05-31-2024, 06:22 PM
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#1
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Guru
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 11,793
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THE 2024 NBA FINALS: Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics
TLDR; Mavs are the greatest and the schedule is at the bottom of the post
I mean what else is there to say? We're looking at the one of the biggest single season turnarounds in NBA history. We've collectively said get Luka some defensive size around him and a rim runner and he will go to work. Well, we got that and more. An unforgettable special run. But its not over yet, time to finish the job!
I'm going to link thespiralgoeson post because its absolutely worth a read, and we have a week until game 1 so what else are you doing anyway:
https://www.dallas-mavs.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40764
As of now, we have thespiralgoeson and MFFL attending a finals game so send them good vibes and help get the team a win!
Couple of stats that I liked:
Dereck Lively first guy to finish a series shooting 100% fg (16/16)
Luka first player to lead the entire playoffs (up to the finals) in points, rebounds, and assists
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are the first starting backcourt to each have at least 30 points in the same game 4 times in a postseason in the last 50 years
Second 5 seed to ever make the finals (Bubble Heat in 2020)
Only the Lakers and Rockets have ever beat three 50 win teams in a postseason. Mavs have beat 3 of the top 4 seeds to reach the finals.
NBA FINALS SCHEDULE
Game 1: Thurs June 6 @ 7:30ct
Game 2: Sunday June 9 @ 7:00ct
Game 3: Wed June 12 @ 7:30ct
Game 4: Friday June 14 @ 7:30ct
Game 5: Monday June 17 @ 7:30ct
Game 6: Thurs June 20 @ 7:30ct
Game 7: Sunday June 23 @ 7:00ct
GO MAVS!!
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Last edited by Melonhead; 05-31-2024 at 06:34 PM.
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05-31-2024, 06:31 PM
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#2
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Guru
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 10,486
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The Mavs are huge underdogs in this series, make no mistake. All the numbers, all the odds, and basically everything logical tells me the Celtics are the better team and should win this series.
But you know what? We have Luka Doncic, they dont. Fuck' em. Mavs in 7.
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05-31-2024, 07:18 PM
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#3
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Guru
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,236
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Yeah but the old rule is to bet on the hottest team at the end of the season. We were that team.
We defend. We score. We rebound. We have length.
We don't have a great bench which is why I hope Hardy plays a slightly bigger role.
__________________
"Cream of the crop gon' rise to the top." -Jaden Hardy
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05-31-2024, 10:17 PM
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#4
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Guru
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,236
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Good grief, Luka still bleeding from his knee after game 5. That boy needs some rest.
And did you see Finley grab the beer away from Luka? Like, is that really a thing where he isn't allowed to drink beer? lol.
__________________
"Cream of the crop gon' rise to the top." -Jaden Hardy
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05-31-2024, 10:48 PM
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#5
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Inactive.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 42,997
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05-31-2024, 11:09 PM
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#6
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Guru
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 13,206
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2019: Lakers miss playoffs
2020: Lakers title
2021: Warriors miss playoffs
2022: Warriors title
2023: Mavs miss playoffs
2024: ?
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05-31-2024, 11:10 PM
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#7
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Guru
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 13,206
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And
2021-22: Warriors beat the Suns on Christmas. Result: Won the NBA Finals.
2022-23: Nuggets beat the Suns on Christmas. Result: Won the NBA Finals.
2023-24: Mavericks beat the Suns on Christmas. Result: ???
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05-31-2024, 11:15 PM
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#8
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,531
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Mavs in 5
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06-01-2024, 11:47 AM
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#9
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Enemy territory (SA)
Posts: 3,306
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Mavs in 6. LFG!
MJ -> Kobe -> Lebron -> Luka
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06-01-2024, 01:04 PM
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#10
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,865
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Here's to hoping that a Mavs championship will bring old members back on to celebrate. Come on back Kg Vet, Smiles, Fluid41, Underdog, maledan50, sike, etc...
