Game 59 Now A Game Thread: Mavs(31-27) at Lakers(34-21), 9:00 PM Central Time

[WildArkieBoy]

This is not a game thread, although the Mavs are playing the Lakers in Los Angeles Tuesday @ 9:00 PM Central Time.

This is also not an advertisement for the Sands Corporation AKA the Texas Destination Resort Alliance that keeps showing up in ads on YouTube, "trying to keep money in Texas," "supporting our schools," with no mention of gambling. (OK, the Adelmans have money for ads, wisely saving themselves Supermax money on an overweight pseudo-superstar.)

All I'm seeking is your honest emotions watching Mavs vs Doncic.
  
We all watched Steve Nash play against the Mavs, but this seems different.
  
I'm wondering too about Luka's emotions.  Like others, I sensed he was shocked at the trade, perhaps a little hurt, but I have no way of knowing for sure beyond 77 years of observing people.

Personally, I'm torn.  I want this newly fabricated Mavs team to do well, but I want Luka to get past the initial shock and be himself.
  
wab 

[FireNicoHarrison]

They will put a logo on Luka face in every highlights and in Texas live streams so we will forget about him Hahahahahahaha

[ballsrchr]

I disagree that the Adelmans have wisely saved money on an overweight pseudo-superstar.

Two reasons (at least): I don't think Luka is as overweight as some people think. I do believe he has some physical problems that require physical therapy. But more importantly he has some mental problems that require therapy and a support group he respects.
And there is nothing psuedo about Luka. He is the genuine article. A superstar--who has the POTENTIAL to be even better in the future.

And...now, and over the years, the Adelmans will be losing far more money than they theoretically may have saved by avoiding the supermax.

My honest emotions watching the Mavs versus Luka? I am torn, confused, conflicted--whatever you want to say. I will naturally root for the Mavs to win. I will also root for Luka to play well.

I also think Luka was shocked and hurt by the trade. It was a stupid trade...and Nico got a stupid return out of the trade. I'm still pissed off and will be for years to come.

[FireNicoHarrison]

They already lost the money of 350M of Luka supermax (and maybe even more) , 90% of the fan base, any ring hopes and credibility over the league.

It's not a gamble, it's one of the biggest failure of sport history.

But, like i said, those things are not relevant for them... There is much more under the scenes.

[SleepingHero]

Honestly after thinking about it, there is no way the Mavs win on Tuesday. Luka is going to end the game in the 1st quarter and probably goes for 50+. Maybe even 70 if he gets enough minutes. He’ll see Kidds and/or Nico’s face and will blackout talking trash for 48 minutes.


And I honestly wouldn’t mind it. I don’t care that the Lakers would win or that the Mavs would lose. Luka would be directly sticking it to the FO that didn’t believe in him and as someone who believed/believes in Luka, Ill be all for that.

[BigDirk41]

Honestly after thinking about it, there is no way the Mavs win on Tuesday. Luka is going to end the game in the 1st quarter and probably goes for 50+. Maybe even 70 if he gets enough minutes. He’ll see Kidds and/or Nico’s face and will blackout talking trash for 48 minutes.


And I honestly wouldn’t mind it. I don’t care that the Lakers would win or that the Mavs would lose. Luka would be directly sticking it to the FO that didn’t believe in him and as someone who believed/believes in Luka, Ill be all for that.

This will probably be the first game I've watched since the trade other than AD's first game. I want to see the Luka show.

[The Jom]

I will be sad if Luka doesn’t come out fighting. I wager he will. I think he and LeBron are best in league at attacking a defense without rim protection, so that doesn’t bode well for the Mavs either. And who do we have, after PJ, who can hope to defend either one? They are too strong for our wings. It will be ugly.

[F Gump]

Honestly after thinking about it, there is no way the Mavs win on Tuesday.

