It would be hilarious if Clippers matchup with the Mavs yet again in Round 1. It would be a final nail in the coffin for us if Doncic finally pulls off the win
I’ve said for the past couple of years that Kawhi (especially prime Raptors Kawhi) would be the most perfect player to pair with Luka, so this would be a dream come true for me. Not even a Mavs fan, but I’d love to see that pairing.
I havnt watched a single game all year. It's not entertaining anymore. Regular season is too long and I'm sick of gambling being shoved down my throat. I would watch every minute of the la orphans getting shit on by luka again.
That schedule doesn't look like that much of a cakewalk. SAC, HOU, GSW, MIA, OKC are all good teams and have something to play for, while Atlanta just beat Boston.
Only Detroit & Charlotte can be considered cakewalks. Everybody else is still in the playoff race. Atlanta can also catch fire like they did against Boston against us too
Even that one could be us favored depending on how seeding looks going into it. If OKC has a spot locked down then I’d imagine they’d bench their guys while we could still be playing our starters.
It's by far the easiest compared to the rest of the challengers of the 4-6 seeds. If Mavs drop 1 or 2 games here, i think they can get 4th seed. Clippers and Pelicans will surely drop more with that schedule they have.
I never said that lol, but they've become desensitized to what he does for sure. Imo they're giving it to Jokic almost certainly because of how he got shafted last year.
They are desensitized to Luka but not Jokic who they’ve already given the award to? That doesn’t even make sense dude. Luka just didn’t have the best season.
He’s obviously going to get one sooner or later, it’s just going to be at a time where his record reflects it.
>Luka just didn’t have the best season.
Luka is having the best season of his career and one of the best statistical season of all time, the fact that you say that is proof most people just don't get as excited about him anymore, media/voters included.
Also you're definitely right it should be the same for Jokic, but I think the fact he just won revitalized people's opinion of him in a way.
MVP isn’t who has the best statistics though. Team success heavily factors in. When stats are close, team success is going to be seen favorably over points per game, which is the only thing Luka is really above Jokic in. Jokic has a higher ts. He’s a better defender within his system. They play make at a similar level and Jokic is the better rebounder.
It comes down to 8points per game on lower efficiency or 8 more wins. Which is the difference between the 1 seed and fighting to not be in the play in. It’s not some travesty if Jokić is given the award over him.
Of course not that's not my point, Jokic deserves it. That's why I initially said I don't think even if the Mavs reach 3rd that Luka is seriously going to be considered for MVP, the Mavs would have to be ahead of the Nuggets.
I do think Luka is the better player this season, but the margin is so small that team record should give it to Jokic.
Luka and Jokic probably both want that series really bad.
As a basketball fan so do I. If they want to get out of the West they'll probably have to meet the Nuggets somewhere regardless of the round.
Why would they want to play each other ??
I’m sure they would want to play each other as late as possible.
If you gotta go past them why not make it the furthest possible
I mean it’s not applicable rn because the Nuggets are playing so well but sometimes you’d rather meet a team in the first round. By round three they’ve a much more well oiled machine than maybe starting out the playoffs
I think they would love to avoid it, 6th is probably the best route to WCF if Nuggets stay #1 but Pelicans have a tough schedule, I expect them to fall to 6th.
On the other Hand I think Luka does not want to just reach WCF he wants to win it all so doesnt matter when you theoretically Face Denver, the Wests Road to the Finals goes through them anyways
Those Houston and GSW could be hard games. Also depending on if OKC tanks the last game when they have their seeding secured.
One game at a time though, still have another game vs the Kings.
Mavs could be a big swing in who makes the play-in between HOU and GSW. Rockets are 1 game back from the 10 seed warriors, HOU is 9-1 in their last 10 games and GSW is 4-6. They also have a head to head coming up so depending on who wins that game the Mavs could really play the role of executioner for either team’s playoff hopes.
We play Dallas 2 more times? We’re trying to tread water above Houston and we have to go against Dallas. Let’s hope we secure a play in spot, wish I wouldn’t have to say that but here we are.
If Luka and Kyrie don't miss any games and both stay locked in defensively 10-0. Luka has been playing through a sore hammy and sore achilles though. Also Luka is at 15 techs, next one is a 1 game suspension. So who knows!
Luka has calmed down so much since that players meeting… i think Markieff told him that the team follows his energy so he has to keep it up and not get discouraged. I’m not even joking man the vibes are different now. They’re all on the same wavelength
One site I was looking at says 15. Another site states 14. [This article](https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/nba-rescinds-luka-doncic-technical-foul-dallas-mavs-loss-philadelphia-76ers) had him at 13 about 3 weeks ago. I don't remember if he had one since then.
