Time to acknowledge reality

[Mavsfan12]

The Mavs are title contenders, this year.  It’s unbelievable, but true.    I wouldn’t say they’re the favorites, but they have a legit shot.

I have to agree with you. And with Luka, if he stays healthy, I see them being steady contenders for the next 13-14 years to be quite honest. He is just that good.
What I'm really looking for at this point is KP to become the Unicorn. I'm thinking it will be around the ASB. They have a good chance to be very hot going into the playoffs.

I saw this from Luka when I had him top rated on draft day. But, I never imagined it would be this early. I thought we would see this Luka in year 3-4.

KP is going to torch the Pels.  Calling his Dirkie in advance.  Dude got his Mojo back last game. Seeing good things for him - which means he won't go 2-some large number from the field like last time and languish in foul trouble.  You heard it here first.

[Jommybone]

This team as constructed has so much room to improve. And some more of that improvement may come yet this year.

First came Luka growing into manhood overnight. Next we saw THJ evolve from shot hunter to 3&D specialist in the blink of an eye. Mavs teammates all seem to believe it could happen to them, and Dwight and Jalen are merely the most recent examples of that faith coming to fruition, with Seth and Maxi and Delon and JJ and Justin all taking turns going off on unsuspecting opponents.

What comes next? Who knows! But I’m gonna predict this: (1) Dwight returns to the ultra-efficient offender he was for most of last season, with an improved (albeit streaky) 3 point shot, and (2) KP figures out a few post moves that he can make work against the physical defense that teams are currently throwing at him.

These things happen and the Mavs will continue keeping pace with the contenders.

[BolsDamols]

Im on board when jesusshuttlesworth or realdeal say so 

[ClutchDirk]

https://media.giphy.com/media/EQBsWLfdxH.../giphy.gif

[SportPsychMav]

The reality is that we are a contender this year.

[ClutchDirk]

Only 3 teams in the entire NBA with a better record than the Mavs...

Just saying...

[fifteenth]

Only 3 teams in the entire NBA with a better record than the Mavs...

Just saying...

Amazing

[ItsGoTime]

Man, it sure looks like we can only get better. Keep wondering when we’re gonna relax just a bit. No reason to if we keep blowing the lesser teams out so we’re rested for the playoff teams!

[SportPsychMav]

Only 3 teams in the entire NBA with a better record than the Mavs...

Just saying...

Amazing

2nd best netrating.

[TXBamanut]

Only 3 teams in the entire NBA with a better record than the Mavs...

Just saying...

Exactly...and Luka just tied another record that Michael Jordan held.

Anyone can get beat....anyone can have a bad streak.  I listened to the StepBack podcast the other day (good podcast), and they had an interview with the Matrix and he mentioned a quote that Cuban had told him that was pretty good.

"Good teams get into the playoffs.  Hot teams win championships."

Anyone can get hot at the end of the year...and I'm going to tell you something about the Clippers and Luka.

I've been thinking for the past few weeks that Luka reminds me of Amazo, the robot in DC Comics that was created by Dr. Ivo.  (Stay with me, you'll see this)  Amazo is able to mimic the powers of any superhero (metahuman) that he comes in contact with.  Usually they have a little success initially, and then he assimilates and adapts.  For that reason he's nearly indestructible.  Eventually, in one of the comic timelines, he evolves and then leaves the Earth because everyone is beneath him.

I've been watching Luka recently.  When he's exposed to something, even once, he adapts to it quickly and usually takes something from it.  The other day, against Houston, Harden hooked Luka's arm and got a foul call....the next game, I saw Luka do the same thing.  In the Lakers game, they played pretty good defense on him, but by the 3rd, Luka had assimilated and adapted their strategy and just levelled them.   I've seen this game after game this season.  Usually with new talents, it's the other way around...the vets figure out the new guy and adapts to him, but not with Luka.

The Clippers have had their first shot at Luka, but I'll bet the next time they play, they won't be as effective at him.  I'll be watching very intently for the next game with them, and cautiously optimistic.

Do I think they can beat the Clipps in a 7 game series?  IDK, man, the Clipps might sweep them, now....but I want to wait until the Playoffs get here, because...
a)  Kawhi and George are BOTH not healthy, and dare I say, fragile. 
b)   Both the Clipps and the Mavs are morphing at a fast pace and we don't know what they'll be at the end of this season. This isn't like the GS Warriors, who you basically knew what you were getting at the first of the season...BOTH of these teams are works in progress, and very interesting ones at that. 
c)  Beyond the players that are there....the Clipps are DONE.  I don't see them adding anyone in trade.  The Mavs, I coudl see adding an impact player or a significant minor move (would love to see the wheels keep coming off the TWolves and Covington become available), and that could change the whole world right there

[omahen]

Beyond the players that are there....the Clipps are DONE.

