Especially Santi. Aldama can do exactly what PJ and Gaff did defensively while offering far more offensively and far less in stupidity.

Reading the headlines around the NBA has me rolling. It's good to have this sport back. Even if the Mavs game 1 didn't go as we hoped.

I think the Mavs are going to be okay, it may just not look great for a month. In the first and second quarters alone they were rotating like crazy (I'm talking two to three new guys every 2:30-3:00 minutes). On top of that it seemed pretty clear very quickly who should be playing together and who should not. After that the rotations came together better and they didn't have near the scoring droughts, and actually won both the third and fourth quarters. Couple this together with getting some guys back and I think we'll be okay. Still need way more guard play doesn't everyone?

Oh and getting your face kicked in like that in the second quarter should be a nice welcome to the league, strap-in/lace'em up tight, moment for Larry and Morez. This is a whole different ball-game and you better be ready to match what the other team has that night.

As bad as our night was, it was much much worse for some teams and individuals.

I'm not a regular listener of the Dan Le Batard show, but I caught an interesting clip this morning discussing last night's Heat/Timberwolves blowout (131/106).

They highlighted the contrast between Giannis' playstyle and the current NBA landscape. Giannis put up an impressive 35/6/1 on 13-of-19 shooting, and all five starters were in double digits, and yet the Heat still got blown out because Minnesota went 21-for-50 from three (42%).

The point was clear: regardless of who is on your team, if the opponent takes 50 threes and hits over 40%, math and analytics dictate that you're going to lose. It really highlights how three-point reliance is hurting the watchability of the game AND underlies the unbelievable swings in games right now which were on-display all over the league for game 1.

Loved seeing Yaxel go off about Luka post game. He will regret it I think as Luka will make it a vendetta and cook him from now on, but I'm just super glad someone had the balls to finally call out his whiny ass. I'll always miss Luka, but that last season especially, it was getting really hard to tolerate his constant spoiled teenager like antics. Imagine being 6'8" and 250 plus and being such a little *****.

zgolfz85 said:

---

Loved seeing Yaxel go off about Luka post game. He will regret it I think as Luka will make it a vendetta and cook him from now on, but I'm just super glad someone had the balls to finally call out his whiny ass. I'll always miss Luka, but that last season especially, it was getting really hard to tolerate his constant spoiled teenager like antics. Imagine being 6'8" and 250 plus and being such a little *****.

---

I agree - now that Luka is outside Dallas, I find him increasingly unlikable.

A lot of the maturity questions around Yaxel were on full display last night. He was s- talking Luka and all that did was make Luka play better. Got a technical for s- talking, kept s- talking, so Luka hit a half court buzzer beater in his face just for fun…

The stuff after the game was pure cope from a player who got completely embarrassed, even if there was some truth in it.

Spaceship said:

---

zgolfz85 said:

---

Loved seeing Yaxel go off about Luka post game. He will regret it I think as Luka will make it a vendetta and cook him from now on, but I'm just super glad someone had the balls to finally call out his whiny ass. I'll always miss Luka, but that last season especially, it was getting really hard to tolerate his constant spoiled teenager like antics. Imagine being 6'8" and 250 plus and being such a little *****.

---

I agree - now that Luka is outside Dallas, I find him increasingly unlikable.

---

I still wildly miss him and it's hilarious that a 24 yr old Rookie has the temerity to call a 6x 1st All NBA player on anything. Also, Yaxel famously mocked Alabama for putting a Freshman on him in the NCAA tournament (he said it was disrepectful) and it's all hilarious that Luka cooked his team and he's the 'freshman.'

Most Dallas fans I know hated Luka's constant complaining/lobbying to the refs, when he was in Dallas. It was a non-stop discussion on the Ticket.

This is nothing new. He's still the same dude. Freaking amazing at ball, but cannot seem to help himself when it comes to fouls/refs.

zgolfz85 said:

---

Loved seeing Yaxel go off about Luka post game. He will regret it I think as Luka will make it a vendetta and cook him from now on

---

Yep.

Yaxel is about to be his new Devin Booker.

