Game 18: Memphis Grizzlies (5-13) vs. Dallas Mavericks (11-7) 108-94 loss

[ThisIStheYear]

A lot of fumbling and bumbling against a bad team tonight. Kyrie man, jeez. Way to step up. But with Exum and Luka out, Kidd’s decision to pretty much only play Kyrie off ball instead of running the point was inexplicable. This is the kind of game you get when you play without a point guard. Looked like a tank game.

Hardy is the most disappointing player to me, for the season. He looks slow, weak, bad decisions, and can’t shoot. He’s regressed. I’m not counting on him as a building block anymore, and I don’t expect to see him play much this year, not if the Mavs are hoping to win games.

[BigDirk41]

I didn't know Luka's kid was being born. That's definitely more important. I just saw personal reasons as the reason. That makes sense. Thanks for the info.

[SwisherPrice]

We already know Kidd doesn't run a system on offense so when Luka is out, just like Harden - he is the system. Their entire roster outside of Kyrie is set up to be specialists for the Luka System so when he's out, it basically becomes pickup basketball.

I thought Kidd's press conference outburst would fire up the team but I guess not. He's terrible and I think the defensive shortcomings are to be blamed by him and his staff instead of any individual player. They play horrible team defense - no communication, missed assignments and breakdowns. That's on the coaching staff for not getting the team to play on the same page.

[Charles dexter ward]

I would say being there for the birth of his child is a legitimate reason. Wouldn't you?

---

Now they get a hot OKC team on a back to back. I'm sure Luka's back tomorrow.

We already know Kidd doesn't run a system on offense so when Luka is out, just like Harden - he is the system. Their entire roster outside of Kyrie is set up to be specialists for the Luka System so when he's out, it basically becomes pickup basketball.

I thought Kidd's press conference outburst would fire up the team but I guess not. He's terrible and I think the defensive shortcomings are to be blamed by him and his staff instead of any individual player. They play horrible team defense - no communication, missed assignments and breakdowns. That's on the coaching staff for not getting the team to play on the same page.

"luka system " my ass.Last time i checked irving is suposed to be a great player and he was absolutely awfull .They were facing one of the worst team in the league.

0 excuses for the players.

[SwisherPrice]

"luka system " my ass.Last time i checked irving is suposed to be a great player and he was absolutely awfull .They were facing one of the worst team in the league.

0 excuses for the players.

This Mavs team that suited up tonight is the worst team in the league, even with Kyrie. They probably wouldn't even beat the Pistons. When you only have 3 players average double-digit points and 2 of them are out, that's a combined 48 points per game that has to be replaced by a ton of role players who aren't used to doing more on offense.

The Grizzlies are not good either but they at least had their top 3 scorers available tonight and they knew they had an advantage over this Mavs roster.

[Charles dexter ward]

I would say being there for the birth of his child is a legitimate reason. Wouldn't you?

---

Now they get a hot OKC team on a back to back. I'm sure Luka's back tomorrow.

This Mavs team that suited up tonight is the worst team in the league, even with Kyrie. They probably wouldn't even beat the Pistons. When you only have 3 players average double-digit points and 2 of them are out, that's a combined 48 points per game that has to be replaced by a ton of role players who aren't used to doing more on offense.

The Grizzlies are not good either but they at least had their top 3 scorers available tonight and they knew they had an advantage over this Mavs roster.

Last  year the same roster( without williams) won  back  2  back games   and  everybody was praising  the pace   of this  team and how  luka  should  adapt  (no joke).

Irving  can win this type of  game  game by himself  and  "hardy ,green " have  to show  y they  should be  trust.

Otherwise  just   make some package  and  ship some of  these  guys  away.Jason kidd is free  to wake up too.

[SleepingHero]

Im shocked at the effort at this game.

I'm starting to be done with Josh. Dude just doesn't have it. He's a great hustle and glue guy, but at best he's your 8th-9th guy in your rotation. He's gotten so many opportunities this season to show he's taken a step beyond a 15mpg type of guy and he hasn't shown it.

