RS 23/24 - Mavs @ Nuggets (9 PM EST)

[Archx]

THJ straight up getting bullied out there.

It's absolutely incredible how bad he is on defense and it looks that much worse if his crazy shots are not falling. Kinda makes sense why no team wants to trade for him.

[tleikheen]

Luka playing out there with the kids ,I bet u he doesnt like it

[Dali]

Jason Kidd if you're waving the whtie flag, wave it properly, get Luka out.

[Maverick41]

THJ straight up getting bullied out there.

It's absolutely incredible how bad he is on defense and it looks that much worse if his crazy shots are not falling. Kinda makes sense why no team wants to trade for him.

Yeah I chuckle when people think we can get positive value for him straight up.

[Maverick41]

Someone get Kidd a calculator please. He somehow thinks this game is close enough to continue to play Luka extended minutes.

[Archx]

What a drastic difference between Kidd and Malone coaching. It's embarrassing how Kidd still has a job.

[tleikheen]

Hardy and Hardaway are hurting their trade value ,hard to watch

[Forbes]

We still sorely need to get Luka some real players. Cant be fun being depended on so heavily to get a win. Even with Kyrie, it hasn’t been that much easier because he’s been inconsistent.

It’s already hard because we don’t even have players other teams want but hopefully we are extremely active at the deadline. We absolutely need another big man that defends rebounds especially.

[41Dirk41]

We still sorely need to get Luka some real players. Cant be fun being depended on so heavily to get a win. Even with Kyrie, it hasn’t been that much easier because he’s been inconsistent.

It’s already hard because we don’t even have players other teams want but hopefully we are extremely active at the deadline. We absolutely need another big man that defends rebounds especially.

That's what Cuban built in those years... But hey sky isn't falling and Detroit is worse than us so it's ok

[joesha1698]

We still sorely need to get Luka some real players. Cant be fun being depended on so heavily to get a win. Even with Kyrie, it hasn’t been that much easier because he’s been inconsistent.

It’s already hard because we don’t even have players other teams want but hopefully we are extremely active at the deadline. We absolutely need another big man that defends rebounds especially.

Luka ala James harden style of play is hard to play with unless you shoot 3s all day and set picks. The 3 point shooting is great when it goes down but it's anyone game when guys aren't making the shots. That style of play makes the team and the guys you put around him one dimension ala those Houston teams with James harden..

The numbers look good but luka isn't playing enough defense, still whining at the refs, and his numbers don't truly reflect how his style of play limits how the team plays and kills any chance at fast break points.

As good as Luka is, his style of play holds this team hostage. Limits others around him so he can play a pick and role game that is contingent on 3 point shots.

Luka needs to play faster and play the game 94 feet, play both ends, and start leading. Until he does that he just James harden 2.0 and forces everyone to play a one dimensional style that hasn't proven to work in the NBA when it comes to winning big. It also forces others to make up for his inefficiencies. Theres no reason to play at that slow pace or for him not to be better on defense.

For the record, I don't mind luka manipulating defenses the final 5 minutes of a quarter or game. However, he needs to be committed to pushing the ball the first 7 minutes of each quarter ala Jason kidd with the new jersey nets. We need to manufacturer offense for this team and develop some chemistry. We don't need to play this grind it out slow pace style for 48 minutes because it suits 1 guy. When you have no offense, pushing the ball is your offense. And you can always go to the Luka style when that isn't working. We can't just be this one trick pony because it serves one guys style.

[tleikheen]

Luka ala James harden style of play is hard to play with unless you shoot 3s all day and set picks. The 3 point shooting is great when it goes down but it's anyone game when guys aren't making the shots. That style of play makes the team and the guys you put around him one dimension ala those Houston teams with James harden..

The numbers look good but luka isn't playing enough defense, still whining at the refs, and his numbers don't truly reflect how his style of play limits how the team plays and kills any chance at fast break points.

As good as Luka is, his style of play holds this team hostage. Limits others around him so he can play a pick and role game that is contingent on 3 point shots.