Couldn't disagree more. Clips have a number of young players they don't need and can be used in a trade (Robinson, Shamet, Kabengele, Mann). They have much better contracts than Mavs - Williams is playing for far less money than THJ, Montrezl is playing for less than Maxi, Zubac for less than Powell,... Harkless is 12 mil expiring who can actually play (Mavs have Lee who can't). 

The only problem they have is that they would have a hard time gathering contracts in the sum of 25 mil for a top level guy. Other than that, they can make an excellent package for any mid level guy with a contract up to 20 mil.

[TXBamanut]

Beyond the players that are there....the Clipps are DONE.

Couldn't disagree more. Clips have a number of young players they don't need and can be used in a trade (Robinson, Shamet, Kabengele, Mann). They have much better contracts than Mavs - Williams is playing for far less money than THJ, Montrezl is playing for less than Maxi, Zubac for less than Powell,... Harkless is 12 mil expiring who can actually play (Mavs have Lee who can't). 

The only problem they have is that they would have a hard time gathering contracts in the sum of 25 mil for a top level guy. Other than that, they can make an excellent package for any mid level guy with a contract up to 20 mil.

That's fair, but let's be honest...who do you want to knock out of that rotation?

Top 8 in the Clipps rotation (in order of minutes played)
Kawhi Leonard
Lou Williams
Patrick Beverly
Paul George
Montrezl Harrell
Landry Shamet
JaMychal Green
Maurice Harkless
Ivan Zubac

Who are you knocking out of that rotation?  Why would you?  Honestly, if you think they aren't done pretty much, barring a major injury, I don't know what you want in a team.

We can get rid of Zubac, but who's minutes are you taking away.  I sincerely doubt you want to spend big money to run 16 minutes a game.

You have 3 of the top clutch scorers in the game in Lou, PG and KL...They are PRETTY MUCH done, barring an injury.

[ThisIStheYear]

Yep. The Mavs are definitely contenders, so long as Luka has no lingering issues. In fact, they’re not really even fringe contenders, they look to be in the top tier. I’d take the field in a bet of course, but in this season’s wide open race, the Mavs have as good a chance as anyone.

[ClutchDirk]

2 weeks ago it was wait until the 4 game stretch we just went through to see...

That was if we are eligible playoff contender. We are - confirmed. Those five are if we can dream about bigger stuff.

Can we dream yet?...

[omahen]

2 weeks ago it was wait until the 4 game stretch we just went through to see...

That was if we are eligible playoff contender. We are - confirmed. Those five are if we can dream about bigger stuff.

Can we dream yet?...

We can  It will be interesting to see how this team will respond in the playoffs.

[ClutchDirk]

https://twitter.com/SkinWade/status/1141521617132150785

https://media.giphy.com/media/qC5VWY0keuqha/giphy.gif

[Scott41theMavs]

I know this is the official sunshine-pump thread, but I still don't buy that these Mavs can beat the Bucks, Clipps, or Celtics (three great wings in Tatum, Brown, and Heyward, much like the Clipps, plus the greatness of Kemba) in a seven-game series. I think they would also have a great deal of trouble against the Lakers when you throw in Hollywood's referee allies. 

If they had a playoff path that avoided those four teams, then yeah. 

They're at the official "pretender" level in year one of Luka/KP. That's amazing enough as it is.

[fifteenth]

Yeah, learning how to win in the playoffs usually requires at least one year taking a beating. Dirk, Fin and Nash we're able to win a series in their first playoff run. I think this team has that in them. Winning a second round series would be amazing and definitely ahead of schedule.

[StepBackJay]

I know this is the official sunshine-pump thread, but I still don't buy that these Mavs can beat the Bucks, Clipps, or Celtics (three great wings in Tatum, Brown, and Heyward, much like the Clipps, plus the greatness of Kemba) in a seven-game series. I think they would also have a great deal of trouble against the Lakers when you throw in Hollywood's referee allies. 

If they had a playoff path that avoided those four teams, then yeah. 

They're at the official "pretender" level in year one of Luka/KP. That's amazing enough as it is.

Lol you realize two of those teams you listed are in the Eastern conference right? I will worry about beating an Eastern team in a seven game series if/when we are faced with that problem (which I would love to find out). In the meantime the Clippers are also a great team and thought of as the favorite to come out of the West. The Mavs right now probably cannot beat them so a) Mavs should try to avoid then in the playoffs as long as possible and b) Mavs really need another defensive wing or big or both.

[DrMav]

I’m gonna bump this thread cause I think we’ve seen a lot of new data that is worth discussing.

At this point, the Mavs are looking anything but legit title contenders. I’d say we’d be lucky to make it out of a 1st round matchup even with home court advantage with the way we’ve shown an aptitude for blowing leads and poor clutch performances.

To be fair, we are banged up at the moment, but I don’t think that’s enough to explain the meltdowns we’ve seen.