Hello Mavericks Nation!
What a way to kick off the season with a fantastic win against the San Antonio Spurs! Here’s a breakdown of our performance:
The Highlights:
- Luka’s Brilliance: Luka Dončić was in prime form, pulling off a remarkable triple-double with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. It’s safe to say he’s started the season right where he left off.
- Rookie Surprise: Hats off to Dereck Lively! For a first-round rookie to shine this bright in a season opener is noteworthy. He synced beautifully with Luka and even managed to outscore past rookies in their Mavericks debut.
- Offensive Dynamics: The team’s ability to switch gears, as showcased by the quick 16-7 run in the first half, and the subsequent 8-0 spurt, displayed our offensive depth and adaptability.
- Pushing the Pace: The team’s intent was clear from the get-go with a strategy to push the ball, making the Spurs play on our terms.
Areas of Concern:
While the win was invigorating, we did notice some areas that need attention:
- Defensive Gaps: Our defense, an area of concern from last season, showed some signs of vulnerability. The Spurs were able to capitalize on our lapses, putting up a substantial 68 points in just the first half.
This brings us to a crucial point of discussion: While our offense is firing on all cylinders, do you all believe our defensive strategy needs a revamp to match the prowess of our attacking game? What can the Mavericks do to ensure a more consistent defensive performance?
Kidd said they didn’t start Lively because they didn’t want him to get into foul trouble.
I’m not an NBA expert, but it seems like a common strategy for opponents to attack rookies or amped-up energy guys is to quickly get them 2-3 quick fouls when nobody is sure how close the refs will call the game, and get the guy out of the game before he can make an impact.
Sort of like what we did to Wembanyama.
By that logic, I think Lively starts once they figure out what kind of whistle he’ll get, and/or how well he can play without getting into foul trouble. More games like the last one should help, where he learns how to toe the line between physical aggressiveness and grounded, foul-free play.
That’s a lame excuse IMHO. Foul trouble in the first 4 minutes of the quarter or the last 4 minutes is still foul trouble. We have Holmes, Maxi, and Powell for depth. No real reason not to throw him out there and if he gets into foul trouble then next guy up. I mean…there’s no way Kidd can’t see how much better Lively is than every other C option we have on the team.