(05-19-2021, 07:34 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: I guess Valanciunas is making @"Dahlsim" case right now. We all know about his short comings on defense but he is forcing the Spurs to go big. Basically the reverse RC. Bigmen offense dictates the matchups. Not the ability to defend.
Yes, that game was very relevant to what I've said many times regarding the use of the Mav's big man offense, even before Boban came to Mavs.
Think of it this way, if both teams play the same sort of prevailing modern offensive/defensive schemes, let's say for example pace and space, high 3pt shot attempts, more small ball emphasis etc.
Who wins? Well in theory (reality is more complicated) the team with the better talent for that play style should have the advantage and win right?
Now what if you are the team that knows the other team has the better 3 point shooters and better talent for what you think the modern offensive game calls for but you have some advantages with elite talent scoring the traditional 2 point and old fashioned 3 point i.e. drawing fouls?
The answer seems obvious. Find the strategies and points in the game where you can play to your roster's advantages and don't get boxed into a generic one-size-fits-all 3 point model.
Valanciunas was a case in point last night. He's a superior talent big with a 2 point game that can reduce volatility in their offense compared to what the Spurs had even though Pop and Spurs adjusted and put a valiant fight against him. Pop going small against the better BIG talent simply wasn't working. Its not like Pop has the most elite small ball talent either so they were able to turn it around and get back into the gamefo with solid play from Jakob Poeltl especially when Val went out of the game.
At the end though Jonas had 23 points and 23 rebounds in 37 big minutes. He was 0 for 1 from 3 but dominated shooting 62.5% overall and added rim protection with 3 blocks.