Dallas @ Suns Game 2 (R2) Wednesday 5-4-2022, 7PM

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

They were discussing that this morning on Keyshawn's show. Basically the reshuffle now is Ayton 1 Luka 2 and then Trae Young a very very distant 3rd

Amazing how much difference these rankings have been over their careers.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Agreed. I think they eventually fall behind the pelicans. If kawhi returns the clips do too. And Memphis is already ahead. If murray and MPJ return the nuggets likely pass them. If the wolves ever grow up they’ve got more overall talent. The suns may recede when Paul is done, but may not due to maturation of Booker/Ayton/bridges/cam Johnson and post-Paul acquisitions of seasoned PGs seeking a winner. And GS is an interesting case as curry/klay/draymond age having poole and kuminga (and maybe wiseman) coming up. Mavs likely falls back 2 slots to a 6 seed next season and moving forward, unless they get lucky in the draft or hit on a Portland/like firesale, ends up fighting for slots 3-7 for the foreseeable future.

And if you read Mavs fans reactions, they act like it's a foregone conclusion that they will be able to add a ton of talent.

We've seen numerous instances of teams NOT able to swing the trades, draft the players, or sign the free agents to surround their superstar. I'd wager it's more likely they can't and that Luka wants a trade in the coming seasons.

 

[TJ]

Why would Booker have bailed? It would’ve been the first time book ever had a high level point guard playing alongside him.

Ball dominance. Plus, IIRC, Book was pushing for front court help in 2018.

 

[Mainstreet]

They were discussing that this morning on Keyshawn's show. Basically the reshuffle now is Ayton 1 Luka 2 and then Trae Young a very very distant 3rd

I'm not sure where they are going to land but Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mikal Bridges are working their way up the rankings.

 

[TJ]

They were discussing that this morning on Keyshawn's show. Basically the reshuffle now is Ayton 1 Luka 2 and then Trae Young a very very distant 3rd

Poor Marvin Bagley

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

And if you read Mavs fans reactions, they act like it's a foregone conclusion that they will be able to add a ton of talent.

We've seen numerous instances of teams NOT able to swing the trades, draft the players, or sign the free agents to surround their superstar. I'd wager it's more likely they can't and that Luka wants a trade in the coming seasons.

If I were the mavs I’d have a fire sale. Trade everyone not named luka. None of them are crucial pieces. Not dinwiddie. Not Brunson. They’ll take up capspace. Save the space for a huge run at the rare big FA that comes available.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Ball dominance. Plus, IIRC, Book was pushing for front court help in 2018.

No way. Not after never had a pg. book would have the best looks he had ever had in his career to that date due to Lukas passing and the attention luka would’ve required defensively.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don’t understand why he’s not fighting for deeper post position against the klebers of the world.

Yeah, Ayton is not posting up deep enough and then he is getting pushed around. He plays lighter than 250 pounds.

 

[TJ]

No way. Not after never had a pg. book would have the best looks he had ever had in his career to that date due to Lukas passing and the attention luka would’ve required defensively.

I'm sure had Booker been patient he wouldve been fine, but I highly doubt he signs an extension if Luka was the pick. There's a reason that Booker's extension came two weeks after the 2018 draft.

 

[Mainstreet]

The evolution of Devin Booker not to mention being a two-way player.

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[Krangodnzr]

If I were the mavs I’d have a fire sale. Trade everyone not named luka. None of them are crucial pieces. Not dinwiddie. Not Brunson. They’ll take up capspace. Save the space for a huge run at the rare big FA that comes available.

That approach makes more sense two years ago, or last year.

Because generally, you do that, and it will still take a year or for the talent to really mesh.

Players I like on the Mavs really is pretty much Brunson...everyone else are limited players with maybe one good tool to work with, but are overall at best average NBA players.

 

[Mainstreet]

If I were the mavs I’d have a fire sale. Trade everyone not named luka. None of them are crucial pieces. Not dinwiddie. Not Brunson. They’ll take up capspace. Save the space for a huge run at the rare big FA that comes available.

I'm sure there is a player out there waiting for the opportunity to play with Doncic but a sign and trade might be the best way to do it.

