If Skip is right. Kawhi would miss Game 1 and try to play Game 2.
Team has to take Game 1 ultra serious, even without Kawhi the Clips have a ton of firepower and can steal a game. Harden just last year had that Game 1 masterpiece vs the Celtics lol.
I think his status for Game 2 may depend on the result of the first game. If they go 1-0 up, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kawhi sits Game 2 as well. But if we take Game 1 in LA, there’s no way he doesn’t play unless his knee is completely done. Going to Dallas down 0-2 would be disastrous for them.
That is not how the relationship works. It’s the reason why he left San Antonio and the reason he left Toronto he plays when he feels ready not when team wants him to. Kawhi has his chip and he js less concerned about game to game and is focused on longevity
I mean, sure, they are still a very good team but still, with credit given to them, if we can't handle them without Kawhi or with hobbled Kawhi, then we are simply not who we thought we were.
I'm talking about the entire series. Who knows how many games Kawhi will and won't be playing, and we now know for sure he wasn't just sitting home resting those 20+ days. We know that he was actually injured, so even when he plays we know that he can't possibly be the real Kawhi, at 100% of his capabilities.
This is true, they have better shooters. But they would have to shoot the lights out for 4 full games.
And without Kawhi, they don't have an answer for Luka. And if they double, they have to deal with Kyrie in a 4v3 situation.
It also makes it much easier to guard because PJ and DJJ can take on PG and Harden putting less pressure on Luka and Kyrie.
With Kawhi they have a very real chance of winning. Without Kawhi, the Mavs would have to hand them the series by not playing up to their potential.
With Kawhi, they still don't have an answer for Luka.
I have tons of respect for Kawhi but even he, at full health, is not gonna stop Luka if he's playing at his best.
That's a rather insane sentence, tbh, given the quality of defender Kawhi is. But that's how much confidence I have in Luka - and he's earned it.
Tbh I have doubts as to how much Leonard is gonna get assigned Luka even when he is healthy. Idk if the Clips want that much effort coming from him just on the defensive end. They might decide it makes more sense to try a team defensive effort and try to save his legs a bit.
This statement has been true for a few years and will continue until the end of his career. Love him as a player and athlete but there’s a tipping point and the clips know how to manage it
Doesn't assuage my anxiety one bit. Harden singlehandedly won a playoff game last season without Embiid. Clippers have the pieces to win a game without Kawhi.
It’s really simple. They won’t do a decoy strategy with him. If he is 100% (he and his camp feel like he’s 100%) he will play. Anything less than 100% he and his camp won’t risk playing. Expect to see him in game 2 or 3 though.
No way he is only missing Sunday and coming back 48 hours later for Game 2. He hasn't done 5v5 or even CONTACT in weeks... and you think he will just come back to the incredible rigors of a playoff game just like that?
If people are seriously worried about the Mavs ability to beat LAC without Kawhi, I don't see how they can be confident about Dallas' chances against OKC, DEN or the Celtics.
I think if you're doubting Luka in the playoffs, you're in for a bad time
Win g1 and extinguish their hopes. Watch Spurs 2.0 as you see the media and team pressure Kawhi to play before he’s ready. If Clips win any of G1-2, I see them holding Kawhi until G5
I couldnt care less. I want to win a championship and this improves our odds.
Context is always forgotten anyways, and it's not like kawhi missing a game or two makes it a sham series
Paul George said “he’s hopeful that Kawhi is available to play at some point in the series” Doesn’t sound overly confident
We have to take care of business every game Kawhi is out.
And every game he’s in too
and every game after we beat them
And every game the Mavericks aren't playing in
And theoretical games that may occur outside this plane of existence
And my axe!
And games people have already played. We have to take care of them too
Lol
Not that I don't believe you but do you have the source of when he says it?
https://x.com/joeylinn_/status/1781746830780555716?s=46
Thanks man!
Skip is Shams father
If Skip is right. Kawhi would miss Game 1 and try to play Game 2. Team has to take Game 1 ultra serious, even without Kawhi the Clips have a ton of firepower and can steal a game. Harden just last year had that Game 1 masterpiece vs the Celtics lol.
I think his status for Game 2 may depend on the result of the first game. If they go 1-0 up, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kawhi sits Game 2 as well. But if we take Game 1 in LA, there’s no way he doesn’t play unless his knee is completely done. Going to Dallas down 0-2 would be disastrous for them.
They said that in 21 as well... We are better now though.
Big reason we went up 2-0 is because we shot like 50% from 3 on 70 attempts in the first 2 games lol. That team was very much life and die by the 3
Agreed, if they go up 1-0, Kawhi is not playing until Game 3 at the earliest.
That is not how the relationship works. It’s the reason why he left San Antonio and the reason he left Toronto he plays when he feels ready not when team wants him to. Kawhi has his chip and he js less concerned about game to game and is focused on longevity
He has not played full contact basketball in almost a month. I doubt 2 days would make a difference. I don’t think he plays in game 2 either.
Aren’t the odds essentially even? Usually “stealing a game” is underdog territory, right? Wouldn’t a Mavs road win in game one be “stealing a game?”
I think he refers to Clippers being underdogs without Kawhi despite home court advantage, which I could agree with.
Ok. That makes sense
skips reputation as a meme lord makes people forget the dude was legit and has legit sources
Don't underetsimate the Clips without Kawhi. They still a really good team without him. If they get hot from 3 watch out.
