MAVS NEWS: Luka Wins Player Of the Week

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I see it as a progression of issues starting with Luka's calf injury in training camp that eliminated his participation for most of the preseason. A lot of other players would possibly have started on the bench until they got their game legs back, but Luka was on court from the opening tip of game one.

By the time he started coming around then the injuries to teammates started and the level of competition ramped up. Feels like he's trying to do too much sometimes. He seems more committed to defense, but is supposed to do that at a high level, initiate the offense, approach triple double stats and score 30+ a night? That's a heavy lift.

TBH, I'm disappointed with how Klay is contributing offensively. He doesn't seem to be as accurate as his reputation says. Maybe blame it on the scrambled rotation, but I suggest he's not scaring any opponents right now. He was OK in the first 3 games, but in the last 7 games he's 14/49 (28.6%) on 3pt shots. 

I really like Marshall's game. Decent ball skills, seems to play good defense and is shooting 50% overall despite only hitting 20% beyond the arc (on only 2 attempts per game). He's definitely part of the rotation as the injury list clears.

To me, the jury is still out on Grimes, he needs to start showing something or he'll get the Grant Williams treatment. Hardy shows flashes but doesn't seem to sustain anything game to game. OMax looks like he should be a monster, but I'm wondering if he and Hardy are here come March 1st. 

I have to give respect to Powell. Going from regular rotation (sometimes starting) to a deep bench role has to be hard, but he's there when asked and plays with the energy we have come to expect. Could not ask for a better teammate.

Really looking forward to getting everybody back and finding the rotation rhythm. Kidd's DAL teams always seem to start slow, but I hope he doesn't wait until 1/1/2025 to get it figured out.

Sorry, didn't mean for this to be a team summary. Just train of thought typing.

Excellent summary, especially for a train of thought, loil

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Klay returns to Golden State tonight. Game is on TNT. Warriors off to an amazing start. Lively hopefully back.

Let’s see what kind of performance we get from the Mavs. Rare regular season game I’m excited for.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

Was just listening to the Dunker's Spot and they mentioned that we're 10th in ORating and DRating which I found a little surprising. I know it's early but maybe does seem like this team is on the right track despite their record and the injuries. Interested to see how they come out tonight. Feel like the nerves are going to get to Klay, hope we don't just try to force 100 shots through him and play our game.

[KillerLeft]

Was just listening to the Dunker's Spot and they mentioned that we're 10th in ORating and DRating which I found a little surprising.  I know it's early but maybe does seem like this team is on the right track despite their record and the injuries.  Interested to see how they come out tonight.  Feel like the nerves are going to get to Klay, hope we don't just try to force 100 shots through him and play our game.

Yeah, not to mention that both Durant (before the recent injury) and Jokic are off to ridiculously amazing starts. Mix in the idea that the IND game was second night of a back to back (worst case scenario opponent for that) and it's pretty easy to rationalize the record, actually. 

I think what's causing the uneasy undertone around here is that we just haven't really seen a convincing game out of the Mavs, except for maybe the Minnesota game. It's not the record, really - it's the question of if/when we're going to see them reach the next gear as far as level of play.

[SleepingHero]

Yeah, not to mention that both Durant (before the recent injury) and Jokic are off to ridiculously amazing starts. Mix in the idea that the IND game was second night of a back to back (worst case scenario opponent for that) and it's pretty easy to rationalize the record, actually. 

I think what's causing the uneasy undertone around here is that we just haven't really seen a convincing game out of the Mavs, except for maybe the Minnesota game. It's not the record, really - it's the question of if/when we're going to see them reach the next gear as far as level of play.

That's a perfect encapsulation of my feelings. The Mavs have not had a game where they've looked dominant. They may have a half or a single quarter where you can see the true potential of this team but it all falls apart.

I suppose that adds to my frustration too. Anyways, this game against GSW I hope they come out prepared.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Why on Earth is Luka not playing off the ball 100% while he deals with this injury/conditioning?

[SleepingHero]

@GrantAfseth
Luka Dončić mentioned he's still adjusting to playing off the ball, so I was curious if any particular elements stand out in the process:

"Just overall. Just playing without the ball. Just all of it."

[SleepingHero]

I think what we're seeing with Luka is the culmination of a lot of little things that have built up to why we're seeing him look so bad at times.

Mavs have currently opened to their worst start since his rookie year. I think they will adjust.

[bodhisattva]

Meh. Watching Mavs last 5,6 seasons I have learned that first 45 or so games are basically preseason. No use loosing your nerves over first 2/3 of the season. They will get it together sooner or later, I have no doubt, but I am not staying up for this clown show. We talk serious stuff in February. You guys keep me informed till then.

P.s.
Luka is who he is. I had high hopes he would get it together by 25, 26 but I am afraid he is a finished product.
Will support because he is our boy, but disappointed. I wouldnt want to be his teammate. Not my type of player.
I am afraid Harden comparisons are getting more accurate every day.

[KillerLeft]

Meh. Watching Mavs last 5,6 seasons I have learned that first 45 or so games are basically preseason. No use loosing your nerves over first 2/3 of the season. They will get it together sooner or later, I have no doubt, but I am not staying up for this clown show. We talk serious stuff in February. You guys keep me informed till then.

P.s.
Luka is who he is. I had high hopes he would get it together by 25, 26 but I am afraid he is a finished product.
Will support because he is our boy, but disappointed. I wouldnt want to be his teammate. Not my type of player.
I am afraid Harden comparisons are getting more accurate every day.

It's not over. I'm not giving up. 

