2024 Playoffs Rd 1 Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Being a sports fan is a brutal affair.

[EricaLubarsky]

The good news: We made up a 31pt deficit and pulled the lead near the end

The bad news: Tony Brothers and Harden have a two-man game that is impossible to defend

2-2

Best of 3

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Lively getting only 18 minutes should be a fireable offense alone. It's so stupid.

[EricaLubarsky]

ha! the FT game for them

Just making the sting last longer.

Trash Clippers franchise.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

This series should be over by now, but the Mavs thought taking off good parts of games was the way to go.

[EricaLubarsky]

That was some Dwyane-Wade-ass officiating to end the fourth. Nothing is going to stop HArden when refs don't let anyone even breathe on him

[Budapest Maverick]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

That was some Dwyane-Wade-ass officiating to end the fourth. Nothing is going to stop HArden when refs don't let anyone even breathe on him

Harden is a shell of his former self, the team made him look good with absolute s**t defense.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Kleber has 3 points and 2 assists and is a minus 10 letting Harden embarrass him, but let's ruin our chances this season by continuing to play him. So predictable.

[EricaLubarsky]

I hate the Clippers more than anything in the world. Just trash humans and the entire national media is cheering for their trash.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I hate the Clippers more than anything in the world. Just trash humans and the entire national media is cheering for their trash.

Perkins
Barkley
Shaq
Legler

They all picked Dallas

[BPo001]

Well they shot 62% from 3 (making 18) and we only lost by 5. Had they remembered the game started at 2:30 and not had to dig themselves out of a hole they would have won by 15. Frustrating loss, but I?m still confident Mavs can beat them.

[Melonhead]

This the kind of shit where having a coach that makes adjustments matters. We watched 6 harden floaters drop in the 4th.

[EricaLubarsky]

Real talk:

If the Mavs blow it after going up 2-1 for yet another Clippers loss, do we fire Kidd?

[LukaMagic]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Real talk:

If the Mavs blow it after going up 2-1 for yet another Clippers loss, do we fire Kidd?

Kidd is a POSITIVE thing with this team.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by LukaMagic

Kidd is a POSITIVE thing with this team.

That?s debatable?

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by LukaMagic

Kidd is a POSITIVE thing with this team.

Positively brain dead

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Real talk:

If the Mavs blow it after going up 2-1 for yet another Clippers loss, do we fire Kidd?

They should but won't.

I just don't get how he could be so incapable of getting them ready for a Sunday afternoon playoff game.

The team didn't take the game seriously until the 3rd quarter. No serious team with championship aspirations does that.

[Dallas41]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

They should but won't.

I just don't get how he could be so incapable of getting them ready for a Sunday afternoon playoff game.

The team didn't take the game seriously until the 3rd quarter. No serious team with championship aspirations does that.

On both Sunday afternoon games you can also make the argument that our franchise player has also come out lackadaisical with know sense of urgency.

So if we are going to point the finger at kidd then some of the blame should also go towards Luka not looking engaged to play and spending more time arguing over non calls the entire half.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

On both Sunday afternoon games you can also make the argument that our franchise player has also come out lackadaisical with know sense of urgency.

So if we are going to point the finger at kidd then some of the blame should also go towards Luka not looking engaged to play and spending more time arguing over non calls the entire half.

Agreed, but Kidd's number one job is to get his best player locked in. If you can't do that, then we need someone who can.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

On both Sunday afternoon games you can also make the argument that our franchise player has also come out lackadaisical with know sense of urgency.

So if we are going to point the finger at kidd then some of the blame should also go towards Luka not looking engaged to play and spending more time arguing over non calls the entire half.

Agreed Luka was bad overall. And Kidd should play a center in the 4th quarter.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Dallas41

On both Sunday afternoon games you can also make the argument that our franchise player has also come out lackadaisical with know sense of urgency.

So if we are going to point the finger at kidd then some of the blame should also go towards Luka not looking engaged to play and spending more time arguing over non calls the entire half.

Luka either has to be incredible offensively, or play a lot better on defense. He's looks pretty bad offensively. Wayyyyyyyyy too many possessions where he isn't moving the ball.

I think we are cooked after this one. I hope I'm wrong. They have the recipe to interrupt normal Luka and the offensive 1v1s to beat anyone we throw at them..again and still.

I have no doubt that if Luka would work out and eat properly and get truly fit he wouldnt be such a liability on defense and would have more stamina late in seasons and late in games. Sucks that 5 years have gone by and he doesn't seem to care enough to change.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Real talk:

If the Mavs blow it after going up 2-1 for yet another Clippers loss, do we fire Kidd?

Real talk: Lol no. Not a chance in hell they will. Maybe Kidd learns from this

[LukaMagic]

This was MAVS' LOSS. If they lose the series now it will not be because they didn't deserve it. Luka has so far been distracted ALL SERIES LONG. These are now 4 games WITHOUT HIM EXPLODING.

Did he even make a single step-back three this game? My stream sucked, but I don't think I've seen that. Let alone for him to score 6 or 7 of those in a half.

Luka is still young. The refs abuse him with their shit. yadda yadda yadda 15 minutes into the game he can't find his feel.

And the second option is Kyrie Irwing WHO LIKES TO WAIT HIS SWEET TIME BEFORE EVEN TRYING to get some buckets going. Waiting for the 4th quarter like he is fuckin' Kate Middleton.

