I'll first expand on Bob's point below...what I believe is slowly being revealed is that the Western Conference - Minnesota in particular - was overrated by the media. The result is now an over-indexing toward Dallas for having won. What last night illustrated was that Minnesota is a long way from Boston.
While everyone calms their nerves by saying that Dallas always comes back from Game 1, that ignores the fact that Boston might be better too after the long layoff. No person steps in the same stream twice. We'll see.
Additionally, as I've pointed out elsewhere, the Mavs are not great when Luka's ego gets involved and his USG% rises to too high a level. Too much dribbling, not enough separation and passing with less participation by his teammates. The Mavs are much better when he does less...even if he is scoring efficiently. They need other contributions to beat great teams.
I don't know what his USG% was last night, but it was very high as his percentage for the entire Playoffs jumped significantly. Using assists as a rough proxy, he had 1 assist in 38 minutes. When he has ten or more assists, the Mavs are an impressive 95-46, while a mere 39-45 when he dishes five or fewer. One ain't gonna get it done.
I don't buy the post game excuse machine turned to 11 that Boston's defense shut down any other assist opportunities over the course of 38 minutes. I watched the game. Dallas was lower energy with too much standing around by teammates as Luka dribbled around, and a head coach who looked like a statue on the sidelines...reticent to say anything to try and change it up.
The numbers could not be starker. The Mavs need less smirking, less high difficulty shot selection and more distribution from their star player to have a chance.
Can anyone explain how Minnesotas Rudy Gobert is the DPOY. The guy is barely above average.Celtics KP is obviously much better as are almost half the NBA’s starting centers
Bulls back AD is a much better on ball defender and probably a better rim protector. Who ever selected the guy must be relieved on their job immediately. Defensive rating system must be overhauled,
I'll first expand on Bob's point below...what I believe is slowly being revealed is that the Western Conference - Minnesota in particular - was overrated by the media. The result is now an over-indexing toward Dallas for having won. What last night illustrated was that Minnesota is a long way from Boston.
While everyone calms their nerves by saying that Dallas always comes back from Game 1, that ignores the fact that Boston might be better too after the long layoff. No person steps in the same stream twice. We'll see.
Additionally, as I've pointed out elsewhere, the Mavs are not great when Luka's ego gets involved and his USG% rises to too high a level. Too much dribbling, not enough separation and passing with less participation by his teammates. The Mavs are much better when he does less...even if he is scoring efficiently. They need other contributions to beat great teams.
I don't know what his USG% was last night, but it was very high as his percentage for the entire Playoffs jumped significantly. Using assists as a rough proxy, he had 1 assist in 38 minutes. When he has ten or more assists, the Mavs are an impressive 95-46, while a mere 39-45 when he dishes five or fewer. One ain't gonna get it done.
I don't buy the post game excuse machine turned to 11 that Boston's defense shut down any other assist opportunities over the course of 38 minutes. I watched the game. Dallas was lower energy with too much standing around by teammates as Luka dribbled around, and a head coach who looked like a statue on the sidelines...reticent to say anything to try and change it up.
The numbers could not be starker. The Mavs need less smirking, less high difficulty shot selection and more distribution from their star player to have a chance.
'what I believe is slowly being revealed is that the Western Conference - Minnesota in particular - was overrated by the media.' exactly.
Can anyone explain how Minnesotas Rudy Gobert is the DPOY. The guy is barely above average.Celtics KP is obviously much better as are almost half the NBA’s starting centers
Bulls back AD is a much better on ball defender and probably a better rim protector. Who ever selected the guy must be relieved on their job immediately. Defensive rating system must be overhauled,
i like this take.