Game 5: Indiana Pacers (0-3) vs. Dallas Mavericks (1-3) | 7:30pm CST

[david75090]

Flagg and Powell are both hustle-guys. Flagg's shots aren't falling but, most times his motor is running. Powell only shoots around the basket.

Brandon Williams is the best PG on the team. Really makes a difference when there's a natural PG on the floor. Don't see D'Lo as a natural PG.

[Chicagojk]

Really nice games by Williams and Powell.   I am really interested to see a 10 game split from Williams.  Although he first real breakthrough of the year was promising.

Two bad teams played last night, both with a ton of injuries.  Both teams have a lot of work to do to become good teams.    

I don't even think the issue is Cooper playing point.  He really isn't.   To start games they throw him out there with no one else other teams have to worry about creating havoc.   It is easy to defend.   Let Cooper handle the ball a lot.   I think he has been average to solid.   That is fine.   But pair him with a creator, a guy who can run an offense, or put pressure getting into the lane.   The first half Cooper was almost invisible.  A lot standing in the corner watching our olds try to do something.  Second half was not perfect but the faster pace and playing with guards made everything look much better.

[Smitty]

I fell asleep around halftime in this one. It was like watching a preseason game with both teams playing their deep bench early in the 1st quarter. I guess bad basketball makes me sleepy. I'm tempted to watch the 4th quarter to see the finish, but KL did enough in the chat here to keep me informed.

Glad to have BWill out on bail and back on the court. His burst is just different than the other guys. Confused him with Kyrie a time or two. Powell turning back the clock and looking like an NBA center again was a welcome sight also. You never have to question his motor, good or bad he's going to go 100 mph. Good for him!

The injuries are mounting up and we're only a week into the season. Hopefully AD and Lively are just being held out for precaution. If AD goes down with an actual Achillies injury this team is lotto bound for certain, so Kyrie can take his sweet time. Luckily, the Mavs have their pick this season, so I can root for an outcome one way or the other.

[Winter]

I fell asleep around halftime in this one. It was like watching a preseason game with both teams playing their deep bench early in the 1st quarter. I guess bad basketball makes me sleepy. I'm tempted to watch the 4th quarter to see the finish, but KL did enough in the chat here to keep me informed.

Glad to have BWill out on bail and back on the court. His burst is just different than the other guys. Confused him with Kyrie a time or two. Powell turning back the clock and looking like an NBA center again was a welcome sight also. You never have to question his motor, good or bad he's going to go 100 mph. Good for him!

The injuries are mounting up and we're only a week into the season. Hopefully AD and Lively are just being held out for precaution. If AD goes down with an actual Achillies injury this team is lotto bound for certain, so Kyrie can take his sweet time. Luckily, the Mavs have their pick this season, so I can root for an outcome one way or the other.

Agree, with the caveat that this team without AD, but with BWill, Lively\Gaff, and more minutes for Max makes this team entirely watchable.

I realize AD's absence may be horrible, but also may not be as bad as we imagine. We just need Lively\Gaff somewhere in the mix.

[Smitty]

Agree, with the caveat that this team without AD, but with BWill, Lively\Gaff, and more minutes for Max makes this team entirely watchable.

I realize AD's absence may be horrible, but also may not be as bad as we imagine. We just need Lively\Gaff somewhere in the mix.

I'm not ready to call BWill the savior, and you know how I feel about Lively's availability. Also, Max has played 30 mpg, you want him closer to 40? 

AD gets a lot of criticism. I saw a message in the discord game chat that got a lot of agreement, they said something along the lines "I hope AD does have an injury and is out a while, so we can see what this team looks like with more guards on the floor". 

Sheesh, think if we we're running out a 3 or 4 Guard starting 5 when Luka was here. Could you imagine ever saying you wish your top player was out so you could see what it looks like with a bigger starting frontcourt?

Mavs fans have just gone mad.

[Winter]

I'm not ready to call BWill the savior, and you know how I feel about Lively's availability. Also, Max has played 30 mpg, you want him closer to 40? 

AD gets a lot of criticism. I saw a message in the discord game chat that got a lot of agreement, they said something along the lines "I hope AD does have an injury and is out a while, so we can see what this team looks like with more guards on the floor". 

Sheesh, think if we we're running out a 3 or 4 Guard starting 5 when Luka was here. Could you imagine ever saying you wish your top player was out so you could see what it looks like with a bigger starting frontcourt?

Mavs fans have just gone mad.

My Christy minutes probably should be edited to read fewer minutes for Klay. That actually may mean more minutes for Martin\Hardy rather than Christy

My personal opinion is that I acknowledge AD is the best player but his presence changes the dynamic of this team. I think both things are true. I would like to see the Mavs identity without him. I think what Kidd would like to do for a functioning offense requires a more mobile frontcourt and ball movement than AD allows.

