GAME 41: DAL (22-19) @ NYK (21-21) | 85-108 loss

[dirkfansince1998]

DFS worst game in...cannot even remember...brutal stretch to end the quarter.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Luka's head not in the game. Silly charge turnover. I guess the Knicks got their number after all.

[Kammrath]

@"KillerLeft" and @"dirkfansince1998" can y'all give me your concise summaries of what's going on with Luka this season? What are your opinions and takes on him?

[Kammrath]

5-17....3 ast, 5 TOs...team worst -22....UGH.

[dirkfansince1998]

4 vs 3 fastbreak ending in a turnover. Takes special abilities to slow the game down and bring two trailing defenders back into the play.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Bye bye winning streak. Let's start a new one in Memphis Friday, (yeah right)

[dirkfansince1998]

@"KillerLeft" and @"dirkfansince1998" can y'all give me your concise summaries of what's going on with Luka this season? What are your opinions and takes on him?

Short summary. Luka is not in shape and a step slow. Also missing some lift on his jumper.
Mavs spacing is a lot worse and it is easier for team to double/trap him or collapse on the drive (that´s how the game started today, Luka created two wide open 3s. DFS and Kleber missed). The Knicks dared the Mavs (including Luka) to shoot from deep. Mavs couldn´t take advantage. That´s nothing new.
In the last couple of games the defense carried the team. Tonight that wasn´t the case.

[Kammrath]

Luka is not in shape and a step slow

What are your speculations of what's going on behind the veil here: Fatigue? Strength-training issues? Conditioning? Diet? Extra-weight?

[dirkfansince1998]

I already mentioned it a few weeks ago. The Mavs aren´t just missing 3s. Some of them are completly off. Good shooters generally miss long or short. That´s what Maxi is doing. THJ, DFS, Bullock and Luka are missing left and right with huge variation.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

No defense insight. Knicks controlling the boards and getting what they want, and Mavs are missing clean looks. They're 3 pt shooting is abysmal, 8-35.

[dirkfansince1998]

What are your speculations of what's going on behind the veil here: Fatigue? Strength-training issues? Conditioning? Diet? Extra-weight?

Wasn´t in great shape to begin the season. Wanted to play himself into shape. Suffered from a few minor injuries and couldn´t practise and play as much as he wanted to.

[KillerLeft]

@"KillerLeft" and @"dirkfansince1998" can y'all give me your concise summaries of what's going on with Luka this season? What are your opinions and takes on him?

Man, I’ve flipped on it several times. Not really sure, anymore. I think ALL of the following is part of the equation, though I waiver daily on what extent to blame each component:

1) health issues (conditioning probs maybe, plus wear and tear from olympics)

2) rule changes taking a little too much of his perimeter bag away from him (hasn’t adjusted yet)

3) shooting slump, rather than improvement from last year (hopefully temporary)

4) still not happy with something about this lockerrom/org 

5) trouble adjusting to new systems

6) more to the point, new offensive system isn’t custom made for things he ALREADY dies well like the last one was.

7) league catching up to his tendencies and getting better at taking them away in ways he hasn’t solved yet

8) hate to say it…he got his contract…not a lazy guy, but some complacency is human nature, especially if everyone walks on eggshells around you

9) less experienced coaching could mean less help for a young player, even if this is what he wanted

10) general want for maturity and professionalism when it comes to excellence (it’s hard - he’ll get there)

Idk…some combo of all of that?

[Kammrath]

shooting slump

Is 26 games a "slump" still? I don't know what I would call it, but we have seen slumps from Luka every season and this feels like a totally different animal to me.....which is absolutely terrifying.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

This is why I'm not sold on this team. They had good wins over GS and Chi, who didn't play their best probably,  They look tired and unmotivated after a day off.

[KillerLeft]

Is 26 games a "slump" still? I don't know what I would call it, but we have seen slumps from Luka every season and this feels like a totally different animal to me.....which is absolutely terrifying.

If it overlaps with a bad ankle and a big stretch of missed games, maybe.

[Kammrath]

If it overlaps with a bad ankle and a big stretch of missed games, maybe.

Genuine question: Did we see shooting slumps with Dirk correlate with his ankle injuries? I don't remember a correlation at all, but my memory could be way off.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dirk had slumps I'm sure, but he's a much better shooter than Luka.

[KillerLeft]

Genuine question: Did we see shooting slumps with Dirk correlate with his ankle injuries? I don't remember a correlation at all, but my memory could be way off.

No idea. I’m not sure they compare as shooters, however. I think Dirk was much more process oriented with his shot.

Luka has missed something like 10 layups tonight. Whatever we’re talking about, it’s not the answer for THIS particular game. The entire team is out there playing like they’re on Molly.

[dirkfansince1998]

Is 26 games a "slump" still? I don't know what I would call it, but we have seen slumps from Luka every season and this feels like a totally different animal to me.....which is absolutely terrifying.

Even a whole season could be a slump. We know that Luka can do better. He himself probably knows it better than anyone else. I had high hopes that losing in the first round against the Clippers again would trigger something and lead to a more mature approach. That wasn´t the case. Still think that it will happen. Maybe next summer. Maybe in a couple of years.

I also think that he is overplayed. He really needs a full offseason but that´s probably not going to happen any time soon. Don´t think he will skip the eurobaskets when Slovenia is the defending champion.

[KillerLeft]

Serious question: 

These guys are young. Are they freaked out about trade rumors? The ENTIRE TEAM was just awful tonight.