That can't be any surprise. The Lakers are at home, playing at full strength. The Mavs are on the road, with 1/3 of their players sidelined by injury, including their best player, plus another starter, and all of their centers. There's no way the Mavs SHOULD be expected to have any chance, frankly, given the handicaps they have right now.

I would love to see full strength Mavs playing against these Lakers, because I think the outcome would be very different, but that will have to wait.

[SleepingHero]

That can't be any surprise. The Lakers are at home, playing at full strength. The Mavs are on the road, with 1/3 of their players sidelined by injury, including their best player, plus another starter, and all of their centers. There's no way the Mavs SHOULD be expected to have any chance, frankly, given the handicaps they have right now.

I would love to see full strength Mavs playing against these Lakers, because I think the outcome would be very different, but that will have to wait.

When I came to my conclusion I wasn't even factoring in all of the handicaps the Mavs are currently playing with, which I find funny given historically it's always been the first thing to come to my mind when coming up with excuses on why the Mavs won't win.

But when you lay it all out like that, then yeah the Mavs should not be expected to win at all and shouldn't really be given flak if they don't win. Add in the extra Luka motivation and we're setting ourselves up to a good ol' fashion whoopin. 

I will say, I hope the Mavs do get healthy by April for the rematch. That is a game I'd really like to see.

[SleepingHero]

This is now a game thread because I feel it’s only fitting for such a historic game thread to be started by the inimitable WAB.


I expect this to be an emotional game for many. I expect a crap ton of negativity. Just know we’re all in the same boat. Some deal with grief differently.

Always maintain a level of decorum with everyone on this board as always.

Go Mavs. Go Luka. I hope we’re in for a show, for better or for worse.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I wish AD was healthy. I would just tell him you're guarding Luka all game.

With our injury situation, not an exciting matchup from a Dallas perspective. Hopefully it happens April 9th.

[michaeltex]

I wonder, if Luka comes out emotionally wound up, determined to show the world what a bad deal DAL made, will he wear himself out by the 2nd half? Be prepared for some full court passes, a few nifty assists and a LOT of deep 3s. Don't be surprised if LBJ steals the spotlight though.

On the other end, I'd get Kyrie switched on to him as often as possible and force him to try and stay in front. I think it's all about testing his conditioning and seeing how much he has in the tank.

[SleepingHero]

@TheSteinLine
The Mavericks have upgraded Dwight Powell (hip) to questionable for tonight’s game against the Lakers after playing without their longest-tenured player for 16 games.

The expectation now is that Powell will indeed be active for the showdown with Luka Dončić and his new team.

[KillerLeft]

@TheSteinLine
The Mavericks have upgraded Dwight Powell (hip) to questionable for tonight’s game against the Lakers after playing without their longest-tenured player for 16 games.

The expectation now is that Powell will indeed be active for the showdown with Luka Dončić and his new team.

INSTANT VICTORY!!!!

jkjkjk

[Jmaciscool]

@TheSteinLine
The Mavericks have upgraded Dwight Powell (hip) to questionable for tonight’s game against the Lakers after playing without their longest-tenured player for 16 games.

The expectation now is that Powell will indeed be active for the showdown with Luka Dončić and his new team.

The last remaining Mav to have played with both Dirk and Luka.

[DallasMaverick]

PJ now questionable.

Maybe the Mavs are planning to let the Lakers win, just as a parting gift to Luka?

[audiosway]

PJ now questionable.

Maybe the Mavs are planning to let the Lakers win, just as a parting gift to Luka?

PJ has been questionable since coming back from injury. He should still play.

[BoulderMFFL]

I want Luka to score 77 points while barking at Nico after every basket and assist.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I want Luka to score 77 points while barking at Nico after every basket and assist.

Nico doesn't care, he will laugh all the time with his buddy Pelinka.

[BoulderMFFL]

Nico doesn't care, he will laugh all the time with his buddy Pelinka.

Nico probably does not care, but I think it would be cathartic for Luka.