MAVS 103, NUGGETS 89

[mavsluvr]

MAVS LEAVE NUGGETS POUNDING ROCKS IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE

The Mavericks return home from a 5-game road trip to face the Nuggets on the second night of a back-to-back. Several Mavs are still out, including Boban, Willie, McLaughlin, Thomas, and new protocols entrant Kristaps Porzingis. Burke has exited protocols, but is not active for the game. The Nuggets are compromised by injuries and illness, with 7 players out, but Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are available. With Denver’s head coach in protocols, former Mav Popeye Jones is manning the sideline for the Nugs. 

Update: The Mavericks put together a decisive victory, and looked rather splendid out there, especially Luka and the defense. Denver looked discombobulated, and never led by more than two points. 


GAME NOTES

Starting lineup. Luka-Brunson-DFS-Maxi-Powell

FIRST QUARTER

Dallas gets on the board first with a JB three from Luka. — Jokic finds Gordon for a slam. — Luka and Powell return the favor. — Luka backs down Rivers and draws a foul, upon which Rivers volubly indicates his disagreement. One of two at the line. — Rivers teed up, still jawing after he is called for his second. — Jump hook by Jokic, not much way to defend that.— Not to be outdone, Luka answers. — Maxi swats away Jokic’s layup attempt. “Not in my house,” says the German!

11-10 6:04

Maxi corrals a Jokic pass. He’s looking very alert out there. — Dramatic cross-court pass from Luka to Dorian, who hits the three from the corner. The crowd loves it! 

18-12 4:30

Followill reports that Skin is expected to be back on the broadcast after he completes his cancer therapy. Good to hear. — Doe-Doe called for his second foul, leaves the court looking irritated. — We have an all-bench unit now, except for JB. — Jokic with an easy layup. — Bol Bol with his first three of the season. Woah. Denver pulls ahead with an 8-0 run.  

18-20 1:43

Luka comes back, to try to stop the bleeding. — Jokic teed up from the bench. This Denver team doesn’t seem very composed. — Great defensive possession by Mavs, Chriss blocks Bol’s dunk attempt, Denver gets the OR, but then turns it over.

24-20 after one

Luka and Brunson have taken 11 of the Mavs’ 18 FGA. Dallas has also earned 6 FTA. Denver was hurt by 5 turnovers. 

SECOND QUARTER

Luka with another brilliant pass, Reggie hits from the corner. — Now a laser from Luka to Chriss, who was ready. — Luka running point tonight, looks REALLY good. — Luka to a cutting Josh Green. The crowd is swooning. —  13-0 run by the Mavs comes to an end with Denver free throws. — Beautiful ball movement results in a three by Timmy. 

34-24 8:51

Luka takes a rest. — Jokic returns to rescue his team from their scoring drought. — Doe-Doe returns, but is immediately called for his third. He stays in, but gets called for his fourth right away. Kidd takes him out. — Brunson turns the ball over against Campazzo’s aggressive defense. — Mavs need to stay calm here. — Luka comes back, has a chat with Ed Molloy after he’s called for his second. At least he’s smiling. — Powell has the crowd on its feet with an excellent steal from Jokic, then beating his defender to the basket. — Both teams having a hard time scoring here. 

42-31 1:44

Pretty lob from Luka to Josh Green. Denver thought he was sailing the rock to Maxi, lol. 

46-37 HT

A very low-scoring second quarter, with the Mavs winning it 22-17. Both teams shot horribly. 

This has to be one of the lowest combined scoring halves of the season, with the Nuggets’ 36-point total being especially embarrassing. Scoring for the Mavs has been very balanced, and Luka leads with 9. Denver has lost 15 points off 14 turnovers. Dallas’ free-throw defense is in fine form, with Denver going 7-14 from the line. Jokic and Gordon have 22 of the Nuggets’ 37 points. 

Dorian is the only Mav in foul trouble, but he has four. TBD whether he can return to the floor in the third quarter. 

THIRD QUARTER

Aaron Gordon goes off, clutching his elbow. — DFS starts the quarter, and is called for his fifth foul within the first three minutes. Wow. — Brunson’s body is taking a pounding here with all of his charges taken and attempted.  — The Luka-Powell PNR working like a charm with all the shooters spaced out and leaving them room to work. — Luka has a double-double now, with 11 points and 10 assists. Ditto for Jokic with 17 points and 11 boards. 

