GAME 48 DIRKIE: PJ!!

[SleepingHero]

[DallasMaverick]

Couldn’t decide between PJ and Gaff. Gave it to PJ.

Both were outstanding.

[ballsrchr]

All of the Mavs team were timely contributors. 3 of the starting lineup deserve some Dirkie Love--P.J., Gafford, and Kyrie...in that order. P.J had a double/double and was flirting with a triple/double. My Dirkie goes to P.J. Washington.

[SleepingHero]

If I can find a clip of Kidd talking about PJ, you can really hear how much Kidd loves that dude man. The way he talked about his game tonight shows how high regard Kidd holds PJ.

[SleepingHero]

Also voted PJ if you couldn't tell. He took over the game on both ends. Scored 14 points, assisted on 11 more points between Klay, Grimes, and Gafford. That is superstar level stuff. Luka-esque.

That has to be Dirkie worthy.

Klay, Gafford, Grimes, and Kyrie were all also fantastic tonight.

[ThisIStheYear]

Kyrie had a quiet 25, 9, and 6 didn’t he.

[SleepingHero]

@UsherNBA
Daniel Gafford in the win at New Orleans:

22 PTS
12 REB
3 AST
4 BLK

He becomes the first player in the steals & blocks era (1973-74–) to reach or exceed those numbers without missing a FG (9/9) or FT (4/4)

[Smitty]

@UsherNBA
Daniel Gafford in the win at New Orleans:

22 PTS
12 REB
3 AST
4 BLK

He becomes the first player in the steals & blocks era (1973-74–) to reach or exceed those numbers without missing a FG (9/9) or FT (4/4)

In the 8 games, since Lively went down, Gafford has averaged:

18.9 PTS
10.6 RBS
2.4 AST
3.4 BLK
0.5 STL
73% FG%
82% FT%
+50

ELITE!

[Chicagojk]

Tough one. I am split on PJ and Gafford. Gafford got off to a slower start in the first. PJ had some turnover issues early. Both had huge impact on winning last night.

[KillerLeft]

Easy win for PJ, imo. He was literally the best player on the court throughout most of the 4th quarter. He had trouble dealing with the load that is Zion at several points of this game, but he and the Mavs finally figured out that the mismatch applied to both sides of the court and did their own share of exploitation. The ball-moving and assist passes are what put PJW's game over the top for me. They were running the offense through him more than a fair amount and he scored on 14 and assisted on probably around that same amount of points in the 4th, which, to me, is why the Mavs were able to win.

Several other Mavs had good games. Gafford, Grimes, Edwards, O-Max, Kyrie...PJW was the clear choice for me, however.

[KillerLeft]

However, if we awarded something like the Dirkie, but for the single best play of the game, I'd have to give that to the possession in which Kyrie slipped and almost fell with a live dribble, and instead of turning the ball over was able to turn it into an almost intentional looking between the legs crossover and then step back to score from the midrange. It's amazing how good that guy is.

[Mavs2021]

In the 8 games, since Lively went down, Gafford has averaged:

18.9 PTS
10.6 RBS
2.4 AST
3.4 BLK
0.5 STL
73% FG%
82% FT%
+50

ELITE!

It was the same right after the trade. He was horrible off the bench and when he started a switch flipped. I don´t think he is sulking, cause he was/is fine with Lively closing virtually all games. It just seems for whatever reason, maybe Dinwiddie , he can´t get into a groove off the bench. Some players are just wired that way. Maybe once Lively is healthy they need to go back to the old system with Gafford starting and Lively closing.

[KillerLeft]

It was the same right after the trade. He was horrible off the bench and when he started a switch flipped. I don´t think he is sulking, cause he was/is fine with Lively closing virtually all games. It just seems for whatever reason, maybe Dinwiddie , he can´t get into a groove off the bench. Some players are just wired that way. Maybe once Lively is healthy they need to go back to the old system with Gafford starting and Lively closing.

I could be wrong about this, but this stretch of recent good play from Gafford hasn't seemed like the result of starting to me. I think he was trending that way even before Lively went down. To my eyes, he's literally moving better than he did for the first few months of the season. I'd lean more towards some nagging injuries clearing up a little (and at a time when the Mavs really needed him to play well).

[Chicagojk]

It was the same right after the trade. He was horrible off the bench and when he started a switch flipped. I don´t think he is sulking, cause he was/is fine with Lively closing virtually all games. It just seems for whatever reason, maybe Dinwiddie , he can´t get into a groove off the bench. Some players are just wired that way. Maybe once Lively is healthy they need to go back to the old system with Gafford starting and Lively closing.

He looks like he is moving better now.  More athletic. 

I think he probably continues starting for the rest of the year.  I am not sure it matter much.  Both center play balls to the wall for 4-5 minutes then the other comes in.  A healthy lively probably closes the last 5 minutes in most games.

In time, if healthy, Lively will deserve a bigger role .  Now Mavs identity is They are bigger and more athletic than you and our centers are going all out for short bursts and can produce as a tandem to an elite player.  That is the goal at least.

[JamesConway912]

In the 8 games, since Lively went down, Gafford has averaged:

18.9 PTS
10.6 RBS
2.4 AST
3.4 BLK
0.5 STL
73% FG%
82% FT%
+50

ELITE!

I skipped the last 5+ games or so but those are some very impressive numbers from Gafford. Really strong reaction after his number was called up & when the team needed him the most in a stretch full of adversity.

He’s not a perfect player but it’s still a luxury to have him on the roster. He’s in his mid 20s, super athletic, plays with a high motor, even signed to a fair contract, etc. Behind healthy Lively he’s probably the second best Center this organization has had since the championship.

I still have fundamental questions about his longterm fit here on the payroll given his contract situation & a trade over the summer wouldn’t surprise me, but for the foreseeable future he’s one of the most important players on the roster. Absolute blessing to have him on the squad.

[KillerLeft]

plays with a high motor

This, to me, is why he's looked better as of late. I don't think it has anything to do with Lively being out (unless that changed something for Gafford between the ears) or with starting. I think he was probably a little bit injured to start the year or something...or, just not playing hard enough. Whatever the case, he has looked much more lately like the player the Mavs got after the trade deadline last year.