M.C. Swag said:

---

Spaceship said:

---

zgolfz85 said:

---

Loved seeing Yaxel go off about Luka post game. He will regret it I think as Luka will make it a vendetta and cook him from now on, but I'm just super glad someone had the balls to finally call out his whiny ass. I'll always miss Luka, but that last season especially, it was getting really hard to tolerate his constant spoiled teenager like antics. Imagine being 6'8" and 250 plus and being such a little *****.

---

I agree - now that Luka is outside Dallas, I find him increasingly unlikable.

---

I still wildly miss him and it's hilarious that a 24 yr old Rookie has the temerity to call a 6x 1st All NBA player on anything. Also, Yaxel famously mocked Alabama for putting a Freshman on him in the NCAA tournament (he said it was disrepectful) and it's all hilarious that Luka cooked his team and he's the 'freshman.'

---

I don't find it hilarious. I find it admirable. Again, I think he'll learn to regret it on the court as Luka is a grudge holder, but a huge round of applause for this guy to have the balls to call it out since no one else in the association will. Enough is enough with the little ***** antics. We have a Lebron already, don't need a white euro version of the same whiny lil flopping *****.

lol well alright

Yeah i absolutely love guys like that. It did probably go overboard a little to his own detriment, and that's the key to this, but to have the mindset of "Idgaf who you. I'm here to compete and don't care if you cook me or not, I'm going to line up the next time down the court and go again." gains my respect. That takes major sack and mental toughness to stick yourself out there and not care what happens.

There's too much buddy buddy meat riding in sports these days, especially with superstars. Don't defer to them and lay down. Have some spine, stand up and put the ball down.

Did Luka really only score one basket when Yaxel was guarding him (the half court shot)? That's what Yaxel claims in the interview. How many possessions did Yaxel take him?

mavsfan4ever said:

---

Did Luka really only score one basket when Yaxel was guarding him (the half court shot)? That's what Yaxel claims in the interview. How many possessions did Yaxel take him?

---

Ya according to official NBA stats Luka was 0-5 when 'guarded' by Yaxel but i think literally all but 1 shot attempt luka got by him and just missed (Yaxel did nothing to affect the shot).

Tksymm7 said:

---

Yeah i absolutely love guys like that. It did probably go overboard a little to his own detriment, and that's the key to this, but to have the mindset of "Idgaf who you. I'm here to compete and don't care if you cook me or not, I'm going to line up the next time down the court and go again." gains my respect. That takes major sack and mental toughness to stick yourself out there and not care what happens.

There's too much buddy buddy meat riding in sports these days, especially with superstars. Don't defer to them and lay down. Have some spine, stand up and put the ball down.

---

I also love how he bigtimed the NBA in regards to the college game a bit by nonchalantly saying "I didn't watch much NBA, just highlights and stuff..." and then went on to say "and now I know..."

as in....the NBA is a ***** league that caters to flopping and whining and constantly barking in the ref's ear compared to the much more physical college game

I love college hoops and pro hoops both, but they are truly different sports.

It'll be must watch next time they play.

I really hope Luka's response is "who? I'm not sure why he is chirping. When I was his age, I was a 4x first team all NBA player and leading my team to the finals. He's a 24 year old rookie. I look forward to playing him again."

And that's great too! Stand on your business! Show him the credentials and go after him. This sort of stuff only makes the league better.

Tksymm7 said:

---

Yeah i absolutely love guys like that. It did probably go overboard a little to his own detriment, and that's the key to this, but to have the mindset of "Idgaf who you. I'm here to compete and don't care if you cook me or not, I'm going to line up the next time down the court and go again." gains my respect. That takes major sack and mental toughness to stick yourself out there and not care what happens.

There's too much buddy buddy meat riding in sports these days, especially with superstars. Don't defer to them and lay down. Have some spine, stand up and put the ball down.

---

I would normally agree, and I do like general s- talking between players. However, when you're doing it to Luka, and it's clearly fueling his fire and making him play better, maybe take it down a notch.

mavsfan4ever said:

---

Did Luka really only score one basket when Yaxel was guarding him (the half court shot)? That's what Yaxel claims in the interview. How many possessions did Yaxel take him?

---

It may be technically true, but Luka had their D in rotation all night. Luka had a 141 offensive rating, second only to Reaves. He was cooking Yaxel.

Analytically, Yaxel graded out as GS' worst defender by a longshot.