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06-01-2024, 02:51 PM
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#11
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Inactive.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 42,997
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Pingus Zingus full contact practice. Looks like he will play
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06-01-2024, 03:08 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky
Pingus Zingus full contact practice. Looks like he will play
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Boston has done well without him but the level of competition ramps up now. They have a lot more options on both ends when he's available.
Last edited by minkbarn; 06-01-2024 at 03:24 PM.
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06-01-2024, 03:25 PM
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#13
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,865
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Luka Doncic and the Lobgoblins
The Dallas Mavericks have weaponized the alley-oop like no one else
https://www.basketballpoetry.com/p/l...the-lobgoblins
"In total, the Mavs have 54 total playoff alley-oop slams in 17 games. Second-place Denver totaled nine in nine games; Minnesota only accumulated six in three rounds (their collective inability to find Gobert on lobs is criminal)."
That's a crazy stat... for the playoffs -
gafford fg% - 61.4%
lively fg% - 66.7%
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06-01-2024, 06:10 PM
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#14
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Mexico Mountains
Posts: 2,398
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Sure the Celts are favored, mainly because of their stellar record. But I think there is less there than meets the eye.
Boston won most of those games playing in the East, where fully half the teams failed to win more than half their games. That translates to almost 30 games against Eastern conference losers, vs the Mavs only getting about 14 games against losing West conference teams, where only 4 teams were below .500.
I think a lot of Boston's individual statistics are also inflated by lack of competition. So, statistically, Boston and Minnesota had the best defenses. But how hard is it to shut down your division when half the teams stink, versus in the West where 12 of the 16 had a legitimate chance to make the playoffs, and were fighting for it until the very end.
Speaking of records, the Mavs only lost 4 games after they put Gafford and Jones in the starting lineup, March 7. Luka didn't play in three of those losses, and most of the starters sat in two of them. The Celts lost 6 games after March 5th. They lost to Cleveland without Donovan Mitchell, and lost twice to Atlanta. They have coasted through the playoffs, without facing a single 50 win team, or beating anyone who wasn't missing one or more of its most important players. The Mavs beat three 50 win teams, and Kawhi is the only major player that was missing.
I have been saying since the playoffs started that no one, including the Mavs themselves, know how good this team really is. As far as I can tell, they are still getting better. Maybe even better than the team almost everyone is picking to beat them.
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"He got dimes." Harrison Barnes on Luca Doncic during his 1st NBA training camp.
Last edited by G-Man; 06-01-2024 at 07:34 PM.
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06-01-2024, 06:24 PM
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#15
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,223
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Kyrie said himself that the Mavs' opponents have made the team better.
Can Boston claim anything remotely close to that? Can't blame them for playing the hand they were dealt, but are they even ready for the playoffs? Their credentials are almost purely on paper.
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06-01-2024, 06:31 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G-Man
Sure the Celts are favored, mainly because of their stellar record. But I think there is less there than meets the eye.
Boston won most of those games playing in the East, where fully half the teams failed to win more than half their games. That translates to almost 30 games against Eastern conference losers, vs the Mavs only getting about 14 games against losing West conference teams, where only 4 teams were below .500.
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The Celtics actually did have the best record in the league against the West though at 23-7.
Last edited by minkbarn; 06-01-2024 at 06:32 PM.
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06-01-2024, 08:42 PM
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#17
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Guru
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 11,793
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minkbarn
The Celtics actually did have the best record in the league against the West though at 23-7.
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There?s probably some context to that but not much is going to change that they dominated the west in the regular season
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06-01-2024, 10:59 PM
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#18
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Guru
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 10,486
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The Celtics were one of the greatest regular season teams ever this year. Let's not sugarcoat it. They were an absolute juggernaut.
However, I will say that they've looked very beatable through most of the playoffs. Granted, KP was out of most if it, but still. They are totally untested. I think this is going to be a very close series. I think top to bottom, the Celtics are the better team, but the Mavs not only have the best player, but the best player by a pretty big margin. I think the gap between Luka and Tatum is fairly large. I think the same is true of the Wolves, and look what just happened.
