(1) Thunder vs. (5) Mavericks Second Round Playoff Series Thread

[90sgoat]

Shai is a flopper

[GimmeThat]

Karl Malone would probably win a MVP with this Mavs team. OKC is practically just running the Princeton, which it appears most of the team has the ball handling to do so. If the Mavs just choose to go under on all the screens, it'll force OKC to have to hit those 3's. and as people have mentioned, no reason Dallas shouldn't try to get to the line.

[90sgoat]

Luka is a legit net negative now.

[90sgoat]

Karl Malone would probably win a MVP with this Mavs team. OKC is practically just running the Princeton, which it appears most of the team has the ball handling to do so. If the Mavs just choose to go under on all the screens, it'll force OKC to have to hit those 3's. and as people have mentioned, no reason Dallas shouldn't try to get to the line.

True.

Why are they not making Shai a long distance shooter?

[FultzNationRISE]

Luka is a legit net negative now.

When HIS shot isnt falling, he is completely disengaged. Either he racks up points and gets to be the star, or hes a pouty team killer.

I cant believe Kidd or Cuban or whoever has still not called him out on this. It’s pathetic. His teammates clearly love when he sits.

[FultzNationRISE]

And of course when he feels embarrassed that hes not scoring, suddenly the hobble appears.

Luka Embiid.

[90sgoat]

When HIS shot isnt falling, he is completely disengaged. Either he racks up points and gets to be the star, or hes a pouty team killer.

I cant believe Kidd or Cuban or whoever has still not called him out on this. It’s pathetic. His teammates clearly love when he sits.

Nah, I don't buy that, because this team goes as far as Luka takes them. Gafford and PJ, they owe Luka the next big contracts they're getting. Luka is getting guys paid.

[Im Still Ballin]

Luka is definitely a selfish "me first" personality.

[90sgoat]

I hate this overhelping defense that Mavs does.

Shai only scores 2 pointers, why help off the 3?

[FultzNationRISE]

Nah, I don't buy that, because this team goes as far as Luka takes them. Gafford and PJ, they owe Luka the next big contracts they're getting. Luka is getting guys paid.

They do need him to legitimately contend obviously, but his teammates definitely enjoy the minutes without him more. You can see the bounce they have when he sits.

[90sgoat]

They do need him to legitimately contend obviously, but his teammates definitely enjoy the minutes without him more. You can see the bounce they have when he sits.

It's complicated

Ultimately, it's not like Luka is an MJ bully or Lebron narcissist, so while he is a selfish baby, I doubt anyone goes home from work hating playing with Luka. They are in the playoffs off Luka and they are deep in the playoffs because of Luka and Kyrie. Some players are content in smaller roles on a winning team and some want a bigger role on a losing team. Different personalities.

[Im Still Ballin]

Josh Giddey cookin!

[90sgoat]

Gafford and Lively are dissapointing this game, particularly Gafford. He needs to be able to contribute something on offense or defense. Looking like he doesn't belong in the NBA right now.

[BarberSchool]

I absolutely guarantee you he’s concerned with keeping his playoff ppg pristine.

He’s not willing to give up his gaudy numbers to just get a win.


He wants to keep his playoff legend going as “youngest to average blah blah blah” or “only wilt, mj, and luka have averaged blah blah blah.”

I know he sees that 8 points on the marquee and is consciously worried about getting it up. Even at the expense of the team.

This and so many zero effort defensive possessions are why he shouldn’t be surprised he didn’t get more than 4 #1 votes for MVP this year. He still needs to put more into it, to get more out of it. His ceiling is much higher, than a chubby offensive savant, who leads the league in scoring and assists, with no chips. It’s up to him to learn/care/be-serious-about his conditioning/selflessness.

[90sgoat]

This and so many zero effort defensive possessions are why he shouldn’t be surprised he didn’t get more than 4 #1 votes for MVP this year. He still needs to put more into it, to get more out of it. His ceiling is much higher, than a chubby offensive savant, who leads the league in scoring and assists, with no chips. It’s up to him to learn/care/be-serious-about his conditioning/selflessness.

He needs to grow up and control his emotions.