Game 77: Golden State Warriors (42-34) vs Dallas Mavericks (46-30)

[Jason Terry]

PJ 4-5 on his non-corner 3’s.  1-3 from the corner.

Kidd needs to figure out how to get him looks above the break with Luka and Kyrie in the game.  He is not a corner 3pt shooter…though I’m confident he will figure that out too this offseason.

Don’t relegate him to standing in the corner where he doesn’t have the same confidence in his shot that he does everywhere else.  This was a great game to really see what it unlocks.

This is an important point. I think there’s still meat on the bone with PJ and his shooting. He can put in work over the summer and improve. He seems to have the right attitude to do this

Right now though, PJ is great at non-corner 3’s. He’s also got that around the rim game with the mid-paint floater. These are good complimentary shots to everyone else. Just need to keep putting him in good spots to do this

Overall, PJ is at 43% from 3 over the last 9 games. He’s getting hot at the right time

[The Jom]

THJ played some winning basketball last night. That rebound near the end when he just came crashing down the middle and took it away from Draymond—he looked 22 years old. Then the drive and perfect dish to PJ for the easy game winner. Game-saving and then game-winning plays.

There’s gonna be at least one playoff game when we all admit (some reluctantly) that we’re glad (momentarily) that we still have Tim.

[youzigizag]

THJ played some winning basketball last night. That rebound near the end when he just came crashing down the middle and took it away from Draymond—he looked 22 years old. Then the drive and perfect dish to PJ for the easy game winner. Game-saving and then game-winning plays.

There’s gonna be at least one playoff game when we all admit (some reluctantly) that we’re glad (momentarily) that we still have Tim.

Nope.  We need a more well rounded, more consistent player.

Limiting skills and streaky shooting isnt what you should be looking for.

[omahen]

THJ was -9 and shot 30 % from field while taking third most shots. His shooting stats plummeted to second worse season stats out of five he played in Dallas. For sure there might be a game or even two where he will be hot, but unfortunately that doesn't offset all the negatives he brings on average. He is not an elite offensive guy and also doesn't contribute nearly enough on defense to justify his unimpressive efficiency numbers. His shooting for example is right there with the likes of Brooks or Smart. But one can forgive a bit of a chucking tendency with those two as they are elite defenders.

I agree Mavs need more offense other than Luka and Kyrie, but THJ is not the answer. I think Exum, DJJ and Green should all see minutes before him and he should only be played when offense will be badly needed and he is hot.

[SwisherPrice]

A big reason why the Mavs are finally finding success is because they are moving away from their old strategy of building a roster full of limited players whose offensive skills are mainly defined by their 3 point shot. That was their philosophy for years with the traditional "3 and D" players like DFS, Bullock, and bringing in Grant Williams. Kleber is still around but he's playing less minutes and not taking as many threes anymore, which is good. He's actually at his best when he's pump-faking and attacking. That's also why Kidd has finally realized that the THJ Experience should be reduced and he's not a big part of the offense anymore.

Instead, they have upgraded with versatile players who can do more than just shoot threes. PJ, DJJ, Exum - their games are not reliant on the three ball but they are all still able to make those shots to make defenses pay. Will they have cold stretches? Sure, that happens to everyone and will happen in the playoffs too. But when that happens, they have the ability to still get buckets (or connect the offense to get easy buckets for others) so that they aren't non-factors.

From a center standpoint, it's not even close anymore! Before, the Mavs only cared about having a stretch big like Kleber or Porzingis or a rim-runner like Powell (and the failed JaVale McGee signing). But with Gafford and Lively, they have 2 centers who can catch the ball in traffic and score in the paint on semi-contested shots while also providing the same rim-running ability. And Gafford is also showing some passing ability as he's averaging 3 assists in the last 10 games.

I think in previous years there was too much of a reliance on looking at players' 3-pt shooting stats thinking they would be a good fit here. But then they would overlook more versatile players who may not be as good of a shooter statistically but better in other important areas that the Mavs lacked in.

[youzigizag]

A big reason why the Mavs are finally finding success is because they are moving away from their old strategy of building a roster full of limited players whose offensive skills are mainly defined by their 3 point shot. That was their philosophy for years with the traditional "3 and D" players like DFS, Bullock, and bringing in Grant Williams. Kleber is still around but he's playing less minutes and not taking as many threes anymore, which is good. He's actually at his best when he's pump-faking and attacking. That's also why Kidd has finally realized that the THJ Experience should be reduced and he's not a big part of the offense anymore.

Instead, they have upgraded with versatile players who can do more than just shoot threes. PJ, DJJ, Exum - their games are not reliant on the three ball but they are all still able to make those shots to make defenses pay. Will they have cold stretches? Sure, that happens to everyone and will happen in the playoffs too. But when that happens, they have the ability to still get buckets (or connect the offense to get easy buckets for others) so that they aren't non-factors.

From a center standpoint, it's not even close anymore! Before, the Mavs only cared about having a stretch big like Kleber or Porzingis or a rim-runner like Powell (and the failed JaVale McGee signing). But with Gafford and Lively, they have 2 centers who can catch the ball in traffic and score in the paint on semi-contested shots while also providing the same rim-running ability. And Gafford is also showing some passing ability as he's averaging 3 assists in the last 10 games.

I think in previous years there was too much of a reliance on looking at players' 3-pt shooting stats thinking they would be a good fit here. But then they would overlook more versatile players who may not be as good of a shooter statistically but better in other important areas that the Mavs lacked in.

I cried reading this post.  It sums up what I have been fighting for on this board past 2 plus years in one post.

Gotta have players with solid fundamental skills over niche percentage points players.

And...the one thing you didnt mention in your post is....THE MAVS ARE SO MUCH MORE FUN TO WATCH WITH ACTUAL BBALL PLAYERS PLAYING AND BALL MOVEMENT AND TRANSITION GAME!

[Chicagojk]

What a fun play. Great defense by PJ to eliminate an easy momentum dunk. Good Hardaway safe. Good ball movement. Kyrie penetrates with a spread floor but there is a landlord at the basket making a payment. 4 point turnaround. Mavs get a few of these a game now.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/NUn93m4...tid=w8EBqM

[The Jom]

. . . Kleber is still around but he's playing less minutes and not taking as many threes anymore, which is good. He's actually at his best when he's pump-faking and attacking. . . .

I’m as big a fan as Maxi has. LOVE the guy. But honestly, I cringe when he drives. It is not when he’s at his best.