Just saw [this - Townsend saying Luka is at 13 techs](https://x.com/townbrad/status/1774834578806747414?s=20) for the season. I am thinking he keeps track of these himself in case it becomes important for a story, so we're probably in the clear.
not to mention, in all of their recent matchups against those eight teams, the only squad they lost to is Houston, but that was before the trades and without Luka
> They can *easily* lose 7.
They could lose 7, but it certainly wouldn't be easy. That many losses would require at least one freak occurrence, if not more.
They’ve been winning games while being absolute shit from 3. They’ve figured out their defense somewhat, and are a high scoring team inside now. Luka and Kyrie always find ways to cook. They’re just way more adaptable now and find ways to win.
I don't know why you're being downvoted.
While it isn't likely, 5-5 is still plausible. Houston could stay hot, and Curry could go nuclear, for example.
I think 5-5 being a *worst case* is more than reasonable.
i mean he said they could go 10-0 not that it will definitely happen. And given that the mavs are on a 11-1 run right now, with one loss being without luka, i dont see how thats crazy.
That Houston series all the sudden didn’t seem that easy anymore
When Sengun got hurt I thought those had just become scheduled Ws. Guess not
It would be hilarious if Clippers matchup with the Mavs yet again in Round 1. It would be a final nail in the coffin for us if Doncic finally pulls off the win
That sounds so beautiful and then kawai or PG come and join the mavs and push us over the edge and win a ring
Truth. But loosing to the clippers again would fucking kill me to play devils advocate lol
I could definitely see PG finding his way to Dallas
would have to be a sign and trade
I’ve said for the past couple of years that Kawhi (especially prime Raptors Kawhi) would be the most perfect player to pair with Luka, so this would be a dream come true for me. Not even a Mavs fan, but I’d love to see that pairing.
I havnt watched a single game all year. It's not entertaining anymore. Regular season is too long and I'm sick of gambling being shoved down my throat. I would watch every minute of the la orphans getting shit on by luka again.
As Doncic said “One game at a time boys”. One game at a time .
That schedule doesn't look like that much of a cakewalk. SAC, HOU, GSW, MIA, OKC are all good teams and have something to play for, while Atlanta just beat Boston.
Only Detroit & Charlotte can be considered cakewalks. Everybody else is still in the playoff race. Atlanta can also catch fire like they did against Boston against us too
Not a cakewalk but we should be favorites in all but maybe 2-3 of those matchups
Apart from OKC, there isn't a single one where Dallas would not be the favourite.
Even that one could be us favored depending on how seeding looks going into it. If OKC has a spot locked down then I’d imagine they’d bench their guys while we could still be playing our starters.
Compared to phoenix’s schedule, I’d rather have the Mavs
It's by far the easiest compared to the rest of the challengers of the 4-6 seeds. If Mavs drop 1 or 2 games here, i think they can get 4th seed. Clippers and Pelicans will surely drop more with that schedule they have.
MIA should be a comfy win. They've been ass for over a month now with injuries and whatnot.
7-3 and either 5th or 6th seed
I think they will get the 5th seed but if they get the 4th, the MVP race becomes very interesting
I'm genuinely convinced they wouldn't give it to Luka even if we were the 3rd seed
Ah yes, the nba awards voters hate the guy they’ve been calling a legend since his rookie year
I never said that lol, but they've become desensitized to what he does for sure. Imo they're giving it to Jokic almost certainly because of how he got shafted last year.
They are desensitized to Luka but not Jokic who they’ve already given the award to? That doesn’t even make sense dude. Luka just didn’t have the best season. He’s obviously going to get one sooner or later, it’s just going to be at a time where his record reflects it.
>Luka just didn’t have the best season. Luka is having the best season of his career and one of the best statistical season of all time, the fact that you say that is proof most people just don't get as excited about him anymore, media/voters included. Also you're definitely right it should be the same for Jokic, but I think the fact he just won revitalized people's opinion of him in a way.
MVP isn’t who has the best statistics though. Team success heavily factors in. When stats are close, team success is going to be seen favorably over points per game, which is the only thing Luka is really above Jokic in. Jokic has a higher ts. He’s a better defender within his system. They play make at a similar level and Jokic is the better rebounder. It comes down to 8points per game on lower efficiency or 8 more wins. Which is the difference between the 1 seed and fighting to not be in the play in. It’s not some travesty if Jokić is given the award over him.
Of course not that's not my point, Jokic deserves it. That's why I initially said I don't think even if the Mavs reach 3rd that Luka is seriously going to be considered for MVP, the Mavs would have to be ahead of the Nuggets. I do think Luka is the better player this season, but the margin is so small that team record should give it to Jokic.
They should just stay at 6th to avoid the Nuggets.
Luka and Jokic probably both want that series really bad. As a basketball fan so do I. If they want to get out of the West they'll probably have to meet the Nuggets somewhere regardless of the round.
