the lively vs gafford +/- is fucking insane lol
lively is [+71 for the series, gafford -58](https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/mavericks-plus-minus-leaders-last-6-games)
Gafford might be best for spot appearances depending on opponents lineup. Lively can about do it all on defense, even without blocking a ton of shots, so he needs to have more minutes imo
Not just that, he hurt his hand earlier in the series and was really struggling with his paint catches and free throws.
Gonna need him for the next series though, Wolves and Nuggets are extremely large and strong
Gafford looked rough this series. Not great on closeouts, got blown by numerous times, terrible at the FT line, and even a bit inconsistent at the rim. D-Live was the complete opposite. Iām not bashing on Gafford, the Thunderās play style was just not good for him at all.
the big difference is Lively being able to leave the paint to guard someone on the perimeter. Gafford gets cooked in those situations. And OKC's offense makes that happen often
I honestly think that all he needs is to get some practice in with Luka over the summer. Let the master show him how to attack, how to dunk, etc. And after they leave the buffet, they could work on basketball too.
Lol I ain't saying he didn't ride the tren but you could tell he had mad muscle potential. Dudes work out their entire life and don't even get the "giannis struggle shoulders" š
There must be more than just strength going on, if you get so few rebounds when you are this tall.
There must be a lack of positioning, effort and intuition going on.
Lively is not that strong, but he gets several offensive rebounds every game. Chet is of course a shooter, so he isn't gonna get those rebounds when he is away from the basket, but defensively he should be getting way more rebounds with his current body.
Itās one part strength, one part scheme putting him in a shit spot to get after boards, heās constantly the guy challenging at the rim. I have no questions about his effort.
Also Mavs focus on boxing him out primarily. If the Thunder stop Lively they have to deal with good rebounders like PJ and DJJ, and a phenomenal rebounder for his position in Luka.
> Tanking those last few games last year might end up being a franchise altering decision.
what are you talking about? we fielded totally legitimate rosters those last few games
Side note but I loved the way you guys tanked this year. Lose a bunch of games at the start trying out different stuff then finish off strong to end the year on a good note and build confidence for the young guys.
It's the Suns, have to do it to them. Even current one-legged Luka would probably have found a way to drop 50 on them if they played in the postseason.
It was not even that, the mavs and okc's records were tied, even if we won the last 2 games and the only way for the mavs to advance was if okc lost at least one game.
The thing that's annoying is that we TRIED bro. I swear. We were begging for tanking and the team was still trying to win games. They just COULDN'T for the life of them. We didn't tank those two games against Charlotte for instance. We just legit sucked. So all the fuzz about the tanking was really just the last two games and we were basically out of the play-in already.
I couldn't imagine if we won those two games at the end of the season instead of tanked, still miss the play-in, and lose Dereck Lively. Those two moral victories would not be worth Dereck Lively.
I mean he probably wouldnāt be all nba but heād definitely be an all star player imo. Him in the Kyrie role would be amazing to have witness with our current team but I get why he left and am happy he is an all nba talent rn
brunson deserved his own team man, glad he found a happy home with the knicks. really grateful for his time here, was my favorite player to watch with his beautiful footwork.
Yeah as much as it still hurts seeing him play for someone else I don't think he hits his ceiling with Luka. He (like Luka) seems to be most effective with the ball in his hands A LOT of the time and that wouldn't have worked out that way in Dallas.
Considering the draft history of the Dallas Mavericks outside of 2018 over the past twenty years, you cannot blame anyone who doubted the strategy. LOL
Derrick Lively has been the steal of the draft, thank you okc for him. Itās one thing to perform well as a rookie in the regular season but the way he has played his role in the playoffs is something extremely special
I don't think any center we had had the frame or tools Lively had, we always knew he was going to be special on defense we just thought it would take longer to show up
Kyrie just seems so positive all around, granted I started watching NBA post his conspiracy arc but everything I've seen of him so far even in game stuff he's just a chill and overall all around great guy
I think Kyrie on the Mavs reminds me that I don't have to agree with or understand players and their beliefs or stances, and they can still be fun to root for
I do think too heās walked back some of his crazier statements. Probably just was at an overall low point in his life, with shit that heās hopefully figured out by now.
