Mavericks Defeat The Suns in Game 7 of Western Conference Semifinals

[Herbert Playz]

Luka Doncic was dominant. Spencer Dinwiddie showed up and Jalen Brunson did his thing as well. National media has been disrespecting the Mavericks all season long. At this point it is absolutely undeniable that Luka Doncic is the best player in the playoffs. He is averaging the most points, the most rebounds, the most assists and the 2nd most steals. Its mind boggling.

If Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie find a way to show up next series. Mavs might win in 5 or 6. People are trashing the Suns right now because they looked so bad against the Mavericks in game 7. They keep talking like the Suns had a bad game 7. Like the Suns just came out and didn't realize they were playing a game 7. That's the story or the narrative being pushed right now. But the reality of the situation is that the Mavs are a top 5 defense, PERIOD. The best team in the league that went to the finals the previous year didn't just lose their talent like some would have you believe. They were playing a really good defensive team that had an unstoppable offensive talent. 

The Mavericks gameplan in game 6 just carried over into game 7. Jason Kidd said we are not going to let Booker get off anymore. Booker for all of his talent and skill does not YET(not that he won't ever get there) have elite playmaking skills. He also does not have elite length. So traps on the pick and roll, affect him much more than a player like Luka. Who is an elite playmaker, I think he's probably the best one but easily top 3. Not to mention he is taller, bigger and longer than Book.

In game 6 Dallas realized we need to stop hunting for threes and get the ball to touch the paint first. From there everything else just opened up. The suns have nobody that could guard Luka. When he got in pick and roll he was hunting for the best mismatch. Even when Deandre Ayton was guarding him in the paint, he found a way to score. If you decide to double him he almost always finds the open guy or gets the hockey assist he's just such a good playmaker and ball handler its really unfair.

I know Reggie Bullock did an amazing job of pressuring Chris Paul up the court but let's not forget about Frank Ntilikina, whose defensive stats against CP3 and Devin booker was amazing as well. 

And let's not forget that Maxi Kleber, Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney Smith had quiet games offensively. Any one of them are more than capable of dropping 15 points on any given night.