About last night... Game 6 v Clippers

 The Clippers ended the Mavericks season yesterday as they won Game 6 111-97. Kawhi and Luka dueled all game, both of them putting up over 30 points each. The difference was the players around each star. With Kristaps Porzingis out due to a torn meniscus, there wasn't much help for the young Doncic. The Clippers were able to shut down the rest of the Mav unit. For the game, Dallas shot only 29% from three. The number one rated offense has looked anything but in the last two games, primarily due to health but also due to the defensive adjustments the Clippers have made. Even so, these losses have further emphasized the need for: Playmakers outside of Luka, Consistent scorers/shooters, someone to bang down low (enforcer) and most of all (in my eyes) a veteran presence. 

In the end, it's hard to be upset or disappointed with this elimination. Luka had an incredible playoff debut; something that will someday be put in a Jordan-esque documentary series about him. Although there are concerns about KP's durability, the fact that he put up a 35 point game on a torn meniscus is ridiculous. He played through the first three games like that, what a warrior. These two are ready to make a run, and the experience they gained from playing this team is all any Mav fan could ask for. Sure, it's frustrating that the Mavericks could/should have won game 1. That would have changed the whole series (in my opinion). Overall though, it's hard to be that upset. Like Luka said "I'm proud of our team, how we fight... I think we fight until the end." They've proven that multiple times this postseason, even cutting this game to 6 points in the fourth quarter after being down 20. 

Marcus Morris, though, is something we can all be livid about. After he intentionally stepped on Luka's hurt ankle then went to twitter to deny it, I for one thought he would clean up his act this game so he wouldn't get league punishment. BOYYYY was I wrong. Look here at morris karate chop Luka in the neck/back of the head. Just such an absolute loser move that ended up getting him ejected from the game. Instead of remembering him for having good games all series, people will remember him for choking KP, stepping on Luka's ankle, and this. 

There really is no justifying that, but of course you have weirdos on the internet and Kyle Kuzma trying to. I find it weird that people are saying "Boban saving Lukas life here!" Like a 6'7 Doncic would get smoked by Morris just because he and his brother beat up a dude in an IHOP or whatever it was. This same Luka that out muscles everyone on his way to the rim. The same one that has been playing with grown men since he was 16. Yeah alright. 

The referees did no favors in the second half, but the Mavs were awful to start the third. That's what really killed them. Dallas scored only two field goals in the first 6 minutes of the third quarter, digging their hole deeper and deeper with every forced three. That's the kind of thing that playoff losses are gonna teach you. You've gotta take your lumps. 

The Mavericks head into this weird offseason looking to upgrade their roster. Luka has set a goal for himself to improve shooting, KP will be working to get healthy. Donnie Nelson now holds the 18th and 31st pick in the upcoming draft, along with some cheap contracts. His goal is to wheel and deal those to land a third star or more consistent role players to fit around the superstar that is Luka Doncic and his all-star running mate Porzingis. Delon Wright and Justin Jackson will be offloaded somewhere. Neither got consistent minutes down the stretch. Wright didn't even see action in two playoff games! He's out. It's disappointing. Overall though, a great season full of promise. The west will remain tough net year, especially with Golden State coming back to full strength. I am confident that we will see this Mav team back in for a long time to come. 

I'll post some free agent stuff later on.