GAME 37 DIRKIE: Winner Luka (89%)

[Kammrath]

Who was the player of the game who elevated his game to help the team win?

[MrGoat]

4 steals, another 50 bomb, and a cheeky perfectly executed intentionally missed free throw at the end

[ThisIStheYear]

FN made some nice plays down the stretch.  But no one really stepped up enough to deny Luka the Dirkie, even grading on a heavy curve.  Plus, Luka met Pop’s challenge.  Easy vote tonight.

[ballsrchr]

At least the right three players are on the Dirkie list.

Of those three...Wood is second.

And yes...even grading on a very heavy curve...nobody could take the Dirkie away from Luka.

Even with such a Luka performance the Mavs barely eked out a 1 point win.

I think it's time to get Luka more...even some!...help.

Can Mavs management sit back and bask in the glory of Luka's accomplishments?  Or is this plan powder 2.2?

Whoa...the Mavs don't have any powder...

[SleepingHero]

Luka had probably one of the best weeks in NBA history:

12/25- 32pts 9rbd 9ast

12/27- 60pts 21rbd 10ast

12/29- 35pts 12rbd 13ast

12/31- 51pts 6rbd 9ast

Avg: 44.5ppg 12rpg 10apg on 60.8% FG and 50% from 3. Mavs 4-0. 

Just what in the actual F. Deserves a unanimous dirkie to cap off that week.

[burekemde]

Luka had probably one of the best weeks in NBA history:

12/25- 32pts 9rbd 9ast

12/27- 60pts 21rbd 10ast

12/29- 35pts 12rbd 13ast

12/31- 51pts 6rbd 9ast

Avg: 44.5ppg 12rpg 10apg on 60.8% FG and 50% from 3. Mavs 4-0. 

Just what in the actual F. Deserves a unanimous dirkie to cap off that week.

And making the challenge of at least 50 against Pop. Somewhat similar to Ali that did to raise to challanges that in that case he himself put up.

Also the run includes some pure Magic finishes and assists that the sport has rarely or maybe never seen.

All that said, the key has been the lowering of double teams. Not to take anything away from Luka, as he previous to now has seen record number of doubling. And lowering of double teams is due to Wood and SD and the way they have started to be used as quick double outlets, in particular Wood. But both being there at the same time around Luka is what made that happen. Wood as a quick double outlet has been extremely efficient and made teams think twice before doubling. Luka has been destroying the single coverage as good as anyone in history (Wilt, MJ like stuff we have seen). The key to a title means another caliber player with similar skillset as Wood and SD, that can attack and finish at the rim in addition to shoot. Then Luka may se largely single teams rest of the season, and I believe we may then see even bigger performances. Luka has the talent level to make a 80 or even 100 point game at some point in his career, but it will never occur if he is doubled, so it is about the circumstances such as rest of the team etc.