07-22-2020, 05:58 AM
Let's have a little overview about the status of us and our 8 opponents in the seeding games.
Mavs: Despite missing MKG for most of the time and Burke not in the bubble yet, Mavs core is active and in a good status so far. Let's hope it stays that way. I wonder what the approach players will show. Summer league type "we came to have some fun because we are such great buddies and not real contenders anyway" or will we see real hunger in their eyes, which will result in max effort on both sides of the court. I would really like to avoid Clippers in round 1. Everyone else we can be on par with, imho.
Houston: Both stars arrived late and team practice before first match will be very limited. I wonder how lack of practice will affect them. Will they go full energy with all guns firing in the first match and then slowly fade through the duration of the season or choose a more careful approach saving strength and avoiding injuries for play-offs even if it means dropping in regular season standings.
Phoenix lost Oubre due to injury, but doesn't seem to have any other problems. Due to problems of some other teams they might see their chance and come very motivated to prove themselves. First two games will be crucial for Mavs, especially since level of effort of some teams might decrease once situation becomes clear for them. Win both and we can realistically expect them to climb the standings. Lose both and 7th place is reserved for us.
Sacramento is decimated by Corona infections and injuries. I wonder how much sense it makes for them risking further injuries. Roster will be depleted with some players missing (Bagley for sure, Fox?) and they will have very little team practice.
Important role players are missing for the Clippers. Shamet has virus, Harrell and Beverly left the bubble for family emergency while Zubac hasn't arrived yet. They might be quite safe in the second place, so I wonder what the effort level will be.
Milwaukee is also missing important role players in Bledsoe and Connaughton. They are safe in the first place, so I can imagine their focus will be on play-offs.
Utah is missing a key player in Bogdanovic and has that Gobert-Mitchell shadow above them. If they start well, everything will be forgotten. If not, who knows. Conley might be the key - if he doesn't step up, they will have a problem to cover for Bogdanovic production on offense.
Portland appear to be fully healthy. Of course it has been over a year for Nurkic since he last played basketball, but still this team might be a bit different than the one we faced before Covid. Being prime candidates for that 8th spot play-in, match with them might be very intensive, at least on their side.
Mavs: Despite missing MKG for most of the time and Burke not in the bubble yet, Mavs core is active and in a good status so far. Let's hope it stays that way. I wonder what the approach players will show. Summer league type "we came to have some fun because we are such great buddies and not real contenders anyway" or will we see real hunger in their eyes, which will result in max effort on both sides of the court. I would really like to avoid Clippers in round 1. Everyone else we can be on par with, imho.
Houston: Both stars arrived late and team practice before first match will be very limited. I wonder how lack of practice will affect them. Will they go full energy with all guns firing in the first match and then slowly fade through the duration of the season or choose a more careful approach saving strength and avoiding injuries for play-offs even if it means dropping in regular season standings.
Phoenix lost Oubre due to injury, but doesn't seem to have any other problems. Due to problems of some other teams they might see their chance and come very motivated to prove themselves. First two games will be crucial for Mavs, especially since level of effort of some teams might decrease once situation becomes clear for them. Win both and we can realistically expect them to climb the standings. Lose both and 7th place is reserved for us.
Sacramento is decimated by Corona infections and injuries. I wonder how much sense it makes for them risking further injuries. Roster will be depleted with some players missing (Bagley for sure, Fox?) and they will have very little team practice.
Important role players are missing for the Clippers. Shamet has virus, Harrell and Beverly left the bubble for family emergency while Zubac hasn't arrived yet. They might be quite safe in the second place, so I wonder what the effort level will be.
Milwaukee is also missing important role players in Bledsoe and Connaughton. They are safe in the first place, so I can imagine their focus will be on play-offs.
Utah is missing a key player in Bogdanovic and has that Gobert-Mitchell shadow above them. If they start well, everything will be forgotten. If not, who knows. Conley might be the key - if he doesn't step up, they will have a problem to cover for Bogdanovic production on offense.
Portland appear to be fully healthy. Of course it has been over a year for Nurkic since he last played basketball, but still this team might be a bit different than the one we faced before Covid. Being prime candidates for that 8th spot play-in, match with them might be very intensive, at least on their side.