(05-08-2024, 12:37 AM)Luka77 Wrote: Luka shooting 40% from the floor, 20% from three and 60% from the free throw line is not helping the team win games. He hardly takes it the rim and is just looking to jack threes in his current state. Moreover him not even attempting to defend and ending the game with O fouls is not helping the Mavs win.
If Luka continues to play like he has I consider sitting him the rest of the series and let the chips fall where they may.
Yes, I would have sat him this game and then reevaluate him and the team after gm1 to potential sit him longer if needed. I would treat this injury just like they did the Utah series.
Luka in this state will not win them this series.
Not sure why I am responding, because you are just saying things that are simply not true. Luka shot 8 threes and 11 two pointers. He had 10 free throws. So, he is not just jacking up threes. You are also completely ignoring the way Thunder played defense. You are speaking as if it was like a walk in the park getting to the rim at will whenever they wanted. The paint was packed throughout the game. Did Kyrie do any better than Luka getting to the rim? it simply gets to making shots, because defenses are not giving up layups. Mavs had a ton of wide open three pointers because of what defense was protecting and what was giving up.
Mavs shooters (no Luka and Kyrie and no garbage time) were 7 of 20 from three (35 %). OKC shooters (no Shai or JDub and no garbage time) were 12 of 27 (44 %).
I will just repeat again - it gets down to making shots. First from the stars and then from the other guys as well.
As for Mavs not playing or playing Luka dilemma, you can just look at Clippers and Kawhi. Perhaps they looked a bit better without him but they had zero chance without him. Mavs also have a zero chance in the series without Luka. The only chance is if Luka can deliver. And just for the millionth time - sitting Luka for two more days would make zero difference in regards to whatever is troubling him.
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