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Tag: Dallas Mavs

Mavs Comeback Falls Short in Game 4

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NBA.

George scored 33 points, shooting 11-for-19 (and 7-for-10 from 3). He got Los Angeles off to a scorching start, notching 16 points in the first quarter and totaling 26 points in the first half in what looked like it would be a Clippers blowout.

James Harden also tallied 33 points for Los Angeles, but was crucial at the end with 15 points in the fourth quarter on 6-for-8 shooting. Overall, he shot 12-for-17 from the field and 4-for-5 on 3-pointers.

“We had no other choice but to hit back”

The Dallas Mavericks almost overcame a massive deficit and suspect officiating to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat. It wasn’t to be, though. James Harden poured in repeated clutch buckets to help the Los Angeles Clippers crush the Mavericks’ dreams of a 3-1 series lead heading back to Los Angeles.

Despite the loss, the afternoon proved thrilling for Dallas fans who attended the game and watched at home. Here’s what the players and coaches had to say after the game.

Luka Doncic

(On his knee and how it affected him on the defensive end…)

“It’s hurting, obviously, but I shouldn’t make excuses. We came out a little sloppy so have to do way better than that.”

(On if his defensive struggles and if his knee has affected his ability to move laterally…)

“I mean, yeah, I was in foul trouble. We said to try to limit [James] Harden’s 3s. I was just trying not to give him 3s. Obviously, it wasn’t good, especially me.”

Irving practically carried the Mavericks in their comeback effort,
providing the only consistent scoring threat while nearly all of his
teammates struggled. The 13-year veteran scored 40 points while hitting
shots from all over the court (including 6-for-12 on 3’s). That tied the
third-highest postseason scoring total of his career.

Kyrie Irving believes his team can carry some positive momentum into a pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday.

 

El Matador: Luka Doncic

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NBA.

2000, In Slovenia, there was a baby that picked up a basketball, not knowing it will always stay with him to this present day. Luka Doncic, next Super Star of the NBA, has established a dominance at the youthful age of 20 before he can even legally purchase a beer. A lethal step back that can rival Houston Rockets’ own, gutsy finishes, and crafty ball fakes; Doncic has the ability to take over games.

Where has this come from? In a sit-down interview there was a player who explained he would play against older players who were bigger, faster, and stronger. He was one of the NBA’s most dominant players who’s ever played the game, Shaq. Where does this even tie in with Luka?

While at 8 years old he began playing with the older players, his Dad played professionally in Europe who was provided the best trainers available for Luka. It was meant to be,  the journey began.           

As a teenager, Real Madrid took him in, a basketball organization that develops younger players. This eventually prepared him to be able to jump to the pro’s as a sixteen year old in Europe. While playing against grown men, he made a name for himself competing with guys in their twenties and even thirties. His competitiveness grew til he was on the NBA’s radar.  

The Mav’s traded for Luka Doncic at the age of eighteen and the rest is history and history is about to be made.

The legend begins in his rookie year a year ago, he already achieved 4 triple doubles and beat Michael Jordan’s record of consecutive 20-5-5 games . Let’s not forget he’s a teenager providing this for all to see. The Dallas Mavericks were waiting for the heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Dirk Dowitzki and they finally got him. With each game he creates and finished better than the last.

This season Luka Doncic elevated his game to another level. Almost averaging a triple double while averaging a little over twenty nine points per game, Luca has steadily kept the Mavs in the mix of the playoff race heading into All-Star Weekend. As a underrated number two, New York Knicks, castaway Kristaps Porzingis he has contributed respectfully almost producing double double numbers. The Unicorn puts up seventeen points a game and understands the fact this is not his team like it was in New York is a very selfless. A great team player and will continue to grow at just twenty-four years old. The Knicks who will regret it when it’s all said and done might have given the Mav’s a contender for years to come.

The Mavericks made the right move in placing their franchise on the shoulders of a twenty year old as crazy as that sounds. Give the kid five years and we might be talking Conference finals appearances or even NBA Finals. The L.A. teams will get in his way, but don’t count out the Rockets and the Warriors are still in play once Klay Thompson and Steph Curry return from injury. Golden State will have a lottery pick and they can pick the best player available if they want to in the next draft.

Dallas is still building its young roster for the future, but as of right now they are maybe one player away from taking their team to contending status. This year is respectful but adding another starting like player will move the pendulum towards greatness. The torch has been passed in Dallas can Luca keep the torch lit guiding this franchise into history?

NBA Preview: Texas teams

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NBA.

As the calendar turns toward October, a new NBA season lies on the horizon.

The landscape of the entire league has shifted thanks to Kawhi Leonard’s departure from Toronto and subsequent arrival in Los Angeles with Paul George. Of course, that’s not the only shakeup that has basketball fans patiently awaiting the arrival of the 2019-20 campaign.

The three Texas teams all look loaded for a run at the playoffs — and perhaps even more. Here’s a quick look at all three, beginning with the biggest burning question for each Western Conference Southwest Division squad.

Houston Rockets

Can James Harden and Russell Westbrook really coexist in the backcourt? 

This will be one of the most interesting sagas of the entire season. But if the duo can find a way to merge their strengths and properly share the lone basketball on the floor, then this could be the year that Houston finally earns a berth in The Finals come next June.

Houston still has plenty of firepower alongside the tandem, as SG Eric Gordon, SF P.J. Tucker and PF/C Clint Capela are expected to round out the starting five. The Rockets also made an under-the-radar move this offseason by bringing back 3-point marksman Ryan Anderson following a subpar year in Phoenix.

San Antonio Spurs 

Is Dejounte Murray 100 percent healthy? 

The young point guard out of the University of Washington developed into a Third Team All-NBA defender in a short amount of time before suffering a torn ACL during last year’s preseason. Derrick White stepped up in a big way to fill the PG role, and a potential Murray-White combo has Spurs fans salivating.

Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan returns for his second season in San Antonio, and former Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge is also back in the starting five, as is veteran small forward Rudy Gay. Guard Bryn Forbes could take on a starting role until Gregg Popovich gets his rotation worked out.

Spurs fans also can’t wait to see second-year pro Lonnie Walker get some minutes after he lost a large portion of his rookie season to a torn meniscus. 

Dallas Mavericks 

Can Kristaps Porzingis realize his potential? 

The “Unicorn” had his moments in New York prior to a torn ACL and is now in Dallas alongside the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year — point guard Luka Doncic. The Mavericks were thrilled when Doncic fell to them in the 2018 draft and he had an incredible debut season, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. Adding Porzingis to the mix is a scary proposition for the future.

Dallas is expected to also start PF/C Dwight Powell, SG Delon Wright and SF Justin Jackson. Expect the Mavericks to continue to search for a third star to pair with Doncic and Porzingis.  Just send the bill to Mark Cuban. He can afford it.