GAME 9 DIRKIE: Winner Luka (84%) | Runner-ups RB (8%) & KP (8%)

[Kammrath]

Who was the player of the game who elevated his game to help the team win?

[SleepingHero]

Is there really any competition? Luka Luka Luka!!!!!!!!!!



KP for the honorable 2nd place. He had some iffy moments, but he stepped up in the 4th with 3 key plays and did all of the little things ending with a respectable 21/7.

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Also seeing Dan picking Reggie for this one. I felt Reggie had some really low lows this game. Curious to why you thought he was the best guy tonight?

[ballsrchr]

I really want to give KP a pat on the head vote (while he's still healthy)...but my Dirkie goes to Luka.

[Tyler]

Luka deserves it for the magic, but my vote before the very end was for KP. I thought he played well on both ends and had some huge plays late. It's good to have him back.

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Oh, and honorable mention goes to Marcus Smart for making Luka's game winner possible.

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/1...6755489794

[Hypermav]

I like BS but BS tears are nice too.

[DanSchwartzgan]

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Also seeing Dan picking Reggie for this one. I felt Reggie had some really low lows this game. Curious to why you thought he was the best guy tonight?

It isn’t a “best guy” award.  Maybe I take Kamm’s question too literally, but I look at it as a most elevated play award.  We should expect something close to 33/9/5 from Luka and 21/7 from KP.  RB doubled his points per game on much improved shooting from the field and 3.  He came in for Finney to be part of the closing lineup and I thought it was important to have his D, spacing and ability to help with the press and doubles. 

Bill Simmons is not wrong.

[Kammrath]

It isn’t a “best guy” award.  Maybe I take Kamm’s question too literally, but I look at it as a most elevated play award.  We should expect something close to 33/9/5 from Luka and 21/7 from KP.  RB doubled his points per game on much improved shooting from the field and 3.  He came in for Finney to be part of the closing lineup and I thought it was important to have his D, spacing and ability to help with the press and doubles. 

RB is a legit vote IMO. I voted Luka though because of game-winner plus TEAM LEADING +/-, which I have missed from him this year.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

I didn't saw the game, I just opened up ESPN box scores and saw the game tied at 104-104. Then a couple of seconds later, saw the Mavs up 3. The first thing that came to my mind was Luka made a 3 point buzzer beater.

Luka deservers this, fat or not.

And.. of course the other award:

Dirkie for THJ for continuing to be the best hugger.
Frankie came in second (loving the vibe on this guy, he looks genuinely happy and excited, like a kid)

[SleepingHero]

It isn’t a “best guy” award.  Maybe I take Kamm’s question too literally, but I look at it as a most elevated play award.  We should expect something close to 33/9/5 from Luka and 21/7 from KP.  RB doubled his points per game on much improved shooting from the field and 3.  He came in for Finney to be part of the closing lineup and I thought it was important to have his D, spacing and ability to help with the press and doubles. 

Bill Simmons is not wrong.

Solid reasoning. Don't get me wrong, I loved Reggie's play tonight. He on more than one occasion stopped Tatum in his tracks which isn't an easy thing to do. He also hit some timely threes. I do feel like he had moments that were also quite disappointing. 

I usually think of the Dirkie as who stepped up the most to help the team win the game, but your thought process is valid too. 

In that case then I can see Reggie being the Dirkie winner. Honorable mention to Franky N.

[Scott41theMavs]

I know that the 2021-22 Mavs are a horrible, terrible, very bad team, but they also happen to be tied with four other teams for the 5th-best record in the league right now. I'll take it.

[Kammrath]

I know that the 2021-22 Mavs are a horrible, terrible, very bad team, but they also happen to be tied with four other teams for the 5th-best record in the league right now. I'll take it.

And sole possession of 3rd place in the West.

[dirkfansince1998]

I know that the 2021-22 Mavs are a horrible, terrible, very bad team, but they also happen to be tied with four other teams for the 5th-best record in the league right now. I'll take it.

If the new Mavs win all close games and get blown out when they lose but stay on pace to win 55 games I am in.

[KillerLeft]

As much hate as I pile on the guy, I want to give it up for Porzingis tonight. With the exception of a couple of miscues down the stretch, I thought his play was inspired. It was one of his best games as a Maverick. He made some timely cuts, some nice passes, played some good D (and some bad, but more good) and generally looked like a player I'd like to have on the team. He even managed to identify when to be in the paint and when to clear out, for the most part. That's a HUGE improvement, imo. 

Now, if only they could capitalize off of this performance by trading him now, tonight! You know, before he gets hurt again or starts to play poorly. 

But, I have to give it to Luka. I agree with @"DanSchwartzgan" that his performance wasn't that elevated compared to what we've come to expect, but I was watching this game with someone new to the sport and new to Luka. I've been trying to get her to realize how special the kid is, but the team hasn't been very fun to watch so far this season, so it has been tough sledding. Right before that last inbounds play I said "this is why Luka is special. There's no doubt in my mind that he's about to win this game at the buzzer." Then, BOOM! Another Luka/Mavs fan is born. 

It's important, I think, not to become desensitized to that level of greatness.

[fifteenth]

If the new Mavs win all close games and get blown when they lose but stay on pace to win 55 games I am in.

These Mavs are like the anti-Mavs of the last 3 years

[ThisIStheYear]

Anytime someone hits a crazy buzzer beater like that, they get the Dirkie.

[burekemde]

Luka, he opened the game and closed it like a real leader. But THJ and Brunson were really impressive. KP was really great. Great team effort! Best game of season so far.

[omahen]

Best game of season so far.

I also thought they played very well, but the reality is they barely won against the depleted Boston. So I need to process why this game wasn't a blowout for Mavs.

[burekemde]

I also thought they played very well, but the reality is they barely won against the depleted Boston. So I need to process why this game wasn't a blowout for Mavs.

Great point, tough stretch coming now, after the Pelicans and Spurs. There is Bulls, 2x Suns, 2x Clippers. This will be a more proper test.

[Mapka]

I also thought they played very well, but the reality is they barely won against the depleted Boston. So I need to process why this game wasn't a blowout for Mavs.

Because we were trying some things, Tatum went supernova and the Celtics aren´t a pushover after all.

By the way, I love when the Refs give the players more leeway on defence using their body.

[ItsGoTime]

I also thought they played very well, but the reality is they barely won against the depleted Boston. So I need to process why this game wasn't a blowout for Mavs.

Yes they were without Brown, we had Maxi out and KP just came back so there was reason for us to lose the game too. After their team meeting, they beat 2 quality teams in a row, so they were playing well coming into this game.


Can we also say we are a team that has a home court advantage now? The past couple years I felt like we were more likely to win on an away game than at home.