I'd throw in 2-3 future available first round picks (Dallas does not have a lot) and whatever it takes to get another star.

Another thought, maybe the Mavericks go after Lebron. They could take turns dominating the ball.

 

[95pro]

I'm sure there is a player out there waiting for the opportunity to play with Doncic but a sign and trade might be the best way to do it.

I'd throw in 2-3 future available first round picks (Dallas does not have a lot) and whatever it takes to get another star.

Another thought, maybe the Mavericks go after Lebron. They could take turns dominating the ball.

They'd be really slow together on defense though, now that lebron is showing his age and only getting older. Powell would do good with Lebron

 

[Suns_fan69]

And we instantly become the best offense in the history of the league and while our D might take a hit, we’d still be very good (one player CAN be hidden with great defenders around him) and we’d also become a beast rebounding adding Doncic’s 9 per next to Ayton.

And Luka would have a lot more energy for the defensive end if he doesn't have to carry the offense like he does on Dallas. Look how much Booker became with a competent PG in Rubio and now Paul.

 

[Mainstreet]

They'd be really slow together on defense though, now that lebron is showing his age and only getting older. Powell would do good with Lebron

I was throwing some mud at the wall but I bet the Mavericks kick around ideas during the off season.

Zach Lavine and Jusuf Nurkic are a couple of free agents they might pursue.

 

[Russ Smith]

It might not have been overturned. Brunson did hook Chris first. So the foul was real. The sell job was over the top though.

Maybe it was the angle they showed on tv last night but it looked to me like CP3 hooked Brunson and then flailed. Brunson was trying to do that move where you cut off the defender and then slow to make him run into you and it looked like Paul tricked him with the hook but maybe that angle was deceiving. I'm looking on my laptop with a small screen so I can't really see it on the video

 

[Mainstreet]

Maybe it was the angle they showed on tv last night but it looked to me like CP3 hooked Brunson and then flailed. Brunson was trying to do that move where you cut off the defender and then slow to make him run into you and it looked like Paul tricked him with the hook but maybe that angle was deceiving. I'm looking on my laptop with a small screen so I can't really see it on the video

Maybe Paul got away with one but this was only one play.

I couldn't find the entire video but I could probably find some video where the Mavs got away with stuff as well.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm sure had Booker been patient he wouldve been fine, but I highly doubt he signs an extension if Luka was the pick. There's a reason that Booker's extension came two weeks after the 2018 draft.

At that juncture book needed two things:

1. A pg
2. A big

If you go back and read this board I think there’s little dispute which was viewed as the bigger need. We were all desperate for a pg. if we were l suspect you could triple that desperation for book. We will just have to disagree.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Devin Booker and Chris Paul pairing is perfect. I so like the give and take in the interview below.

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[Russ Smith]

Maybe Paul got away with one but this was only one play.

I couldn't find the entire video but I could probably find some video where the Mavs got away with stuff as well.

Oh 100% I'm just saying if I was kidd I would have challenged it if for no other reason than break momentum. CP3 was just killing them, unreal he just took over. I would have done anything to try and break the run.

He is the ultimate closer

 

[Dback Jon]

Oh 100% I'm just saying if I was kidd I would have challenged it if for no other reason than break momentum. CP3 was just killing them, unreal he just took over. I would have done anything to try and break the run.

He is the ultimate closer

I thought they already used their challenge

 

[Mainstreet]

Oh 100% I'm just saying if I was kidd I would have challenged it if for no other reason than break momentum. CP3 was just killing them, unreal he just took over. I would have done anything to try and break the run.

He is the ultimate closer

Yeah, I didn't see the video replay until this morning and that was probably from Dallas media. These plays happen and it's up to the referees to make the right calls.

Chris Paul has been in the league so long he is playing basketball chess out there.

 

[Ronin]

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[Russ Smith]

I thought they already used their challenge

They might have I'm not really sure. That 4th quarter was unreal it was like an NBA guy showing up at a pickup game. CP3 was just so much better than anybody else

 

[leclerc]

They just have to remember to do this again in the next game. Make Luka switch on to Paul or Booker and go at him. Also, try to get it into Ayton a couple of times.

"Not a great defender." He's a lousy defender!