The Dallas Mavericks eliminated the Utah Jazz in the first round and subsequently moved on to the second round, where they will face the Phoenix Suns. There is no doubt that this is going to be a tough matchup for the Mavericks, as the Suns are dominant on both ends of the floor.
Recently, coach Jason Kidd talked about the upcoming matchup against the Suns. He lauded the Suns’ big men in Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee, claiming that they can “put the ball in the basket”. He also took a jab at Jazz big men Rudy Gobert and Hassan Whiteside in the process, pointing out that Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee “can hurt you in the paint” and that they aren’t “Gobert and Whiteside”. The Dallas Mavericks weren’t scared of Gobert’s offense during the regular season either, with guard Theo Pinson joking that he did a hook shot that “hit Jerry West on the backboard”.
Full quote: pic.twitter.com/XAFzVog8Xi
— The Kobe Beef (@TheKobeBeef) May 1, 2022
We have to adapt. Our game plan against Utah is not going to work against the Suns. We’ve already changed that mindset because we’re not playing the Jazz. We understand their strength is the midrange, but they can hurt you with the three in transition and they can hurt you in the paint with JaVale and Ayton. This isn’t Gobert or Whiteside. These guys can put the ball in the basket. So, our bigs are going to be tested.
It is clear that Jason Kidd is pointing out that JaVale McGee and Deandre Ayton are both big men that can create for themselves in the post, in contrast to Rudy Gobert and Hassan Whiteside, both of whom are players who generally rely on lob passes from teammates for their offense.
It remains to be seen if the Dallas Mavericks are able to upset the Phoenix Suns. They will likely have the best player in the series in Luka Doncic, but the Phoenix Suns are a well-coached, disciplined team. They won’t be an easy matchup by any means, and it’s clear that Jason Kidd thinks that the Mavericks need to adjust their tactics to beat them.