And then all you're left with is PJ and Gafford.

[LukaMagic]

And if their scoring is not on THEY CAN'T PLAY FUCKIN' DEFENSE.

[Melonhead]

Might have to start asking tough questions whether Luka can be a 1a on a title contender. If they get bounced by the clippers then the question has to be asked.

[washedklean77]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Might have to start asking tough questions whether Luka can be a 1a on a title contender. If they get bounced by the clippers then the question has to be asked.

Luka looks completely beat down, broken and out of shape. How will he hold up for the remainder of this series, let alone subsequent rounds should the Mavs prevail? One of the very few superstars that falls out of shape as the season progresses.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by washedklean77

Luka looks completely beat down, broken and out of shape. How will he hold up for the remainder of this series, let alone subsequent rounds should the Mavs prevail? One of the very few superstars that falls out of shape as the season progresses.

Luka Unquestionably falls out of shape as the season goes on. My guess is poor eating habits. Also can't help that our system is "watch Luka, then let Kyrie". Year after year he looks beat down by season end and the talk is always about off season Luka innthe gym yada yada.

Much like slow starts, complaining and not getting back on defense. Its rinse repeat about Luka not taking elite fitness seriously on any consistent level.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Here is what you need to know about Kidd being a "positive" today...https://twitter.com/sixfivelando/sta...17128701968420

[Melonhead]

Clippers scored 20 in the paint in the 4th. Gaff 1:51, Live 0:00

Kidd is a clown.

[Melonhead]

The next 3 days are gonna suck

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I called it going 6-7. It's just that we coulda easily swept the them. That's the annoying part.

There is still more good than bad overall. Just don't take off large parts of the game, and this will be a series win.

[Melonhead]

Kidd said he?d rather live with Hardens floaters than his step back threes.

Literally upside down world. Brain dead. And we?re stuck with him.

[blessednegr0]

That was one of the more frustrating games i've ever seen. No big men the entire 4th. Luka is letting the team down with his emotions. We need to man up and take games 5 and 6.

[Melonhead]

Unfortunately listening to hoop collective this morning and brace yourself.

Harden hit 11 floaters the entire regular season. The entire regular season.

Hit 5 in the 4th yesterday.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Unfortunately listening to hoop collective this morning and brace yourself.

Harden hit 11 floaters the entire regular season. The entire regular season.

Hit 5 in the 4th yesterday.

What is it with coaches and centers on this team? I'm convinced Kidd hates centers. He damn near ruined Gafford before amazingly deciding that starting him might get us wins.

Now Lively is in the 15-18 minute range? Esp when Gafford is obviously hurt and ineffective in this series?

We drafted Lively specifically for RIGHT NOWWWW.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

What is it with coaches and centers on this team? I'm convinced Kidd hates centers. He damn near ruined Gafford before amazingly deciding that starting him might get us wins.

Now Lively is in the 15-18 minute range? Esp when Gafford is obviously hurt and ineffective in this series?

We drafted Lively specifically for RIGHT NOWWWW.

I feel like im losing my mind with this. Because even if Kidd says I?ll live with twos instead of hardens threes, why not have an actual fn center that could at minimum challenge his floater at the rim.

This is the same defense he?s using when they had that horrible defense post all star break. It?s maddening. We have real centers now. Make an adjustment for fucks sake.

[purplefrog]

In the series so far - Clippers 3pt% = 43.3%
Clippers two wins - LA 3pt% = 56% (50% and 62%)
Clippers two losses - LA 3pt% = 30.6% (26.7% and 34.5%)

I think they are a streaky 3pt shooting team and when they are hot, they are are really hot. I see no reason for Kidd to be keeping Gafford/Lively out of the fourth quarter with the hope of keeping them off the three point line. The defense on PG and Harden was pretty good beyond the arc in game four and the Mavs still got torched. Might as well try to take away the drive to the basket with a big guy patrolling the paint. PG was just otherworldly in game four.

[EricaLubarsky]

I agree that Luka looks broken down. Im not sure he deserves the hate, though.

Dude had to play
24 games without Kyrie
53 games without PJ
53 games without Gafford
27 games without Lively
27 games without Exum

Without centers, he had to do our rebounding. Without scorers, he was forced to put up 50pts a night for us to have a chance.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I agree that Luka looks broken down. Im not sure he deserves the hate, though.

Dude had to play
24 games without Kyrie
53 games without PJ
53 games without Gafford
27 games without Lively
27 games without Exum

Without centers, he had to do our rebounding. Without scorers, he was forced to put up 50pts a night for us to have a chance.

Its not hate. Everyone here loves Luka.

What you said is fair regarding his workload... but really doesnt explain how he does all of that stuff yet looks 10lbs heavier.

It would explain how he is a bit run down. However, would he be this worn out if he got super fit, and maintained it during the season? I'm not convinced he keeps a strict diet once the season is under way.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Well injuries and being worn down can you make you make poor basketball decisions. You see that time and time again. Just look at Embiid. Super frustrated that he isn't himself playing hurt.

Unfortunately, bad decisions can determine the outcome of a series. Not saying Luka had a ton last night, but I forgive some step back threes since they are easier than struggling through attacking the rim over and over again. It makes sense.

I'm actually glad we have a few days off for Luka to get at least a little right.