08-23-2020, 12:21 PM
(08-22-2020, 06:58 PM)mtrot Wrote:(08-22-2020, 06:03 PM)StepBackJay Wrote: I can't picture exactly how Luka plays and things don't go poorly, specifically him making his injury worse. He has injured his ankle a few times and this injury definitely looks like a multi-week injury not a 2 day turnaround type of injury. There is zero chance he would be playing if it was a regular season game.I understand your thinking here, and I would have been right with you in past seasons, being a long time JJB fan. I've also defended JJB against his detractors here for many seasons. But with JJB not having even seen much of the court in so long, I'd have to prefer Burke at this point. At least he has seen success in this series.
I would much rather give him at least one game off (honestly he might be done if we are honest, there aren't enough rest days left) and see if JJB can turn back the clock one more time.
I honestly wouldn't start Burke, I'd leave him in his usual rotation. I would play JJB a lot of minutes, this is a perfect "break-the-glass" moment to see if JJB can get something going. Our offense has looked good even when Luka's not out there so I don't think its automatic that we get smoked. The Clippers might relax while the Mavs would continue to play desperate.
I really hope Luka sits at least one game, he really might break his own ankle putting to much stress on it.
I get the sentiment and we'll see what Rick does but Burke is going to shoot a lot when he's out there. With the starting unit I'd rather have a guy that distributes the ball more. Again in Rick we trust, I am down with whatever he decides to do. Hopefully Luka sits, there is just no reason for him to be out there with a bad ankle.
Obviously not having Brunson out there is a big deal. If the Mavs can keep Burke or get another guy in here like Dragic then that will be great Luka ankle insurance moving forward. Brunson of course will be back so you really just need one more guard and we know Rick is not shy about getting as many guards as possible.