(05-21-2024, 10:58 AM)Winter Wrote: Another interesting thing that I've been reading in regard to media predictions. At least three online articles I've seen have discussed the need for Hardaway to have a good series. For those of us watching the Mavs regularly, I'm pretty sure we all know that seeing Hardaway more than 5 MPG is unlikely. That ship has sailed I think. It easily feels as if Hardy will see those minutes now.

(05-21-2024, 11:12 AM)mvossman Wrote: I think you are underestimating Timmy minutes.  He has averaged over 14 a game in the playoffs.  He only had 6 in the last game, but its a little early to think that is a significant trend.

(05-21-2024, 10:05 AM)DallasMaverick Wrote: So it’s a 9-6 tilting of opinions towards Minny. 

Vegas also favors Minny right now.

So yes, Dallas is the underdog. But not by a huge margin.

Take a gander at the Boston-Indy odds!

(05-21-2024, 12:02 PM)The Jom Wrote: Fascinating thread. You all seem to think putting the 6-9, 185 lb guy on Luka is gonna be their plan of attack? Really? After Dort, that sounds like HalleLuka to me.

I get that the 23-yr old is long and can try to force Luka into the teeth of that super-long Minny interior D. But isn’t that exactly what our offense TRIES to achieve—Luka driving into the lane and drawing the double team?

I mean, I’m the one who claims to have lupophobia. But not because of the 185-pound twig. Methinks Minny’s gonna need a bigger boat.

(05-21-2024, 12:02 PM)The Jom Wrote: Fascinating thread. You all seem to think putting the 6-9, 185 lb guy on Luka is gonna be their plan of attack? Really? After Dort, that sounds like HalleLuka to me.

I get that the 23-yr old is long and can try to force Luka into the teeth of that super-long Minny interior D. But isn’t that exactly what our offense TRIES to achieve—Luka driving into the lane and drawing the double team?

I mean, I’m the one who claims to have lupophobia. But not because of the 185-pound twig. Methinks Minny’s gonna need a bigger boat.

(05-21-2024, 01:04 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: But THIS YEAR, the Washington addition for the Mavs worked basically from the jump, raising the team’s ceiling IMMEDIATELY, and the Siakim addition for Indiana might have been an even easier/better fit. Both of those teams are in the final four because they made those deals.

Is this just coincidence that both players fit like gloves so easily? Should we glean something about how similarly all teams play these days, as in there’s just less of a learning curve when going to a new team? Is the top level of the league just easier to break into these days than it used to be because of the increased roster turnover?

(05-21-2024, 01:04 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Here’s something I find fascinating: two of the three teams who made significant changes at or just before the trade deadline are still playing.

I have long observed that deadline additions almost never amount to a significantly moved team-ceiling for the rest of that season. The really good ones seem to help much more the FOLLOWING season, after a training camp and much more comfort and continuity for the newly formed team.  You can think about all the Mavs’ deadline additions to verify this: Van Exel, Butler/Hayward, Kyrie Irving…etc. And, it’s the same with other teams usually, too.

But THIS YEAR, the Washington addition for the Mavs worked basically from the jump, raising the team’s ceiling IMMEDIATELY, and the Siakim addition for Indiana might have been an even easier/better fit. Both of those teams are in the final four because they made those deals.

Is this just coincidence that both players fit like gloves so easily? Should we glean something about how similarly all teams play these days, as in there’s just less of a learning curve when going to a new team? Is the top level of the league just easier to break into these days than it used to be because of the increased roster turnover?

(05-21-2024, 01:33 PM)mvossman Wrote: The Siakam trade was another great fit trade, but to be honest the biggest reason Indy is still in the playoffs is NY completely disintegrated before their eyes.

(05-21-2024, 01:39 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Washington is helping already probably because (to your point) there was a gaping DFS hole left on this team from the Kyrie trade and I suppose it makes sense that they have PJ trying to fill it. Thank goodness he was up to it! But, I think he has more to offer than what we're seeing now, and I think he'll be even better here next season. I hope Gafford is better next year, too.

(05-21-2024, 01:47 PM)mvossman Wrote: If we can get the playoff version of PJ next season I will be ecstatic!

(05-21-2024, 02:00 PM)Winter Wrote: Jason from Hoops Tonight.

Playoff Prediction: Wolves - Mavs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Ay0rHEaOc

(05-21-2024, 02:00 PM)Winter Wrote: Jason from Hoops Tonight.

Playoff Prediction: Wolves - Mavs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Ay0rHEaOc

(05-21-2024, 11:21 AM)Knutsen Wrote: To add to your point: nobody is predicting the series to go less than 6 games. And for the Mavs to lose in 6 they would have to lose an elimination game at home - which I don‘t think is the most probable outcome, I would predict it goes to a game 7 then. And that’s where everything’s possible.

(05-21-2024, 05:08 PM)BigDirk41 Wrote: I think Luka averages a 35 point triple double against Minnesota. He looked healthy to me in the last 2 games and moved well. When Luka can move well, nobody in the world can guard him. Dort couldn't even guard him the last 2 games and was getting called a lot more often for fouls.