05-12-2024, 05:03 PM
On rewatch, some items of note:
1. Giddey to open the game is 100% who the Mavs targeted. A few times they catch him showing too strong on a screen and throw it over his head to PJ or DJJ to take it to the rim. A couple more he’s exposed in isos. Mavs score on vast majority of Giddey attacks, and more than his offense, it looks to me like his defense is what’s earning him time on the bench.
2. It’s obvious that driving and getting into the paint are key components of the game plan, as they should be. But there seemed to be a noticeable uptick as soon as Chet left the game. Chet has defended the rim well in the series so far. But the rest of the Thunder team fails miserably in trying to employ a Clippers-like small lineup. Not only are they lacking a 6-8 PG prototype. They don’t even have a 6-5 Terrence Mann. The other JWill is no defensive stopper.
3. Gafford hasn’t learned from the Clippers series. I hoped he had. His memorable shoulder to Zubac’s chest in game 6 seemed like a turning point. But no. He isn’t using strength and power against Chet. He’s trying to dunk over him. And he’s a good 3 inches too short for that.
4. Speaking of Gaff. He’s the recipient of regular, hard, cheap shots far more than any other Mav. And they’re never called. Ever. I absolutely love how he never complains. Just picks up his lunch pail and goes right back to work. Have to think that pays off for him long-term. But maybe not this year.
5. Dort’s screens seem to involve shoving the guy he’s supposed to be screening.
6. The Lively hacks were further defeated by the Thunder following up his misses with turnover, turnover.
7. Shai seems to play no defense whatsoever. Is he gambling for steals? Not coincidence that he’s the primary defender on 22.0-points-per-game PJ Washington.
8. Half way through Q2, Hubie says Luka/Kyrie were a combined 4 for 13 shooting, and 0 for 4 from 3. That means they went 13 for 21 and 3 of 6 from deep thereafter.
9. So much fake injury. This review policy has to change. Did Jalen Williams really twist that ankle? Didn’t look like it. But he laid on the floor moaning while the Mavs shot the ball, grabbed the offensive rebound, and sunk an uncontested 3.
10. What’s the deal with the raised hands in front of the camera on second half 3s? Come on, ABC.
1. Giddey to open the game is 100% who the Mavs targeted. A few times they catch him showing too strong on a screen and throw it over his head to PJ or DJJ to take it to the rim. A couple more he’s exposed in isos. Mavs score on vast majority of Giddey attacks, and more than his offense, it looks to me like his defense is what’s earning him time on the bench.
2. It’s obvious that driving and getting into the paint are key components of the game plan, as they should be. But there seemed to be a noticeable uptick as soon as Chet left the game. Chet has defended the rim well in the series so far. But the rest of the Thunder team fails miserably in trying to employ a Clippers-like small lineup. Not only are they lacking a 6-8 PG prototype. They don’t even have a 6-5 Terrence Mann. The other JWill is no defensive stopper.
3. Gafford hasn’t learned from the Clippers series. I hoped he had. His memorable shoulder to Zubac’s chest in game 6 seemed like a turning point. But no. He isn’t using strength and power against Chet. He’s trying to dunk over him. And he’s a good 3 inches too short for that.
4. Speaking of Gaff. He’s the recipient of regular, hard, cheap shots far more than any other Mav. And they’re never called. Ever. I absolutely love how he never complains. Just picks up his lunch pail and goes right back to work. Have to think that pays off for him long-term. But maybe not this year.
5. Dort’s screens seem to involve shoving the guy he’s supposed to be screening.
6. The Lively hacks were further defeated by the Thunder following up his misses with turnover, turnover.
7. Shai seems to play no defense whatsoever. Is he gambling for steals? Not coincidence that he’s the primary defender on 22.0-points-per-game PJ Washington.
8. Half way through Q2, Hubie says Luka/Kyrie were a combined 4 for 13 shooting, and 0 for 4 from 3. That means they went 13 for 21 and 3 of 6 from deep thereafter.
9. So much fake injury. This review policy has to change. Did Jalen Williams really twist that ankle? Didn’t look like it. But he laid on the floor moaning while the Mavs shot the ball, grabbed the offensive rebound, and sunk an uncontested 3.
10. What’s the deal with the raised hands in front of the camera on second half 3s? Come on, ABC.
Pessimism doesn’t make you smart, just pessimistic.
![[-]](https://www.mavsboard.com/images/collapse.png)