PGT: Dirk and Kidd not interested in getting swept (sorry, Warjonski!)

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

So what you're saying is, the Mavs as a team need to figure out how to get him better looks.

That'd be nice, for sure. But I don't want to make it sound like it's not his responsibility too.

[grndmstr_c]

Will Dallas need JET to be more aggressive looking for his shot and put more points on the board than he did last night? Undoubtedly. But it's unrealistic to think that he can (or should) be the team's #2 guy every night, too. As much as the team needs him to put the ball in the bucket, it's even more important that he stay effective and engaged on the defensive end. If last night is the benchmark for how he plays when he's not scoring, I'll take it.

And I'll just add this in defense of his low scoring output, in particular. JET's used to having the ball in his hands a lot in the fourth quarter, and that didn't happen last night. Part of that was an entirely predictable uptick in Dirk's usage, but part of it was also due to the unexpected explosion in Kidd's emphasis on scoring, more importantly and fundamentally, his heavy involvement in the two-man game with Dirk.

[mavs777]

I still can't believe Kidd shot that ball to make a three possession game, let alone make it. He was so confident too you could see it in his eyes.

[Mavsfan4ever]

If Kidd were to have another game like that this series I would faint like a woman from shock, but that would be a good thing.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by mavs777

I still can't believe Kidd shot that ball to make a three possession game, let alone make it. He was so confident too you could see it in his eyes.

Yes. One point that's lost in the whole "Kidd won't go off again" angle is that Kidd was not just the guy Portland dared to shoot. The man was looking for his shot the whole game.

As for that last possession in particular, the points were great but Batum got them back within two seconds. The real back-breaker was that the one possession, thanks to Chandler's offensive rebound punch, took 46 of the remaining 71 seconds off the clock. Yes, forty-six.

[rabbitproof]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Yes. One point that's lost in the whole "Kidd won't go off again" angle is that Kidd was not just the guy Portland dared to shoot. The man was looking for his shot the whole game.

That's where the story of Kidd working on his shot during his "bye" week and using some of Dirk's shooting techniques becomes encouraging.

[jthig32]

Over the past couple of years Kidd has always shown a willingness to become more aggressive if his shot is falling. He's a smart player, so he does exactly what you want someone with a hot hand to do.

I would say "Kidd won't go off again" is a pretty safe statement. Doesn't mean he won't hit his open threes at a good enough clip to make a huge difference. But I certainly wouldn't bet on any more 20 point games out of him.

[kg_veteran]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Over the past couple of years Kidd has always shown a willingness to become more aggressive if his shot is falling. He's a smart player, so he does exactly what you want someone with a hot hand to do.

I would say "Kidd won't go off again" is a pretty safe statement. Doesn't mean he won't hit his open threes at a good enough clip to make a huge difference. But I certainly wouldn't bet on any more 20 point games out of him.

If we can believe that the rest has rejuvenated Kidd (and I think we can), then we can count on a high level of play from him. Whether than translates to points, assists, rebounds, steals, individual defense, or crucial loose ball plays all remains to be seen. Kidd is going to do everything in his power to win based upon what is happening on the court. You don't have to worry about that guy.

[Murphy3]

I'm happy if the Mavs can get 10-12 points from Kidd.

[Usually Lurkin]

If Kidd scored well enough last game to warrant some extra defensive attention, then hopefully Terry and Barea can take advantage in the next game and return the favor by scoring well enough to give Kidd some extra rest!

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

I'm happy if the Mavs can get 10-12 points from Kidd.

Mavs were 24-6 in the regular season when he scored at least 10 points.

[LonghornDub]

Ask Mike Woodson what Kidd can do when he's on his game.

[xavier]

Any chance we see brewer???

[Rick41]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Mavs were 24-6 in the regular season when he scored at least 10 points.

Kidd only scored 10+ points in 30 games? Wow.

[Kidd Karma]

Hopefully Kidd can be consistent, I've followed the guy and it's one game on one game off for the last couple years. I don't see McMillan adjusting their game plan based on Kidd's shooting. Even Kidd knows it, him and Dirk discussed making sure the X Factor was on Dallas' side in Game 1. I doubt Kidd will score more than 10 in Game 2, meaning someone, or a group of Tyson, Marion, Jet has to pick up the slack.

[dalger]

Originally Posted by Kidd Karma

I doubt Kidd will score more than 10 in Game 2, meaning someone, or a group of Tyson, Marion, Jet has to pick up the slack.

