The Mavs are overrated

[cman88]

The only concern is Luka Doncic could win Finals MVP despite his team losing. Raters enjoy looking at points and he's got plenty on that category. How often does a losing team win Finals MVP though

lukas poor defense and crying to refs certainly has been celtics MVP of the finals

[A Future of Stevens]

The only concern is Luka Doncic could win Finals MVP despite his team losing. Raters enjoy looking at points and he's got plenty on that category. How often does a losing team win Finals MVP though

I feel like the only way a player on a losing team could realistically win FMVP is in a close series, and they are far and away the best statistical player.

Luka getting counting stats while being a turnstile and losing 4-0 or 4-1 should never be considered. Even if a player put up Wilt numbers, if you get swept, you shouldn't be considered.

[Moranis]

Luka is playing better defense than anyone on the Mavs that aren't the 2 big guys. Certainly much better than Irving.  And for as hyped as Jones was coming in, he hasn't been playing good defensively.  Washington isn't doing anything either.

Luka is a poor defender. The NBA Finals tells the real story, esp if we are to believe the reg season doesn?t matter.

never said Luka wasn't a poor defender, but he is also playing some of the best defense on the Mavs.  That is their biggest problem.  No one (aside from the bigs) is playing good defense for them.  I'd take Luka over Irving defensively any day of the week and frankly as poorly as Jones, Washington, Hardy, and even Green and Exum are playing on that end, Luka might be pkaying better defensiveky than they are. All while being a mega force offensively.

No, he isn?t playing good defense.  He?s playing a lot of defense because the Celtics go after him every time down the court and the Mavs have no scheme to hide him, but don?t mistake ?being involved because the other team makes you involved? for being good.  It?s like comparing the cornerback who gets a bunch of tackles and a couple of picks vs. the cornerback teams don?t throw at because it?s not worth the risk and saying the guy with more tackles is playing better defense.

part of the strategy is to wear Luka down and get him in foul trouble.  That way he is not in the game or he isn't as good offensively.  The Mavs were +9 in Luka's 38 minutes yesterday and were - 16 in the 10 minutes he was on the bench. Luka is a poor defender, but he is a much better defender than Kyrie, the Mavs just need Luka more, so you target him.  You have to make him work on both ends so he isn't in the game (or as effective) down the stretch.  In Game 2, Luka was 1 of 6 with 2 turnovers in the 4th quarter. He was tired (same with game 1 when he was 1 of 4 from the field and 1 of 3 from the line in the 4th). You beat the Mavs by making Luka defend so he doesn't have the energy offensively in the 4th (or like last night he is watching after fouling out). The only way the Mavs can beat good teams consistently is when Luka is cooking. He can't cook as well when you push him on both ends.

[Celtics2021]

Luka is playing better defense than anyone on the Mavs that aren't the 2 big guys. Certainly much better than Irving.  And for as hyped as Jones was coming in, he hasn't been playing good defensively.  Washington isn't doing anything either.

Luka is a poor defender. The NBA Finals tells the real story, esp if we are to believe the reg season doesn?t matter.

never said Luka wasn't a poor defender, but he is also playing some of the best defense on the Mavs.  That is their biggest problem.  No one (aside from the bigs) is playing good defense for them.  I'd take Luka over Irving defensively any day of the week and frankly as poorly as Jones, Washington, Hardy, and even Green and Exum are playing on that end, Luka might be pkaying better defensiveky than they are. All while being a mega force offensively.

No, he isn?t playing good defense.  He?s playing a lot of defense because the Celtics go after him every time down the court and the Mavs have no scheme to hide him, but don?t mistake ?being involved because the other team makes you involved? for being good.  It?s like comparing the cornerback who gets a bunch of tackles and a couple of picks vs. the cornerback teams don?t throw at because it?s not worth the risk and saying the guy with more tackles is playing better defense.

part of the strategy is to wear Luka down and get him in foul trouble.  That way he is not in the game or he isn't as good offensively.  The Mavs were +9 in Luka's 38 minutes yesterday and were - 16 in the 10 minutes he was on the bench. Luka is a poor defender, but he is a much better defender than Kyrie, the Mavs just need Luka more, so you target him.  You have to make him work on both ends so he isn't in the game (or as effective) down the stretch.  In Game 2, Luka was 1 of 6 with 2 turnovers in the 4th quarter. He was tired (same with game 1 when he was 1 of 4 from the field and 1 of 3 from the line in the 4th). You beat the Mavs by making Luka defend so he doesn't have the energy offensively in the 4th (or like last night he is watching after fouling out). The only way the Mavs can beat good teams consistently is when Luka is cooking. He can't cook as well when you push him on both ends.

How does comparing Luka against Kyrie mesh with your statement he?s playing some of the best defense on the Mavs?  The Celtics target Kyrie too, but you were saying he played better than Jones, Washington, etc on defense, which is fatuous, to say the least.  You make up so much crap it?s nauseating.

Also, Tatum is a top 5 player, right?

[Larry for 3]

The mavs arent that good. This is really about Denver melting down then Minnesota melting down even worse. The wolves coach s/b fired after that performance and KAT s/b traded. Such an abomination. Its like they had no clue. OKC gave Dallas a good run b/c they r a younger Celtics. Thats on them too for their horrible trade deadline. Id be re evaluating if i was those teams.