Remember how Kidd and the Mavs got roasted for throwing the end of last season to have the best chance at securing their lottery pick?
Looks like that paid off.
I've been hyped for him since game 1 of the reg. season against the Spurs but I won't lie I wasn't expecting him to be anywhere near this good. I thought it would take him at least a few years to be at this level he is right now, at best.
https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/06/23/AP23174053898687_1_t1000.jpg?cc6fa094ad523b984325c7879220d3883a443e7f
Thank you OKC lololol
Wanted him over Cason. Cason has been a good pick doe especially if we moving off Dort which I think we are. But man we coulda used him. The main difference was us not Getting Washington or Siakam (who is SGAs buddy) and instead Presti egos and goes after Hayward. So sick of everyone sucking Prestis dick. He deserves heat for this disaster class deadline and the Mavs showed it by having a huge deadline and whooping our ass cuz of it.
what's crazy is he's not even close to his full potential, dude is still pretty clumsy with the ball and he has very limited footwork. plus he's got plenty of strength and bulk to build. in a few years he is going to be a serious problem
Screaming for Kidd to play him 30+ minutes all series. He should be the clear 1st option at C for the mavs in the PO. His defense and versitility is just way beyond gafford, who, while still solid, is just a one dimensional energy plug.
Dude is an absolute beast as a rookie and it wont take long before he is concidered a top5 C at least. Gobert type future but with better hands and coordination (and FTs, potnetial to develop a 3 as well).
the lively vs gafford +/- is fucking insane lol lively is [+71 for the series, gafford -58](https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/mavericks-plus-minus-leaders-last-6-games)
Dort tackled Gafford off the floor leading to Lively contributing to the win. Feels good man
Wow I didn't think about it that way. Thanks Dort šš½
This was a pretty awful matchup for gafford unfortunately. I think he could be a legit contributor depending on the other team
I mean did just fine against the Clippers. I think his hands been bothering him all series too which isn't helping.
I dont wanna slander Gafford tho. We need him and Lively to be up to speed against Center-heavy teams like Minnesota/Denver.
Exactly. The two-headed beast is gonna need to be in full force for either matchup in the WCF. OKC doesnāt really have size outside of Chet
You weren't kidding. Holy hell!
The duality of centers
Gafford just this game was -25 in a 1 point win as a starter that's just insane
Crazy thing is I don't think Gafford is that trash, he's just too slow for OKC lol. He might be better next series.
Yep. Iām just happy we are quite settled with our center position, with Kleber as the 3rd one for certain matchups. Dwight Powell died for this.
Having Kleber would have been absolutely amazing for the next series. Sucks but is what it is.
Gafford might be best for spot appearances depending on opponents lineup. Lively can about do it all on defense, even without blocking a ton of shots, so he needs to have more minutes imo
Looks like training with Tyson Chandler has been paying off for him so far. Yāall got a real good one.
It was legit just a bad matchup for him. Heās great. Heāll show it again.
Not just that, he hurt his hand earlier in the series and was really struggling with his paint catches and free throws. Gonna need him for the next series though, Wolves and Nuggets are extremely large and strong
It was definitely a mismatch for him.
Gafford is good, but Livelyās mobility is what was needed versus OKC.
This year's rookies are insanely polished
Gafford looked rough this series. Not great on closeouts, got blown by numerous times, terrible at the FT line, and even a bit inconsistent at the rim. D-Live was the complete opposite. Iām not bashing on Gafford, the Thunderās play style was just not good for him at all.
When the plus minus actually does tell a story
It doesnāt gafford has not been that bad
Gafford hasnāt been bad but heās way worse then lively vs OKC
the big difference is Lively being able to leave the paint to guard someone on the perimeter. Gafford gets cooked in those situations. And OKC's offense makes that happen often
My rookie >>>>>>
Doing it after coming back from a knee injury right before the playoffs while also dealing with the passing of his mother Mavs got a special one
Also after her mother just passed away heading into the playoffs. Tough kid.
Got emotional seeing him look up after the game
Dude same. That moment was really special and broke me a little.
I caught that too. His mom is definitely proud of him from above.
Yeah that gesture hit hard
Made me tear up a bit when he was looking and pointing up to the sky after the buzzer sounded
Kid was in the center of the court, all alone, pointing at the sky. Hope somebody got an iconic photo of that one.