...which has to happen anyway for us to be successful in this series. It was important to not let Kidd's great game go to waste. Since we can't expect it to happen again (meaning the 24 points), other players will have to step up in the next game. While there's more to a good offensive game than just scoring, which Kidd has proven his entire career, we need guys like Jet, Marion, Tyson and even JJB to score. They all had their off night offensively and now it's time to produce in a crucial second game to take pressure off of Dirk and allow Kidd to be Kidd, a distributor and not a scorer.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by dalger

...which has to happen anyway for us to be successful in this series. It was important to not let Kidd's great game go to waste. Since we can't expect it to happen again (meaning the 24 points), other players will have to step up in the next game. While there's more to a good offensive game than just scoring, which Kidd has proven his entire career, we need guys like Jet, Marion, Tyson and even JJB to score. They all had their off night offensively and now it's time to produce in a crucial second game to take pressure off of Dirk and allow Kidd to be Kidd, a distributor and not a scorer.

You know Jet, Marion and Tyson shot 5-12 collectively, Jet got to the stripe 8 times. There was great ball movement and they knew Kidd was on, so they just kept going to the well. I think if Kidd wasn't hitting, Jet would have taken more shots. There were a few opps passed up too. Portland now has the choice to adjust or continue to take away from everyone but Kidd. Likely scenario is they continue with giving Kidd every shot.

[dalger]

That's why I mentioned that there's more to an offensive game than just scoring. When Dirk's making 80% of his shots, I don't mind him taking 25-30 shots and winning a game single-handedly. Even a guy like Kidd, who's hardly one of our best scorers, should take many shots on a night like Saturday. Under those circumstances, seeing guys like Jet, Marion, Tyson, Peja and JJB in minor roles scoring-wise is a luxury and not a problem.

However, it'll be important that Jet, Marion, Peja and JJB increase their scoring impact tomorrow for us to be successful. They were a combined 7-25 from the field in the first game, while Tyson and Haywood only scored 6 points overall.

Again, if only two guys are hot and our defense is good enough to let those two guys take us home, we'll be fine. Otherwise, we'll need a more balanced attack, which requires some of the aforementioned players to take more shots and make them.

[Funkman]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Ask Mike Woodson what Kidd can do when he's on his game.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by dalger

That's why I mentioned that there's more to an offensive game than just scoring. When Dirk's making 80% of his shots, I don't mind him taking 25-30 shots and winning a game single-handedly. Even a guy like Kidd, who's hardly one of our best scorers, should take many shots on a night like Saturday. Under those circumstances, seeing guys like Jet, Marion, Tyson, Peja and JJB in minor roles scoring-wise is a luxury and not a problem.

However, it'll be important that Jet, Marion, Peja and JJB increase their scoring impact tomorrow for us to be successful. They were a combined 7-25 from the field in the first game, while Tyson and Haywood only scored 6 points overall.

Again, if only two guys are hot and our defense is good enough to let those two guys take us home, we'll be fine. Otherwise, we'll need a more balanced attack, which requires some of the aforementioned players to take more shots and make them.

Our defense actually surprised me in Game 1. Hopefully it continues.

[SMC0007]

I've said many times that this team needs Kidd to shoot the ball more than he has. He needs to look for his shot like he did Saturday for the rest of the playoffs for us to have any shot at all. That was a different player than I've seen in a long time and I wonder how long it lasts.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

I've said many times that this team needs Kidd to shoot the ball more than he has. He needs to look for his shot like he did Saturday for the rest of the playoffs for us to have any shot at all. That was a different player than I've seen in a long time and I wonder how long it lasts.

Shoot, just to keep the floor balanced, if you're open, shoot, if you got a flyer, draw a foul or drive to the cup. There was some new stuff, or actually stuff we haven't seen in years in his arsenal. Hopefully it opens up things in Game 2 for others. But knowing McMillan, a couple Kidd bricks it could have been a whole different ball game, thus he probably won't make any adjustments in the defensive game plan.

[rabbitproof]

Kidd was just all-around nasty. It wasn'st just the money 3 but he was snaring rebounds in traffic and jumping on defenders. It was a great all-around game by Kidd.

[mavs777]

Marion, Chandler, JJB, and Jet scored 24 points on 6-19 shooting (0-2) from 3

I feel pretty confident that will improve

[dalger]

Originally Posted by mavs777

Marion, Chandler, JJB, and Jet scored 24 points on 6-19 shooting (0-2) from 3

I feel pretty confident that will improve

That's why we have every reason to at least be optimistic about this series. If we can win a game with the guys you mentioned shooting the way they did, we'll be able to win more games. As long as we can keep up the defensive mindset and the corresponding results (only 81 points for the Blazers), we could very well win this series.