57-49 6:20

Nuggets looked like they were making a push, but the Mavs have come back and then some. — Do I speak too soon? Denver going through Jokic now. A 7-0 Nuggets run brings on a Dallas timeout. 

62-56 3:36

Luka resting now. ATO play call for Brunson works. — But Nuggets draw within three, just like that. — We’re back to another all-bench lineup, excepting Brunson. Kidd brings Luka back quickly. — Denver puts Chriss in the blender, leaving the broadcasters chuckling a little. That was Denver’s first basket without Jokic on the floor. — Denver calls a timeout, looks like Cancar is hurt. 

67-63 24 seconds

They’re carrying Cancar to the locker room. Looks like it could be something serious, hope not. — Reggie Bullock ends the quarter with a one-man fast break against Jokic. 

69-63 after three

Mavs lose the third 23-26. Maxi had 8 points for Dallas, Jokic 11 for Denver. DFS has five fouls headed into the fourth. Denver shot 48% and out-rebounded the Mavs 13-5.

FOURTH QUARTER

Luka with an amazing drive, overpowering a couple of defenders. — Chriss fouls Campazzo on a three-point attempt. Ugh. — Chriss argues his case, and Luka, of all people, encourages him to get back to the game. Kidd takes him out. — Luka, looking Dirk-like with some demoralizing midrange contested Js. — THJ with a drive and flush that has the bench on their feet hooting and hollering.  

75-68 9:52

Dorian checking in, with his five fouls. — Luka is resting, — Powell with a late-clock corner three! — We’re getting a stretch of ugly basketball from both sides. JB at a disadvantage without Luka on the court to draw off the defensive attention, having trouble penetrating/scoring inside. — Kidd sends Luka back in. — DFS hits from downtown!

84-74 4:23

Mavs defense forces a wild shot up in the air from Jokic. — It’s raining Dallas threes, woohoo! 

95-80 2:12

Luka signature step-back. Gorgeous! — Kidd empties the bench with a little over a minute remaining. 

103-89 FT


ANALYSIS 

The Mavs had a 78-67 advantage in shot attempts, and shot 45% overall. They were a very respectable 38% from three, with Reggie headlining the effort with a 4-8 performance from long distance. All starters were in double figures, along with Bullock off the bench. Mavs’ point differentials were -8 on points from twos, +24 on points from threes, and -2 on made free throws. 

The Mavs won the possession battle, despite being out-rebounded 28-47, largely on the basis of 28 points gained off an astounding 26 Denver turnovers. 

Why They Won, short version — great defense, and 14 made threes. 

Closing lineup — Luka-Brunson-Bullock-DFS-Powell. 


PLAYER NOTES

DONCIC (34 min). Luka had a brilliant match, and that needs no qualification for being fresh off having COVID. (At this point in time, I’m calling BS on the fat, slow, and lazy narrative.) He had another near triple-double, putting up 21 points and 8 rebounds, and was an absolute maestro conducting the game, with a season-high-tying 15 assists. Unlike the previous night, he ran the offense when he was on the  court.  He also was much more aggressive offensively, driving and dishing like a boss. Denver was double- and triple-teaming him for much of the night, and he responded with aplomb. Not least important, it was great to see a well-run, effective end-of-game offensive drill with our closer back. 

BRUNSON (34). Jalen had a little quieter evening tonight, with a 13-3-4 line on 4-14 shooting. It is just harder for him to serve as an engine, against long defenders and big guys packing the paint. But he had some chances, especially with Luka drawing off defenders, and I thought he and Doncic worked well together in the starting back court.   

KLEBER (31). Maxi didn’t have a flashy line, with 10 points and 8 boards, but make no mistake, he was the anchor of the Mavs’ impressive defense in this one, and was active, alert, and aggressive against the Nuggets’ talented bigs. 

BULLOCK (29). Reggie led the bench in minutes and points (15), including four made threes. He made it into the closing lineup, in place of Maxi, and did well there. 

POWELL (27). Dwight put in a good performance, filling in for KP.  He had 15 points on 5-6 shooting, and held his own surprisingly well against Jokic. A corner three and a clever steal and dunk will doubtlessly be on the game’s  highlight reel. The spacing was unusually good tonight, and we got to see what a powerful offensive weapon that Luka-Powell combo is when they have room to perform their magic. 

DFS (18). Doe-Doe’s time was limited due to foul trouble, but he came back in the fourth and was an important part of the finishing unit. 

GREEN (17) and CHRISS (16) didn’t have a huge impact, but they got decent minutes, and every appearance is an opportunity to learn. 