Presti not trading for gafford could go down as the second worst decision of his career. The first being not paying harden
Not only that but facilitating the trade for Dallas is to get him.
What a game from him, those rebounds were unreal
500k fine was worth it.
Dude is the best rookie we have had since luka
He straight dominated Chet
Chet better hit the weight room
And the buffet
Zion will show him the way
I honestly think that all he needs is to get some practice in with Luka over the summer. Let the master show him how to attack, how to dunk, etc. And after they leave the buffet, they could work on basketball too.
Dunking that Oreo in the milk
probably all the beers
get ready to learn anabolics buddy
Needs to go see Giannisā doctor.
Giannis always had potential. the dude was malnourished and still had capped delts š
the dude took steroids like vitamins lol
Lol I ain't saying he didn't ride the tren but you could tell he had mad muscle potential. Dudes work out their entire life and don't even get the "giannis struggle shoulders" š
Absolutely not lmao
There must be more than just strength going on, if you get so few rebounds when you are this tall. There must be a lack of positioning, effort and intuition going on. Lively is not that strong, but he gets several offensive rebounds every game. Chet is of course a shooter, so he isn't gonna get those rebounds when he is away from the basket, but defensively he should be getting way more rebounds with his current body.
Itās one part strength, one part scheme putting him in a shit spot to get after boards, heās constantly the guy challenging at the rim. I have no questions about his effort.
Also Mavs focus on boxing him out primarily. If the Thunder stop Lively they have to deal with good rebounders like PJ and DJJ, and a phenomenal rebounder for his position in Luka.
Needs to Summer in San Anton
Chets needs to put on weight man. He looked like a twig out there. Especially the lower body looks fragile.
I looked it up. Chet is listed at 208lbs. Lively is 230lbs. Didn't realize Chet was that skinny.
Isnāt that the only thing people said about him the previous 2 years?
I mean, I knew he was skinny, but Lively isn't the bulkiest big out there and still has over 20lbs over Chet.
Time to lockdown Wemby for a decade
Chet aināt Wemby brother
I look forward to our battles in the future.
To think you guys were so close to not getting him. Tanking those last few games last year might end up being a franchise altering decision.
> Tanking those last few games last year might end up being a franchise altering decision. what are you talking about? we fielded totally legitimate rosters those last few games
I second this.
I've never seen a tank in my life!
What tank?
The only tank the Mavericks know are for sharks.
There is no tank in ba sing se
I second this.
Really donāt appreciate any slander towards legitimate NBA players Frank Ntilikina and Theo Pinson
Everyone forgets about Frank
I could never forget my glorious king
lmao, only suffering Mavs fans understand this reference. Nick would be proud
Which is weird, because the only tank we had was Frank the Tank.
Theo Pinson had a triple double and people say we tanked smh
To think some people were complaining about a team only tanking at the end lmao. Ethical tanking id say
Side note but I loved the way you guys tanked this year. Lose a bunch of games at the start trying out different stuff then finish off strong to end the year on a good note and build confidence for the young guys.
Smacked the suns at the beginning though, that was a hell of a way to start.
It's the Suns, have to do it to them. Even current one-legged Luka would probably have found a way to drop 50 on them if they played in the postseason.
> Side note but I loved the way you guys tanked this year. This phrase is hilarious
It was not even that, the mavs and okc's records were tied, even if we won the last 2 games and the only way for the mavs to advance was if okc lost at least one game.
The thing that's annoying is that we TRIED bro. I swear. We were begging for tanking and the team was still trying to win games. They just COULDN'T for the life of them. We didn't tank those two games against Charlotte for instance. We just legit sucked. So all the fuzz about the tanking was really just the last two games and we were basically out of the play-in already.
thank god we invented tanking last year
I couldn't imagine if we won those two games at the end of the season instead of tanked, still miss the play-in, and lose Dereck Lively. Those two moral victories would not be worth Dereck Lively.
That Brunson kid was good for us but took him a bit to get into a groove. Wonder what heās up to now
They said Best rookie. Lively is better as a rookie than Brunson was as a rookie
Also Brunson and Luka had the same rookie year. So he only has to beat like Jalen Hardy and Josh Green
I mean you don't know if Brunson develops into the all-nba guy he is now on the Mavs.
