Game 66: Dallas Mavericks (32-33) vs. San Antonio Spurs (26-36)

[SleepingHero]

[Scott41theMavs]

Well, poop. Our boys in blue were a little bit too determined tonight. Leave it to Spence to drive the tank in the wrong direction.

[SwisherPrice]

This Spurs team is not good...looks like they are clearly trying to tank. Mavs should win again on Wednesday too. The Suns aren't going to catch us with how hard their schedule is...the 10th seed will be ours even if we don't want it

[bubbler86]

4 guys over 20 points....gusty effort especially on a back to back.
Lead back up to 2.5 for playoffs.

[SleepingHero]

4 guys over 20 points....gusty effort especially on a back to back.
Lead back up to 2.5 for playoffs.

You genuinely think we can win 2 in a row for the playoffs in a play-in single elimination format without Kyrie?

[bubbler86]

You genuinely think we can win 2 in a row for the playoffs in a play-in single elimination format without Kyrie?

If the 4 big's are back, sure.  But I would rather have us involved in it vs the small chance of winning the lottery.  As others have said, they have won too many games already to fully tank.  Play making, as you alluded to, is the worry but they just scored 130 points.  Understood if others do not agree, I can see both sides.

[SleepingHero]

If the 4 big's are back, sure.  But I would rather have us involved in it vs the small chance of winning the lottery.  As others have said, they have won too many games already to fully tank.  Play making, as you alluded to, is the worry but they just scored 130 points.  Understood if others do not agree, I can see both sides.

They scored 130 against a fellow tanking team. In a playoff atmosphere, when the game will slow down, this team will struggle in the halfcourt. Especially if we're deciding to pack the paint. 

Who is going to choose to guard Brandon Williams vs. just double teaming AD?

It's a lost season. These wins are actively hurting our chances at actually building for the future. I will be shocked if these 8 dudes still playing are on the roster next season. 4-5 of them are a shoe-in to be traded. The rest will probably be out the league.

[david75090]

I feel strongly, both ways.

[cow]

Great win!

[bubbler86]

They scored 130 against a fellow tanking team. In a playoff atmosphere, when the game will slow down, this team will struggle in the halfcourt. Especially if we're deciding to pack the paint. 

Who is going to choose to guard Brandon Williams vs. just double teaming AD?

It's a lost season. These wins are actively hurting our chances at actually building for the future. I will be shocked if these 8 dudes still playing are on the roster next season. 4-5 of them are a shoe-in to be traded. The rest will probably be out the league.

I am a Mav's fan, and I want to see them win.    If it is irritating, especially since I do not post often, I will keep quiet about it.  My comment on 130 was that despite only 8 healthy guys, they were still well above league average.  I would not have any faith in these 8 guys beating a well-stocked team, but if they can stay afloat and convince management to bring back the rest of the team as it gets healthy, they can still win in the play-in.  If not for the Dub's getting so hot, I would not have even counted out the 6 seed this early...as unlikely as it may be.   If you look at Tankathon there is very little difference in odds in being the 14th team or 11th team.

[Reunion Mav]

I am a Mav's fan, and I want to see them win.    If it is irritating, especially since I do not post often, I will keep quiet about it.  My comment on 130 was that despite only 8 healthy guys, they were still well above league average.  I would not have any faith in these 8 guys beating a well-stocked team, but if they can stay afloat and convince management to bring back the rest of the team as it gets healthy, they can still win in the play-in.  If not for the Dub's getting so hot, I would not have even counted out the 6 seed this early...as unlikely as it may be.   If you look at Tankathon there is very little difference in odds in being the 14th team or 11th team.

Keep posting Bubbler 86. This board is short handed too. 
These guys are playing like they would like to be Mavs next year or at least in the league with a pay check. I rooted for them though I thought a few of the Spurs were going to refuse to lose in the end. But then I wasn’t too disappointed.