[meistermatze]

KillerLeft

Just me tonight. Happy to know someone is at least reading!

I read every game thread (I watch the games beforehand, just can’t hang around live because of the time difference here in Germany). Really appreciate all the commentary from you guys!

[meistermatze]

This was a nice comeback by the Mavs and a very surprising one. In the second quarter I was ready to turn it off. Not because we were down, but because we played no offense at all. Just bringing the ball up and one guy driving or chucking a shot (unless we turned it over before that). It was ugly.

Somehow they found their footing even with Davis out. Powell played great, and to Killer's question: Powell is hated because he had to play against a lot of starters in his career, where he is simply outmatched and looks bad, even though he does everything right. Against 2nd or 3rd tier competition he’s a great player, as we saw yesterday.

I’m really unsure what to root for: total implosion (AD injury, trading him for nothing, firing Nico, maybe even Kidd) and a fresh start around Cooper, or hoping for AD to stay healthy, Kyrie to come back strong, and the team to surprise everyone. Both are possible, but the first is more likely. Everything in between will be rough to watch, but I’ll watch anyway.

[mvossman]

This was a nice comeback by the Mavs and a very surprising one. In the second quarter I was ready to turn it off. Not because we were down, but because we played no offense at all. Just bringing the ball up and one guy driving or chucking a shot (unless we turned it over before that). It was ugly.

Somehow they found their footing even with Davis out. Powell played great, and to Killer's question: Powell is hated because he had to play against a lot of starters in his career, where he is simply outmatched and looks bad, even though he does everything right. Against 2nd or 3rd tier competition he’s a great player, as we saw yesterday.

I’m really unsure what to root for: total implosion (AD injury, trading him for nothing, firing Nico, maybe even Kidd) and a fresh start around Cooper, or hoping for AD to stay healthy, Kyrie to come back strong, and the team to surprise everyone. Both are possible, but the first is more likely. Everything in between will be rough to watch, but I’ll watch anyway.

Powell got overexposed playing starter minutes but the real issue is he looks worse than his actual on court impact.  He is a poor rebounder given his effort and does not block shots like you expect from your center.  But he does the more subtle things well.  He plays with a high IQ and his mobility allows him to guard more effectively in space than many centers.  His net rating is always better than you would expect over many years of sample.

[meistermatze]

True, but he also got better over time. He's playing his role almost perfectly now, almost no mistakes. There was a time when that was different. Also, it's a nice feature that he uses his face so regularly in drawing fouls. What I still mostly dislike about him is his flailing around instead of just rebounding the ball. He seems to be in the right position to get a rebound but he just jumps and let's the ball fall down and not get the rebound in the end. Weird.

[ballsrchr]

Quote:
KillerLeft

Just me tonight. Happy to know someone is at least reading!

I read every game thread (I watch the games beforehand, just can’t hang around live because of the time difference here in Germany). Really appreciate all the commentary from you guys!

I watch the games first, then read the game thread.  I can't do both at the same time.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm old and senile, or...wait a minute.  I was this way when I was young.  Actually this is why I don't worry about being senile.  I've always been this way!

[windjc]

So many on here think they know what the team is or can be after five games. What a joke these fans are. I remember two years ago during the second half of the season and championship run where everyone was clueless about how good the team could be. I think the average fan on here has lost their mind.

[mvossman]

So many on here think they know what the team is or can be after five games. What a joke these fans are. I remember two years ago during the second half of the season and championship run where everyone was clueless about how good the team could be. I think the average fan on here has lost their mind.

I don't remember it that way at all.  There was plenty of optimism around this team, especially after the TDL trade for Gafford and PJ.  But that was a very different situation than this one.  The pessimism you are reading is not just based on a 4 game sample.  There is a reason the Vegas over/under on wins for this team dropped to 38.  Besides, this is a sports board.  making too early assessments is kind what you do in places like this.

[Mavs2021]

I don't remember it that way at all.  There was plenty of optimism around this team, especially after the TDL trade for Gafford and PJ.  But that was a very different situation than this one.  The pessimism you are reading is not just based on a 4 game sample.  There is a reason the Vegas over/under on wins for this team dropped to 38.  Besides, this is a sports board.  making too early assessments is kind what you do in places like this.

Also let´s not forget if it was not for Kyle Kuzma himself, Nico would have traded two 1st round picks for him rather than PJ Washington/Gafford.  PJ Washington was their 3rd choice after Grant Williams and Kyle Kuzma. Are they still in the league?


Nico´s first choice formation/vision is basically

Kyrie
Klay
Grant Williams
Kuzma
AD

To be fair that is some defensive juggernaut.