Quote:
Originally Posted by Dallas41
What I took away from game 1 is the Mavs unlike Memphis don't have as many guys on the floor to who can keep Curry, Wiggins, Poole and Klay from driving. The Grizzlies were able to force more bad shots because they could stay in front of people and they were quick enough to change directions on defense for those backcourt cut's.
The Mavs have just DFS and Bullock which is really good when your focus is just on 1-2 guys who could create their own offense but the Warriors have more than 1-2 guys so this series will be more difficult.
I will also repeat that I don't think it's a good coaching decision to use Luka on Wiggins. They were able to get away with Luka on Bridges but Wiggins offensive skill set is totally different.
Dude can operate from all 3 levels of the floor and put the ball on floor and attack.
Also, it's just one game but I was afraid the Mavs would be enticed into shooting even more 3's and get away from the Luka post up game and that is what happened in game 1.
I always get confused as to why the Mavs don't use him more inside because he's just as dominate as any true big although he's only 6'7. He gives you the same type of production as a Embiid or Ayton when you get him posting up a smaller player.
It's not a bad thing to work from inside out especially until a team proves they can stop him from posting up.
They came out and launched damn near 20 3's in the 1st Qtr without even trying to sniff the paint while the Warriors were spending time blowing by our guys when the 3's didn't fall.
I also have a lot to say to about Looney and how he just did all the simple things a big should do compared to our big's but it's not even worth the time getting frustrated over Powell or Bertans.
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When Bullock and DFS play that poorly on defense, it's just really hard for everyone else to scramble and recover. They're our best defenders and they looked lost and a step slow, Dorian especially. His highlight was a single putback.
Luka has to be better defensively too. I'd put him on Draymond but all that's doing is taking 3 seconds off the clock while they screen for the switch...then bam, Luka is back on Wiggins or Steph. He can't chase Klay or Steph around. He is going to have to just play better man defense and there's no way around it.
I'm still 100% on board with Luka posting. Not posting from an iso out top at the 3pt line. I mean dump it in to him off some motion and spread. They can swarm all they want, the ball moves faster and you at least get them running all over to recover. Eventually it will break them down and tire them out. On top of that, if we are knocking down perimeter shots from swinging the ball inside out, it crushes the confidence in helping on Luka. They will be forced to hedge a bit instead of committing to double so they can stay in contact for a closeout.
GS did in fact hit some lucky shots and especially lucky mid range shots to get some momentum and push the lead beyond double digits. Otto with a running fade away off the glass accidentally. Wiggins, Poole and Klay hit contested shots while being covered fairly well so that helped counter all their missed free throws.
It's hard to win on the road at this level and nothing changes in regard to how we just absolutely HAVE to have the "others" step up.