[SparzWizard]

The mavs arent that good. This is really about Denver melting down then Minnesota melting down even worse. The wolves coach s/b fired after that performance and KAT s/b traded. Such an abomination. Its like they had no clue. OKC gave Dallas a good run b/c they r a younger Celtics. Thats on them too for their horrible trade deadline. Id be re evaluating if i was those teams.

They wouldn't have gotten past the Clippers if Kawhi was fully healthy

But depending on Kawhi to be healthy, well...

[Moranis]

Luka is playing better defense than anyone on the Mavs that aren't the 2 big guys. Certainly much better than Irving.  And for as hyped as Jones was coming in, he hasn't been playing good defensively.  Washington isn't doing anything either.

Luka is a poor defender. The NBA Finals tells the real story, esp if we are to believe the reg season doesn?t matter.

never said Luka wasn't a poor defender, but he is also playing some of the best defense on the Mavs.  That is their biggest problem.  No one (aside from the bigs) is playing good defense for them.  I'd take Luka over Irving defensively any day of the week and frankly as poorly as Jones, Washington, Hardy, and even Green and Exum are playing on that end, Luka might be pkaying better defensiveky than they are. All while being a mega force offensively.

No, he isn?t playing good defense.  He?s playing a lot of defense because the Celtics go after him every time down the court and the Mavs have no scheme to hide him, but don?t mistake ?being involved because the other team makes you involved? for being good.  It?s like comparing the cornerback who gets a bunch of tackles and a couple of picks vs. the cornerback teams don?t throw at because it?s not worth the risk and saying the guy with more tackles is playing better defense.

part of the strategy is to wear Luka down and get him in foul trouble.  That way he is not in the game or he isn't as good offensively.  The Mavs were +9 in Luka's 38 minutes yesterday and were - 16 in the 10 minutes he was on the bench. Luka is a poor defender, but he is a much better defender than Kyrie, the Mavs just need Luka more, so you target him.  You have to make him work on both ends so he isn't in the game (or as effective) down the stretch.  In Game 2, Luka was 1 of 6 with 2 turnovers in the 4th quarter. He was tired (same with game 1 when he was 1 of 4 from the field and 1 of 3 from the line in the 4th). You beat the Mavs by making Luka defend so he doesn't have the energy offensively in the 4th (or like last night he is watching after fouling out). The only way the Mavs can beat good teams consistently is when Luka is cooking. He can't cook as well when you push him on both ends.

How does comparing Luka against Kyrie mesh with your statement he?s playing some of the best defense on the Mavs?  The Celtics target Kyrie too, but you were saying he played better than Jones, Washington, etc on defense, which is fatuous, to say the least.  You make up so much crap it?s nauseating.

Also, Tatum is a top 5 player, right?

I think you need to go back and reread what I initially wrote because the only one making stuff up in this exchange is you.

I have Tatum at 6 overall just as I have basically all year. He is a bit lower in a one off type situation where I still think some of the older guys have a higher peak (a guy like Curry for example) but those guys can't maintain that peak over the course of a season which knocks them down the overall list.

[tazzmaniac]

The only concern is Luka Doncic could win Finals MVP despite his team losing. Raters enjoy looking at points and he's got plenty on that category. How often does a losing team win Finals MVP though

I feel like the only way a player on a losing team could realistically win FMVP is in a close series, and they are far and away the best statistical player.

Luka getting counting stats while being a turnstile and losing 4-0 or 4-1 should never be considered. Even if a player put up Wilt numbers, if you get swept, you shouldn't be considered.

If you look at it from the Celtics perspective, Luka's atrocious defense might just make him our finals MVP. 

[SHAQATTACK]

Two guys who are primarily just great individual scorers.  Cry babies and whiners both .  Support by scrubs or castoffs limited skill players  other than the Fatboy and Wierdo , the rest are  not starting caliber players  , but role bench guys at best,   Top them off with a looney creepy coach .

Should have been Celtics and Nuggets battle for the title .

To the naysayers, we slayed all challengers. Not our fault the way the cards fell.

[celticinorlando]

Just want to send a thank you to the Wolves for taking out the only team that could have given Boston some trouble.

[cman88]

The mavs arent that good. This is really about Denver melting down then Minnesota melting down even worse. The wolves coach s/b fired after that performance and KAT s/b traded. Such an abomination. Its like they had no clue. OKC gave Dallas a good run b/c they r a younger Celtics. Thats on them too for their horrible trade deadline. Id be re evaluating if i was those teams.

the wolves were just a poor matchup against Dallas. they were built to beat Denver and I think that was their finals.

Kind of funny that Tillman did a better job on Luka than Gobert did.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm waiting for the piece that drops on Friday night about Doncic and Irving's injuries.

[Celtics2021]

I'm waiting for the piece that drops on Friday night about Doncic and Irving's injuries.

I?m waiting for the stories in the coming weeks how Kyrie is ghosting the Mavs.  Have fun, Dallas.

[celticinorlando]

Just a reminder that the mavs are 0-3 at home in game 4s

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]