There's been a lot of talk about how well the Celtics match up with Luka and all the guys they can throw at him, but that means nothing to me. I think there's no defense in all of basketball that Luka can't dissect with relative ease. This series is going to be decided by what the Celtics do offensively. Can we close out on their shooters or will they just rain threes on us all series? I both expect and hope Lively to get way more minutes in this series than Gafford. Lively is way better defending out on the perimeter.
Last edited by Thespiralgoeson; 06-01-2024 at 11:05 PM.
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06-02-2024, 06:11 AM
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#19
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minkbarn
Boston has done well without him but the level of competition ramps up now. They have a lot more options on both ends when he's available.
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I haven't watched them play but I think that he is huge for them. Offensively they can go to him when other things stall. He can always shoot a 3 pointer. And he can also always post it up midrange. And none of those options are really guardable given his size. They already have many options, and then he is like a safety valve when things stall offensively. I think he was a huge reason why they had such a great record. A walking 20 points for them, and like a third option/star.
And I think that for them he plays absent pressure. He is not meant to be a major star. If he scores 16, it's not a big deal. He doesn't have to dominate the games.
Last edited by LukaMagic; 06-02-2024 at 06:23 AM.
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06-02-2024, 06:40 AM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LukaMagic
I haven't watched them play but I think that he is huge for them. Offensively they can go to him when other things stall. He can always shoot a 3 pointer. And he can also always post it up midrange. And none of those options are really guardable given his size. They already have many options, and then he is like a safety valve when things stall offensively. I think he was a huge reason why they had such a great record. A walking 20 points for them, and like a third option/star.
And I think that for them he plays absent pressure. He is not meant to be a major star. If he scores 16, it's not a big deal. He doesn't have to dominate the games.
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I saw every Celtics game this year and that's a good summary. When their offense might sputter he gives them good shots that are not available when he's out. Who knows though how hampered he'll be with his injury and layoff though. Giannis had the same injury and it led to complications.
Last edited by minkbarn; 06-02-2024 at 06:54 AM.
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06-02-2024, 09:03 AM
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#21
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Guru
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,236
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It cracks me up every time I see a Kyrie or Luka interview after a game. They come across so nice and aw shucks, and team Hela etc. etc. etc.
These guys are stone cold killers when the whistle blows. All the media stuff is a silly charade. Their job is to shove it down your throat then watch you choke.
And I love it.
Good luck to Boston when they boo these guys...
__________________
"Cream of the crop gon' rise to the top." -Jaden Hardy
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06-02-2024, 10:07 AM
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#22
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Bee Cave, Texas
Posts: 3,246
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart
It cracks me up every time I see a Kyrie or Luka interview after a game. They come across so nice and aw shucks, and team Hela etc. etc. etc.
These guys are stone cold killers when the whistle blows. All the media stuff is a silly charade. Their job is to shove it down your throat then watch you choke.
And I love it.
Good luck to Boston when they boo these guys...
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Bring it!
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06-02-2024, 11:33 AM
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#23
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Diamond Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Enemy territory (SA)
Posts: 3,306
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I am super excited to see a full series of Luka vs Jrue (who NBA players think is the best defender in the league). Luka can prove once and for all that he is THE heir to Lebron this series.
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06-02-2024, 12:46 PM
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#24
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Inactive.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 42,997
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Most Alley-oop Dunks - 2024 Playoffs:
📊 Dallas: 45
📊 Denver: 9
📊 Oklahoma City: 8
This is the most Alley-oop dunks by a team since 2001.
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06-02-2024, 01:09 PM
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#25
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Guru
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 10,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky
Most Alley-oop Dunks - 2024 Playoffs:
📊 Dallas: 45
📊 Denver: 9
📊 Oklahoma City: 8
This is the most Alley-oop dunks by a team since 2001.
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Yeah I've seen that stat. I gotta wonder who the 2001 team is. Is that the Lakers?
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06-02-2024, 03:06 PM
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#26
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Guru
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson
Yeah I've seen that stat. I gotta wonder who the 2001 team is. Is that the Lakers?
