Game 21 Dirkie Thread

[ballsrchr]

The Mavs have been playing teams close for quite awhile. It was only a matter of time before they won a game. I noticed that somebody jumped the gun before the game by posting a "tank is on" thread. Ooops. Not yet. Regardless of what you think about tanking or playing to win, the Dirkie thread is for the player who did the most to win this particular game. We have several people who contributed.

Dwight Powell did just what he always does. He played hard and did a lot of stuff. Just take a look at his stat line and you'll see this. Usually he doesn't get enough playing time to mount any stats, but he is certainly a good veteran to have on the bench.

Naji Marshall is also another person who seems to just go out there and do what he needs to do. He's not flashy, but he produces.

Cooper Flagg is an 18 year old man!...on the court. Or is he 19 now? Doesn't matter. He's there...and he's a Mav. With proper guidance, training, medical staff, and intangibles, CF is going to be good. I'm hoping he will be the second coming of--Dirk? Come on! I'm jumping the gun now, but what the hell!

Ryan Nembhard didn't do anything that changes my opinion about him. He needs to play more and get acclimated to the NBA game. He will be a good bench piece. Possibly even a starter, but that's a reach. He would have a lot more assists if his counterparts would just make the basket.

Klay Thompson? I think he's better coming off the bench than as a starter. He's not cooked, but...

Brandon Williams is proving that he belongs on an NBA team. It took him awhile, but here he is. He's quick and flashy. At this point we need him starting.

My Dirkie candidates are:

Dwight Powell, Cooper Flagg.
Naji, Klay, and Branden are all honorable mentions.

My Dirkie goes to Cooper Flagg.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Thanks for the positive mentions of Powell.  The obvious candidates are Flagg and Klay, but Powell played some incredible D down the stretch.  I’m not sure six steals (with Cooper not having any) is accurate, but I think Powell was unusually good in this game both at distributing the ball and getting key stops late.

[KillerLeft]

I didn't watch the game, so don't feel comfortable voting in this one, but from the box score it seems like Flagg, Thompson and Powell were all key. I saw a lot of positive mentions of Williams in the game thread.

I hope this current trend of Thompson being useful continues.

[meistermatze]

We needed every one on Coops points, but of course Klay turning back the clock changed the game. I still went with Flagg. 35 efficient points as a 18 year old is historic. If he can improve his 3-point-shooting to at least being respectable, he's a 20 PPG scorer already. Sky is the limit for this kid!

[Chicagojk]

I gave it to Klay.   Flagg is starting to get the hard grades that I used to give to Luka.  Not at that level yet but higher expectations than others.  

There was 3-4 times last night that the game would have gotten away from the Mavs if Klay did not hit a really hard three.   Like in most games it would have led to a 6 or 8 point run.  Those threes really deflated a Clippers team who already are not playing very confident.

[ballsrchr]

Thanks for the positive mentions of Powell.  The obvious candidates are Flagg and Klay, but Powell played some incredible D down the stretch.  I’m not sure six steals (with Cooper not having any) is accurate, but I think Powell was unusually good in this game both at distributing the ball and getting key stops late.

I'm old and possibly a little senile (haaa, not) so I might have made a mistake.  If I did, it will take one of the maestros to correct it.

[ballsrchr]

I gave it to Klay.   Flagg is starting to get the hard grades that I used to give to Luka.  Not at that level yet but higher expectations than others.  

There was 3-4 times last night that the game would have gotten away from the Mavs if Klay did not hit a really hard three.   Like in most games it would have led to a 6 or 8 point run.  Those threes really deflated a Clippers team who already are not playing very confident.

Yeah...a victim of his own success.  I was thinking the same thing, but gave it to him anyway.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm old and possibly a little senile (haaa, not) so I might have made a mistake.  If I did, it will take one of the maestros to correct it.

You were right.  The box score had it that way.  I just kind of remember at least one steal that I thought was Flagg’s rather than Powell’s in real time.

[SleepingHero]

Klay's 4th quarter barrage deserves a Dirkie.

Powell's ability to contain Zubac deserves a dirkie.

But 35 from our 18 year old Flagg deserves the dirkie the most.

[cow]

Klay was on a heater.