GAME 26: DAL (13-13) @ CHI (11-14) | 115-144 loss

[Kammrath]

[KillerLeft]

https://twitter.com/coopmavs/status/1601648643831783424?s=20&t=MoPFHM9s6E3cZGaN-aZ3nQ

[Chicagojk]

Luka, Green and Maxi all out tonight.  Should be rough.  Hardy was recalled though and I am sure Kemba will get some run

[Mavs2021]

Hardy Party.  

Has to be. I mean good lord who else is gonna play PG? Hardaway? Bullock? DFS? Oh shit Kemba goes from his knee is a mess to 40 minutes.

[Bayliss]

https://twitter.com/coopmavs/status/1601648643831783424?s=20&t=MoPFHM9s6E3cZGaN-aZ3nQ

Iif Luka would actually allow others to have the ball, he might conserve some energy.  I saw a stat the other day that Luka has the ball in his hands for 10 minutes a game.  That is the most in the league.  Other high guys were SGA, Morant, Harden who were all over 7.0......

And while the excuse will be he doesn't have someone else that can handle the ball.....  Luka (just my observation) doesn't want to play off the ball.  And he could easily allow others to bring the ball up the court and be the initiator in the half court set.

[BoredAssistant]

It's Timmy Time! 17/41 for 45 pts.

eta: 17/37 after thinking it through.

[DanSchwartzgan]

What would be the better outcome:

1. a loss, but either Kemba or Hardy put up an efficient 20+ and look great.

2. a win, but neither of those guys looks ready for prime time.

Who is the fifth starter after SD/THJ/DFS and Powell?

Chicago had lost 3 in a row before beating Washington (freaking at home on freaking Wednesday).  Starters were Vuc, P. Williams, DeRozan, LaVine and Caruso.  I can see an argument for a wing defender (RBJr.).  I can also see an argument for more offense (Wood).  

McGee, Bertans and Kemba almost have to get minutes.  I'll be disappointed if Hardy gets fewer than 20.

[dirkfansince1998]

Who is the fifth starter after SD/THJ/DFS and Powell?

Two ways to approach this.
Try to keep the rotation as it is. Replace the missing starter with a guy that usually isn´t getting any minutes. Something RC used to do. Others teams like Boston are doing all the time (Blake Griffin starts when Horford needs rest, gets DNPs in most games). If Kemba is up for it he could fill that role. Maybe even Hardy or Frank.
Or bigger changes. Players from the bench unit moving into the starting five (Bullock, Green...maybe Wood if they want to try something different). And non rotation players getting backup minutes.

[dynamicalVoid]

It's Timmy Time! 17/41 for 45 pts.

I hate this.

Tim is licking his chops right now.  I suspect at least 25 shots and he doesnt care about Hardy's growth or other getting involved on offense.

Tim "I gotta get mine" Hardaway

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1601721634267623424

[sterlingmallory]

No Hardaway?

https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1601733568472154114?s=20&t=Lgdwt5BUfrkH2h4cA1ytbw

[sterlingmallory]

Kidd bamboozling us right now

https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1601736514651627521?s=20&t=Bm5WVGiIetSSjubMSJKXxg

[Berknip]

Calling it now.

THJ dribble up the court, dribble out the clock, brick a shot.

Rebound Wood, pass out to THJ. Immediate brick again.

Offensive tip out by DFS to THJ. Immediate brick again.

[KillerLeft]

Two bigs against a 5-out offense? Yuck.

[Kammrath]

Why on earth do you not run more O for Wood?! I just cannot.

[Kammrath]

The team's most efficient offensive player is out....so let's start (finally) the second most efficient offensive player but stick him in the corner to watch much more inefficient players jack around.

[KillerLeft]

Why on earth do you not run more O for Wood?! I just cannot.

Agreed. 

And honestly, if you look at Vucevic and Patrick Williams and think "I've got to have Powell out there with Wood" then you're probably not qualified to coach in the NBA. All you're doing is letting Chicago off the hook.

[dirkfansince1998]

Overload the strong side. Give up the cross court three. Rinse and repeat. Where have I seen that before...

[KillerLeft]

Patrick Williams is on a very short list of players capable of defending Wood, physically (Vucevic would have no chance), and meanwhile, Vuc is easily one of the starting centers in the league you could use to ween Wood into some solo big minutes. 

Instead, Kidd is letting Vuc play Powell and Williams play Wood, which is playing right into their hands. But, at least the combo of Wood and Powell has no chance of rotating to take away the easy 3's that Vucevic/Williams both clearly delight in taking.

[Kammrath]

Hard to watch this team from a combination of lack of talent and infuriating coaching. Ugh.