Luka needs to play faster and play the game 94 feet, play both ends, and start leading. Until he does that he just James harden 2.0 and forces everyone to play a one dimensional style that hasn't proven to work in the NBA when it comes to winning big. It also forces others to make up for his inefficiencies. Theres no reason to play at that slow pace or for him not to be better on defense.

For the record, I don't mind luka manipulating defenses the final 5 minutes of a quarter or game. However, he needs to be committed to pushing the ball the first 7 minutes of each quarter ala Jason kidd with the new jersey nets. We need to manufacturer offense for this team and develop some chemistry. We don't need to play this grind it out slow pace style for 48 minutes because it suits 1 guy. When you have no offense, pushing the ball is your offense. And you can always go to the Luka style when that isn't working. We can't just be this one trick pony because it serves one guys style.

...The last 6 games started , Dante Exum has shot lights out making 41/58 (FG) for 70.6 percent and 14/ 21 (3pt) for 66 percent .
Just over 1/3 of his shots are 3pters and just under 2/3 are attacks off the dribble to the basket. Kyrie is similar on how he racks up points.
But the rest are as you say and some games they make and others they dont essentially living or dying by the 3 ball.
You can see Exum wants to go all the time but defers to Luka most times on his pace. This is where Kyrie comes in because he likes to run too and Exum and Kyrie get Luka going faster.
I think youll see a faster pace when all 3 are healthy ,meaning Kyrie right now .

[Bob8]

We still sorely need to get Luka some real players. Cant be fun being depended on so heavily to get a win. Even with Kyrie, it hasn’t been that much easier because he’s been inconsistent.

It’s already hard because we don’t even have players other teams want but hopefully we are extremely active at the deadline. We absolutely need another big man that defends rebounds especially.

Luka ala James harden style of play is hard to play with unless you shoot 3s all day and set picks. The 3 point shooting is great when it goes down but it's anyone game when guys aren't making the shots. That style of play makes the team and the guys you put around him one dimension ala those Houston teams with James harden..

The numbers look good but luka isn't playing enough defense, still whining at the refs, and his numbers don't truly reflect how his style of play limits how the team plays and kills any chance at fast break points.

As good as Luka is, his style of play holds this team hostage. Limits others around him so he can play a pick and role game that is contingent on 3 point shots.

Luka needs to play faster and play the game 94 feet, play both ends, and start leading. Until he does that he just James harden 2.0 and forces everyone to play a one dimensional style that hasn't proven to work in the NBA when it comes to winning big. It also forces others to make up for his inefficiencies. Theres no reason to play at that slow pace or for him not to be better on defense.

For the record, I don't mind luka manipulating defenses the final 5 minutes of a quarter or game. However, he needs to be committed to pushing the ball the first 7 minutes of each quarter ala Jason kidd with the new jersey nets. We need to manufacturer offense for this team and develop some chemistry. We don't need to play this grind it out slow pace style for 48 minutes because it suits 1 guy. When you have no offense, pushing the ball is your offense. And you can always go to the Luka style when that isn't working. We can't just be this one trick pony because it serves one guys style.

Mavs are 11th in pace. Kyrie missing 10 games already doesn't help with diversity of offence either. And Mavs are not winning with yesterday's roster no matter how they would have played. Prime MJ can't win anything, if his starters are Celtics bench player, Bulls bench warmer, Euroleague player and a C, who shouldn't be even in rotation.

[Bob8]

Luka ala James harden style of play is hard to play with unless you shoot 3s all day and set picks. The 3 point shooting is great when it goes down but it's anyone game when guys aren't making the shots. That style of play makes the team and the guys you put around him one dimension ala those Houston teams with James harden..

The numbers look good but luka isn't playing enough defense, still whining at the refs, and his numbers don't truly reflect how his style of play limits how the team plays and kills any chance at fast break points.

As good as Luka is, his style of play holds this team hostage. Limits others around him so he can play a pick and role game that is contingent on 3 point shots.

