Chuck Cooperstein On Mavs Finals Hindsight, Kyrie Hostility, Offseason Plans | Shan & RJ 

Dallas held Boston 15 points below their seasons average.

“It’s Cooop, in the Looop, on the Loooose!”-RG

Mavericks shot 25% from above the break 3’s and Boston just let PJ and Jones Jr shoot it. More than a 3rd ball handler, they need 3/D that aren’t unreliable, one dimensional offensive players (meaning they can only shoot the corner 3).

Long.. Live.. Luka

Can PJ make the same jump in chemistry and offense, with a full season, as Kyrie/Luka offensive chemistry did? PJ should have an advantage going against the other team’s third or fourth best defender.

The overall play in this post season has been woeful…modern day basketball is really suffering a lack of quality playing and officiating.

Dallas lost this series from the free throw line. They went 35 of 56 in Boston. Game 1: 12-19 Game 2: 16-24 Game 5: 7-13 Had they made four more each game, that's 84%. Yet they shot 63% Boston during those games? Game 1: 13-19 Game2: 19-20 Game5: 17-20 49 of 59. Eighty-three perecent. We all try to sound so cutting edge, but it all comes down to the basics. Game 2. Dallas took four more and missed three more. Game 1 after they cut that lead to eight, imagine having four more free throws drop. Instead of shooting to get it to six, you're shooting to get it down to two or three.

Keep kyrie no matter what idc what you do with the rest

Luka had 19 turnovers in the 3 games in TD Garden.

The Spurs don't have Wembanyama if Derrick White is on their roster. They knew who they were giving up when they traded him to Boston. They should be applauded for trading players to contending teams (Kawhi and Derrick).

If the Mavericks aren’t willing to go into the 2nd tax apron like he suggested, Luka should leave this franchise in 2 years. We don’t deserve such a talented player if we aren’t willing to do what it takes to win.

In all four loses against Boston in the Finals, the Mavs were held under 100 points. The Celtics defense won this series.

Luka has to spent a year only practicing defense . He is the worst NBA defense player.

The NBA world is not buying the Luka injury excuse. He's Embiid west, except Embiid tries to injure folks when they are having success against him.

Tell Derrick Jones Jr. he can sign a deal with the Celtics and this time he can celebrate with the championship cigars and champagne when Boston repeats as the champs.

The Mavs had a great season but, to take the next step, they should add someone like: Péjå Stojákövic 6'10" Marcus Camby 6'11" Dennis Rodman 6'8" Steve Kerr 6'3" and Ben Wallace 6'9" To replace the dead weight on the team that contributed so very little: Morris Kleber THJ And, the young developmental guards. I totally trust the management of the Mavs to get the necessary pieces [2 more 3 points shooters, 2 more bigs and 3 great defensemen]. They can play 10 deep on everyone except the Celtics. Against them, only 9 can hold up: Luka Kyrie P.J. Brown The 2 centers Dante Green Hardy But, to contend with the elite A-N-D defeat Boston in a 7-game series...they must improve on the backend. Release and replace the other 6 players with big, physical tall, defensive minded players + a 6'11" Péjå Stojákövic type player that rebounds and can hit the trey + an unselfish pair like Rodman and Wallace that will do the dirty work [while guarding multiple positions]...and another 3 point guy that will hit 50% from deep. With that they'll win 60+ games and beat Boston. Luka absolutely must learn to play without the ball in his hands. The "Triangle" offense could be an option. More emphasis must be placed on perimeter defense. Derek Lively needs to shoot the trey more; Dante Exum should be the leader of the 2nd unit, the QB and facilitator. Hardy needs to be our "microwave" [Vinnie Johnson] off the bench. They need 2 big, beefy "enforcers" willing to kick ass if needed to protect Kyrie and Luka when frustrated teams get physical with them. Generally speaking, for elite excellence, they need: 1.) toughness with an edge à la Rodman & Wallace. 2.) 50% excellence from the 3 à la Pèja and Kerr. 3.) Play up tempo, share the ball and rebound ferociously. 4.) Develop a 2nd unit led by Exum with Hardy scoring but with at least 2 great defenders. 5.) Find 2 guys for enforcers that put the fear of God in opposing players who even think about tripping Luka or "accidentally" hitting Kyrie in the face. 6.) Have a come to Jesus meeting with Luka: Get in shape/stay in shape No pouting/fighting refs Work on 3 pt & midrange No more world sports & Lead... To be clear...he wants to be Pistol Pete Maravich [score 40 ppg with 2 assists while teammates watch] but N-E-E-D-s to be Magic Johnson [working the refs, a coach on the floor, calling plays, making sure everybody else gets points and touches the ball...while purposely holding back unless we get down by 15 or down to 5 seconds on the time clock or it's the last 5 minutes of the game.] 7.) Study Magic, Isaiah and Stockton. Strive 2B the '96 Bulls, the '86 Celtics, the '76 Trailblazers or the '72 Knicks with a perfect blend of offense & defense...but the 2004 Pistons were the epitome of what we should try to become with 5 unselfish players led by 2 scorers, a bunch of role players and a savvy coach. Get it? Got it?? Good...