GDT: Suns (34-9) at Mavs (26-19) 6:30 Bally

[Dallas41]

0 Turnovers for Paul

14 Turnovers for our starting backup

[BPo001]

Does it not matter that Crowder absolutely hammered DFS after the block by Booker?

[JTmoney2424]

Not sure why Brunson is in the game on an obvious defensive possession

[BPo001]

Gave away a win. Also, sounds like a lot of Suns fans in the crowd?

[FreshJive]

Crowder hammered dfs on that play right after the block. Wtf?

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Does it not matter that Crowder absolutely hammered DFS after the block by Booker?

Right? Complete bs

[EricaLubarsky]

Mavs win 11 of 12. Mavs good

Mavs lose one game in the 2NB2B against the best team in the league. Mavs suck.

[JTmoney2424]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Mavs win 11 of 12. Mavs good

Mavs lose one game in the 2NB2B against the best team in the league. Mavs suck.

People are just sick of this team choking against Phoenix constantly

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

I don't think any of those turnovers had anything to do with being tired.

They had 14 turnovers between the two PG's alone and missing wide open 3's wasn't fatigue.

This was a typical Mavs vs Suns game were Phoenix always put it another gear come 4th qtr and the Mavs always turn the ball or break down defensively

14 turnovers between 2 starters fatigue absolutely plays a part. Along with a great defensive team that doesn’t get called for playing tough. The rest was typical Mavs they will forever suck at 3s

[Dallas41]

Mavs need to avoid Phoenix at all cost in the playoffs. They don't settle for 3's and they kill us with the mid range shots especially in the 4th qtr's.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Mavs win 11 of 12. Mavs good

Mavs lose one game in the 2NB2B against the best team in the league. Mavs suck.

Include no context sure

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by JTmoney2424

People are just sick of this team choking against Phoenix constantly

People are just retarded

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by JTmoney2424

People are just sick of this team choking against Phoenix constantly

100% agree

I hate when people say it was do to fatigue

This is a typical Mavs vs Suns game where the Mave choke it up every single 4th qtr vs them

Dallas could be on 4 days rest and Phoenix could be on b2b and Paul will still destroy them in the 4th qtr along with Booker. So to me this isn't about fatigue it's about the Suns just having the Mavs #

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by JTmoney2424

Not sure why Brunson is in the game on an obvious defensive possession

THJ is the guy who shouldn't be closing games.

I can live with Brunson defensively as long as you have KP, Kleber and DFS out there with him.

But THJ that fool can't close games on offense or defense he was just a bad resigning period.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

100% agree

I hate when people say it was do to fatigue

This is a typical Mavs vs Suns game where the Mave choke it up every single 4th qtr vs them

Dallas could be on 4 days rest and Phoenix could be on b2b and Paul will still destroy them in the 4th qtr along with Booker. So to me this isn't about fatigue it's about the Suns just having the Mavs #

I always wonder if you've ever said anything positive about the team...

I'm actually surprised we did as well as we did despite choking. We are still a much, much, MUCH better team than we were early on.

[Melonhead]

Reggie maxi and thj can go. They get way too many minutes for their production

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I'd say the main issue is that we are becoming stagnant with lineups. We basically played the exact same players the exact same minutes as last night. Gotta mix it up a bit in back2backs.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I always wonder if you've ever said anything positive about the team...

I'm actually surprised we did as well as we did despite choking. We are still a much, much, MUCH better team than we were early on.

LOL

I've been giving this team credit all year for their defensive turnaround and praising the improvement of Green, DFS and KP under Kidd and Luka posting up more.

Not sure where you've been

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

100% agree

This is a typical Mavs vs Suns game where the Mave choke it up every single 4th qtr vs them

Luka didn’t play the other 2 games this year, so…

[SMC0007]

So many mental lapses with a 5-8 point lead. Every single time they built it up the whole team just went space cadet. 2 times the Suns go down AFTER a made basket and get a free layup. Paul and Booker both. Then we start fumbling the ball away and mentally collapsing on the offensive end.

Another game where we can't get KP going in the 4th. It HAS to be a point of emphasis going forward. Having Luka score and generate everything with the spacing all fvcked up is not sustainable vs good teams.

Honestly if we didn't have two separate spans of huge lapse of concentration where the lead was eaten up, we finish this one too. But they can learn from this one that the time to grind is when you've built some cushion. Contenders keep focus and make other teams really earn it. During those 2 runs that quickly evaporated the leads, we were not diligent on preventing mismatches. We let KP end up on CP3 waaaay too easily. Along with other mental lapses. THJ and Brunson losing their assignment while helping out for no reason and getting caught in no man's land was also tough.

This game went almost exactly like I thought it would tbh. But Kidd is smart, he will point out exactly where things are falling apart.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I'd say the main issue is that we are becoming stagnant with lineups. We basically played the exact same players the exact same minutes as last night. Gotta mix it up a bit in back2backs.

I would have liked to see Green a little more and possibly Chriss who could have played vs Bismack IMO

But I think Kidd wanted to treat this like a playoff game since it was their last shot to see how they matchup vs Phoenix with a healthy lineup.

