GDT: game 14 - Warriors (3-12) at Mavs (8-5) 6:30 FSSW

[j0Shi]

Bullets:

• What a fun game for Mavs fans. It probably was the first game all season I was relaxed from start to finish. Not Grizzlies or Cleveland pulling away late, or losing two times against the Knicks. Just a straight beating of a bad team. Great!
• Luka man, he's doing stuff. +45 in a 48 point win in 26 minutes. The Mavs basically compiled their margin of victory with him on the floor.
• I really want to root for THC, but all I can think of is how games like these will just give him the leeway to shoot horribly in the next five. That said, he was excellent tonight and didn't pull his usual shenanigans. Just one thing: Let's not talk about him replacing Curry in the starting unit.
• Brunson quietly has put together a nice string of games lately. After a bad start he might be at the verge of pulling it around, which would be huge for the Mavs.
• Glad for our bench warmers that they could play a little in the 4th. Lee 4-5, Broek 3-5. BOBAN with 20 minutes, Jackson with 29. Blowouts keep everyone happy.
• The assist rate was again excellent tonight. Make that three games in a row with an elite AST% of ~65%. Guys learn to play with each other. Especially liked THJ with 4. We're also seeing more play incorporated into the offense for Luka and KP. The league's best offense is not even at its peak yet.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Yeah the lack of JJB minutes is puzzling, and I'm not only talking about this game. He looked good when he played tbh

I still think they are holding him back for later in the season after trades and for the POs.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Ugh, I unfortunately missed this game, and didn't DVR it. Watching the highlights on youtube right now. When we drafted Luka, I knew we got lucky, and figured we probably had the best player in the draft. I knew he had the potential to be special at some point down the road, but this???? He is so far beyond anything I ever would have imagined in my wildest dreams.

Honest question- what would it take for him to win MVP this year? Individually his performance is already there, no question. But how many games does the team have to win? How high do we have to seed? Players usually only win MVP when their team is at or near the top of the conference. Like, if Luka continues this pace and finishes the season with a near 30 pt triple double average, but the Mavs only place 6th in the west, I don't think that's enough. But then again, they gave it to Westbrook when OKC was 6th and only won 47 games, so who knows?

Simmons and Stein discussed this almost ad nauseam on his recent podcast. They both agreed 50+ wins would probably seal it.

I dunno though, with Giannis averaging 30/14/6 and Harden nearly 40 ppg. It won't be easy.

I will say that he will almost certainly be third in line though.

Mitchell is also having a great season for Utah, so I wouldn't count him out.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Simmons and Stein discussed this almost ad nauseam on his recent podcast. They both agreed 50+ wins would probably seal it.

I dunno though, with Giannis averaging 30/14/6 and Harden nearly 40 ppg. It won't be easy.

If the Lakers end first in the West it's probably LeBron, unless Davis completely over shadows him, which hasn't come close to happening so far.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

If the Lakers end first in the West it's probably LeBron, unless Davis completely over shadows him, which hasn't come close to happening so far.

I dunno, even if the Lakers finish first, I still feel like it's Giannis as long as the Bucks finish in the top 2 or 3. He's already the reigning MVP, and his numbers this year are significantly better, which is friggin insane to think about. For my money, he's the best player in the game right now, and if the votes were counted today, he'd probably win it somewhat easily, with Harden 2nd. Lebron and Luka would probably be duking it out for 3rd.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

Bullets:

• What a fun game for Mavs fans. It probably was the first game all season I was relaxed from start to finish. Not Grizzlies or Cleveland pulling away late, or losing two times against the Knicks. Just a straight beating of a bad team. Great!
• Luka man, he's doing stuff. +45 in a 48 point win in 26 minutes. The Mavs basically compiled their margin of victory with him on the floor.
• I really want to root for THC, but all I can think of is how games like these will just give him the leeway to shoot horribly in the next five. That said, he was excellent tonight and didn't pull his usual shenanigans. Just one thing: Let's not talk about him replacing Curry in the starting unit.
• Brunson quietly has put together a nice string of games lately. After a bad start he might be at the verge of pulling it around, which would be huge for the Mavs.
• Glad for our bench warmers that they could play a little in the 4th. Lee 4-5, Broek 3-5. BOBAN with 20 minutes, Jackson with 29. Blowouts keep everyone happy.
• The assist rate was again excellent tonight. Make that three games in a row with an elite AST% of ~65%. Guys learn to play with each other. Especially liked THJ with 4. We're also seeing more play incorporated into the offense for Luka and KP. The league's best offense is not even at its peak yet.

I root for THC too. Its legal in my state

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

I root for THC too. Its legal in my state

+1. Good eye, it didn't even register when I read it.