GAME 3 Playoffs 2024: Minnesota Timberwolves (0-2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (2-0)

[HoosierDaddyKidd]

Green is shorter than and not as long as McDaniels, less stocky and strong than Dort, and more timid than both.

I had hoped that Green would have made more of a difference on offense by now, compared to those two guys... but he's not been very good there. It seems like he's on par with Dort on offense, and it is McDaniels who has made the leap that I expected or hoped to see from Green.

Green is no way stronger than Dort. Dort is built like a linebacker.

[Knutsen]

Green is shorter than and not as long as McDaniels, less stocky and strong than Dort, and more timid than both.

I had hoped that Green would have made more of a difference on offense by now, compared to those two guys... but he's not been very good there. It seems like he's on par with Dort on offense, and it is McDaniels who has made the leap that I expected or hoped to see from Green.

To clear things up, I was talking about a younger Draymond Green as the perfect defender against Luka, because he combines strength of Dort with length - at least with his arms - from McDaniels. 

Our Josh Green is stout, but nothing that would bother Luka one bit, especially since he‘s not smart enough and doesn’t have the elite defensive instincts you need to somehow keep up with Luka.

[RGP1981]

To clear things up, I was talking about a younger Draymond Green as the perfect defender against Luka, because he combines strength of Dort with length - at least with his arms - from McDaniels. 

Our Josh Green is stout, but nothing that would bother Luka one bit, especially since he‘s not smart enough and doesn’t have the elite defensive instincts you need to somehow keep up with Luka.

Oops! I thought you meant Josh!

Green is no way stronger than Dort. Dort is built like a linebacker.

That's what I meant too, i.e., he is less stocky and less strong than Dort.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'd like to thank most of you (a couple of exceptions in the game thread) for not saying too many stupid things about Powell last night.  The proper response to what happened is "wow, we had to play our 4th string center 8 minutes last night and survived that with a -1 during that time".  In fact, Powell was inserted while things were falling apart as Edwards went crazy and Dallas immediately went on a 6-0 run.  Could he have been inserted at a scarier time in last night's game?  

I noticed on Discord they had a self-congratulatory circle jerk earlier today about how they always knew Powell sucked and anyone who ever said otherwise is an idiot.

Yeah, he missed a bunny, but he had two really nice defensive plays (one was wrongly called a foul).  He also gave up some buckets (a sin that is somehow more egregious for Powell than it is when it happens to anyone else).  But, we survived his minutes and that is all you can hope for when you go beyond your main playoff rotation.  They don't give style points in the real world and the scoreboard doesn't care about eye tests.  You either outscore the other team or you don't and in the minutes played by our 4th string center we only lost a point and lived to finish the rest of the game.

[Knutsen]

I'd like to thank most of you (a couple of exceptions in the game thread) for not saying too many stupid things about Powell last night.  The proper response to what happened is "wow, we had to play our 4th string center 8 minutes last night and survived that with a -1 during that time".  In fact, Powell was inserted while things were falling apart as Edwards went crazy and Dallas immediately went on a 6-0 run.  Could he have been inserted at a scarier time in last night's game?  

I noticed on Discord they had a self-congratulatory circle jerk earlier today about how they always knew Powell sucked and anyone who ever said otherwise is an idiot.

Yeah, he missed a bunny, but he had two really nice defensive plays (one was wrongly called a foul).  He also gave up some buckets (a sin that is somehow more egregious for Powell than it is when it happens to anyone else).  But, we survived his minutes and that is all you can hope for when you go beyond your main playoff rotation.  They don't give style points in the real world and the scoreboard doesn't care about eye tests.  You either outscore the other team or you don't and in the minutes played by our 4th string center we only lost a point and lived to finish the rest of the game.

Let’s hope he has the game of his life tomorrow and we get a good 16 minutes out of him.

I‘m thinking Minnesota could have gone small in game 4 and benched Gobert, just to try something new and get KAT going on the block. But maybe they‘ll stay big now because they think they can dominate without Lively and we have a chance to send them home from the perimeter.

