Mavs 127, Clippers 121

[Hogmelon]

I know this won't be a popular take, but this has occurred to me. 

Luka has been acting like a major-league jerk with respect to the Clippers, in a way that we all love to watch. I adore seeing him talking smack to the likes of Pat Bev and Paul George. 

However, there is an argument to be made that he is baiting the Clips into retaliating physically. And that if it happens, the response will not be outrage, but a feeling that he asked for it. 

I'm actually sort of hoping that the refs call the game tightly, so as to forestall that kind of antics, and that Luka maybe dials it back a tad, given that the Clips are now a bunch of cornered animals.

There's something to this. I'm for him dialing it back.

Yeah, I agree with that. I wouldn't argue that he become a robot. He's obviously enjoying himself, and the Clippers, especially Pat Bev, are just getting what they've given. Maybe I'm just too soft, but at some point, after witnessing the verbal humiliation that Luka has foisted upon Pat, at some point I start to think, "ok Luka, back to the game bro". 

But man, I'm not going to complain. I mean, I'm being hypocritical, I've been posting LOL's about Luka following Pat around the court yelling. I'm sure my take here is more about me than about what Luka should do. 

Oh wait...obviously...we need to call in Harrison Barnes for some counseling. :-D

You can count me in the camp that wants Luka (and ALL the Mavs) to focus on the more fundamental aspects of winning basketball, instead of all the trash talk and head games and extracurricular bullshit.

Bearing that in mind, I believe that Rick Carlisle is not only a better coach than anyone around here, but he is also light years closer to the situation and has insights that will never occur to any of us.  I trust coach Carlisle to do his job, a significant part of which is protecting his young superstud.