(05-22-2024, 12:44 AM)BolsDamols Wrote: Legs is picking the Mavs, thats all I needed to hear

(05-20-2024, 07:41 AM)Smitty Wrote: To me the matchups are pretty straight forward.

Conley 6'0  -  Kyrie 6'2
ANT 6'4  -  DJJ 6'6
McDaniels 6'9  -  Luka 6'7
KAT 7'0  -  PJW 6'7
Gobert 7'1  -  Gafford 6'10/Lively 7'1

Luka 6'7 - McDaniels 6'9
Kai 6'2 - ANT 6'4
DJJ 6'6  -  Conley  6'0
PJW 6'7  -  KAT 7'0
Gafford 6'10  -  Gobert 7'1

Min Bench: PF/C  Reid 6'9 , G  NAW 6'5 , SF  K. Anderson 6'9
Mavs Bench:  C  Lively 7'1 , G  Green 6'5 , PF/C  Maxi 6'10 , G  THJ/Exum/Hardy 6'5


The Mavs really need Maxi back for this one. It could get ugly with DJJ playing backup 4 minutes against KAT/Reid. I do see the Mavs using DJJ as the screener almost exclusively Game 1, in order to get Conley switched onto LuKai. Then you can use a secondary screen from the 5 to get Gobert involved and open up the lob game. 

I also expect this to be the series where Kidd eventually has to switch things up and start Lively over Gafford, my guess is Game 3 at home. Hope it doesn't rock the boat - but it feels inevitable from my perspective.

Minny was always the toughest matchup in the playoffs, imo. I personally wanted to face the defending champs but here we are. I've got to stick with Mavs in 6!

(05-20-2024, 09:20 PM)Smitty Wrote: MIN 3P%
Conley 44% - 5 3PA
KAT 41% - 5 3PA
Reid 41% - 5 3PA
NAW 39% - 4 3PA
ANT 35% - 7 3PA
McDaniels 33% - 3 3PA

Looks like Mavs will build their rotations to play off McDaniels and to an extent ANT.

Like they did for Giddey/Dort and Westbrook/Mann.

Kyle Anderson and Gobert the only non-shooters from deep out of their 8-man rotation.

I wonder if the Mavs elect to put Luka on KAT and PJ on McDaniels so that PJ can play help defense. It won’t be an every possession type move but something they can go to if need be?

(05-22-2024, 09:46 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: I think Conley is good.  I have always been a fan.  I remember though when we beat the Jazz in the playoffs, Conley really struggled and there was questions if he could still be that player in a long playoff run.  I want the Mavs to go at him and really challenge him.  He may answer the bell, but they are a different team is Conley is not effective. 

https://x.com/iztok_franko/status/1793287255416619307

(05-22-2024, 10:12 AM)michaeltex Wrote: What I'm reading is that Conley is the secret sauce to make MIN work efficiently, so if he's having issues, then the game complexion changes. Although, stats indicate that most MIN starters scored better when he was out. I was unaware that he has an ongoing lower leg injury issue. The every other day schedule might be harsh on his recovery plan.

That aside, if he starts, he'll likely get Kyrie as a defensive assignment, although he still gives up a couple inches even to Kyrie. Kyrie should have a lot of fun with that matchup.

(05-22-2024, 07:27 AM)Smitty Wrote: After listening to some people that talk basketball. I feel even more confident in my takes. It didn't spark much discussion here. One thing I might change is the start Lively over Gafford take. Gafford will only be playable when Gobert is on the floor. I don't think he can play any time Minnesota goes to KAT/Reid, therefore I see Gafford starting the whole series and eating minutes against the DPOY.

One thing I'll add though.. Do we see Kidd go to PJ at the 5 some when Gobert is out there? It's the definite go-to in the playoffs year after year. 5-out vs a traditional Big.

Kai - Green - DJJ - Luka - Maxi  in the regular season: 135.0 ORTG 106.3 DRTG 28.8 NetRTG in 48 minutes (the 4th most used lineup this year)

PJ isn't quite Maxi but as close as one can get. Can you run that lineup with PJ at the 5, where he's played plenty in his career, and get the same production?

Conley - Kai
ANT - DJJ
McDaniels - Green
KAT - Luka
Gobert - PJW


I really miss Maxi...

(05-22-2024, 01:27 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Im honestly hesitant right now putting PJ at the 5. We hadn't played with much of it and Minny has a lot of size 2-5 to punish that type of playstyle. It essentially turns our gameplan from attacking the paint to having to hit our 3s. 

If PJ/DJJ/THJ/Exum/Green all are hitting, then Minny will probably be blown out with that 5 out strategy, but are we willing to run that risk given how ice cold some of those guys have been?

(05-22-2024, 01:01 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon)
Luka Doncic re: Jaden McDaniels: “When you asked me about that top three, I forgot about McDaniels. I told you, some people are going to be pissed, but I forgot about him. But he's definitely in top three. He's been doing incredible defensively. He has long [arms], he can jump. So he's locked in, and it's going to be tough to go against him.”

(05-22-2024, 02:20 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: I guess Luka is just like most of us and has 10-20 guys in his top 3s/5s.

(05-22-2024, 01:01 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon)
Luka Doncic re: Jaden McDaniels: “When you asked me about that top three, I forgot about McDaniels. I told you, some people are going to be pissed, but I forgot about him. But he's definitely in top three. He's been doing incredible defensively. He has long [arms], he can jump. So he's locked in, and it's going to be tough to go against him.”

(05-22-2024, 02:40 PM)mvossman Wrote: If we make it to the finals there are going to be more guys to add to the list.

(05-22-2024, 05:39 PM)Knutsen Wrote: I actually love this trait of Luka - giving maximum respect to the opposition off the basketball floor and then trying to kill them when the lights are on. Much better to show sportsmanship than giving them bulletin board material.

(05-22-2024, 12:44 AM)BolsDamols Wrote: Legs is picking the Mavs, thats all I needed to hear



I'd say we buck the trend and win Game 1!