GAME 2 Playoffs 2024: Dallas Mavericks (1-0) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (0-1)

[KillerLeft]

I would temper these views. By a lot. If that was "D-LIII" who was guarding Luka on that last play in game 2, the outcome would have been the same, but maybe a lil bit more embarrassing? The kid has done really well for his year 1. Let's not get ahead of ourselves though because he's further away from Rudy than Chet is to Wemby.

Of course he couldn't guard Luka in THAT MUCH space, that's obvious. 

I think OBX's point was that it's rare that a 7'2" center can get switched onto a great many perimeter players here and there, for short spurts, and it's not a death sentence for your defense (see the 2nd to last Minnesota possession last night, for example). That's pretty damn impressive for a 20-year rookie with his frame. I think it speaks to basketball IQ for sure. 

If your point is that he'll never be as switchable as Bam Adebayo, I agree, but I think that's strawmannirg OBX's point, somewhat (maybe I'm wrong). 

Either way, the kid is special. I agree that Gobert takes some unwarranted criticism at times, and I've even been guilty of it from time to time, but I do think Lively is outplaying him in this series (admittedly, in shorter minutes and with less pressure, due to Gafford, not having just won the DPOY, etc). He impacts the game on BOTH ends.