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Has to be. Shaq oops were the shizzle.
__________________
"Cream of the crop gon' rise to the top." -Jaden Hardy
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06-02-2024, 09:37 PM
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#27
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Mexico Mountains
Posts: 2,398
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We have all seen playoff Luka. Do you think he has another gear to go to, to become Finals Luka?
I hope he does, and I suspect he unveiled Finals Luka in game 5 against the Wolves. Sure looked like he shifted into overdrive for that one.
I also think he will be fueled by the fact that none of the pundits are giving the Mavs a chance to win.
None of them thought we would beat the Lakers, or the Thunder, or Miami's big Three. Dirk had the last word on that one. I think Luke will too.
Thoughts?
__________________
"He got dimes." Harrison Barnes on Luca Doncic during his 1st NBA training camp.
Last edited by G-Man; 06-02-2024 at 09:40 PM.
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06-03-2024, 05:24 AM
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#28
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Munich, Germany
Posts: 482
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My thoughts exactly.
Finals Luka has to be a thing!
When he can replicate Game 5 quarter 1 for 4 whole games, it will be a sweep.
Last edited by Lestat_1795; 06-03-2024 at 05:25 AM.
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06-03-2024, 08:19 AM
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#29
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,865
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G-Man
We have all seen playoff Luka. Do you think he has another gear to go to, to become Finals Luka?
I hope he does, and I suspect he unveiled Finals Luka in game 5 against the Wolves. Sure looked like he shifted into overdrive for that one.
I also think he will be fueled by the fact that none of the pundits are giving the Mavs a chance to win.
None of them thought we would beat the Lakers, or the Thunder, or Miami's big Three. Dirk had the last word on that one. I think Luke will too.
Thoughts?
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it'll be interesting to see how Boston defends the pick and roll - will they switch everything and single cover? will they blitz Luka/Kyrie with a double team to get the ball out of their hands?
I think there will be some coaching element as to how things go and i can see the mavs struggling at first with hopefully some good adjustments made to counter things. Role players will definitely need to step up and make some shots. Mavs in 6.
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06-03-2024, 09:24 AM
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#30
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoobay
it'll be interesting to see how Boston defends the pick and roll - will they switch everything and single cover? will they blitz Luka/Kyrie with a double team to get the ball out of their hands?
I think there will be some coaching element as to how things go and i can see the mavs struggling at first with hopefully some good adjustments made to counter things. Role players will definitely need to step up and make some shots. Mavs in 6.
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The Celtics hardly ever double, which doesn't work on Luka anyway.
The Celtics D starts on the perimeter, with Holiday, White, Brown and Tatum all being skilled and active defenders. Opportunities to target anyone with them are less than with other teams.
They're not going to stop Luka and they know that. My guess is he'll get monster numbers as Boston single covers him with ever-changing looks and tries to reduce his efficiency just a little and tire him. Luka's a brilliant player, so it's a pick your poison situation.
On the other side of the ball, doubling them is not a great strategy as they swing the ball quickly with five three point shooters on the floor. If the opposing big man comes out to cover, they'll start driving.
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06-03-2024, 05:02 PM
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#31
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Guru
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,236
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I'm gonna say something bold, win or lose.
Kyrie is the leader the team needed for a while. Brunson was great and we all wanted to keep him, but the team desperately needed a veteran leader.
When you listen to the players talk bout Kyrie, I just can't think of a better person to lead them.
All of his trials and tribulations since leaving Cleveland have turned him into that leader.
He just seems to know what strings to pull and how to calm the team down. Seems like whenever they fall, then they get right back up.
__________________
"Cream of the crop gon' rise to the top." -Jaden Hardy
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06-03-2024, 06:22 PM
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#32
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Guru
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 10,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart
I'm gonna say something bold, win or lose.
Kyrie is the leader the team needed for a while. Brunson was great and we all wanted to keep him, but the team desperately needed a veteran leader.
When you listen to the players talk bout Kyrie, I just can't think of a better person to lead them.
