GAME 45: DAL (24-21) @ POR (21-22) | 123-140 loss

[SleepingHero]

As soon as Dinwiddie touches the ball he's going to shoot it. This is incredible.

[KillerLeft]

As soon as Dinwiddie touches the ball he's going to shoot it. This is incredible.

He's not good enough to play the role he's in, it seems pretty clear. Not on a team trying to be good, at least.

[SleepingHero]

And then Wood goes crazy thinking he's a point guard.

Not sure why we are complaining about the offense

While they are scoring, the shots they are generating are terrible. At least without Luka.

[dirkfansince1998]

He's not good enough to play the role he's in, it seems pretty clear. Not on a team trying to be good, at least.

He is Lou WIlliams turned into a starter. Something most teams were smart enough to avoid.

[KillerLeft]

One thing I'm semi-grateful to have learned during this stretch of the Mavs being without over half of their rotation:

Bertans is NOT some underutilized gem. There have been times when I wondered what it would look like if he got consistent playing time, but it turns out that no, he shouldn't.

---

He is Lou WIlliams turned into a starter. Something most teams were smart enough to avoid.

Agreed.

[dirkfansince1998]

And then Wood goes crazy thinking he's a point guard.




While they are scoring, the shots they are generating are terrible. At least without Luka.

That´s the thing. I am confident that with Luka on the floor offense won´t be a problem. Had some hope that they would show some life on defense without him but it might be even worse. Luka can fix most of the issues on offense. But who is fixing the defense?

[BoredAssistant]

If Duffy has his client's ear, he should be telling Luka to let his teammates run the show for some stretches so they can develop and possibly want to stick around.

[Jym]

But who is fixing the defense?

Siakam and a rested DFS would help

[dirkfansince1998]

Bertans is NOT some underutilized gem. There have been times when I wondered what it would look like if he got consistent playing time, but it turns out that no, he shouldn't.

Actually think that he was one of the few positives today. Made a couple of sneaky good plays on defense. Made three 3s. All in all above expectations. Just having a hard time when he is asked to defend the rim but that´s more about the Mavs lack of playable bigs. Not really on him.

[SleepingHero]

But who is fixing the defense?

Ideally the 3 best defenders that have missed close to a month that should be returning soon I'd imagine. Green and DFS at least should in theory stop the bleeding a little.

[SwisherPrice]

Dinwiddie knows he can do whatever he wants on this team...especially on a night with Luka out. Not sure whatever happened to them being cautious with his knees...I guess they think he is 100% because he plays every game without hesitation. Even Luka has gotten more off nights

[SleepingHero]

Seeing SD THJ and even Luka with their hands on their faces at least gives me some hope these guys still care.

---

Hardy with highlight after highlight and Dinwiddie looked him off the entire time he was on the court.

[dirkfansince1998]

Hardy made the over/under line. Played the entire 4th quarter. Half of the 3rd. 25pts in 25 minutes.

[SleepingHero]

Hardy made the over/under line. Played the entire 4th quarter. Half of the 3rd. 25pts in 25 minutes.

I'm glad I set the O/U as good as Vegas 

[MrGoat]

The big problem is our offense isn't the only problem when Luka is out, our defense plays worse too. We've just given up our second 140 point performance of the year, the other one was also with Luka out.

[Chicagojk]

Did we load manage McGee too?  Ha.  We may need to load manage him for 3 years.

[dirkfansince1998]

Did we load manage McGee too?  Ha.  We may need to load manage him for 3 years.

Saving him for a crucial tip off in the playoffs / play-in.

[Chicagojk]

Has this new front office brought in one player who can help win games when Luka sits?  That may be a bit harsh.  But a year and a half is not a short amount of time and the arrow is trending down.

[Jym]

Has this new front office brought in one player who can help win games when Luka sits?  That may be a bit harsh.  But a year and a half is not a short amount of time and the arrow is trending down.

I'm curious what Donnie is up to

and I'm still curious why everyone still seems fine with that bafflingly horrible Washington trade 
it needs to get more attention and shame

[KillerLeft]

Did we load manage McGee too?  Ha.  We may need to load manage him for 3 years.

I think you're making a joke about him being bad, which is funny. But you know, he is 34, so the genuine answer to your question is probably yes, he needed a rest night on this back-to-back, even if Kidd had wanted to play him. 

There are so many recent front office decisions that defy reason.