NUGGETS. Jokic was a dominant presence, with 27 points and 16 rebounds, but the Mavericks made him work. He is such an unusual player, it's always fun to watch him play. Aaron Gordon had 15 points and 7 boards, and was 7-9 from the field. Will Barton added 12 to the scoreline, and contributed 6 assists. This team has been hit by the injury bug, not just COVID, and they were far from full strength. However, they had enough firepower to keep the game interesting, and they promise to be a powerhouse when and if they get their players back. 


OBSERVATIONS

Kidd thinks his squad is playing “pretty good” defense. He believes that they are getting more comfortable with the defensive schemes, particularly respecting communications, deflections, and steals, and praised their performance in this match. He thought the offense was improved due to Luka causing problems, guys hitting their shots, and playing at a faster pace. He felt that this starting lineup played well, but he doesn’t anticipate sticking with it, once KP returns. Says they’re still trying out combinations, no final decisions yet. Addressing the hoped-for transition out of the COVID interval, he said that the emergency rosters lost some games, but they played hard, and he enjoyed coaching them. Nevertheless, he’s glad to get his regulars back, especially Luka. 


I hadn’t anticipated that this game would be a blowout, but was pleasantly surprised at the level of play of the Dallas guys. Not just because of the W, as Denver was pretty shorthanded, but also the way they played — faster, and with an emphasis on defense. Hopefully, this will not prove to be the case of the outlier game where the shooters were hitting. I was particularly struck by how much difference the spacing made, and I hope this doesn't disappear when KP returns. The performance was far from perfect, but gave some reason to hope that better days may be in the offing. 


NEXT. Wednesday evening will be a great night in Mavs-land. In addition to facing the Golden State Warriors at the AAC, the great Dirk Nowitzki’s jersey will be raised to the rafters. The ceremony will be held after the game, and I’m sure it will be a stirring event. 

[burekemde]

Luka had a brilliant match, and that needs no qualification for being fresh off having COVID. (At this point in time, I’m calling BS on the fat, slow, and lazy narrative.)

Denver was double- and triple-teaming him for much of the night, and he responded with aplomb.  [/font][/color][/size]

Totally agree ML. All this season long, Luka was and still is the most doubled player in the NBA. You certainly do not do that against a fat, lazy, slow unefficient player. It's funny that these terms basically started and/or escalated dramatically only after Luka's injury, and thus after he started limping, and at that time, with no coincidence I would say, the team started losing. The limping was wrongly perceived as a consequence of being fat and moving slow. Instead the real underlying reason was always the ankle injury.

Luka is limping due to his injury. Not because he is "fat". When not limping, as its clearly evident in yesterdays game, he is moving as normally from previous seasons. You don't go from being fit to suddenly being fat over some weeks, and then back again to normal also in terms of some additional weeks. What is a much more likely explanation what is changing is that that many peoples perceptions of Luka are changing so quickly, depending whether he is limping or not, and especially if the team wins or not. Perceptions of people can and do change much faster than a body does - few weeks is nothing uncommon as it is in this case. But when you take those equations out of the way, and look at Lukas play and what he does with the ball and take into account the team and scheming, he is at least as good as in previous seasons. He should have had 14 assists per game this season. I believe he will silence many critics as this season goes along and especially in the playoffs. This is all not to say he didn't gain slightly more weight, yes he is slighly bigger and stronger, but this was completely blown out of scale due to the limping/injury.

I'm really excited about the connection between Luka and JB. In same lineups, they have potential to dominate and this is just the tip of the iceberg we see. The space that Luka creates, JB can exploit with his skills of penetration. Not only can he knocdown an open shot (as THJ, Maxi, DFS etc.), the special thing about Brunson is that if he is provided with little space a Luka pass creates, JB can penetrate and exploit this in multitude of different ways in the paint that our other players cant do. This is why I would really love to see him as a number 3 player to touch the ball after Luka and then Sabonis. But with proper scheming KP could play that second player to touch the ball as well and pass it out to Brunson. Luka and JB fit well together in the same lineups.

[sterlingmallory]

I think the roster construction makes so much more sense without KP. Luka and Brunson probe the paint and run the offense, Maxi, Bullock, DFS, et al space the floor, and your two bigs Powell and Chriss provide the vertical threat. Then on defense they're all pretty switchable which allows a more aggressive, rotating and trapping style defense. Things flowed pretty well tonight on both ends.