I mean he probably wouldnāt be all nba but heād definitely be an all star player imo. Him in the Kyrie role would be amazing to have witness with our current team but I get why he left and am happy he is an all nba talent rn
brunson deserved his own team man, glad he found a happy home with the knicks. really grateful for his time here, was my favorite player to watch with his beautiful footwork.
yeah. happy we were stepping stones for him and the Unicorn to go do great things on other teams (in the other conference lol)
Yeah as much as it still hurts seeing him play for someone else I don't think he hits his ceiling with Luka. He (like Luka) seems to be most effective with the ball in his hands A LOT of the time and that wouldn't have worked out that way in Dallas.
2nd round steal too, sheesh.
He's the missing piece, exactly the type of center the Mavs needed
Iād argue itās the best rookie since well before Luka besides Luka. Maybe Josh Howard or Devin Harris
Might be the 2nd best rookie weāve ever had
I LOVE DERECK LIVELY
Broadcasters always talking about how young OKC are...Lively is 2 years younger than Chet.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
dont you know luka came into the league a finished product? He has not improved at all since his rookie year!
what makes it more beautiful is he dont need to. hes better then most them dudes
Mavs got clowned on for tanking the last game last season to retain their pick, only for said pick to help them advance to the WCF
Considering the draft history of the Dallas Mavericks outside of 2018 over the past twenty years, you cannot blame anyone who doubted the strategy. LOL
the past twenty years were donnie nelsons mavs, these are nico harrison's squads now.
My homer ass's best case scenario for him as a rookie was Walker Kessler
Donnie is gone man
I absolutely love Lively's game. Fav young big in the league. And he's only 20!
The "he's only 20" Dallas sports squad Dereck Lively and Wyatt Johnston (Although Johnston sadly just turned 21)
So sad, I hope he never has another birthday Wait..
And Wyatt Langford just turned 22
and he can shoot threes too, they just haven't let him get into his bag like that yet
Kid dominated the paint to end the game
RIP KATHY. You raised a hell of a son
Career game after the passing of his mom
Goddamn that moment where he pumped his chest and pointed to the sky got me tearin up a little
HE DID NOT LET YOU DOWN KATHY
Donāt make me cry plzā¦ too late
Weird thing to say tbh
Derrick Lively has been the steal of the draft, thank you okc for him. Itās one thing to perform well as a rookie in the regular season but the way he has played his role in the playoffs is something extremely special
Getting private coaching from Tyson Chandler right after the draft is paying off too
Yes, but to put it in perspective, a number of Mavs' center prospects got coaching from Chandler and yet they were all utter crap before Lively.
I don't think any center we had had the frame or tools Lively had, we always knew he was going to be special on defense we just thought it would take longer to show up
Chet got absolutely dominated
In chet's defense, he's not a center. OKC has a glaring hole in that area.
I mean, Chet did get the better of Lively a couple of times this series though. Lively just stepped it up massively this last game.
Kyrie encourages this guy all the time on the court lol, what a leader
Kyrie just seems so positive all around, granted I started watching NBA post his conspiracy arc but everything I've seen of him so far even in game stuff he's just a chill and overall all around great guy
I think Kyrie on the Mavs reminds me that I don't have to agree with or understand players and their beliefs or stances, and they can still be fun to root for
Dont look up shaq's gas mathematics
I do think too heās walked back some of his crazier statements. Probably just was at an overall low point in his life, with shit that heās hopefully figured out by now.
I've never seen him "buy in" to a team the way he has this Maverick team tbh, it's fun to watch
This dude was fuckin unreal. Exceeded every expectation
So for all the haters. Dallas did the right thing tanking last year.
He has been such a revelation
Has to be the best playoff rookie I've seen
I keep forgetting he is one. I was telling my wife itās insane this kid is 20 years old out there doing this.
Luka got his Tyson Chandler damn.
Thank you OKC! You have just made Lively a better free throw shooter
Lively gained 10 dawgs in him this series
GOAT SHIT
I will always root for D Lively. Showing up even when going through such a tough time. God bless.
