GDT: Round 1, game 1 - Mavs (0-0) at Clippers (0-0) 8:00pm ESPN

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

I want KP coming to Luka’s aid every time.

@kevinlove
...you can’t eject him Kristaps for that. Protecting the Mavs best player. That’s bad.

Not with already having a tech in a playoff game that the Mavs could steal

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

That's true, but it doesn't all the blame off of the refs/league. BS calls, especially the first one.

They both were terrible calls

[jleefilled]

Originally Posted by MFFL

Not with already having a tech in a playoff game that the Mavs could steal

But seriously, watch it again. KP basically did nothing to warrant a tech except for perhaps his reaction to getting pushed in the neck by Morris. Extremely weak.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by jleefilled

But seriously, watch it again. KP basically did nothing to warrant a tech except for perhaps his reaction to getting pushed in the neck by Morris. Extremely weak.

I saw it. It was a terrible call

But the player can't push into the middle of a scrum when he already has a tech. You have to think about the team

[jleefilled]

Originally Posted by MFFL

I saw it. It was a terrible call

But the player can't push into the middle of a scrum when he already has a tech. You have to think about the team

You're probably right in the context of the super sissified NBA. Just really unbelievable that they could throw out one of the superstars of the game for basically nothing.

[jleefilled]

Originally Posted by BPo001

The league really needs to relax a bit. How can you expect players to not show emotion? It’s the playoffs. I understand they had to call the tech on KP after PG got one earlier for the same thing, but the PG tech was BS too IMO.

This.

[EricaLubarsky]

Clippers are the new Pistons.

Bunch of asshole bad boys that the league enables until they can’t.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Why do tall European guys get so screwed by refs?

First Dirk. Now KP gets robbed game after game. It’s sickening.

I think Giannis does ok

Maybe it is still a Cuban backlash?

[jleefilled]

Originally Posted by MFFL

I think Giannis does ok

Maybe it is still a Cuban backlash?

I just think the refs guess on their calls too much. They need to just call what they actually see. Such a novel concept, I know.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by MFFL

I think Giannis does ok

Maybe it is still a Cuban backlash?

Tall and lacking melanin

But you might be right. Could be Cuban.

[KillerLeft]

It's not a conspiracy, fellas. The refs are simply biased. It's not born of nefarious intent, it's simple human error.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by MFFL

I saw it. It was a terrible call

But the player can't push into the middle of a scrum when he already has a tech. You have to think about the team

Nope. I'll take that toughness every game. If the NBA wants to punish emotional/tough play in the playoffs, then they might as well shut down.

I somewhat expected the Mavs to be a bit lassez-faire this game, but they came to play.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

It's not a conspiracy, fellas. The refs are simply biased. It's not born of nefarious intent, it's simple human error.

This surely is a looooooong stint of human error. Can you remember the last full season you though the refs were being fair to us? I guess 2011 since we wont it all, but they have been putrid since.

[KillerLeft]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

This surely is a looooooong stint of human error. Can you remember the last full season you though the refs were being fair to us? I guess 2011 since we wont it all, but they have been putrid since.

Every team's fans feels that way. Maybe there was a message sent to Cuban in 2006. I'll give you that one.

Tonight, though...the Clippers are older, tougher and heavily favored. The refs have expectations, just like us.

The good news is that while Luka made some jittery mistakes along the way, it was clear that the moment and stage were in no way too much for him. He had moments of brilliance, and the team followed suit. I actually came away from the game really encouraged.

The bad news is that the Clippers have 2-3 more levels of high play to reach, and that was pretty close to the best our Mavs can play. Better than I thought they could play defensively, even.

[tap2390]

KP's techs were among the worst calls I've seen in the playoffs ever. Couldn't believe either one.

We are a competent wing defender and athletic rebounder away from being real contenders. I'm thrilled at how the Mavs performed last night. They played through the difficult start instead of pouting and punched the Clippers in the mouth. Their defensive rotations looked fantastic for the most part. Kleber, KP, and DFS were only 3-of-14 from three and we still kept it close.

I want to see more of Curry and Delon Wright playing together when Luka is out. I think those two pair very well in the backcourt. Delon played well to end the season and I find it puzzling that he's on the bench (although maybe it makes sense with Burke playing well on offense and the Clips backcourt being relatively quiet). Delon seems like the odd man out as he's between being effective on offense as a guard and effective on defense as a wing.

I don't expect we'll win these series. Moving forward I hope we move Wright this offseason, and are aggressive in free agency and the draft. If someone like James Wiseman falls in the draft I hope we take a hard look at moving up. If not, a player like Tyler Bey would be perfect for us. He's an excellent wing defender and rebounder who will complement the guys we have.