This might open their eyes and make them realize THJ isn't the answer if your looking for that shooter to help close out games.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

Luka didn’t play the other 2 games this year, so…

They've won 9 straight total and Luka has been apart of those previous matchups right?

Sure Dallas can hang with Phoenix but I think the point is they can never finish vs Phoenix regardless if Luka plays or not....

Paul and Booker has torched us no matter who's been on the floor for Dallas.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

They've won 9 straight total and Luka has been apart of those previous matchups right?

Sure Dallas can hang with Phoenix but I think the point is they can never finish vs Phoenix regardless if Luka plays or not....

Paul and Booker has torched us no matter who's been on the floor for Dallas.

1 game with Luka this season. This is a different team, with new schemes, different coaches, and different players. Who cares what happened last year?

[SMC0007]

IMO. Little to do with tired or fouls. We had the physical stamina but we lack the experience on how to finish and learned a hard lesson on how you can't let up. Details.

I'm not disheartened by this personally. The Suns are fn good. Period. They didn't even have Ayton. We alway knew we still lack a cpl pieces in order to be contenders.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

I would have liked to see Green a little more and possibly Chriss who could have played vs Bismack IMO

But I think Kidd wanted to treat this like a playoff game since it was their last shot to see how they matchup vs Phoenix with a healthy lineup.

This might open their eyes and make them realize THJ isn't the answer if your looking for that shooter to help close out games.

Problem is that we are a team that desperately needs scoring, and that's all THJ can do. I'm all for upgrading or getting rid of him, but I don't see that happening. Gotta use what you have.

And the only way to minimize his need is getting more from KP. He just disappears in stretches now and isn't moving well without the ball. He gets disengaged easily which I think is a long term criticism of him.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by BPo001

I wish THJ would follow his shot.

Originally Posted by JTmoney2424

THJ needs to follow his damn shot. That rebound came right back to him if he would stayed or drifted to the basket

Co-sign... I'd wager even Steph fuckin Curry, aka the greatest 3 point shooter of all time, follows his shot more than THJ.

Maddening.

[JTmoney2424]

Originally Posted by FreshJive

People are just retarded

They are retarded for being upset by losing to a team 9x in a row?

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

IMO. Little to do with tired or fouls. We had the physical stamina but we lack the experience on how to finish and learned a hard lesson on how you can't let up. Details.

I'm not disheartened by this personally. The Suns are fn good. Period. They didn't even have Ayton. We alway knew we still lack a cpl pieces in order to be contenders.

100% agree with this...

But I'm not sure if they need that extra big who can contend with guys like Ayton, Jokic or Davis come playoff time or if they need that big wing who can handle/create and defend a little to help out Luka.

Guys like THJ and Powell are going to be tough to move with those contracts

[SMC0007]

Having a guy like Derozen or insert any semi proven ball handler or guy who can penetrate is that you get more fringe, benefit of the doubt foul calls. THJ is allergic to just tearing thru to the bucket and forcing the defense to make a tough play. He can fn elevate when he wants to, but he would rather back up dribble and take a lazy 3 like the one he took when he had room to attack under 2 mins when we were down 3pts. At this point, It would take him a whole season of going hard to the rim 3 or 4 times per game before he started getting calls on any fringe fouls that true ball handlers get. The benefit comes with a little time and persistent effort. But we HAD to give him a raise and keep him. - good dude n all.

[Dallas41]

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/new...h-goran-dragic

Mavs Want to Keep Brunson & Finney-Smith; Could Hardway Jr. For Dragic Trade Work?

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, other teams having interest in some of the Dallas' best role players might not matter too much, as the Mavs like where they currently are at this point in the season and in the Western Conference standings.

"Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith are who everyone (around the league) wants," said Stein in his recent report. "(But the Mavs) are playing so well that they don't want to trade them."

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/new...h-goran-dragic

Mavs Want to Keep Brunson & Finney-Smith; Could Hardway Jr. For Dragic Trade Work?

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, other teams having interest in some of the Dallas' best role players might not matter too much, as the Mavs like where they currently are at this point in the season and in the Western Conference standings.

"Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith are who everyone (around the league) wants," said Stein in his recent report. "(But the Mavs) are playing so well that they don't want to trade them."

And this is why the FO never gets anything done and why fans can also be intolerable.

Fans: Makes trades we aren't good enough!

Also fans: I'm not trading anyone except THJ

There is almost no way you're keeping both of those guys this offseason unless Cuban completely shocks the world and goes into the tax.

Things can shift quickly in this league, and if the deadline passes and we are another first round exit...welp...we could lose both of them in FA.

And I'd likely do THJ for Dragic just to get out of the contract, but does Dragic have anything left?

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

100% agree with this...

But I'm not sure if they need that extra big who can contend with guys like Ayton, Jokic or Davis come playoff time or if they need that big wing who can handle/create and defend a little to help out Luka.

Guys like THJ and Powell are going to be tough to move with those contracts

Oh no. we are stuck with THJ. Maybe a .5% chance we manage to package him in a deal that we get robbed in....but nah. He's ours. Rejoice!