But, I'm also done tiptoeing around those topics. Gonna call 'em like I see 'em all season. Others are free to disagree, but I will walk on no eggshells. I was a Mavs fan before Luka and I'll probably be a Mavs fan after he's gone.

[BigDirk41]

It's not over. I'm not giving up. 

But, I'm also done tiptoeing around those topics. Gonna call 'em like I see 'em all season. Others are free to disagree, but I will walk on no eggshells. I was a Mavs fan before Luka and I'll probably be a Mavs fan after he's gone.

I agree. Personally, this is the most down I've ever felt about Luka. He's fun to watch when he's on, but I absolutely would not want to play with him. He's a ball hog that takes every big shot. I know he gets a lot of assists, but even those are down this year. I'm starting to think he's the new Charles Barkley. He's a super skilled and talented player that doesn't want it enough. For those that haven't watched Barkley play, at his peak, he was freaking unstoppable and a crazy rebounder. Barkley ate his way out of being a top player in the league and eventually out of the NBA. 

All the skill and talent in the world doesn't matter if you don't match it with an elite body with elite conditioning. He's always hurt because he's fat. He plays fat most of the time. He's in good shape for a normal guy, but he's in atrocious shape for an NBA player. I don't think that will ever change. He is who he is. I never thought I would say this, but I would be open to trading him for Giannis if that works salary wise.

[SleepingHero]

I suppose I am more high than all three of you still. Luka's gravest sins are his incessant complaining, inconsistent defense, and shotty conditioning. Are these bad things? Of course, but in terms of "worst traits to have" they are far from the worst. They are only so annoying because they are so fixable. THATS why we're annoyed. Not with the actions themselves but the perceived inactions from Luka. But look at his last 3 years and see what he's done individually. 32/9/9 on 48/36/76 with a WCF AND Finals appearance under him. I mean that's just bonkers stuff.

I still see a passionate, fiery competitor that lays it all on the line. He does magical things with the ball that very few, if ever, have done.

Is he having the roughest stretch of his entire career thus far? Sure. It IS hard to watch him right now struggle. And I mean he has basically struggled the last 33 games if we're counting playoffs too. Soooooo I get it.

But he should eventually snap back into who he is. He is still Luka. I will always pull for him.

[hakeemfaan]

I get some of the Luka criticism, but we just went to the Finals. Kyrie was the one who looked bad. I am not a fan of Luka’s style of play but his genius and fire are undeniable. This is not Dak or Harden. The guy has taken the team to a conference finals and to the Finals and unlike the afore mentioned players he never backs down or withers when the competition gets tougher and more physical.

There are a few players I will definitely take over him, but none of them are going to be available even for Luka. So what’s the point fretting over his flaws? Enjoy the genius that is Luka even with his shortcomings. Teams like the Bulls have been waiting forever since Jordan. Just because we were lucky that a generational talent like Dirk was replaced by another generational talent, don’t underestimate how difficult it is to find one and how many franchises have waited a long long time. I have made my peace. I saw Dirk holding the trophy and that’s all I wanted for that gem of a person. I can’t believe I get to watch Luka as part of my favorite team and if the team never wins a title due to other flaws with his game, that’s ok.

[Chicagojk]

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[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I am tired of using the points/rebounds/assists triple slash line to judge players. Somewhere along the way players brains got broken and this is what the stars chase. Look at Westbrook. Take bad shots. Steal rebounds from teammates. Get mad when teammates don't shoot off your pass. I think this contributes big time to guys like Luka ball hogging and then not doing anything when they don't have the ball or on defense.

[RGP1981]

I am tired of using the points/rebounds/assists triple slash line to judge players.  Somewhere along the way players brains got broken and this is what the stars chase.  Look at Westbrook.  Take bad shots. Steal rebounds from teammates.  Get mad when teammates don't shoot off your pass.  I think this contributes big time to guys like Luka ball hogging and then not doing anything when they don't have the ball or on defense.

You make a good point but there is more to this. I don't think Luka's style of play is a result of him not getting recognition... I think it has more to do with him realizing that he has not put in the work during the off-season, again, but feels like he has enough talent to wing it to an MVP trophy that he feels he deserves. Well, that's what he might be trying to do... but it won't happen. The competition is too fierce (Jokic, Tatum, SGA), and those guys take their profession more seriously than him.

[Knutsen]

Losing 4 in a row sucks… But to put things in perspective we lost to 3 of the best teams in the league, haven’t had our starting 5 in any of these games - and lost by a combined 8 points. So we could very easily be 9-3 instead. Won’t help us in the final standings, but we always said they need 20 games at least to figure out who they are. Reminds me of all the close games we lost after the trade for Kyrie by the way.

[Mavs2021]

Losing 4 in a row sucks… But to put things in perspective we lost to 3 of the best teams in the league, haven’t had our starting 5 in any of these games - and lost by a combined 8 points. So we could very easily be 9-3 instead. Won’t help us in the final standings, but we always said they need 20 games at least to figure out who they are. Reminds me of all the close games we lost after the trade for Kyrie by the way.

Vassell missed the Spurs game.
Banchero missed the Magic game.
Lavine missed the Bulls game.

So we could very easily be 2-10 with the worst record in the league.

[DallasMaverick]

Vassell missed the Spurs game.
Banchero missed the Magic game.
Lavine missed the Bulls game.

So we could very easily be 2-10 with the worst record in the league.

Kinda depends on whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist.

[RGP1981]

Not sure where to put this. Posting it here cause I guess some of y'all might want to swap cheerleading squads with the Cowboys.

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The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders just opened the biggest boxing match in history. #PaulTyson

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