Game 30: Mavs, 11-18 @ Pelicans, 7-22

[Mavs2021]

Call it the "tell us what you really think, without telling us"-game.

If Flagg misses this game, I think it´s a stealth confirmation that the long-term tank is on and the Mavs view Atlanta as a very viable AD trade option, too.

They want the odds for the Pelicans pick to decrease, which in turn increases the likelihood of the Hawks parting with it. Furthermore Hawks have really gone downhill recently. So the negotiating position has really taken a turn for the better for the Mavericks. Finally KP is becoming useful for the Mavs.

Obviously it also helps the Mavs own draft odds.

[Chicagojk]

Yeah, every win the Pelicans win the trade for Giannis looks further and further off. A number 2 pick is much more appealing than the number 7 pick. With the lottery odds not rewarding the worst teams recently, this creates more confusion.

So the Hawks own the Cavs pick? It looks like Utah gets first right to swap and than the Cavs get the second chance? I think the spurs have the Hawks pick? Or the right to swap? It is just really confusing too.

[Mavs2021]

So the Hawks own the Cavs pick?  It looks like Utah gets first right to swap and than the Cavs get the second chance?  I think the spurs have the Hawks pick?  Or the right to swap?  It is just really confusing too.

I have tried to work that one out. I have given up. I just go by whatever the Tankathon mockdraft tells us.

[DallasMaverick]

Call it the "tell us what you really think, without telling us"-game.

If Flagg misses this game, I think it´s a stealth confirmation that the long-term tank is on and the Mavs view Atlanta as a very viable AD trade option, too.

They want the odds for the Pelicans pick to decrease, which in turn increases the likelihood of the Hawks parting with it. Furthermore Hawks have really gone downhill recently. So the negotiating position has really taken a turn for the better for the Mavericks. Finally KP is becoming useful for the Mavs.

Obviously it also helps the Mavs own draft odds.

Ah! Someone who understands stealth signaling!

I might go a little farther and say that, if the Mavs win the opening tip, it means they intend to hire Fin as the next GM. Pelicans win the tip, Riccardi.

Also, if more players are wearing colored shoes, it means that the team will be up for sale in the next three and a half years.

[KillerLeft]

[omahen]

Yeah, every win the Pelicans win the trade for Giannis looks further and further off.  A number 2 pick is much more appealing than the number 7 pick.  With the lottery odds not rewarding the worst teams recently, this creates more confusion.

So the Hawks own the Cavs pick?  It looks like Utah gets first right to swap and than the Cavs get the second chance?  I think the spurs have the Hawks pick?  Or the right to swap?  It is just really confusing too.

That one is really difficult to decipher, took me more than half an hour and I am still not sure I understand it completely correctly Atlanta gets more favourable and Cleveland gets less favourable of:
a) less favorable of ATL and SA swap - this looks like SA pick, that will be in high twenties. 
b) less favorable of b1) Cleveland pick or b2) more favorable of Utah top8 pick or Minny. If Utah pick is out of top8, than it is replaced by CLE pick in the equation

Option b) has several possible outcomes:
- if Utah pick is in top8, than result of b) is less favorable pick of Cleveland pick and Utah pick. This is probably Cleveland pick
- if Utah pick is outside top 8, than it gets replaced by Cleveland pick in the equation b) and result of b) becomes Cleveland pick as long as it is higher than Minny pick

Assuming Utah will get top8 pick (they are very highly motivated to get it, as it goes to OKC if outside top8), this is who will get picks in this mess:
- Utah: their own
- SA: Atlanta pick
- Atlanta: Cleveland pick
- Minnesotta: their own pick (assuming they will have better record than Cleveland)
- Cleveland: SA pick

If Utah pick is outside top 8, than this is the result:
- OKC: Utah pick
- Utah: no pick
- SA: Atlanta pick
- Atlanta: Cleveland pick
- Minnesotta: their own pick
- Cleveland: SA pick

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Back to boycotting the Mavs until they stop with the four bigs lineup.

[david75090]

Need to quit giving the ball to non-ballhandlers and expecting them to handle the ball. Pass/shoot. Not pass/dribble/fumble. Looking at you AD.

[Mavs2021]

Just get rid of AD. Guy does not even try. He´s so lazy. He gets back on defense on his own time and if the other team doesn´t wait for it, he´s completely useless.

[Chicagojk]

Not a great defensive start. Mavs just don’t have very good perimeter defenders.

There was one loose ball after a Mavs shot. AD wanted to go after it but he looked stuck in mud.

[Chicagojk]

Not a great defensive start.  Mavs just don’t have very good perimeter defenders. 

There was one loose ball after a Mavs shot.  AD wanted to go after it but he looked stuck in mud.

Not a very fun team to watch right now with youngsters.  

[Mavs2021]

I have actually come around to the idea of Zion for AD. Much more interested in 80/2 for Zion than paying C. White 140/5.

[Mavs2021]

Interesting to listen to the Pels broadcast. They clearly still like Naji, AD not so much.

[Chicagojk]

AD may be on his way for the worst 40 pt 15 rebound game you will ever see

[RBB]

Nice half for Klay.

[SwisherPrice]

Playoff-like atmosphere in New Orleans! Maybe more like "Play-In" atmosphere 

[RBB]

Well...this will be a shitty loss.

[RBB]

What is it with not being able to score in the 4th quarter? Hasn't this happened before this season?

[Chicagojk]

Man Gaff and PJ have some serious Nico stink on them.

Not a good game from coop either. Missed free throws, not very aggressive in offense and gave up a big offensive rebound to Alvarado when he forgot to box him out.

[Deebo]

Disaster. Trade people away