Kyrie Irving is not listed on the injury report. It’s game one of the Mavs’ first back-to-back of the season. https://t.co/f7HGV6sadd

— Christian Clark (@christianpclark) October 22, 2026

This is really interesting. The Mavs play in Indiana on Friday, then play on Saturday in the home opener.

Kyrie could still miss the Friday game and he could also play in both games, unexpectedly. But there's absolutely no chance they'd sit him for the home opener, right? Would be a massive slap in the face to the fans. They better not play him on Friday and sit him Saturday.

Welcome to the league good lord.

Also, the Mavs need to be doing whatever they can to jettison Gafford/PJ to GS for Porzingas. Chances are high that GS is going to have to attach a solid draft pick to that albatross to get him gone.

Tksymm7 said:

---

Also, the Mavs need to be doing whatever they can to jettison Gafford/PJ to GS for Porzingas. Chances are high that GS is going to have to attach a solid draft pick to that albatross to get him gone.

---

It isn't that bad of a contract. Only 3M is guaranteed next year and it doesn't guarantee until July 7th. Definitely not an albatross. More of a 20M expiring.

Fair point, but they just handed 20M to a guy anyone of us could've told them was maybe done. They don't have a big and can't waste more of Steph.

I know some sports owners can be cheap and heartless, but evidently James Dolan is at his own level…

You have to be a truly terrible person to do this https://t.co/mFqBFRtUeu pic.twitter.com/1v9Znnd3WG

— Jeremy Schneider (@J_Schneider) October 23, 2026

Tksymm7 said:

---

Fair point, but they just handed 20M to a guy anyone of us could've told them was maybe done. They don't have a big and can't waste more of Steph.

---

$20M is just a bit over the MLE and they didn't have the flexibility to bring in anyone bigger than that. Their idea is to make a low seed, make sure everyone is healthy in April and then make a playoff run. And if healthy, Curry, Butler, Yaxel, Kristaps, Draymond probably could make a decent run. But GSW just doesn't have the assets to really build a real championship contender around their aging stars, so if healthy, that's the best option. They were trying to bring Bron in to join Curry with that lineup.

So they are kind of operating on two timelines:
1. Stay competitive enough during Curry's last years
2. Rebuild for the future by retaining assets. They control all their own picks (one is traded away and top 20 protected) but none of their 2nd round picks.

Overall talent wise, they are kind of in that no-man's land of not good enough to contend, but also not bad enough to get a great pick. Yaxel is likely a high floor, low ceiling pick that can play right now, but you don't build around him. They really needed Curry to get Bron in the door there, but 76ers obviously were a much more talented team.

I think there could be some sort of framework where Kristaps and RJ Barrett go to Sacramento with a pick or two, Jakob Poeltl goes to Golden State, and Sabonis goes to Toronto. Sacramento grabs some draft capital and another scorer, Toronto gets a more reliable big, and GSW takes on that awful Poeltl contract, but at least he will play.

Nice breakdown. I definitely agree.

I know this is a long season, and I think the Mavs will be okay, but it's hard not to already jump to the future with this team. Like we just said, I could see (and would encourage) the Mavs easily being involved in a trade with the GSW to eat the Tingus-Pingus money and send them Gafford or PJ, and perhaps get a solid enough pick out of them. Or, God forbid, Houston really is a top three contender in the West and they come asking for Kyrie (on really reasonable expiring money imo), you could try to get one of the Brooklyn/Phoenix picks.

Again, it's a long season and I'd prefer things clicked and we were magically like a 40-win team, but I just think there are going to be deals out there this year that are VERY enticing to the Mavericks. Stein has said all offseason that teams are going to test the Mavs resolve, particularly as it comes to Kyrie if he looks like his usual self.

Kyrie is available tonight.

Honestly at this point in his comeback, I think it actually might be a benefit to him to play him in some back-to-backs in a minutes' restrictions. He's gotta get the legs back somehow.

I bit the bullet and bought league pass like a doofus. Already regret it but let's ride.

Tksymm7 said:

---

I bit the bullet and bought league pass like a doofus. Already regret it but let's ride.

---

You won't, it's my favorite purchase every year. Helps when you pick a random team and bet their season win total (Raptors over 46.5 for me).

Also everybody getting in on the action early.

Coop figuring out your point total goes up quicker when you make 3s