That moment in the 4th where he passes up a wide open layup to make an impossible pass to Lively which bounces out of bounds was a tipping point for me. I hope we can trade him to recoup any sort of value. Watching Desmond Bane continually light him up is embarrassing.

[SleepingHero]

Last  year the same roster( without williams) won  back  2  back games   and  everybody was praising  the pace   of this  team and how  luka  should  adapt  (no joke).

Irving  can win this type of  game  game by himself  and  "hardy ,green " have  to show  y they  should be  trust.

Otherwise  just   make some package  and  ship some of  these  guys  away.Jason kidd is free  to wake up too.

Mavs' Kyrie Irving mentioned he had a "tweak" to his foot around the end of the first quarter and found it challenging to settle back into the game.

"I had a bit of a tweak to my foot at the end of the first quarter, so I was just trying to get my balance...
Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth)

[Charles dexter ward]

I would say being there for the birth of his child is a legitimate reason. Wouldn't you?

---

Now they get a hot OKC team on a back to back. I'm sure Luka's back tomorrow.

Mavs' Kyrie Irving mentioned he had a "tweak" to his foot around the end of the first quarter and found it challenging to settle back into the game.

"I had a bit of a tweak to my foot at the end of the first quarter, so I was just trying to get my balance...
Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth)

Everytime  irving  has  a bad  game  there is some kind of  mysterious  injury.After  the  pelicans  blow out  he didnt play  against the  wizards without  any  further  explanation.

Everytime they  get blow  out  he  avoids the press conference,he  just  take  no responsibility.

[SleepingHero]

Everytime  irving  has  a bad  game  there is some kind of  mysterious  injury.After  the  pelicans  blow out  he didnt play  against the  wizards without  any  further  explanation.

Everytime  they  get blow  out  he  avoids the press conference,he  just  take  no responsibility.

Not really the case. He's been dealing with a single foot injury since the preseason. It's been pretty consistent messaging. Kyrie hasn't made a single excuse for it either.

He's just making it aware that he has been hampered, and it's been pretty obvious watching the games he's not 100%

[Charles dexter ward]

I would say being there for the birth of his child is a legitimate reason. Wouldn't you?

---

Now they get a hot OKC team on a back to back. I'm sure Luka's back tomorrow.

Not really the case. He's been dealing with a single foot injury since the preseason. It's been pretty consistent messaging. Kyrie hasn't made a single excuse for it either.

He's just making it aware that he has been hampered, and it's been pretty obvious watching the games he's not 100%

He  isnt truthworthy ,  he is  only  here because lakers  couldnt  land him.When he  got  a  30 points game , we  dont  hear about  his foot.

[ThisIStheYear]

I believe Kyrie. Can’t bang on the Mavs too hard (but concerned about Hardy’s development). They were missing an awful lot tonight between Exum, THJ, Maxi, and Luka. That’s 4 out of your top 9 players plus a hobbled Kyrie. Just a strange circumstance.

[Jason Terry]

It felt like all the bounces went the Grizzlies way. I’m not too worked up over the loss

Kyrie is banged up and did not have a good game. Lively had the worst game I’ve seen him play and that’s ok. I still don’t think Grant has fully settled in, but he will. I don’t understand the Green hate when there were several points in the game where it looked like he was the only one playing with energy

Holmes looked good and we should keep putting him out there instead of Powell. Curry looked good and should probably play more. I want more development minutes for Omax

Hardy. Every time he looks as lost and unpolished as he did in summer league. Sloppy handles. Bad decisions leading to turnovers. Can’t shoot. Can’t defend. He has to be paid after next year so you know he wants to play and could possibly complain about minutes at some point. If he still has real value i would shop him. Curry and Exum are better options this year and next year

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Im shocked at the effort at this game.

I'm starting to be done with Josh. Dude just doesn't have it. He's a great hustle and glue guy, but at best he's your 8th-9th guy in your rotation. He's gotten so many opportunities this season to show he's taken a step beyond a 15mpg type of guy and he hasn't shown it.

