Game Thread Apr 25, 2022 7:30PM MT: Jazz at Mavericks - Game 5

[416Klawzz]

I really think the Mavs are better without Luka having a stranglehold on the ball the whole game and putting so much pressure on guys standing around and not in rhythm to hit shots the second they are suddenly expected to shoot the ball.

I think there is a chance this is the corner the Jazz needed to turn all year, and what timing that would be. But they’ve got to win this one to keep the momentum going and get home for a chance to eliminate.

Quin’s gotta coach with more courage than he’s had all year, at least/especially when it matters most. It might all hinge on his overall ability.

I am choosing to ride this high, in part because these might be our best chances to even pretend there’s a chance at the mountaintop for several years.

Luka squashes Brunson's and Dimwittie's mojo

 

[NUMBERICA]

Luka squashes Brunson's and Dimwittie's mojo

It’s examples like this (and Harden, and even Lebron, even when they’re distributing well) that makes me ALWAYS side-eye heliocentric offenses/hero ball. It feels like most of the time the end result is lack of confidence, rhythm, cohesiveness, and fun from their teammates that actually makes them worse off.

I get that in the playoffs, that type of play can separate good from great, but it should be more of an emergency strategy than an every-minute-star-x-is-in-the game strategy. This is low-key one of the things that separates Curry from all the rest since he plays a lot off ball AND can dish (I think he might be the second-deadliest offensive player of the modern era behind MJ, but that’s another conversation).

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I really think the Mavs are better without Luka having a stranglehold on the ball the whole game and putting so much pressure on guys standing around and not in rhythm to hit shots the second they are suddenly expected to shoot the ball.

I think there is a chance this is the corner the Jazz needed to turn all year, and what timing that would be. But they’ve got to win this one to keep the momentum going and get home for a chance to eliminate.

Quin’s gotta coach with more courage than he’s had all year, at least/especially when it matters most. It might all hinge on his overall ability.

I am choosing to ride this high, in part because these might be our best chances to even pretend there’s a chance at the mountaintop for several years.

Mavs play slower with Luka, so our perimeter defenders don't have to rotate as fast.

 

[KqWIN]

Luka was fantastic, and we were still better off with him taking control and doing his thing. We were better when Kawhi was healthy last year too even thought he was great.

 

[KqWIN]

I'm going to keep saying so I can hopefully manifest it to be true. This is a Paschall series. We're not getting our usual offense. Very few lobs to Rudy, 3's off the dribble, or catch and shoot 3's off of drives. It's all tough buckets inside the paint....usually with a defender in front of the basket. One of the reasons I was skeptical about Paschall's fit was that his game was so antithetical to the way we play, but his bucket getting ability is just what we need.

He's also a good matchup (considering our options) against Brunson and Doncic.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Just want the Jazz to start the game strong.

 

[Isaiah 1:13]

Who in their right mind has a problem with Wilbon?

Well he does patronize Steven A.a lot

 

[NUMBERICA]

I'm going to keep saying so I can hopefully manifest it to be true. This is a Paschall series. We're not getting our usual offense. Very few lobs to Rudy, 3's off the dribble, or catch and shoot 3's off of drives. It's all tough buckets inside the paint....usually with a defender in front of the basket. One of the reasons I was skeptical about Paschall's fit was that his game was so antithetical to the way we play, but his bucket getting ability is just what we need.

He's also a good matchup (considering our options) against Brunson and Doncic.

Royce should've been sitting more in the regular season whether because he's dealing with nagging injuries, dogging it, or some combination of the two such that he would be better positioned to carry out his role NOW.

Benching him now probably doesn't give us the utility later, but at this point, if he isn't carrying out his role, most of his minutes need to go to House and Paschall for purely immediate utility. Start him and give him the role to lose, but if he keeps floundering, pull him from the starting lineup, and maybe even give all of his minutes to Paschall and House depending on how that plays out.

Everyone knows this could be the last dance, let's have some expediency and seriousness in the face of that.

 

[toddychurch]

Luka squashes Brunson's and Dimwittie's mojo

It’s true and yet imagine the backlash if Luka had his minutes diminished because of it. I’d love to have him next to Donovan and Rudy.

 

[toddychurch]

It’s examples like this (and Harden, and even Lebron, even when they’re distributing well) that makes me ALWAYS side-eye heliocentric offenses/hero ball. It feels like most of the time the end result is lack of confidence, rhythm, cohesiveness, and fun from their teammates that actually makes them worse off.

I get that in the playoffs, that type of play can separate good from great, but it should be more of an emergency strategy than an every-minute-star-x-is-in-the game strategy. This is low-key one of the things that separates Curry from all the rest since he plays a lot off ball AND can dish (I think he might be the second-deadliest offensive player of the modern era behind MJ, but that’s another conversation).

It’s also why we really need Mitchell to figure out when to pass and when to shoot. He’s still in the hero ball mindset most of the time when he should be looking to draw defenders and then kick.

 

[toddychurch]

Also, does anyone know why we aren’t using Rudy to set a high screen for Don on the pick and roll to get Finney-Smith off of him? Donovan has been flying by everyone else but him and Rudy is supposed to be the best screen assist guy out there, plus it collapses the defense allowing Don to pass to open shooters or if the defenders stay in place he gets to the rim or has a potential lob to Rudy. I know I’m simplifying it, however I saw quite a few times that could have been run last night. Instead, we’re using Royce or Mike or another smaller guy who is much easier to fight through or get around. What am I missing?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

It’s also why we really need Mitchell to figure out when to pass and when to shoot. He’s still in the hero ball mindset most of the time when he should be looking to draw defenders and then kick.

The issue is that the Mitchell has to operate a switch for both these modes to a greater degree than some other stars. It's not a fluid natural thing for him to see both options and take the best one.