I don't think we have to have a big to improve. I just dont see anything that is reality as far as trades that are significant enough to even be even worth the hassle.

IMO our best bet is that Kidd finds a way to keep them locked in defensively and we find a way to keep KP rolling thru the 4th quarter but against good teams, not just the poor and average.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

And this is why the FO never gets anything done and why fans can also be intolerable.

Fans: Makes trades we aren't good enough!

Also fans: I'm not trading anyone except THJ

There is almost no way you're keeping both of those guys this offseason unless Cuban completely shocks the world and goes into the tax.

Things can shift quickly in this league, and if the deadline passes and we are another first round exit...welp...we could lose both of them in FA.

And I'd likely do THJ for Dragic just to get out of the contract, but does Dragic have anything left?

IDGAF. I do that trade all day everyday and I couldnt care less that Dragic doesn't have much at all left. I'd make almost ANY trade to get out of THJ. That was an incompetent signing.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I'd say the main issue is that we are becoming stagnant with lineups. We basically played the exact same players the exact same minutes as last night. Gotta mix it up a bit in back2backs.

Yeah I’m not gonna solely blame Kidd because it is the 5th game in 7 nights, but by the same measure WHY TF aren’t you getting more of Frank and Chriss. Even a few minutes of Moses.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

So many mental lapses with a 5-8 point lead. Every single time they built it up the whole team just went space cadet. 2 times the Suns go down AFTER a made basket and get a free layup. Paul and Booker both. Then we start fumbling the ball away and mentally collapsing on the offensive end.

Another game where we can't get KP going in the 4th. It HAS to be a point of emphasis going forward. Having Luka score and generate everything with the spacing all fvcked up is not sustainable vs good teams.

Honestly if we didn't have two separate spans of huge lapse of concentration where the lead was eaten up, we finish this one too. But they can learn from this one that the time to grind is when you've built some cushion. Contenders keep focus and make other teams really earn it. During those 2 runs that quickly evaporated the leads, we were not diligent on preventing mismatches. We let KP end up on CP3 waaaay too easily. Along with other mental lapses. THJ and Brunson losing their assignment while helping out for no reason and getting caught in no man's land was also tough.

This game went almost exactly like I thought it would tbh. But Kidd is smart, he will point out exactly where things are falling apart.

Brunson fell asleep SO many times on the weak side leaving Crowder especially (they were hiding Jalen on him when they were both in) open for 3s. There was one particularly egregious instance where he went down low to help on Biyombo thinking the driver was going to dump it to him. Leaving Crowder for a wide open 3.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Yeah I’m not gonna solely blame Kidd because it is the 5th game in 7 nights, but by the same measure WHY TF aren’t you getting more of Frank and Chriss. Even a few minutes of Moses.

I was surprised we didn’t get more of Frank, Chriss and Green too. I think Kidd saw an opportunity to steal a win and rode his guys.

KP looked awfully tentative in crunch time. Some terrible shots. I hope they can find a way to keep him involved. Kidd brought him late again, with 2:25 left. Never a fan of that. Don’t like guys coming in so late, hard to go so long without a touch. KP sat a huge chunk of the 4th and it was probably like 30-40 minutes in actual time.

[FreshJive]

Originally Posted by JTmoney2424

They are retarded for being upset by losing to a team 9x in a row?

To not see this game as a positive. The trivia is meaningless. Chris Paul ptsd is more triggering to me than the Suns logo.

[FreshJive]

Kirk Henderson

“Kenny smith saying the Dallas offense has improved but the defense he wasn’t sure about

@NBAonTNT guys like what are we doing? The offense is ok? The defense is actually good!”

Lol

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by mac222b

Brunson fell asleep SO many times on the weak side leaving Crowder especially (they were hiding Jalen on him when they were both in) open for 3s. There was one particularly egregious instance where he went down low to help on Biyombo thinking the driver was going to dump it to him. Leaving Crowder for a wide open 3.

That's one of the 2 bad ones. Our defensive scheme is solid but you can't fall asleep like that. Not even for a second in those momwnts. You've worked so hard all game and when you're up about 8 or 9 pts you're gonna get a big push from a contender. Keep grinding on the details like not giving up easy mismatches and scrambling like a virus moving as one. Like we have done before.

The 2 layups after made baskets was embarrassing and deflating too. That was actually the point where I felt we aren't finishing this one and we aren't quite ready.

Again, Kidd is a smart BB dude. I have no doubt he will break down the 4th quarter pushes they had and tell them from experience how the details matter and show them where we fell asleep and got comfy with a little cushion. That was one of the things the championship Mavs did well. Yes, it's easier when minds like an experienced Kidd, Marion and Chandler are on the floor but these kids can be taught.

[tap2390]

A huge issue continues to be our inability to knock down open threes. Kleber, Finney Smith, and Bullock combined to shoot 3 of 15 from three. That is unacceptable. There isn’t a single Maverick in the top 50 for three-point percentage. Finney Smith shows up at 72 with 36.8%.