Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 8:51 pm
The fact we have to watch Ant play hero ball is an indictment on everyone else. Hopefully he can bring us home, but that's not always the case.
I wasn't able to watch but this was my suspicion from checking in on the play by play and game commentary.
Doesn't seem like a good tone setting game coming out of the break... Too bad
Finch had Ant as a set-up guy for a good chunk of the game (especially in Q1 and Q3), but Jaden and Randle, who are usually the beneficiaries when Finch gets the ball out of Ant's hands were AWFUL tonight. They were a combined 7-27 from the field with 10 turnovers. Ant, Naz, and Rudy saved our butts. Frankly, Ayo wasn't all that impressive either.
Thankfully Ant donned his cape and won the game for us, but it should have never come down to that.
I will say that Dallas is not as terrible as it might seem. They have lost 10 in a row, but that includes 2 to MIN, 2 to SA, 2 to LAL, and 1 each to HOU, PHX, BOS and CHA. That's a tough schedule!
But, yeah, not an impressive win by us. The worse thing about Jaden and Julius sucking, is they kept doubling down and sucking time after time!
Phenom wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 8:48 pm
Will it be time to promote Naz next season?
It’s been time for quite a while, dating back to last summer when I thought we should sign-and-trade Randle. I think moving Randle should be a high priority for this next off-season. I’m not talking about giving him away. I think his value is pretty high and we should trade him if we can get a good return, which I think we can.
WildWolf2813 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 8:49 pm
These are the games where you have to conclude that the Jaden offensive breakout is never gonna come, because this was a golden opportunity for him to put Dallas away and he's back to just being there.
I’m one of those who has been convinced that Jaden’s offensive breakout was around the corner. I’ve wanted him to significantly improve his subpar rebounding and that’s something he did last night but it was only one night. And unfortunately, I’m starting to doubt Jaden’s prospects on the offensive end. What bothers me most about Jaden overall, in addition to his subpar rebounding, is his inconsistency. And what bothered me most last night were his 6 turnovers to go with his typical 4 personal fouls, which is unacceptable at this point in his career and against a team like the Mavs.
I’m not ready to take Jaden off my Don’t Trade list for next summer, but I’m moving in that direction. Let’s see how he performs the rest of the way and in the playoffs.
Jaden has raised his scoring average 2.6 ppg this year and is shooting over 51% from the field and 45% from 3. Do we really need to complain about his offense? He only gets the number of shots that Ant and Julius allow.
I didn't see this one, so my comments are box score only.
- We need to start showing more appreciation for the "do shit" kind of ballplayer that Donte has turned into. I have always liked his game, but until this year considered him mostly just a 3-point shooter with only average defense. But his rebounding, playmaking and defense all seem immensely improved this season. Only 9 points, but 5 rebounds and a team leading 9 assists with only 1 TO. And looking at his team leading +19, I'm assuming he also played the same hustle on defense he has shown all season...never takes a play off. It's not surprising at all to me that he is far away our best on/off player this season at +8.7. We all like what Ayo brings to the team, but any discussion that he should replace Donte in the starting lineup is foolish.
-Sorry to hear Ju looked uninspired out there... we need him if we are going to make any kind of realistic push for home court in the playoffs.
-Also didn't like seeing Jaden's 6 turnovers...unusual for him. Were they poor passes, sloppy ball handling or a combo? We also need more from him.
- Dammit Rudy. I had tomorrow's game against Philly as a win, but it's going to be tough to win without Rudy. Embiid is resting tonight but supposed to play tomorrow...I don't like our chances with either Naz or Joan trying to guard him. Does Finchy maybe turn to Ju to see if defending Joel lights a fire under him?
-A win is a win...sort of.
I wasn't able to watch but this was my suspicion from checking in on the play by play and game commentary.
Doesn't seem like a good tone setting game coming out of the break... Too bad
Finch had Ant as a set-up guy for a good chunk of the game (especially in Q1 and Q3), but Jaden and Randle, who are usually the beneficiaries when Finch gets the ball out of Ant's hands were AWFUL tonight. They were a combined 7-27 from the field with 10 turnovers. Ant, Naz, and Rudy saved our butts. Frankly, Ayo wasn't all that impressive either.
Thankfully Ant donned his cape and won the game for us, but it should have never come down to that.
I will say that Dallas is not as terrible as it might seem. They have lost 10 in a row, but that includes 2 to MIN, 2 to SA, 2 to LAL, and 1 each to HOU, PHX, BOS and CHA. That's a tough schedule!
But, yeah, not an impressive win by us. The worse thing about Jaden and Julius sucking, is they kept doubling down and sucking time after time!
They're bad. Very bad... regardless of who they've played.
In large part because they DON'T want to win. Despite trading away two surefire HOFers and All NBA players in the past 12 months... the Mavs only control their 2026 1st round pick until 2031.
That's insane!
They're actively trying to lose as many games as possible right now. And I think we saw a subtle tank job vs. the Wolves.
[Note: I know Tyus Jones has had a terrible season and is new to Dallas. And Brandon Williams is halfway decent. But, I thought Jones was great (relatively speaking) on Friday. The Mavs kept making their runs when Jones was in the game and the +/- numbers reflect that. So I thought it was interesting when Tyus went to the bench with 3:26 left in the game... and the Wolves immediately pulled away.]
