the powder dry.
Draft Giannis? No, trade down and chase a star in free agency.
Hire a GM? No, only relationships matter. Bring on the shoe salesman.
Sell the team to the highest bidder? No, sell it at discount to your friends who pinky promise you'll still be in charge.

I don't like the new ownership either, but I still can't wait for the rest of Cuban's stake to be bought out.

[cow]

Hopefully he gets his floor seats revoked too.

[cow]

Randomness from tonight's game:

-Flagg looks dejected tonight.
-I wonder what's next for Powell. He had a chance at an alley-oop. It was a bad pass, but he still fumbled the catch and then turned the ball over as he was heading out of bounds. He doesn't have that springiness of his youth anymore. His contract is up this year. Kind of hope he retires and is added to the staff.
-I like Poulakidas. His green light is a little too bright, but that's understandable given his situation and he is certainly noticeable. Doesn't play a lick of defense though, but he hits at a high clip.
-Not sure what to think of AJ Johnson, but he seems exceptionally fast/quick. He looks taller than his listed 6'5".
-I'm ready to sell all my Nembhard stock.

[Mavs2021]

I assume the ill guys will miss the Milwaukee trip. Very professional from the Mavs ethical tanking committee, not having half the team get magically ill between B2B games. This only happens regularly in Utah between 3rd and 4th quarter.