Not that the team overall would be better simply by subtracting him or anything, but I think the team and Luka would be much better if we had a big wing that can create a bit of offense for himself and others instead. A Brandon Ingram/Tobias Harris/Miles Bridges/Jerami Grant type would really elevate this team IMO.

[aguiar95]

Did not like what I saw from Luka/JB yesterday in regards to the offense. Luka has his tendencies of selecting some horrendous shot (especially from 3) and we tried JB as a "bucket getter". Did not work, as JB/Luka and couldn't get past their man most the times and settled for his mid-rangers that weren't falling. Luka at least has the vision to set up somebody else. Another thing to notice from yesterday is that both couldn't take advantage of the switches on offense. That is vital and need to be addressed if we really want to compete. We're yet to beat a contender (0-8 if I'm correct), so these wins while good for the W-L record, aren't really good tests. Thankfully there are some games this month against top level competition: GSW (2x)/CHI

[Kammrath]

Did not like what I saw from Luka/JB yesterday in regards to the offense. Luka has his tendencies of selecting some horrendous shot (especially from 3) and we tried JB as a "bucket getter". Did not work, as JB/Luka and couldn't get past their man most the times and settled for his mid-rangers that weren't falling.

Yeah the Luka/JB chemistry...just like the Luka/KP chemistry is not really the best. They don't play off each other and make each other better naturally, easily, and freely.

JB has been working on that CP3 midrange game because you are 100% right that oftentimes he cannot get past his man one on one. And Luka continues to struggle getting around guys one on one this year as well. In years past, playing against a depleted, very average defensive team with the GOOD spacing he had yesterday, Luka would have made that game a layup line. Some of it is Luka getting doubled, but he is still clearly a step slow from years past. Luka is shooting 11% of his shots at the rim this year, whereas in his first three seasons he shot over 20% of his shots at the rim.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm really excited about the connection between Luka and JB. In same lineups, they have potential to dominate and this is just the tip of the iceberg we see. The space that Luka creates, JB can exploit with his skills of penetration. Not only can he knocdown an open shot (as THJ, Maxi, DFS etc.), the special thing about Brunson is that if he is provided with little space a Luka pass creates, JB can penetrate and exploit this in multitude of different ways in the paint that our other players cant do.  

Last night the team was +20 with both Luka and Brunson on the floor together.  Luka alone was a positive 5, but JB alone was a -10.  In 21 games prior to last night Luka and JB were a -2.4 net rating in their floor time together.  They were averaging about 16 minutes of overlap in those 21 games.  Last night's performance was good enough to get the full season net rating for the pair back to positive territory at 0.5.

To me, the turning point in the fourth was at the 8:00 minute mark.  Will Barton had just gone on a personal 4-0 run cutting the Mav lead to four points.  We were fumbling through a bad possession with the shot clock running down and Maxi grabbed a tipped ball at the top of the key.  Get this..."Maxi then drove and dished to Powell in the corner who hit a contested three over Jokic".  Go back in time one year and imagine writing that sentence.  Mr. .429% from 3 is shooting more of a set shot this season (I don't know why he tried to make his three a jumper in years past).  It seems to be working over multiple months now.

BTW, the Powell + Maxi minutes were +7 last night and the Powell as lone big minutes were +8.  Chriss alone was +2, Maxi alone was -3 and Maxi plus Chriss was -6.  No Moses minutes last night.

There is a fight for minutes at the wing position when everyone is healthy.  Josh Green started seeing an increase in his role with the 12/12 game in OKC and has averaged 20 minutes a game the last 8 games.  His +/- per game has been +6, +13, +9, +1, -14, +12, +14 and -1.  The team is 6-2 during that stretch with the losses being a 3 pointer against LA and a one pointer against Sacramento...both on last second shots. 

If Green keeps getting those minutes, someone is going to get shorted...especially if Brunson starts and we are finding big minutes for KP, Powell, Maxi and Chriss.  There just aren't enough minutes to satisfy THJ, DFS, Bullock and Green not to mention Frank and Sterling.  It would be nice if we could cash some of that in for our version of Jordan Clarkson (or Lou Williams in years past).  It is hard to find those guys in the current NBA.  In fact one of the reasons Utah and Phoenix are so tough is they have really good benches including ball handlers off the bench.  One unconventional place to get someone like that (now or in free agency) would be Thad Young.  He's such a good facilitator and a nice switchable forward who defends well.  It isn't easy to put together $9mm of outgoing salary and other contenders will be looking at him also.  If Josh and Frank make Bullock expendable, he or he plus Moses would be a fit.  I could see Thaddeus helping the bench unit that features Brunson and KP while Luka is sitting.  He'd also be a candidate for closing lineups.  Including Moses (or Willie) would open a slot for Chriss and our 4/5's would be pretty solid with KP/Powell at C, Maxi/Young at PF and Chriss as the fifth Big.

