2024 Playoffs- 2nd Round: Oklahoma City Thunder - Dallas Mavericks- MAVS WIN 4-2!

[BigDirk41]

Did anyone see the Nuggets coach completely change the way their game was being officiated last night by walking on the court and getting an immediate technical. 3 charges in a row were called on the TWolves right after. I really wish Kidd had that in him for his team.

[KillerLeft]

Did anyone see the Nuggets coach completely change the way their game was being officiated last night by walking on the court and getting an immediate technical. 3 charges in a row were called on the TWolves right after. I really wish Kidd had that in him for his team.

I wish that sometimes, too. To play Devil's advocate, it means more when it's a championship coach doing it. 

As maligned as Carlisle was around here, we took his rep for granted, I think. Kidd is still finding his way.

[BigDirk41]

I wish that sometimes, too. To play Devil's advocate, it means more when it's a championship coach doing it. 

As maligned as Carlisle was around here, we took his rep for granted, I think. Kidd is still finding his way.

I definitely agree on the championship coach comment. Hopefully Kidd gets there.

[ThisIStheYear]

This is way more like it. Luka looked normal tonight. One more win, and the sky is the limit. I think the team will start to play free with no weight of expectations.

[SleepingHero]

@_abigaiiiil
Prior to Game 5 it was reported that Luka Doncic has been enduring pain beyond comprehension.

“If this were the regular season Luka would’ve been shut down for a least 2 weeks. Luka has been getting 2-3 hours of intense therapy daily.”

- Right knee sprain
- Left knee soreness
- Back soreness
- Left achilles soreness (for 4 months)

Say what you want about him. But he is giving this Playoff run everything he physically can. And I love him for that. No matter what.

[mvossman]

@_abigaiiiil
Prior to Game 5 it was reported that Luka Doncic has been enduring pain beyond comprehension.

“If this were the regular season Luka would’ve been shut down for a least 2 weeks. Luka has been getting 2-3 hours of intense therapy daily.”

- Right knee sprain
- Left knee soreness
- Back soreness
- Left achilles soreness (for 4 months)

Say what you want about him. But he is giving this Playoff run everything he physically can. And I love him for that. No matter what.

I wonder if this experience will alter his mindset regarding playing during the offseason.

[fifteenth]

I wonder if this experience will alter his mindset regarding playing during the offseason.

Hopefully no more offseason play, drop a little more weight, and his new, better team allows him to play closer to the 30 min per night than 40 per night during the regular season.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

If I remember it correctly Daigneault was complaining about screens. Wasn't happy with the lack of contact and the inabilty to create space for their ballhandlers.

I really think it’s past time they call Dort for a flipping tech when he dives on the ground after our “moving screen.” It’s patently absurd and frankly should be beneath him. He’s a good player without the theatrics. At least they have stopped blowing the whistle every time SGA crumples. The one against Luka should’ve been overturned last night notwithstanding (should’ve been overturned.)

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Hopefully no more offseason play, drop a little more weight, and his new, better team allows him to play closer to the 30 min per night than 40 per night during the regular season.

Add another dependable scorer (Simons, Sexton, Hardy(?) this offseason to this list and it would be a dream offseason.

[SleepingHero]

@StepBackPascal
Shai’s stats when guarded by Luka Doncic this series (per http://nba.com/)

42 possessions
29.3% from the field
27.5% from three
3 turnovers

Luka has SGA on CLAMPS

[SleepingHero]

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/bball_mania/status/1...9802494354

@bball_mania
Dereck Lively II Mic’d Up vs OKC in Game 3

Listen in to the best of Dereck on the mic in game 3!


I can't believe this kid is a rookie. The amount of walls I'd run through for this guy if he was my center. Look at those call outs!

[Reunion Mav]

https://twitter.com/bball_mania/status/1...9802494354

@bball_mania
Dereck Lively II Mic’d Up vs OKC in Game 3

Listen in to the best of Dereck on the mic in game 3!


I can't believe this kid is a rookie. The amount of walls I'd run through for this guy if he was my center. Look at those call outs!

It all comes so naturally to him and I assume he’s making good defensive calls. That is so important. Josh is listening too. Good defense doesn’t happen without someone literally captaining the floor and players listening. 
Good post!

[michaeltex]

https://twitter.com/bball_mania/status/1...9802494354

@bball_mania
Dereck Lively II Mic’d Up vs OKC in Game 3

Listen in to the best of Dereck on the mic in game 3!


I can't believe this kid is a rookie. The amount of walls I'd run through for this guy if he was my center. Look at those call outs!

Thanks for sharing!

And this is a kid who only played one year at Duke and is just completing his first NBA season!

Wonder how OKC feels about the pick swap now? Looks like the Mav's 2 week tank and subsequent fine, was a small price to pay for plugging a pretty big hole in the lineup.

[Scott41theMavs]

It all comes so naturally to him and I assume he’s making good defensive calls. That is so important. Josh is listening too. Good defense doesn’t happen without someone literally captaining the floor and players listening. 
Good post!

Two factors here - 1) As I've said since the summer league last year, this young man's learning curve BBIQ is off the charts - we're talking 99th percentile; and 2) his mentor is Tyson Chandler, the freaking Yoda of defensive captaining. 

Something that I feel has been completely ignored over the past three months - with the acquisition of Kyrie - then Lively - then PJ, I believe that the entire narrative of "the clock is ticking for the Mavs to put a team around Luka so he doesn't demand a trade" is absolutely six feet under. How freaking **********HUGE********** is that?

[Winter]

Two factors here - 1) As I've said since the summer league last year, this young man's learning curve BBIQ is off the charts - we're talking 99th percentile; and 2) his mentor is Tyson Chandler, the freaking Yoda of defensive captaining. 

Something that I feel has been completely ignored over the past three months - with the acquisition of Kyrie - then Lively - then PJ, I believe that the entire narrative of "the clock is ticking for the Mavs to put a team around Luka so he doesn't demand a trade" is absolutely six feet under. How freaking **********HUGE********** is that?

Agree that the starting five (or six if you include Lively) for now looks to be the right composition of players. It's pretty impressive how quickly the front office converted Grant Williams into something much more important at the trade deadline. Add Lively's draft and the pickup of DJJ and whole thing looks pretty remarkable in a short amount of time. Hat tip to Nico or whomever was responsible.

[SleepingHero]

Life comes at ya fast

[SleepingHero]

@jxlorenzi
Mark Daigneault was asked about what the Thunder might do with the fifth starter slot that saw Josh Giddey be swapped out last game.

“I know what I plan to do, but I don’t talk about lineups and rotations heading into the game.”

[mvossman]

@jxlorenzi
Mark Daigneault was asked about what the Thunder might do with the fifth starter slot that saw Josh Giddey be swapped out last game.

“I know what I plan to do, but I don’t talk about lineups and rotations heading into the game.”

I really think they should start Lively in anticipation of Giddey starting on the bench.  He has been much more effective against a true 5 out offense.

[KillerLeft]

I really think they should start Lively in anticipation of Giddey starting on the bench.  He has been much more effective against a true 5 out offense.

I agree about Lively being much better in that situation (and in general, frankly), but I also think Kidd did a good job of subbing Gafford out pretty quickly.  The thing for me is: can Lively play more minutes, in general?