[david75090]

Some of my favorite Mavs teams were some of those pre-3Js teams that were really bad and out-manned. The talent level was poor, but they had a lot of guts and fight to them. Every time they stepped on the court, they were second best, but they made the other team earn their victory, or be embarrassed by the second best team on the court. It's kind of freeing to not expect to win and be excited when they do win. These guys on today's depleted Mavs have a better talent level, as is, than those Mavs teams. That wasn't a great Spurs team last night without Wemby and "both teams played hard", so it was a good game to watch. Not much slacking going on.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Players don't tank.

[Knutsen]

I am a Mav's fan, and I want to see them win.    If it is irritating, especially since I do not post often, I will keep quiet about it.  My comment on 130 was that despite only 8 healthy guys, they were still well above league average.  I would not have any faith in these 8 guys beating a well-stocked team, but if they can stay afloat and convince management to bring back the rest of the team as it gets healthy, they can still win in the play-in.  If not for the Dub's getting so hot, I would not have even counted out the 6 seed this early...as unlikely as it may be.   If you look at Tankathon there is very little difference in odds in being the 14th team or 11th team.

You‘re right concerning the odds to win the lottery. 

But picking three or four spots higher outside of the top 4 because of having a worse record can make the difference between getting the player you love and need and having to hope you get lucky with a guy overperforming his grades. 

For me after a Finals appearance only a deep playoff run matters - since we have no chance of achieving this without Kyrie I‘m all for maximizing our talent level for next year.

[SleepingHero]

I am a Mav's fan, and I want to see them win.    If it is irritating, especially since I do not post often, I will keep quiet about it.  My comment on 130 was that despite only 8 healthy guys, they were still well above league average.  I would not have any faith in these 8 guys beating a well-stocked team, but if they can stay afloat and convince management to bring back the rest of the team as it gets healthy, they can still win in the play-in.  If not for the Dub's getting so hot, I would not have even counted out the 6 seed this early...as unlikely as it may be.   If you look at Tankathon there is very little difference in odds in being the 14th team or 11th team.

That's an odd response...

I am a Mavs fan too. I'm just trying to see where you're coming from. I never said you posting was irritating... did it come across that way??

I want the Mavs to do well. But they have put themselves between a rock and a hard place, with a doomsday clock counting down given they have zero control over their picks between 2027-2030. That's 4 years of no picks. That matters when we are choosing to build around two 32 year olds, where one just tore their ACL. 

Given all of that, shouldn't we at least try to capitalize on this lost season and get the highest draft pick possible, to get the best player available in this deep draft class? The difference between the 14th best odds and the 11th best odds isn't massive, but 14th and 9th? That's huge. 2.4% chance vs. 20% chance at a top 4 pick is a big deal. 

I'm not trying to be antagonistic. I just don't see how the Mavs making the playoffs matters at all. They aren't a contender. They are not going 4 rounds and beating Boston or Cleveland in the finals without Kyrie. Their core guys are all suffering pretty severe injuries and rushing them back to try to compete this season without Kyrie is silly in my opinion.

[bubbler86]

That's an odd response...

I am a Mavs fan too. I'm just trying to see where you're coming from. I never said you posting was irritating... did it come across that way??

I want the Mavs to do well. But they have put themselves between a rock and a hard place, with a doomsday clock counting down given they have zero control over their picks between 2027-2030. That's 4 years of no picks. That matters when we are choosing to build around two 32 year olds, where one just tore their ACL. 

Given all of that, shouldn't we at least try to capitalize on this lost season and get the highest draft pick possible, to get the best player available in this deep draft class? The difference between the 14th best odds and the 11th best odds isn't massive, but 14th and 9th? That's huge. 2.4% chance vs. 20% chance at a top 4 pick is a big deal. 

I'm not trying to be antagonistic. I just don't see how the Mavs making the playoffs matters at all. They aren't a contender. They are not going 4 rounds and beating Boston or Cleveland in the finals without Kyrie. Their core guys are all suffering pretty severe injuries and rushing them back to try to compete this season without Kyrie is silly in my opinion.