We're close people, we're close. Much love everyone, hope you're all doing well amidst the craziness.

[SMC0007]

Refs are garbage. We finally have another guy (KP) who will stand up for our star and the refs botch both calls on him. KP had a clean block and ended up with a tech. Coach challenge mist be changed to at least 2 challenges, and at most keep challenging until you lose one as long as you have timeouts to back them up.

Maxi just has to be better. That was a bad game by him. Missing open looks is one thing but the deer in the headlights panic turnovers were hard to watch.

Doncic was great. Record setting night for him.

Coach used MKG, and he got great production from him and then no surprise he basically sat the rest of the game.

Congrats to KP for immediately sticking up for the attempted bullying of Luka. I put both of those techs at the feet of the refs.

I said they would be deer in the headlights and it was the worst possible version of that to start the game. But they dug deep and got right back in it. Unfortunately the intensity dropped especially defensively when they took the lead. They need to learn from all of this and go back at them.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Refs are garbage. We finally have another guy (KP) who will stand up for our star and the refs botch both calls on him. KP had a clean block and ended up with a tech. Coach challenge mist be changed to at least 2 challenges, and at most keep challenging until you lose one as long as you have timeouts to back them up.

Maxi just has to be better. That was a bad game by him. Missing open looks is one thing but the deer in the headlights panic turnovers were hard to watch.

Doncic was great. Record setting night for him.

Coach used MKG, and he got great production from him and then no surprise he basically sat the rest of the game.

Congrats to KP for immediately sticking up for the attempted bullying of Luka. I put both of those techs at the feet of the refs.

I said they would be deer in the headlights and it was the worst possible version of that to start the game. But they dug deep and got right back in it. Unfortunately the intensity dropped especially defensively when they took the lead. They need to learn from all of this and go back at them.

I think honestly we need some other enforcer to do the dirty work. Clippers want to pull this bully mentality ball and the NBA is allowing it, but the refs have now shown that they aren't going to let KP be that guy. Three Clippers players went into that scrum trying to intimidate us. One got their first tech. KP the only guy willing to stand up to them.

We need guys like DFS, MKG, and other role players who are also willing to do that work.

[BPo001]

Even if Rick had challenged the block by KP the tech would have stood. Those don’t get reversed even if the call on the floor does. I’m pretty sure one of the announcers said that last night.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Even if Rick had challenged the block by KP the tech would have stood. Those don’t get reversed even if the call on the floor does. I’m pretty sure one of the announcers said that last night.

Right. That's why you need more coaches challenges. The league and refs aren't keen on being challenged and transparent and having one challenge you basically have to sit on until it matters most is dumb.

2 times Rick could have challenged and didn't. Lukas block on Harrell and KP block. Both were refs predicting instead of seeing.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Right. That's why you need more coaches challenges. The league and refs aren't keen on being challenged and transparent and having one challenge you basically have to sit on until it matters most is dumb.

2 times Rick could have challenged and didn't. Lukas block on Harrell and KP block. Both were refs predicting instead of seeing.

Coaches are allowed one challenge per game, and lose it regardless if the challenge is successful or not.

Rick really should have been able to challenge 5-6 times last night, but that's just refs just being biased. He had one. He used his one. He won the challenge that he had, but that's not going to be the solution to NBA reffing bias when they missed so darn many calls.

Also giving coaches only one, means that coaches are actively encouraged to wait until late in the game, because they may see something super crooked in the first half, but they want to see if there is anything game-deciding in the final minutes.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I think honestly we need some other enforcer to do the dirty work. Clippers want to pull this bully mentality ball and the NBA is allowing it, but the refs have now shown that they aren't going to let KP be that guy. Three Clippers players went into that scrum trying to intimidate us. One got their first tech. KP the only guy willing to stand up to them.

We need guys like DFS, MKG, and other role players who are also willing to do that work.

Yea. I think I prefer anyone/everyone being willing to step up and seperate guys or get in their opponents face and not use hands. You can't really predict when things like that will happen and sometimes DFS isn't on the floor...MKG definitely isn't on the floor.

It's just a mindset and probably even coachable for everyone on the team. There are no fights anymore so being intimidated shouldn't even exist and needing enforcer types isn't necessary.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I still think the biggest issue with all of this is that the Mavs were winning pretty convincingly before Kp got ejected. Sure, you can't predict who would have won had he stayed, but the Mavs were NOT being outplayed. I think it's an OT game at the very least.

