The much bigger storyline is that Lively and Gafford have completely transformed this team. They look straight up unrecognizable from just a season ago, on both ends of the floor
@Nice-sm5hr absolutely. And to be fair that's partially because of all the injuries they dealt with earlier in the season. But it's also partially because Gafford has been insanely good, and has also set a great example for Lively to follow and be even better. And then the final piece is that PJ is another guy with exactly the same role as THJ, and that takes a ton of pressure of off THJ. Put all that together and I completely agree, way different from before the deadline
Good luck trying to win against the likes of Giannis (who had Middleton and Jrue), Jokic/Gordon (who has Murray, KCP, MPJr), Embiid (Maxey, Harden(last year)) or A.Davis (Lebron) with Dwight Powell as starting center and Boban or 6'10 Kleber as a replacement. They needed some height and defense in the paint and they got it with both of them.
Besides of Gafford and PJ, we need to give props also to Exum, he has been excellent guarding guards, slipping through tough screens, and being efficient in his open shots. The man is doing his job, and all adds up. This is the first time, since Luka is on the roster, that Dallas is giving the vibes to be a really well assembled team, with all the players knowing their roles and embracing them to achieve the team success.
@@domenkoracin1028 you know the beauty of that? we're actually doing pretty good with him in his slump, wait til he catches fire again haha... and ima die hard mavs fan but i fk with Timmy.. we need a muhfucka that ain't scared chuckin up shots like he does. That's his job and when he''s hot, shit is scaryyyyy for the other teams lol
Luka and Kyrie = 1A and 1AA. It’s amazing how they both quietly get 30 points in a game. Luka starts out on a roll, then Kyrie takes over to end the games. You look up and both of them have 30 points. What a magnificent duo 1A and 1AA.
They won the ring? No they dont. Jokic and Murray won the ring with insane stats beating LeBron, Durant, Davis, Towns, Gobert, Butler, Booker, Chris Paul, Edwards, Adebayo etc.
I appreciate you putting defensive highlights of both PJ Washington and Dereck Lively. Most of the these Mavs videos talk about the improved defense but don't really show it visually. We only see the highlight plays or breakdowns of Luka or Kyrie. Loved seeing the defensive plays and explanation on why our defense is better. Great video! Keep up the great work
That would be great...I'd love to see Denver dispatch the Mavs...be a great gunfight...but OKC should not be underestimated...West playoffs should really great this year
@@mja4wpDenver and mavs is closer than you’re making it out to be. Game 7 fs. If okc goes up against the mavs or nuggets they’re probably getting swept or getting knocked out in game 5
nah...I fully expect the Nuggets to beat everyone...but the only team that may have a dark horse stalking chance is OKC...they are young, talented and fearless...yes, the Cavs are finally gelling...because Kyrie has embraced his place and role....but I don;t see them advancing@@deadlylightningspirit4295
Hardy is a great shooter no doubt but hes very careless with the ball and has alot of turnovers.i wouldnt want him in a close game. Ill give it another year of learning@@R-dietrix
@@loster87 I give you that, his decision might be a bit careless sometimes, but THJ also has these moments, especially when someone is directly in front of him. But he will pull up so or so 😂
He is 1st option if he has the advantage. You see Luka dominating the game at the start so Kyrie can cook in the 2nd half where he has more space because of game adjustment against Luka and have opponent’s tired legs later in the 4th.
I think DJJ is an upgraded Finney-Smith. Much more agile, sharp, can drive and shoot. And he has the length and speed to guard people. PJ is an upgrade over Grant.
@@toshirohitsugaya857 I think he's a slightly better defender than DoeDoe, worse at 3pt line but more athletic, so his paint threat is way higher there. Although we all adore Doe, I still think DJJ is a bit better with what he brings to the table.
@@gaspergerm7424 Well, with someone like Luka, being capable to shoot the ball averagely but being capable to cut, it makes you just a really good player to have
I just noticed, in your examples of PJs defence, he sometimes doesn't block the ball, he blocks the eyes. It's weird it happended twice in your examples :D
This has been done and documented. There's another player who does that when someone is shooting 3s. He definitely won't be able to block the shot so what he would do is block the vision of the shooter of the rim.
Our teacher in school told us to block the vision of a shooter when we were like 12 yo. Though I don’t think it can affect nba players as they should have perfected their mechanics and the feeling of their position and the baskets
@@zest01It's also risky, given that today's players likes to draw fouls, they would just have to lick the palm of the defender's hands and ref will call it.
I think it comes down to having consistent scoring outside of Luka and Kyrie come playoff time. Also their perimeter defense is iffy luckily they have paint protectors so we'll see
The last three years I would say hell nah to that statement. But after the trade deadline and Luka having a wicked MVP season, along with Kyrie playing some of his best basketball. Yeah they’re at least going to the WCF.
@@sergiomordekaiser790 I don't know about that, for one thing there is only 8 games left? Also, take into consideration that the Mavs are not usually this hot this late in the season. The season is basically over.