[Kammrath]

Last night the team was +20 with both Luka and Brunson on the floor together.  Luka alone was a positive 5, but JB alone was a -10.  In 21 games prior to last night Luka and JB were a -2.4 net rating in their floor time together.

 

Super interesting, thanks for these numbers. I didn't feel like JB and Luka played particularly well off of each other last night, but you can't argue with the team success while they were together. Hope it continues.

[DanSchwartzgan]

 

Super interesting, thanks for these numbers. I didn't feel like JB and Luka played particularly well off of each other last night, but you can't argue with the team success while they were together. Hope it continues.

I completely agree that it looked bad as neither of them could get to the basket.  11 for 32 (.34%) isn't a good look for your two main scorers.  It helped that Powell and DFS were both over 80% and Luka handed out a ton of wide open shots with his passing.  The bottom line on this game though was turnovers (Thank you Will Barton) and the fact this was three Denver starters and a bunch of JAG's (much like we looked for a period of time).

Something that didn't get much mention, we almost saw the play of the year at the end of the second.  That no-look lob pass to Josh Green and a more emphatic finish would have been breathtaking.  Josh was really up there and just kind of finger rolled it instead of slamming it.  The play is probably worth watching again anyway just to look at the D.  Luka gets around Gordon on a Powell pick and three guys are waiting for him in the lane.  Rivers is just camped there playing off of Green and Jokic is playing drop coverage on Powell.  Luka isn't moving well, but defenses packing the paint also plays a role.  The play of the game against OKC was Luka going one on four into the lane late in the game and hitting Maxi behind the back through traffic at the top of the key for a three.

[DallasMaverick]

Yeah the Luka/JB chemistry...just like the Luka/KP chemistry is not really the best. They don't play off each other and make each other better naturally, easily, and freely.

JB has been working on that CP3 midrange game because you are 100% right that oftentimes he cannot get past his man one on one. And Luka continues to struggle getting around guys one on one this year as well. In years past, playing against a depleted, very average defensive team with the GOOD spacing he had yesterday, Luka would have made that game a layup line. Some of it is Luka getting doubled, but he is still clearly a step slow from years past. Luka is shooting 11% of his shots at the rim this year, whereas in his first three seasons he shot over 20% of his shots at the rim.

I'd argue that last night, Brunson missed a bunch of pretty good looks that he normally makes. And the same for Luka.  Several drives and short shots that didn't have quite enough oomph to get over the rim.

If both are at par, the game's a blowout.

[Kammrath]

I'd argue that last night, Brunson missed a bunch of pretty good looks that he normally makes. And the same for Luka.  Several drives and short shots that didn't have quite enough oomph to get over the rim.

If both are at par, the game's a blowout.

No argument they both missed make-able shots. 

I just think in general Luka and JB don't have a great flow next to each offensively. When either of them get the ball they tend to want to back out and restart the offense in a way, which just makes all the motions before kind of irrelevant as the D gets reset. 

And one thing I know for 100% certain is that Luka is shooting way less shots at the rim (he still gets as many shots in the 3-10 ft range) and is struggling to get those easy 70+% looks. The 3-10 ft looks are good looks as he shoots them at 51%....but getting all the way to the rim makes the shot WAAAY better as the percent flies over 70%.

[hakeemfaan]

 

Super interesting, thanks for these numbers. I didn't feel like JB and Luka played particularly well off of each other last night, but you can't argue with the team success while they were together. Hope it continues.

I think it is because when Luka is there the overall ball movement seems to take a dip even though he is a terrific passer.  It is understandable with any great player who is ball dominant. One of the reasons is that the other players sometime tend to relax knowing they have a transcendent player who can save the day.   So the perception is that the overall fluidity in the offense stops. 


If we could package the ball movement and off the ball movement we had begun to see without Luka and incorporate that seamlessly with Luka in the lineup, this team can average 25 to 30 assists a game. That’s the next step for Kidd and the staff to focus on.  Before Luka was out for an extended time, I thought the rest of the cast was just junk.  I no longer feel that way. Sure we don’t have the overall talent level of a Pnx or Brooklyn but we can be like the Warriors who have a system around one great player but all the acquisitions and schemes revolve and perfectly fit around that player.

