Game 56: Phoenix Suns (33-22) vs. Dallas Mavericks (32-23)

[dirkfansince1998]

Physicality elevating….Mavs showing signs of a little softness. I hope they can match the Suns’ higher gear. It’s like a playoff game.

It's hard to match their physicality without fouling. Rarely complain about the refs but it feels like the Suns get away with a lot of contact on defense and get a soft whistle on offense.

[Mavs2021]

Lively lazy close out on that last 3 by Okogie. He really needs to work on that.

Wasn´t Okogie. Was Little. Error was even leaving Little. Don´t show/double on a damn Okogie dribble. He can take any shot he wants.

[speedkilz88]

Kleber gets hit and on the shot and no foul.

[KillerLeft]

Lively lazy close out on that last 3 by Okogie. He really needs to work on that.

I don’t know if it’s the right strategy, but they seem to be allowing Okogie to shoot intentionally.

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PJ Washington seems to be getting more comfortable on offense and he is much better at attacking closeouts than Grant Williams was. Better than DFS was too, for that matter.

[dirkfansince1998]

Kleber or PJ help off Okogie/Little. Double KD. Good adjustment.

[KillerLeft]

I also like that Luka/PJ double team on KD. A little bigger than what he’s used to, I bet.

[surfpuckmd]

Booker throws his shoulder into Green's chest and gets rewarded with FTs.

He did it twice.  Blatant offensive foul x 2.  Not just a terrible call but pathetic that Kidd didn't challenge it.

[KillerLeft]

Green has become a LETHAL corner shooter.

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Another great stretch of play with Kleber at the 5 and Washington at the 4

[KillerLeft]

PJ owned Booker, and then Green gives a cheap foul.

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Green, WTF???

[surfpuckmd]

Welp, hate to say it, but Daniel Gafford seems to be a baaad defender.

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Good offensive rebounder though.

I feel like we're watching a different game.  I thought Gafford looked really good except for one clumsy foul.  He got called for a second one for hurting Devin Booker's feelings.  I thought that was an amazing block.

[KillerLeft]

I feel like we're watching a different game.  I thought Gafford looked really good except for one clumsy foul.  He got called for a second one for hurting Devin Booker's feelings.  I thought that was an amazing block.

Blocks are cool, but most of the time the attempt becomes a foul, not a cool block. I just don’t like centers who leave their feet often. It’s almost always a bad play.

I have enjoyed this last several minute stretch with Kleber anchoring the defense much more than I did the stretches of Gafford tonight.

[surfpuckmd]

How can you not call a foul when he takes Luka down while he's dribbling?

It looked like a legal tackle to me.

[youzigizag]

Watching Josh Green is entertaining. Dude is just hustling out there to make plays on loose balls.

Glad Im able to watch him.

[surfpuckmd]

Blocks are cool, but most of the time the attempt becomes a foul, not a cool block. I just don’t like centers who leave their feet often. It’s almost always a bad play.

I have enjoyed this last several minute stretch with Kleber anchoring the defense much more than I did the stretches of Gafford tonight.

They're the exact opposite player.  Gafford doesn't contest as well from the perimeter but is more likely to secure the defensive board.  Maxi can stretch the floor some but Gafford is vastly superior on the offensive boards and finishing near the rim.  It's nice to have them both.  I think Maxi at the 4 will be helpful against the bigger contenders like Minnesota and Denver.  

I think Gafford and the resurgent Maxi both have a role here.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

The refs aren’t go to call Royce O’Neale blatantly shoving PJ in the back and into Durant?

[youzigizag]

Gaffords rebounding is so refreshing

[dirkfansince1998]

Blocks are cool, but most of the time the attempt becomes a foul, not a cool block. I just don’t like centers who leave their feet often. It’s almost always a bad play.

I have enjoyed this last several minute stretch with Kleber anchoring the defense much more than I did the stretches of Gafford tonight.

Off topic. But blocks are by far the least valuable boxscore stat. Can even be argued that in many cases the trade off (more fouls, less rebounding) isn't worth it. A few analysis. Quick summary. The block isn't the important play. What happens after the block matters.

https://squared2020.com/2017/12/20/making-blocks-count/

https://medium.com/swlh/the-value-of-an-...f97cf3fe73

[KillerLeft]

They're the exact opposite player.  Gafford doesn't contest as well from the perimeter but is more likely to secure the defensive board.  Maxi can stretch the floor some but Gafford is vastly superior on the offensive boards and finishing near the rim.  It's nice to have them both.  I think Maxi at the 4 will be helpful against the bigger contenders like Minnesota and Denver.  

I think Gafford and the resurgent Maxi both have a role here.

I agree with all of that, but none of that is what I’m talking about. I think Kleber is FAR superior at PLAYING DEFENSE. I don’t mean just on the perimeter, I mean, positioning his body in order to make it difficult on the offense IN GENERAL.

I care way more about that than rebounding, and I always have.

[speedkilz88]

The refs aren’t go to call Royce O’Neale blatantly shoving PJ in the back and into Durant?

Much like the whole game they are pretending they didn't see it.

[KillerLeft]

Thank goodness Kidd agrees with me, and Gafford only got a short stint here down the stretch to give Kleber a blow.

I really think we are going to see Kleber and Washington close games out in the front court a lot.