My side is around the thought that the Mavs making the playoffs gives Mavs fans something to root for, even if the most likely result is failure very early.  Lots of people are angry, rightfully so, but I would rather see AD, Gaff, etc, back (if fully healthy)  and the Mavs trying to make the final 8.   We just went through one tank a few years ago.  I do not have any say in it, so it may just be 8-10 players to close out the season. 

Right on as to the 9th vs. 14th, but I do not see how they can get there, acknowledging that the players are going to try.     Even if they go 4-12 to close out the season, they still have 37 wins, which means teams 9 and below have to go above .500 to finish the season.   They were in the Phoenix game until the end...they are being competitive.   If they could realistically get down into the meat of the lottery, I would feel different.   I will opine that unless they get into the top of the draft, I do not see how this draft changes their currently depicted ugly period coming in a few years. 

I only commented about not posting because I am such a low-volume poster; I did not want to stir up anything.  It was not directed at you or your post.

[bubbler86]

Keep posting Bubbler 86. This board is short handed too. 
These guys are playing like they would like to be Mavs next year or at least in the league with a pay check. I rooted for them though I thought a few of the Spurs were going to refuse to lose in the end. But then I wasn’t too disappointed.

Thanks.  The one play near the end where the Spurs got two Offensive Rebounds, which turned into a 3 was a bit exasperating but yea, the Spurs did not seem to be tanking either.

[mvossman]

My side is around the thought that the Mavs making the playoffs gives Mavs fans something to root for, even if the most likely result is failure very early.  Lots of people are angry, rightfully so, but I would rather see AD, Gaff, etc, back (if fully healthy)  and the Mavs trying to make the final 8.   We just went through one tank a few years ago.  I do not have any say in it, so it may just be 8-10 players to close out the season. 

Right on as to the 9th vs. 14th, but I do not see how they can get there, acknowledging that the players are going to try.     Even if they go 4-12 to close out the season, they still have 37 wins, which means teams 9 and below have to go above .500 to finish the season.   They were in the Phoenix game until the end...they are being competitive.   If they could realistically get down into the meat of the lottery, I would feel different.   I will opine that unless they get into the top of the draft, I do not see how this draft changes their currently depicted ugly period coming in a few years. 

I only commented about not posting because I am such a low-volume poster; I did not want to stir up anything.  It was directed at you or your post.

This team is in less shape to compete than the one that tanked two years ago.  That tank got Derrick Lively.  A tank this year could be similarly fruitful.  It does not help that this organization has a history this season of bringing guys back early in desperation and getting them injured again (AD being the biggest example).  They should probably shut down AD.  If they don't, he will carry a massive load when he gets back and will be in danger of another reinjury.

[bubbler86]

This team is in less shape to compete than the one that tanked two years ago.  That tank got Derrick Lively.  A tank this year could be similarly fruitful.  It does not help that this organization has a history this season of bringing guys back early in desperation and getting them injured again (AD being the biggest example).  They should probably shut down AD.  If they don't, he will carry a massive load when he gets back and will be in danger of another reinjury.

Yea, bringing anyone back is a risk. I am not sure I can fully explain it, but I would rather they win.    If this team made the final 8 AND won a series, it would be a giant victory in my eyes.    The worst case is they win 4-5 more games but do not make the play-in because the Suns win 3 more.  Then no playoffs and a worse pick.

[mvossman]

Yea, bringing anyone back is a risk. I am not sure I can fully explain it, but I would rather they win.    If this team made the final 8 AND won a series, it would be a giant victory in my eyes.    The worst case is they win 4-5 more games but do not make the play-in because the Suns win 3 more.  Then no playoffs and a worse pick.

They have a better chance getting somebody injured that goes into next season than they do winning a playoff series.  Part of the problem is how bleak the future is.  If they try winning next season (they probably will) then this will be the last decent pick they will have until 2031 at the earliest (and later if Nico goes all in).  This pick is one of their few chances to avoid 8+ years of wandering in the wilderness.  Even a few percentage points is worth it given the potential impact and limited opportunity.