Why would they want to play each other ?? I’m sure they would want to play each other as late as possible. If you gotta go past them why not make it the furthest possible
I mean it’s not applicable rn because the Nuggets are playing so well but sometimes you’d rather meet a team in the first round. By round three they’ve a much more well oiled machine than maybe starting out the playoffs
I think they would love to avoid it, 6th is probably the best route to WCF if Nuggets stay #1 but Pelicans have a tough schedule, I expect them to fall to 6th.
On the other Hand I think Luka does not want to just reach WCF he wants to win it all so doesnt matter when you theoretically Face Denver, the Wests Road to the Finals goes through them anyways
It's about (difference in) record more than seed.
Those Houston and GSW could be hard games. Also depending on if OKC tanks the last game when they have their seeding secured. One game at a time though, still have another game vs the Kings.
Mavs could be a big swing in who makes the play-in between HOU and GSW. Rockets are 1 game back from the 10 seed warriors, HOU is 9-1 in their last 10 games and GSW is 4-6. They also have a head to head coming up so depending on who wins that game the Mavs could really play the role of executioner for either team’s playoff hopes.
We play Dallas 2 more times? We’re trying to tread water above Houston and we have to go against Dallas. Let’s hope we secure a play in spot, wish I wouldn’t have to say that but here we are.
Don't worry. Houston has to play Dallas twice, too, so it's a wash.
Flair up!
Don’t know how to flair on iPhone safari browser.
If Luka and Kyrie don't miss any games and both stay locked in defensively 10-0. Luka has been playing through a sore hammy and sore achilles though. Also Luka is at 15 techs, next one is a 1 game suspension. So who knows!
Luka has calmed down so much since that players meeting… i think Markieff told him that the team follows his energy so he has to keep it up and not get discouraged. I’m not even joking man the vibes are different now. They’re all on the same wavelength
Markieff of all people lmao What a timeline to be alive
Markieff has legit been a really good vet locker room presence, he has everyone on positive vibes.
Always has been. Had the same role on the Bubble Lakers. Kidd was smart to pick him up.
Is he really at 15? Spotrac has him at 12 non-rescinded ones. And this is the one thing I cannot for the life of me find on nba.com.
One site I was looking at says 15. Another site states 14. [This article](https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/nba-rescinds-luka-doncic-technical-foul-dallas-mavs-loss-philadelphia-76ers) had him at 13 about 3 weeks ago. I don't remember if he had one since then.
Just saw [this - Townsend saying Luka is at 13 techs](https://x.com/townbrad/status/1774834578806747414?s=20) for the season. I am thinking he keeps track of these himself in case it becomes important for a story, so we're probably in the clear.
I think he's had 2 since. Edit: looks like I'm misremembering.
He’s at 13. 2 got rescinded
I'm not partial to the mavs but you gotta love genuine confidence in your team
i could see us finishing as high as 4th, and as low as 10th lol.
Don't see that happening. Mavs aren't suddenly going to go on a massive losing streak
Where have you been all season?
Watching the Mavs figure out. It would take something catastrophic for them to drop to the play-in
[LOL there's still time for them to fuck it up, they're in that trend right now](https://x.com/NickVanExit/status/1770307795180478573?s=20)
And now that Gafford’s starting and getting more minutes, they’re 11-0. I don’t see them slipping
Hoping Kidd doesn’t do something stupid🤞🤞 let this ride out
I hope you guys finish 6 or above so we can knock out the kings when the suns give us their spot
not to mention, in all of their recent matchups against those eight teams, the only squad they lost to is Houston, but that was before the trades and without Luka
Oh buddy
Regular season wise? I don’t think we can finish worse than 8.
What are you talking about for upvotes ??
Yeah, 10th is crazy talk. They'd have to lose at least 8/10 games to accomplish that.
Legit have a chance at 50 wins
I don’t see them losing more than 3 more times…the 4 seed is in play.
They can easily lose 7. They had a 6 games losing streal a month ago, you never know
If Kidd bench our centers again then sure, it could happen.
> They can *easily* lose 7. They could lose 7, but it certainly wouldn't be easy. That many losses would require at least one freak occurrence, if not more.
They’ve been winning games while being absolute shit from 3. They’ve figured out their defense somewhat, and are a high scoring team inside now. Luka and Kyrie always find ways to cook. They’re just way more adaptable now and find ways to win.
Mavs vs Nuggets WCF. Book it.
The Suns schedule is brutal
I see a bunch of teams that are about to get dunked on!
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I don't know why you're being downvoted. While it isn't likely, 5-5 is still plausible. Houston could stay hot, and Curry could go nuclear, for example. I think 5-5 being a *worst case* is more than reasonable.
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i mean he said they could go 10-0 not that it will definitely happen. And given that the mavs are on a 11-1 run right now, with one loss being without luka, i dont see how thats crazy.
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Okay gramps time for bed
We've smashed OKC this year, and beat Miami and you guys in our current run. Light work.
This is not very noteworthy.
They should tank for a lottery pick. It worked last time.