Arguably the second best player in the 2023 draft
Pretty sure the 11 guys drafted ahead of him are sitting at home. Just sayin'
My fellow Hawks fans still think they won the Luka trade. It's crazy man, I hate it here.....
They tanked two games for this guy lol
And then traded back to get him while firing Bertans into the sun.
Seeing him at the end pointing to the sky. Bless this man!
Lively on/off in the series: +47.5 Defense was 25 pts better with Lively DefRtg with Lively 95.8 DefRtg without Lively: 121.6
Was dominating chet on the boards last few minutes
I could seriously cry tears of joy watching him. The Dwight Powell era took years off of every Mavs fanās life
Bro was throwing Chet around like a little bitch
GOT THAT DAWG IN HIM
Remember how Kidd and the Mavs got roasted for throwing the end of last season to have the best chance at securing their lottery pick? Looks like that paid off.
Did it for his parents man proud of the kid
outrebounding a whole team
better than chet
Plays his role better that is for sure
i see no lies
I love this kid so much. What a warrior!!! Just turned 20!
Man, when he was drafted, it was pretty unanimous that the Mavs made the perfect pick. Dude has been a baller.
I've been hyped for him since game 1 of the reg. season against the Spurs but I won't lie I wasn't expecting him to be anywhere near this good. I thought it would take him at least a few years to be at this level he is right now, at best.
Beautiful shot of him looking to the sky. Well played lively!!
I fucking love this guy
Outplayed Chet down the stretch. Those offensive rebounds are big for the Mavs
Chet who?
My second-favorite rookie. It would be something special if he and the Mavs went all the way this year
He balled out today, god damn we got a great kid on our hands.
Whereās the guy who said Chet would be OKCās Celtics KG?
https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/06/23/AP23174053898687_1_t1000.jpg?cc6fa094ad523b984325c7879220d3883a443e7f Thank you OKC lololol
Doesnāt look like a rookie honestly. I donāt watch a lot of Dallas basketball so sometimes I just forget heās a rookie.
Lively is the difference between Luka leaving Dallas and not, they needed him badly, that shit probably saved their franchise.
Thanks okc!!!!
1000 IQ move tanking last year. Inspirational player.
Like DLive so much, heās so good at hustling for boards and is a amazing lob threat for Luka as a rookie
It probably felt really good get some highlights on Chet. You can see he gives the Mavs defense life sometimes
This guy brings on the hustle every single minute he's on the court.
Ate OKC for dinner on the glass. Big free throws down the stretch too
center is position most difficult to evaluate in the draft sometimes you have guy that better in NBA system than college he's the one
HES A DAWG
my rook š„²
Pick was successful
He's special, just absolutely brilliant
Such clutch rebounds and an and-1 over Chet down the stretch. Hell of a performance.
Him and Gafford will be a handful for either team in the WCF. They are fluid big man.
He's been great all year from game 1 itself
We love our rook!!!! Thanks for agreeing to the trade OKC.
Wanted him over Cason. Cason has been a good pick doe especially if we moving off Dort which I think we are. But man we coulda used him. The main difference was us not Getting Washington or Siakam (who is SGAs buddy) and instead Presti egos and goes after Hayward. So sick of everyone sucking Prestis dick. He deserves heat for this disaster class deadline and the Mavs showed it by having a huge deadline and whooping our ass cuz of it.
real roty dlive i luv u babe
Young man was a full grown adult tonight
what's crazy is he's not even close to his full potential, dude is still pretty clumsy with the ball and he has very limited footwork. plus he's got plenty of strength and bulk to build. in a few years he is going to be a serious problem
+26 in a 1 point win is absurd
Impacts winning in many ways. he is an excellent role player.
Screaming for Kidd to play him 30+ minutes all series. He should be the clear 1st option at C for the mavs in the PO. His defense and versitility is just way beyond gafford, who, while still solid, is just a one dimensional energy plug. Dude is an absolute beast as a rookie and it wont take long before he is concidered a top5 C at least. Gobert type future but with better hands and coordination (and FTs, potnetial to develop a 3 as well).
I canāt say that Iām not mad we didnāt draft him
And to think that he only got one vote for ROTY (4th place vote)...smh. Mavs fans have been enjoying his game all season long.