[sefant77]

Horrible video, horrible broadcasting.

No wonder the Blazers fans are so blind after years of brainwashing homer broadcast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NORVv...layer_embedded

[fluid.forty.one]

Originally Posted by sefant77

No wonder the Blazers fans are so blind after years of brainwashing homer broadcast.

You have no idea.

I was thinking about this today... I'm really glad we got Tuesday as our 2nd game instead of today. That extra day of rest could be huge for Kidd and I think we win the series if we win game 2.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

You have no idea.

I was thinking about this today... I'm really glad we got Tuesday as our 2nd game instead of today. That extra day of rest could be huge for Kidd and I think we win the series if we win game 2.

you know we are taking 1 if not both games in Portland. Getting both Dallas games will be a very good thing for the team and the rest means a lot more for our aging players than it does to Portland. I just hope Carlisle can also use the time wisely for his coaching too.

[fluid.forty.one]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

you know we are taking 1 if not both games in Portland. Getting both Dallas games will be a very good thing for the team and the rest means a lot more for our aging players than it does to Portland. I just hope Carlisle can also use the time wisely for his coaching too.

I agree with all of this except the first sentence. I think Portland wins both games in Portland. It's going to be GS flashbacks in there.... and it's been a long time since we've won a road playoff game anywhere besides SA.

I mean, maybe game 4.. but I doubt it.

The way I look at it... if we win game 2, all we have to do is win 1 out of the next 4... because I don't think there is anyway we would lose a game 7.

[j0Shi]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Horrible video, horrible broadcasting.

No wonder the Blazers fans are so blind after years of brainwashing homer broadcast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NORVv...layer_embedded

Wow ... Dirk was really giving Wallace a hard time

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

I mean, maybe game 4.. but I doubt it.

I wish, but I'm not counting on it. I could see them winning a Game 6 if they go in there up 3-2, though.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

I agree with all of this except the first sentence. I think Portland wins both games in Portland. It's going to be GS flashbacks in there.... and it's been a long time since we've won a road playoff game anywhere besides SA.

I mean, maybe game 4.. but I doubt it.

The way I look at it... if we win game 2, all we have to do is win 1 out of the next 4... because I don't think there is anyway we would lose a game 7.

I was thinking game 4 myself.

Game 2 will be the hardest game we will play this year so far, too. Refs will be looking to even it up, McMillan will make adjustments and we wont get the same performance out of Kidd, but game 2 may very well define the series. I think our D can do it but we need some more offense from Terry/JJB and maybe some supporting cast threes from Stevenson, etc. Marion challenging the inside might not be the worst thing either

[DirkFTW]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I think our D can do it but we need some more offense from Terry/JJB and maybe some supporting cast threes from Stevenson, etc. Marion challenging the inside might not be the worst thing either

It would be a good time for some super-ridiculous Peja threes, but dunno where we stick him on D.

[fluid.forty.one]

I agree that this next game is going to be really hard and that McMillan fired off the "coaching complain bullet" at a good time, because this game could end up defining the series. His comments are definitely going to impact the game.... but I think Dirk has a bounce back game as far as shooting goes and I think they will be able to overcome any officiating problems. If JET and Marion step up, I think we win the game and ultimately the series.

If we don't win the game, it's going to be reaaaal hard to win game 3 or 4 in Portland.

I also think the Mavs overcoming the diversity in the 4th quarter was huge. It had a very big "here we go again" feeling and they just plowed right through it. Could mean big things.

[rabbitproof]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

It would be a good time for some super-ridiculous Peja threes, but dunno where we stick him on D.

He can hang with Roy so maybe that's his target.

[j0Shi]

Btw.: Mavs outscored Portland 19-6 on 8 Clutch Possessions. Officiating or not ... you won't win a game with these numbers.

[Dirkadirkastan]

NBA fines Blazers coach Nate McMillan $35,000 for comments about refs after Game 1 loss to Dallas.

Here's what McMillan said to draw $35K fine: "The free throws, I just don't get that. 19 to two in the fourth quarter."

Link1
Link2

[Windmill360]

Expect a near perfect game from Portland.

[dalger]

The NBA is REALLY trying to protect the refs by fining coaches and players for comments like the one made by McMillan. They probably know that the officiating is either bad or so difficult that complaints are inevitable, so to not let it get out of hand they fine anyone who's trying to put light on the situation.

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by Windmill360

Expect a near perfect game from Portland.

why?