Luka needs to play faster and play the game 94 feet, play both ends, and start leading. Until he does that he just James harden 2.0 and forces everyone to play a one dimensional style that hasn't proven to work in the NBA when it comes to winning big. It also forces others to make up for his inefficiencies. Theres no reason to play at that slow pace or for him not to be better on defense.

For the record, I don't mind luka manipulating defenses the final 5 minutes of a quarter or game. However, he needs to be committed to pushing the ball the first 7 minutes of each quarter ala Jason kidd with the new jersey nets. We need to manufacturer offense for this team and develop some chemistry. We don't need to play this grind it out slow pace style for 48 minutes because it suits 1 guy. When you have no offense, pushing the ball is your offense. And you can always go to the Luka style when that isn't working. We can't just be this one trick pony because it serves one guys style.

...The last 6 games started , Dante Exum has shot lights out making 41/58 (FG) for 70.6 percent and 14/ 21 (3pt) for 66 percent .
Just over 1/3 of his shots are 3pters and just under 2/3 are attacks off the dribble to the basket. Kyrie is similar on how he racks up points.
But the rest are as you say and some games they make and others they dont essentially living or dying by the 3 ball.
You can see Exum wants to go all the time but defers to Luka most times on his pace. This is where Kyrie comes in because he likes to run too and Exum and Kyrie get Luka going faster.
I think youll see a faster pace when all 3 are healthy ,meaning Kyrie right now .

Kyrie wouldn't have changed anything yesterday. Denver are just superior basketball team. Jokic didn't even try much. And you shouldn't be too surprised, if Kidd puts Exum in second unit, when Kyrie returns.

[Mavrelous]

I don't get why Luka played, brutal schedule ahead, Hardy is struggling and could use 30 minutes game to get into his groove, and you know if you play Luka, you have to play him 30+ minutes, he still has individual titles he needs to go for (MVP, all NBA, scoring title)...

[tleikheen]

You don't demote a player (Exum) because he's scorching the net just to watch guys in a big slump (Williams,Jones ) play just because Kyrie is getting close to playing .
As was said the pace of the Mavs is going backwards and it was (pace) at it's best when the trio of Kyrie /Exum/Luka played together.
Grant Williams will be the one likely to go to the bench ,his shooting has really fallen off and he doesnt excel in anything else. Mavs are already looking for a replacement as he does'nt look like the answer.

[Bob8]

You don't demote a player (Exum) because he's scorching the net just to watch guys in a big slump (Williams,Jones ) play just because Kyrie is getting close to playing .
As was said the pace of the Mavs is going backwards and it was (pace) at it's best when the trio of Kyrie /Exum/Luka played together.
Grant Williams will be the one likely to go to the bench ,his shooting has really fallen off and he doesnt excel in anything else. Mavs are already looking for a replacement as he does'nt look like the answer.

If you want those 3 playing together, you need a big 4 and strong 5 to make things work. You can't have DJJ in 4 and not yet strong enough Lively in 5. Grant is not big enough but he's the only option in 4 at the moment.

[41Dirk41]

You don't demote a player (Exum) because he's scorching the net just to watch guys in a big slump (Williams,Jones ) play just because Kyrie is getting close to playing .
As was said the pace of the Mavs is going backwards and it was (pace) at it's best when the trio of Kyrie /Exum/Luka played together.
Grant Williams will be the one likely to go to the bench ,his shooting has really fallen off and he doesnt excel in anything else. Mavs are already looking for a replacement as he does'nt look like the answer.

If you want those 3 playing together, you need a big 4 and strong 5 to make things work. You can't have DJJ in 4 and not yet strong enough Lively in 5. Grant is not big enough but he's the only option in 4 at the moment.

Yes i agree and i can't understand where is the problem here, a lot of (Better) players came off the bench. Terry, Dinwiddie ecc ecc

If Exum continues to shoots well then 20/25 around one of Luka or Kyrie are a great role.