[Kammrath]

Before Luka was out for an extended time, I thought the rest of the cast was just junk.  I no longer feel that way. Sure we don’t have the overall talent level of a Pnx or Brooklyn but we can be like the Warriors who have a system around one great player but all the acquisitions and schemes revolve and perfectly fit around that player.

For most of last year I was beating the drum that the roster wasn't as bad as people were making it out to be....then this year started and I began to believe maybe they were right and I was wrong. Then the 10 game stretch without Luka came and I was back to believing the roster was somewhat decent (middle of the road in the NBA and not toward the bottom). 

I really have no idea what the deal is, but Luka's fit with his NBA rosters so far have been "meh" to me. What is weird is that he seemlessly fits with rosters in international player and elevates their play immensely. I just haven't seen that consistently in the NBA. The NBA is a VERY different game and the mentality is often different as well with the players, coaches, etc. I am just not sure.

One random theory from me this morning (which may not have any merit) is that maybe Luka struggles to mesh with MORE talent. Maybe he is best when he has subpar talent around him. That wouldn't explain him meshing with Dragic in international play, but otherwise it could ring true. Anyways, just spitballing because I am quite dumbfounded by it all.

[Jmaciscool]

One random theory from me this morning (which may not have any merit) is that maybe Luka struggles to mesh with MORE talent. Maybe he is best when he has subpar talent around him.

If this is true then Luka's on the right team to maximize his abilities!

(I kid, I kid...mostly.)

[Tyler]

Something that didn't get much mention, we almost saw the play of the year at the end of the second.  That no-look lob pass to Josh Green and a more emphatic finish would have been breathtaking.  Josh was really up there and just kind of finger rolled it instead of slamming it.  The play is probably worth watching again anyway just to look at the D.

That was my favorite play of the night. Awesome pass, and Green just floated up there.

https://youtu.be/3sOq--cQpY8?t=211

[ReunionMav]

Then maybe Jason Kidd is the perfect coach because he too had to learn how to fit with all different levels of talent. As a player JKidd was an all time great at precisely this. Luka is still plenty young enough to learn. This all fits with my budding theory that having to watch for 10 days may really help Luka and KP.

[mavsluvr]

iztok comments on the game --

https://twitter.com/iztok_franko/status/...70212?s=20

https://twitter.com/iztok_franko/status/...31013?s=20

[mavsluvr]

I really have no idea what the deal is, but Luka's fit with his NBA rosters so far have been "meh" to me. What is weird is that he seemlessly fits with rosters in international player and elevates their play immensely. I just haven't seen that consistently in the NBA. The NBA is a VERY different game and the mentality is often different as well with the players, coaches, etc. I am just not sure.

One random theory from me this morning (which may not have any merit) is that maybe Luka struggles to mesh with MORE talent. Maybe he is best when he has subpar talent around him. That wouldn't explain him meshing with Dragic in international play, but otherwise it could ring true. Anyways, just spitballing because I am quite dumbfounded by it all.

Luka hasn't learned how to play in the NBA, and he can't mesh with good players. 


Yeah, that's prolly a critical problem.

[Kammrath]

Luka hasn't learned how to play in the NBA, and he can't mesh with good players. 


Yeah, that's prolly a critical problem.

One of two things is happening here:

1) Your reading comprehension of anything I post is completely lacking.

2) You are trolling me.

If it is the first, please ask me questions or don't comment on my posts.

If it is the second, please stop it or leave the board. Trolling is not welcome here. Just because you pretend to be Followill does not make you exempt from the rules all the rest of us follow.

[Chicagojk]

iztok comments on the game --

https://twitter.com/iztok_franko/status/...70212?s=20

https://twitter.com/iztok_franko/status/...31013?s=20

The bending the defense is a great way of explaining it.   That is what only a few players in the world can do every time they step on the court.  Great to see that last night.

I also think admitting Brunson was sort of muted on offense last night is true.  He was defended well and missed some shots he usually makes.  But he had 2 steals and 3 charges.  That is huge.  With his defensive limitations, he needs to do stuff like that.   While it may not be a threatening as a top shot blocker in the lane, players need to be aware any time they drive that Brunson may be there for a charge.    That is so frustrating for those offensive players.

[Kammrath]

"Luka looked like a huge difference maker on offense again, even when shots didn't go in."

Yep! One of the first glimpses this entire season of the best of Luka.