All of his trials and tribulations since leaving Cleveland have turned him into that leader.
He just seems to know what strings to pull and how to calm the team down. Seems like whenever they fall, then they get right back up.
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I think there's definitely some truth to this. I do think Brunson would have gotten there eventually, but you can absolutely tell that the whole team, including and especially Luka look up to Kyrie. I think Luka and particular needed someone of Kyrie's caliber and resume to really command his respect- first ballot Hall of Famer with championship experience, universally regarded as one of the greatest offensive guards ever etc... I think Kyrie's presence pushes Luka to work harder and be more mature.
Conversely though, I think Kyrie needed the Mavericks just as much as they needed him, if not more. Kyrie was thought to be toxic. Before he came to Dallas, I said repeatedly that I wouldn't take him for free because he just brought chaos and dysfunction wherever he went. And I honestly don't think that was an unfair take. Kyrie's leadership style clearly didn't work in Boston. He seemed to constantly butt heads with the younger players and then blame them when things went poorly- which made him look really bad when the team consistently played better without him. And in Brooklyn, man, who even knows. It seemed like chaos from day one.
But for whatever reason, Kyrie and the Mavs just seem like the perfect fit for each other. He and Luka in particular seem to bring out the best in each other, which wasn't the case with Brunson and definitely wasn't the case with Porzingis.
Last edited by Thespiralgoeson; 06-03-2024 at 07:06 PM.
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06-03-2024, 08:18 PM
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#33
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Guru
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 10,486
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I saw this stat on r/Mavericks and it kind of blew me away.
Derek Lively- 16 career postseason games.
Kristaps Porzingis- 14 career postseason games.
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06-03-2024, 10:49 PM
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#34
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,865
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson
I saw this stat on r/Mavericks and it kind of blew me away.
Derek Lively- 16 career postseason games.
Kristaps Porzingis- 14 career postseason games.
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even with missing a game, that's pretty crazy - health is a key attribute.
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06-04-2024, 01:45 AM
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#35
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minkbarn
On the other side of the ball, doubling them is not a great strategy as they swing the ball quickly with five three point shooters on the floor. If the opposing big man comes out to cover, they'll start driving.
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The OKC team had 5 three point shooters on the floor. So that Mavs had to deal with that already. I think that was a great preparation for Mavs.
Holmgren (2.16m height) (2.29m wingspan) is also much better on his feet than Porzingis (2.18m height) (2.29m wingspan). I think that Holmgren is a much, much savvier rim protector and overall mover than KP. Holmgren also doesn't have that deer-in-the-headlights clumsiness that KP has.
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06-04-2024, 01:58 AM
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#36
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Golden Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,046
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Mavs are fully fit. I didn't expect that. I thought that 2 out of Lively, Gafford, Kleber would be majorly out of this playoff run.
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06-04-2024, 08:45 AM
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#37
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Berlin / Germany
Posts: 765
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Going to be a tough series, but I'm hyped.
Bit scared of Porz going off - reading about how he is now an efficient post player does hurt. I still have PTSD from his post-ups during his tenure with the Mavs.
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True basketball fans -> Tube
Dallas Mavs Supporter, Berlin/Germany
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06-04-2024, 09:52 AM
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#38
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Inactive.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 42,997
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If we win, we?d be the third least likely team in NBA history. That?s how much were the underdogs.
As much as I believe in this squad, no one expects us to win.
Let?s go Mavs!
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06-04-2024, 12:23 PM
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#39
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Guru
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky
If we win, we?d be the third least likely team in NBA history. That?s how much were the underdogs.
As much as I believe in this squad, no one expects us to win.
Let?s go Mavs!
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That's the only way we want it!
I hope they all wear those poorly made Luka and Kyrie sucks shirts too.
__________________
"Cream of the crop gon' rise to the top." -Jaden Hardy
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06-04-2024, 03:46 PM
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#40
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Guru
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 11,793
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Are you playing and running pain free?
KP: smiles and about a 10 second pause ? yes ?
My prediction is he won?t finish the series
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