MAVERICKS 116, ROCKETS 106

[Dahlsim]

The offense is explosive with Bobi. Luka can get him in positions where he is nearly unstoppable. Without maybe even joking (maybe), Luka, and Bobis own offensive skills which are amazing, given how well he shoots and finishes around the rim, could even make Bobi an MVP. On one condition of course, that he can stay on the court and plays many minutes. What gets him back on the bench is that the offenses draw plays against him on defense, he is immobile and helpless, sometimes even when he is well positioned under the rim. And coaches hate that, they maybe feel they have been "outplayed" when Bobi is playing and seeing how the opponents draw plays to target Bobi on defense.

I always wonder if the best Mavs strategy indeed involves Bobi and figuring how to play him on defense. How about going zone full time? And letting Bobi defend around the rim, where he is least being a weakness for the team defense? Given how well the offense plays with Bobi, even if you find way to create a mediocore defense, the chances are big that you will win that game.

I don't buy much into the comments that Bobi cant play for many minutes. Never seen him exhausted like that, not more than other players. And in games with many minutes, remembering Clippers game, he showed no signs of fatigue. He can dominate even in playoffs.

This all comes down to weaknesses on defense. We saw it in last game. Our offense exploded, but it was also hurting us on the other end.

Bobi is my starter in the ideal lineup. You put your best offensive weapons on the court, and then you teach them how to play defense and help each other. That's my view at least. I see that as possibility. The opposite, thus placing your best defenders on the court and trying to teach them offense, is like declaring a defeat. I want to see the most unstoppable offensive lineup and then teaching these players to play together on defense throughout the season.

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Very nice Bobanalysis @"burekemde"    Some of the most insightful I've seen out here. Highlighted lines above. 

I totally agree that Luka + Boban is maybe an underappreciated 2 man game on offense.  I mean seriously Luka + Boban overall just off the top of my head has to be 5 to 10 times better performing offensively so far than Luka + KP, despite that fact that we're all eager to see the big dominance from the highly paid Wonderboy/Unicorn pairing.  

On defense, give me KP over Boban for rim protection, for sure which is why you want to see KP's offense come around but then when it comes to rebounding, offensive and defensive, its swings back firmly to Boban in my book, so there's that. 

My ideal usage has Boban not necessarily starting even though we saw him pretty solid last playoff starting against LAC.  I think Maxi and Powell in that order are better overall as 2-way centers which is what you want for the bulk or normal minutes. 
Where I think the huge opportunity is being mixed by Dallas is basically in situations where just scoring efficiently can be decisive in winning and closing games.   Runs where you need to hold a lead or turn the game for example in dry stretches, especially against good teams with tough defenses.  

You need elite offense to get a key bucket here or there against elite teams when they get the clutch.  
Luka + Boban is elite 2 man offense.  Not only that but Jalen + Boban isn't terribly far behind because Brunson is an efficient playmaker who makes smart decisions in general.