That moment in the 4th where he passes up a wide open layup to make an impossible pass to Lively which bounces out of bounds was a tipping point for me. I hope we can trade him to recoup any sort of value. Watching Desmond Bane continually light him up is embarrassing.

Hate to say I told ya so. Josh doesn't have a aggressive bone in his body. He could be so much better, but that's on him. But to be fair, Bane lights up plenty of people when his shot is on.

[dirkfansince1998]

Im shocked at the effort at this game.

I'm starting to be done with Josh. Dude just doesn't have it. He's a great hustle and glue guy, but at best he's your 8th-9th guy in your rotation. He's gotten so many opportunities this season to show he's taken a step beyond a 15mpg type of guy and he hasn't shown it.

That moment in the 4th where he passes up a wide open layup to make an impossible pass to Lively which bounces out of bounds was a tipping point for me. I hope we can trade him to recoup any sort of value. Watching Desmond Bane continually light him up is embarrassing.

Criticism I see is more about the Mavs need for more creation in game where the guys that are supposed to create had off games. Something you aren't getting from Green, DJJ or Grant.
Not sure what you saw with Bane and Green. As far as I can tell he didn't give up anything easy. Bane scored on two drives and two threes when guarded by Green. One of them a gift from Lively. Throwing the inbound pass to Bane. One contested three in Green's face (good defense).
If this is about them being in the same draft class I agree that Bane certainly would have been the better pick.

[meistermatze]

Also can we start talking about Lively's brick hands? He seems to fumble every second ball. I get callbacks to the Dampier brick hands era...

[youzigizag]

Also can we start talking about Lively's brick hands? He seems to fumble every second ball. I get callbacks to the Dampier brick hands era...

WCS, Maxi, Dwight...its always something.

I think this kid will be good long term...but the flaws the Mavs' roster has had for years still lingers.

They still need to fill the roster out with bball players...guys that look like they were born with a bball in their hands.   Guys that can catch a bball, pass a bball, dribble a bball, shoot a bball, rebound a bball without fumbling it to the other team.

I think I would pursue players that have sound fundamentals over project guys or potential guys or size guys until they have guys with sound fundamentals in place.   Too many WTF guys still...even though they have seemed to be moving in the right direction.

Obviously if you can acquire a decent player with warts for cheap...you do it.   But do your homework.

[Charles dexter ward]

Jason kidd didnt take any of his 4 time out .The guy is more agressive in press conference than in game.I just dont get y he is so passive.

---

I would say being there for the birth of his child is a legitimate reason. Wouldn't you?

---

Now they get a hot OKC team on a back to back. I'm sure Luka's back tomorrow.

WCS, Maxi, Dwight...its always something.

I think this kid will be good long term...but the flaws the Mavs' roster has had for years still lingers.

They still need to fill the roster out with bball players...guys that look like they were born with a bball in their hands.   Guys that can catch a bball, pass a bball, dribble a bball, shoot a bball, rebound a bball without fumbling it to the other team.

I think I would pursue players that have sound fundamentals over project guys or potential guys or size guys until they have guys with sound fundamentals in place.   Too many WTF guys still...even though they have seemed to be moving in the right direction.

Obviously if you can acquire a decent player with warts for cheap...you do it.   But do your homework.

Apart from brunson  the scouting staff  always  seem to pick   average  unidimensionnal player.

[ItsGoTime]

Nico said we need a guy that plays with force. We just ran into a team that has many of those players.

[ItsGoTime]

Also can we start talking about Lively's brick hands? He seems to fumble every second ball. I get callbacks to the Dampier brick hands era...

Lots of coordination and strength issues, ref bias against young players, ref bias against bigger bodies, vet instincts. Lots of things going against him that will come with time. Much of why it’s been said he will be ready in 2-3 years depending on how hard and effectively he works. I think those things can be worked on coming off the bench. I think we need a higher quality C than Drummond/Olynyk types. Lowest quality I think needed is Gafford/Hartenstein then up from there.