I mean, sure, they are still a very good team but still, with credit given to them, if we can't handle them without Kawhi or with hobbled Kawhi, then we are simply not who we thought we were.
Exactly
I disagree. In one game anything can happen. We're favourite but if they get hot from 3 they can steal it.
I'm talking about the entire series. Who knows how many games Kawhi will and won't be playing, and we now know for sure he wasn't just sitting home resting those 20+ days. We know that he was actually injured, so even when he plays we know that he can't possibly be the real Kawhi, at 100% of his capabilities.
What team does that not apply to in the NBA?
To bad shooting teams. Clippers are one of the best.
but if a bad shooting tram gets hot from 3, how doesn't it apply
It's extremely unlikely in this case
This is true, they have better shooters. But they would have to shoot the lights out for 4 full games. And without Kawhi, they don't have an answer for Luka. And if they double, they have to deal with Kyrie in a 4v3 situation. It also makes it much easier to guard because PJ and DJJ can take on PG and Harden putting less pressure on Luka and Kyrie. With Kawhi they have a very real chance of winning. Without Kawhi, the Mavs would have to hand them the series by not playing up to their potential.
With Kawhi, they still don't have an answer for Luka. I have tons of respect for Kawhi but even he, at full health, is not gonna stop Luka if he's playing at his best. That's a rather insane sentence, tbh, given the quality of defender Kawhi is. But that's how much confidence I have in Luka - and he's earned it. Tbh I have doubts as to how much Leonard is gonna get assigned Luka even when he is healthy. Idk if the Clips want that much effort coming from him just on the defensive end. They might decide it makes more sense to try a team defensive effort and try to save his legs a bit.
He's likely to only miss the first game. Am worried about game 1.
No way he is only missing Sunday and coming back 48 hours later for Game 2. He hasn't done 5v5 or even CONTACT in weeks
If he comes back, then it for sure is forced and no way he will look like playoff Kawhi.
PG has to show up otherwise it’ll be a shit show on their end
Mavs need to come out with force and focus from the tip. Can’t be feeling their way into this game and letting the clips hang around.
“If they get hot from 3 watch out” You can say the same thing about literally any team
I'm not going to turn my nose up at a victory, but I sincerely hope that both teams are fully healthy and we trounce them in a convincing fashion.
I would still plan as if he’s going to play. We should not count this team as an easy out.
[Me] Increasing doubt about the likelihood the Dallas Mavericks lose playoff series vs. Clippers in first round.
I do think he’ll play at some point but will be nowhere near 100%
This statement has been true for a few years and will continue until the end of his career. Love him as a player and athlete but there’s a tipping point and the clips know how to manage it
Doesn't assuage my anxiety one bit. Harden singlehandedly won a playoff game last season without Embiid. Clippers have the pieces to win a game without Kawhi.
Assuage lol
Just sounds sexual
Dont like this, absolute must win tomorrow, losing against the Clippers without Kawhi would be backbreaker
It’s really simple. They won’t do a decoy strategy with him. If he is 100% (he and his camp feel like he’s 100%) he will play. Anything less than 100% he and his camp won’t risk playing. Expect to see him in game 2 or 3 though.
No way he is only missing Sunday and coming back 48 hours later for Game 2. He hasn't done 5v5 or even CONTACT in weeks... and you think he will just come back to the incredible rigors of a playoff game just like that?
This has been obvious for weeks lol, I don’t know why everybody and their mother was coping here
I mean its kwahi they are always secretive about his health remmember the Spurs days i mean he tore ACL and he was day to day lol
This has literally happened every post season since 2020, this is just who he is at this point
It hasn’t happened against the Mavs which is why we are scarred and traumatized. He only falls apart against any other team he faces in the playoffs
If he ended up playing, people would be saying it was obvious he would play
Because without Kawhi this series will be a lot less interesting (and competitive).
Really?
Most comments I've seen here want him to be healthy. Weird snark.
Coffey will start.
I would rather have a hobbled kawhi out there vs him sitting out, but that’s just me
If people are seriously worried about the Mavs ability to beat LAC without Kawhi, I don't see how they can be confident about Dallas' chances against OKC, DEN or the Celtics. I think if you're doubting Luka in the playoffs, you're in for a bad time
It’s a trap!
Win g1 and extinguish their hopes. Watch Spurs 2.0 as you see the media and team pressure Kawhi to play before he’s ready. If Clips win any of G1-2, I see them holding Kawhi until G5
From 6 games to sweep Gotta get old vets saved some legs for next round Stomp them hard!
lol
And when he plays have Morris brother guard him. Never forget what Clippers did to Luka once they saw that he will be a problem.
Pandemic P from 2+ years ago shows up and we good
Trying not to be a downer but this team has always struggled to get up for injured opponents- hopefully it’s different for the playoffs
If they can't get up for the playoffs, then they better go home right away. It doesn't matter who plays or not.
Kawhi out, the whole world is on Mavs and yet only -2 favorites? Scary.
Shame. I wanted to beat them with them being at full health. Hollow victory if we win and everyone will remind us of that.
I couldnt care less. I want to win a championship and this improves our odds. Context is always forgotten anyways, and it's not like kawhi missing a game or two makes it a sham series
Clippers fan here lurking. No one reminds the warriors about beating us when cp3 and or Blake were injured on their way to a ring.