GDT: Warriors at Mavs (Dirk's jersey is retired)

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Commitment to defense finally pays off. Glad Kidd stuck to his guns in the face of adversity. Not his fault players weren't making wide open shots. As long as some of those shots go in, then we're a drastically better team.

[DannyFortsonBakedPotato]

You might not know it from this GD, but Luka was the only reason we were scoring. Thought he was great on offense. Got to the line, put pressure on the D, and guy guys wide open looks. Again, should have had 10-15 assists, but guys just continue to miss wide open threes. He had an amazing laser pass to a wide open Bullock which Reggie clanked. JVG talked about it early on, but it really is uncanny how many WIDE OPEN threes this team misses.

On a positive note, D is looking solid. Really liked Sterling Brown's minutes tonight. He's an underrated rebounder.

[DannyFortsonBakedPotato]

BTW, Mavs are 15-9 w/ Luka this year. 5-9 without. If Luka can get in shape, KP stays healthy, and guys start hitting wide open threes at a reasonable clip, this team could be a 4 or 5 seed. A lot of ifs.

[Dallas41]

From MMB about the defensive change

The Mavericks have abandoned the drop coverage they played in the past and are more aggressive. You see it in the deflected passes and the contested shots. There are no more open midrange shots.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by DannyFortsonBakedPotato

You might not know it from this GD, but Luka was the only reason we were scoring. Thought he was great on offense. Got to the line, put pressure on the D, and guy guys wide open looks. Again, should have had 10-15 assists, but guys just continue to miss wide open threes. He had an amazing laser pass to a wide open Bullock which Reggie clanked. JVG talked about it early on, but it really is uncanny how many WIDE OPEN threes this team misses.

On a positive note, D is looking solid. Really liked Sterling Brown's minutes tonight. He's an underrated rebounder.

I agree with this as I've seen Brown active a lot in rebounding situations. On the other hand, every time THJ puts up a shot he's already headed back to the other end as if he hits 100%. So maddening a simple concept such as following your own shot is lost on most of today's players. There's the argument that getting back on defense is key on missed shots, but there's also 2-3 guys on the perimeter that can accomplish the same thing, or crash themselves. But can't operate not doing either and get caught watching bricks.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Commitment to defense finally pays off. Glad Kidd stuck to his guns in the face of adversity. Not his fault players weren't making wide open shots. As long as some of those shots go in, then we're a drastically better team.

Kidd knows NBA players get into the league with their offense. Defense is effort, Kidd is motivating them right now. Hopefully it can last for a few years rather than months.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

From MMB about the defensive change

The Mavericks have abandoned the drop coverage they played in the past and are more aggressive. You see it in the deflected passes and the contested shots. There are no more open midrange shots.

Which would explain Pacers drop in defense. They are 23rd in the league right now.

[DannyFortsonBakedPotato]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Which would explain Pacers drop in defense. They are 23rd in the league right now.

It's been pretty funny watching the Pacers blow so many 4th quarter leads.

[DannyFortsonBakedPotato]

Originally Posted by saclare

I agree with this as I've seen Brown active a lot in rebounding situations. On the other hand, every time THJ puts up a shot he's already headed back to the other end as if he hits 100%. So maddening a simple concept such as following your own shot is lost on most of today's players. There's the argument that getting back on defense is key on missed shots, but there's also 2-3 guys on the perimeter that can accomplish the same thing, or crash themselves. But can't operate not doing either and get caught watching bricks.

Yep. THJ just doesn't have a particularly high feel or IQ for the game. I don't even necessarily think he's lazy or anything. Seems to work hard and takes some charges sometimes. He just doesn't seem to have a nose for the ball. I really hope he can get his 3PT% up to something respectable. It's painful watching he and Kleber go 2-13 on threes when 10 of them are wide open.

[SMC0007]

THJ for a bag of funyons. FFS. No one likes watching him play, aside from SOME of his family members. I know we were desperate and kinda in between GMs but we gave THJ a fn raise when we could be free and clear of him. Good dude n all

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

THJ for a bag of funyons. FFS. No one likes watching him play, aside from SOME of his family members. I know we were desperate and kinda in between GMs but we gave THJ a fn raise when we could be free and clear of him. Good dude n all

Yeah he’s basically a slightly better than MLE guy. Anything over 12m per year is robbery on his part. He’s a one-trick pony and he’s not even elite at his one trick. That said, I totally understand why they felt they had to re-sign him.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Luka doubtful for tomorrow's game with his chronic ankle bs. FML.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by mac222b

Yeah he’s basically a slightly better than MLE guy. Anything over 12m per year is robbery on his part. He’s a one-trick pony and he’s not even elite at his one trick. That said, I totally understand why they felt they had to re-sign him.

I understand that they were in a bind with coach and GM changes but on the other side of the coin, you get a bit of a pass on "losing such a nice asset and puzzle piece". Good dude n all

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Luka doubtful for tomorrow's game with his chronic ankle bs. FML.

Damnit

[mac222b]

Sucks about Luka but I want them to take the long view.

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by mac222b

Sucks about Luka but I want them to take the long view.

Agreed. Long season, he will be back. Short rest with the Olympics might have something to do with it.

[Dallas41]

Interesting Comment from Josh Green after Followill told him he looks more confident over the past 2-3 weeks

"I think the best thing for development is playing time"

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

Interesting Comment from Josh Green after Followill told him he looks more confident over the past 2-3 weeks

"I think the best thing for development is playing time"

It's kinda funny because Green is actually playing less MPG overall this season, but that has obviously changed in recent weeks.

And he's right, but life in the NBA isn't fair. You gotta play better than the guys in front of you. Keep it up!

[SMC0007]

Green can have THJ minutes. Ffs. Good dude n all

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

It's kinda funny because Green is actually playing less MPG overall this season, but that has obviously changed in recent weeks.

And he's right, but life in the NBA isn't fair. You gotta play better than the guys in front of you. Keep it up!

yeah it was looking like another lost season for him until recently

But over his last 10 games he's avg 20 MPG and he's provided a huge boost to this teams energy level & athleticism

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

yeah it was looking like another lost season for him until recently

But over his last 10 games he's avg 20 MPG and he's provided a huge boost to this teams energy level & athleticism

He is still very raw though. I want to see him produce against the harder teams before making any judgements on his impact.

But hey, we might be out of bust territory for the time being. I'll take it.