[KillerLeft]

I'd like to thank most of you (a couple of exceptions in the game thread) for not saying too many stupid things about Powell last night.  The proper response to what happened is "wow, we had to play our 4th string center 8 minutes last night and survived that with a -1 during that time".  In fact, Powell was inserted while things were falling apart as Edwards went crazy and Dallas immediately went on a 6-0 run.  Could he have been inserted at a scarier time in last night's game?  

I noticed on Discord they had a self-congratulatory circle jerk earlier today about how they always knew Powell sucked and anyone who ever said otherwise is an idiot.

Yeah, he missed a bunny, but he had two really nice defensive plays (one was wrongly called a foul).  He also gave up some buckets (a sin that is somehow more egregious for Powell than it is when it happens to anyone else).  But, we survived his minutes and that is all you can hope for when you go beyond your main playoff rotation.  They don't give style points in the real world and the scoreboard doesn't care about eye tests.  You either outscore the other team or you don't and in the minutes played by our 4th string center we only lost a point and lived to finish the rest of the game.

Given the high-leverage situation, the emotionality of that moment in time, and the fact that he hasn't played meaningful basketball in, like, months...I'd say Powell did just fine.

[Tyler]

I noticed on Discord they had a self-congratulatory circle jerk earlier today about how they always knew Powell sucked and anyone who ever said otherwise is an idiot.

I totally agree with your Powell observations, Dan. Considering the circumstances, I think he did just fine. And I'm thankful that we have a guy like him willing and able to come off the bench at a moments notice like that.

The only thing I'd respectfully correct you on is the dismissive summation of Discord. A conversation is only as good as the voices willing to speak up. So if you're taking the time to read along, try joining the conversation! I happen to agree with you, and would love to have more voices like yours pitch in.

[KillerLeft]

I totally agree with your Powell observations, Dan. Considering the circumstances, I think he did just fine. And I'm thankful that we have a guy like him willing and able to come off the bench at a moments notice like that.

The only thing I'd respectfully correct you on is the dismissive summation of Discord. A conversation is only as good as the voices willing to speak up. So if you're taking the time to read along, try joining the conversation! I happen to agree with you, and would love to have more voices like yours pitch in.

Discord is...different than here. I tried it for a while, and just couldn't find an opening to talk seriously about basketball. Lots of quick, incorrect assessments in there. An echo chamber, almost (although I admit I didn't sample it for more than a couple of weeks). I like the more diverse and thought out opinions here, personally, but it's cool that there's a zone that's right for everyone. 

I did enjoy trolling in the #Dwight Club channel.

[Tyler]

Lots of quick, incorrect assessments in there. An echo chamber, almost...

I mean, the true definition of an echo chamber is a collection of assessments you believe are all correct. But I hear ya. It's a different communication style, and it took me a while to adjust as well. I hope everyone sticks with it, though, because the more voices the better.

Also, it's not lost on me that I can also do the same and post more here. You guys are cool. Even when you're clearly incorrect.  

[RGP1981]

Welp, I didn't say anything about Dwight in the game thread and no offense intended to anyone... but I have been driving the get rid of Dwight bus since year 2 of Luka in Dallas... and I'm not about to stop now! HAH!



Even as 3rd string Center he is useless. The most reliable outlet for when Luka or Kyrie go downhill is the lob threat. The Mavericks need a tag team of Lively and Gafford in an equal rotation to allow them to have the energy to do this all game long. When either Lively or Gafford misses games, the Mavericks need another similar lob threat who can actually protect the rim, rebound and is mobile enough to help on the perimeter, so that there is always a duo or tag team of such Centers to use in an equal rotation in the games. Seriously, I cannot believe it took the Mavs FO this long to figure it out... DJ, Boban, Powell, WCS, McGee, etc... blech!

Jericho Sims is my pick to replace Dwight with in the summer, because of his mobility and potential on defense. Once the Mavericks have him, I think you will be hard pressed to spot the difference between Gafford, Lively and Sims (GLS). I'm posting an old clip below because there aren't many new ones... but it shows off his mobility and ability to defend on the perimeter.