I'm am pretty pumped with that fact. Mavs stood toe to toe with arguably the best team in the league and never fell on their faces. I hope we come blazing in the next game!!

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by tap2390

KP's techs were among the worst calls I've seen in the playoffs ever. Couldn't believe either one.

We are a competent wing defender and athletic rebounder away from being real contenders. I'm thrilled at how the Mavs performed last night. They played through the difficult start instead of pouting and punched the Clippers in the mouth. Their defensive rotations looked fantastic for the most part. Kleber, KP, and DFS were only 3-of-14 from three and we still kept it close.

I want to see more of Curry and Delon Wright playing together when Luka is out. I think those two pair very well in the backcourt. Delon played well to end the season and I find it puzzling that he's on the bench (although maybe it makes sense with Burke playing well on offense and the Clips backcourt being relatively quiet). Delon seems like the odd man out as he's between being effective on offense as a guard and effective on defense as a wing.

I don't expect we'll win these series. Moving forward I hope we move Wright this offseason, and are aggressive in free agency and the draft. If someone like James Wiseman falls in the draft I hope we take a hard look at moving up. If not, a player like Tyler Bey would be perfect for us. He's an excellent wing defender and rebounder who will complement the guys we have.

We're close people, we're close. Much love everyone, hope you're all doing well amidst the craziness.

I was extremely happy RC went with that frontline of KP, Kleber and DFS

I've been saying for awhile the offense might take a hit but that is the best lineup for playoff basketball especially if you want to matchup with Clippers

It gives the mavs better length, rebounding and rim protection.

The meant KP went out it downsized the team and we've seen all year that our small ball lineups just don't match up with them very well

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I still think the biggest issue with all of this is that the Mavs were winning pretty convincingly before Kp got ejected. Sure, you can't predict who would have won had he stayed, but the Mavs were NOT being outplayed. I think it's an OT game at the very least.

I'm am pretty pumped with that fact. Mavs stood toe to toe with arguably the best team in the league and never fell on their faces. I hope we come blazing in the next game!!

Except the epic face plant right out of the gates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o13SN6Zzjb8

[SMC0007]

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/08/17...yers-rip-call/

[Simon2]

I hate the refs just like everyone else. However, if there is any team that should understand this, it should be the Mavs. Having been screwed over the years by the refs, they should just tell themselves to bottle the outbursts. Be passionate but don't show emotion. I know it is hard but the best way to annoy someone who is trying to annoy you is to just ignore them. Luka should just play and keep beating them up. I guess it is called maturity.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Except the epic face plant right out of the gates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o13SN6Zzjb8

Yep, but they didn't let that get to them which is huge. This is why making the playoffs with Luka is so huge.

[Heezzi]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

I was extremely happy RC went with that frontline of KP, Kleber and DFS

I've been saying for awhile the offense might take a hit but that is the best lineup for playoff basketball especially if you want to matchup with Clippers

It gives the mavs better length, rebounding and rim protection.

The meant KP went out it downsized the team and we've seen all year that our small ball lineups just don't match up with them very well

Did you even watch the game? That lineup had resulted in the Clippers being up 18-2.
That lineup statistically for the season was -14.8 over 178 possessions.

[Bryan_Wilson]

KP should know the situation with his techs of course but at the same time... Technical fouls - Section 5f says- "Assessment of a technical foul shall be avoided whenever and wherever possible". Situations matter... and the use of 2 techs on a player should be reserved for situations where the refs fear the game is getting away from them. That wasn't even remotely close to the situation last night. Which is why so many people were enraged last night and today. It was a good competitive game and when they ejected KP I would guess the average NBA fan turned that garbage off. Nobody would care really if it was a regular season game. To do this in the playoffs... no excuse imo.

https://official.nba.com/rule-no-12-...l%20is%20alive.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by Heezzi

Did you even watch the game? That lineup had resulted in the Clippers being up 18-2.
That lineup statistically for the season was -14.8 over 178 possessions.

I hated that lineup too

Maxi couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat yesterday

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

KP should know the situation with his techs of course but at the same time... Technical fouls - Section 5f says- "Assessment of a technical foul shall be avoided whenever and wherever possible". Situations matter... and the use of 2 techs on a player should be reserved for situations where the refs fear the game is getting away from them. That wasn't even remotely close to the situation last night. Which is why so many people were enraged last night and today. It was a good competitive game and when they ejected KP I would guess the average NBA fan turned that garbage off. Nobody would care really if it was a regular season game. To do this in the playoffs... no excuse imo.

https://official.nba.com/rule-no-12-...l%20is%20alive.

