GAME 5: DAL (3-2) @ DEN (3-2) | 75-106 loss

[burekemde]

Luka is 5-18 in 26 mins, -32. He doesn't even look like an average NBA player, much less a superstar. What the hell.

Physically, Luka looks in way better shape to me than the beginning of previous seasons. Evident on how better he moves on defense. Also in the way he does not grasp for air in the small breaks during game. Last seasons he was doing that all the time, in the very beginning of seasons, and this tendency to grasp for air went down as he came in shape during the season. The reason he is in better shape now is also likely the national team tournament that kept him in shape during offseason.

Physically, he is there, and better.

Mentally, this team is very different.

This is a completely different system. This is where the issue is 100% IMO. Kidd is experimenting too much away from the system that the team knows to play. And Powell is playing way way too much. He came on the bench with 5 min to go in 3rd, he played a lot until then. He gets the ball in the paint throughout the game, and is not able to finish. Most bigs would create a lot of points in these situations.

There is a completely different flow to the offense and how players move. Basically, not only Luka but entire team looks not to believe in this offense at this moment.

I just hope this is experimenting. Too many plays are drawns that do not work with these players. Sooner rather than later, it needs to revert back to the former system that works.