Giannis got his. Jokic got his and now it’s time for Luka to get his! Crazy thing is these 3 will end up as the best 3 non-American’s to do it. Jokic and Giannis are right in the middle of there prime while Luka will hit start his next season hopefully with a Championship ring and MVP trophy in his house.
The mavs always needed that lob threat center who could also defend and rebound good. They found that in the draft and then they were able to trade for another one for basically nothing. Then them adding PJ was just perfect he can shot and catch the lob.
The Mavs have a great shot at winning any series, but they also have a good chance of losing any series. Playoffs are different, and teams will shut down most of those lob dunks in favor of making other Dallas role players knock down jumpers. It's concerning because while their role players are better now than in past seasons, they're still to a degree going to be living on a wing and a prayer hoping that historically inconsistent role players can step up in enough games to win a series.
PJ, Gafford, Lively, Jones Jr, Exum, Hardaway Jr, Green and company (Luka & Kyrie) give the Mavs something they haven't had in years. Young, Long, Athletic players who will play at a high clip night in and night out. The Mavs depth is the absolute best it has ever been. Luka & Kyrie playing together at this level, they can go deep into the WCF if not the Finals.
I’d love to see the Mavs trade Kyrie for a better perimeter defender with some size. I totally get the luxury of having an additional ball handler but you don’t need to waste a max contract for that skill set. A JJ Barea type coming off the bench would do the trick just fine. If we had that and an elite 3&D guy we would’ve needed the running left handed hook shot at the buzzer. Fun to watch tho. I’ll give you that.
So the mavs being good/scary is nothing new. The trades for Pj washington and gafford tho...yea that changed things. ppl dont understand fr. They are truly BOTH defensive minded, fundamentally solid AND have 7 ft wingspans. The fact that the mavs got away w this means them other front offices werent paying attention
I’m just glad Luka got some help I been telling my friends for years he just need help ( guys with basketball IQ) he said earlier this year this just have to look at the team when they got healthy, and boi are they healthy now and balling
Put 100bucks on Mavs winning it all right after trade deadline. Was at over +8000 back then. Feeling good. So many people truly didint realizr just how bad the roster around Luka and Kai was last season. Like look at where those teammates are now. All mavs needed was lenght, athleticism and ability to defend at frontcourt and they got that. Wouldnt call them the favourites, but I would put then 3rd after Nuggets and Boston and really wouldnt be all that surprised if they do win it all.
3:55 "...a guy who can help in the paint but also hold up on the parameter..." Did you forget about Dirk? Or was he not really a defensive problem for opponents?
If luka can win a championship this early in his career he has the potential to be the best player of all time in my opinion 3 or 4 years earlier than mj or lebron won there first championship
Dallas was the epitomy of live or die for the 3s. This year not so much, they are on this run and they were shooting poorly from 3s in the last 12 games a think in only 3 they shoot above 40% from 3s. They are working the paint way more, they were mediocre at the glass losing the boards war all games, not now. They have literally 5 guys on the starting line up that can rebound the ball, Kyrie included. PJ-DJJ-Galford/Livelly-Exum has been HUGE on the defense end, the hel defense on the paint is great, DJJ and PJ ahve the lenght. Just THJ that is really a minus in thsi team, to me Hardy provides more than THJ, more versatile, can shot and drive and is a better defender, but Kidd use him way less to give THJ confidence but he is losing minutes game by game.
Hardy is not better defender than THJ. He gets back down to low post easily and not good at fighting screen. One of the worst defenders on Mavs. That is the reason he doesn't get many minutes.
European Mavs-fan, I don't watch any live games because of timezone difference, but I keep track of their games and watch highlights. Now I know highlights can blind you because.. well it's only the highlights. Which is why I want to ask the real NBA fans; Can Mavs win the NBA Championship this year?
yes they are very good and i love luka he is from my country almost my neighbour but basketball is a team sport with 5 players on the field....so you talk about just these two its very offencive to other players like they dont do nothing
@@Smido83 aight bro it’s not in a video game uncle drew movie Luka not once said it don’t know a basketball channel or media station or hashtag of it ever nothing any NBA channel or his personal social media that’s uses or ever used it til today and from a guy not even in the US lol you got it bro
@@Tex2323 Steals.. Meaning gambling on defense. How many of the steal attempts ended in a foul or an easy score for the other team. Steals aren't a decent gauge of defense. Curry led the NBA in steals before.😂😂
Why the obsession with kyrie being a robbin, i swear i never seen people talk like this other than kyrie, people wonder why didn't like playing with bron too many meat riders.
@@milkymace9502Luka called Kyrie Batman and himself Robin ..but it switches back and forth the whole game..Luka punches em in the first, Kyrie finishes em in the 4th
Lol......smdh seriously? Have you not been paying attention? Did you not even listen to this video? They added the missing pieces, the perfect pieces, at the trade deadline. This team is absolutely a bonified contender for the chip!