Thanks for posting. It’s just such a common sense thing. I like how when it suits them they are all by the book, they had Javie come on and spout nonsense about how it was the right thing because they are just following the letter of the law. As if no bias or nuance or game situation should ever enter the referees decision making. It’s patently impossible.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by MFFL

I hated that lineup too

Maxi couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat yesterday

My favorite Maxi play yesterday was after we win the tip he just hands it off to Beverley. That really set the tone for him and the team at the start. His defense was even terrible at the start, though in fairness he settled in some on that end.

[KillerLeft]

Originally Posted by MFFL

I hated that lineup too

Maxi couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat yesterday

To be fair, I like that lineup, too. Well, at least the front court portion of it. But yeah, that lineup was a disaster the other night. They were way, way, way better with only one big.

[Heezzi]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

To be fair, I like that lineup, too. Well, at least the front court portion of it. But yeah, that lineup was a disaster the other night. They were way, way, way better with only one big.

The backcourt part of it is Luka and THJ. Who did you want instead?

[KillerLeft]

Originally Posted by Heezzi

The backcourt part of it is Luka and THJ. Who did you want instead?

Well, I think the reason that lineup doesn't work in some situations is that there isn't enough ball handling. I'm sure Carlisle has his reasons for making it either Curry or Kleber, and I'm sure they're good reasons, but it might be worth trying the KP/Kleber/DFS front court with Doncic/Curry.

That might be the best of both worlds.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Technical fouls - Section 5f says- "Assessment of a technical foul shall be avoided whenever and wherever possible"

Basically do no harm

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by mac222b

My favorite Maxi play yesterday was after we win the tip he just hands it off to Beverley. That really set the tone for him and the team at the start. His defense was even terrible at the start, though in fairness he settled in some on that end.

That. Definitely. Did. You know that the coaching staff just went over matching intensity, and not turning the ball over. 2 seconds in Maxi goes rogue. Handoff at mid court. The other one was him getting caught at the baseline and panic throws it across the court to our bench.

[EricaLubarsky]

Mavs roster/playoff experience before game 1
Wright - 28 games, 0 starts
THJ - 15 games, 6 starts
Curry - 16 games, 0 starts (all one year with Portland)
Boban - 18 games, 0 starts
MKG - 4 games, 4 starts (2013-2014 was his only playoff and he was swept)
Burke - 3 games, 0 starts
Dorian Finney-Smith - 0 games, 0 starts
Kleber - 0 games, 0 starts
Porzingis - 0 games, 0 starts
Doncic - 0 games, 0 starts

DNPs
Jackson - 0 games, 0 starts
Barea - 49 games and championship
Powell - 6 games, 0 starts
Brunson - 0 games, 0 starts
Lee - 59 games, 41 starts
WCS - 0 games, 0 starts

Of our starters, only THJ had playoff experience. THJ was the only guy who had playoff starting experience in the last five years and is still the only player to start a playoff win ever. MKG had playoff starting experience in 2013-2014 but was swept in four games that year.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by Heezzi

Did you even watch the game? That lineup had resulted in the Clippers being up 18-2.
That lineup statistically for the season was -14.8 over 178 possessions.

Yeah I watched it and watched it again

That 18-2 deficit early wasn't about the lineups

It was more about just not being ready to matchup the clippers intensity

Luka had a ton of turnovers early

Once they settled down that lineup defensively really allowed the mavs to matchup better with their front line

Your putting a lot of stock into the early deficit but again after that early portion this unit really had the clippers at bay for 2nd and 3 qtrs until KP got screwed

We don't have the horses to play small ball with them because their wings are longer than ours and more Atheletic

With KP, Kleber and DFS as stated before you loose some offense but you make up for it defensively.

If you think your just going to win games by out gunning the clippers it'll be a sweep

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by KillerLeft

Well, I think the reason that lineup doesn't work in some situations is that there isn't enough ball handling. I'm sure Carlisle has his reasons for making it either Curry or Kleber, and I'm sure they're good reasons, but it might be worth trying the KP/Kleber/DFS front court with Doncic/Curry.

That might be the best of both worlds.

I agree here

You have a much better chance of matching up with them that way

If you just go with KP as the only big who has to provide rim protection and rebounding that's when the clippers really exploit the mavs they did it every time this season when the mavs tried to downsize vs them

Kleber and DFS will be fine ss long as Luka and KP are hitting shots you need that extra rebounding and defense they provide to stay in games with the clippers

The minute you go with THJ and Curry at both wing positions your setting yourself up for a layup drill and lack of rebounding defensively