[Bob8]

You don't demote a player (Exum) because he's scorching the net just to watch guys in a big slump (Williams,Jones ) play just because Kyrie is getting close to playing .
As was said the pace of the Mavs is going backwards and it was (pace) at it's best when the trio of Kyrie /Exum/Luka played together.
Grant Williams will be the one likely to go to the bench ,his shooting has really fallen off and he doesnt excel in anything else. Mavs are already looking for a replacement as he does'nt look like the answer.

If you want those 3 playing together, you need a big 4 and strong 5 to make things work. You can't have DJJ in 4 and not yet strong enough Lively in 5. Grant is not big enough but he's the only option in 4 at the moment.

Yes i agree and i can't understand where is the problem here, a lot of (Better) players came off the bench. Terry, Dinwiddie ecc ecc

If Exum continues to shoots well then 20/25 around one of Luka or Kyrie are a great role.

The ideal solution would be change Josh in proper 4, things would become much better instantly in that case. We would be much more flexible, we could start with 3 guards, could start with a bigger roster, we wouldn't depend on Grant so much...

[Mavrelous]

We still sorely need to get Luka some real players. Cant be fun being depended on so heavily to get a win. Even with Kyrie, it hasn’t been that much easier because he’s been inconsistent.

It’s already hard because we don’t even have players other teams want but hopefully we are extremely active at the deadline. We absolutely need another big man that defends rebounds especially.

Luka ala James harden style of play is hard to play with unless you shoot 3s all day and set picks. The 3 point shooting is great when it goes down but it's anyone game when guys aren't making the shots. That style of play makes the team and the guys you put around him one dimension ala those Houston teams with James harden..

The numbers look good but luka isn't playing enough defense, still whining at the refs, and his numbers don't truly reflect how his style of play limits how the team plays and kills any chance at fast break points.

As good as Luka is, his style of play holds this team hostage. Limits others around him so he can play a pick and role game that is contingent on 3 point shots.

Luka needs to play faster and play the game 94 feet, play both ends, and start leading. Until he does that he just James harden 2.0 and forces everyone to play a one dimensional style that hasn't proven to work in the NBA when it comes to winning big. It also forces others to make up for his inefficiencies. Theres no reason to play at that slow pace or for him not to be better on defense.

For the record, I don't mind luka manipulating defenses the final 5 minutes of a quarter or game. However, he needs to be committed to pushing the ball the first 7 minutes of each quarter ala Jason kidd with the new jersey nets. We need to manufacturer offense for this team and develop some chemistry. We don't need to play this grind it out slow pace style for 48 minutes because it suits 1 guy. When you have no offense, pushing the ball is your offense. And you can always go to the Luka style when that isn't working. We can't just be this one trick pony because it serves one guys style.

This team lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, at home, w/o Luka...
Luka's pushing the ball, allowing others bring it up the floor and initiate early offense, and then joing through dribble hand-off, his defense can be horrible at times, but he usually locks down late in games.
While FO managed to get a good guard rotation, and starting center this year, the team has no big wings or classic 4s (except Maxi, who is, well, Maxi...)
Mavs need a trade for a 4, or a miraculous progress from Prosper and out of the blue comeback from Maxi.
Grant Williams, Josh Green, Hardy, Powell and Holmes are expendable and should be used for this.

[Archx]

As good as Luka is, his style of play holds this team hostage. Limits others around him so he can play a pick and role game that is contingent on 3 point shots.

I mean... did you check Mavs roster lately or? Even when Kyrie is healthy and is doing his stuff, they play the same aswell. Did you notice that or no?
This game was a perfect example of two coaches having 2 different playstyles. One has motion offense and the other relies on two stars to do the work for him. Kyrie and Luka are basically taking turns 1v5 in the half court, it's just that Luka is better at it than anyone in the league.

Funny thing is, when this team is healthy they have top5 offense but they need better defense, so your complaining about offense makes ZERO sense to me because you're objectively wrong.
Defense on another hand, we saw again that it is completely reliant on an 19yo rookie center. This is where they would still need a serious upgrade. Either better coaching or better players.