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When the Mavericks originally traded for Kristaps Porzingis, many people thought that pairing him with Luka Doncic would make them unstoppable.
That never happened. So when Dallas traded Porzingis to the Wizards, many assumed that it was mostly just a salary dump reset to get the big man off of their contract books. He had a lucrative deal, and maybe it was just time for the two sides to go their separate ways.
Big props and apologies to @SDinwiddie_25, @MaxiKleber, @ReggieBullock35 and the @dallasmavs supporting cast. I knew @luka7doncic and @jalenbrunson1 would show up. I doubted the rest. I was WRONG AS HELL. Point Blank. Congrats to the @dallasmavs & Mark Cuban.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 16, 2022
Few people saw the Mavs as a team that would go on to make the Western Conference Finals, and apparently, one of those Dallas doubters was ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
I couldn’t find anything particularly crazy that Smith said about the trade. However, it sounds as if the talking head wasn’t convinced that role players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Maxi Kleber, and Reggie Bullock would move the needle.
Apology accepted 🤝 https://t.co/8r5qkY9vgq
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) May 16, 2022
Dinwiddie has had an up-and-down tenure with the Mavericks thus far, but his highest high came in Game 7 against Phoenix. He finished with 30 points on an efficient 15 attempts from the field.
He was 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, and he did not record a single turnover in his 25 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, the combo guard also wanted the ESPN personality that he was forgiven for ever doubting him — or anyone else on Dallas.
The Tip-Off
Many ugly things happened when the Mavericks eliminated the Suns. But the ugliest was probably whatever happened with DeAndre Ayton:
“Although nothing was captured on the television broadcast, some observers reported that Phoenix head coach Monty Williams asked Ayton if he wanted to play.
As to what was said, we can only speculate and assume. But if he never checked back in the game and other coaches had to get involved, the logical conclusions that can be drawn are not pretty.
Reporters have even used the word “altercation” to describe what happened.”
Phoenix had the best record in the NBA during the regular season, but as the postseason continued, Ayton’s role within the Suns’ offense dwindled.
As such, when he hits restricted free agency this offseason, I’m especially curious to see how the organization values the former No. 1 overall pick.
One to Watch
TUESDAY: Heat (-1.5, -125) vs. Celtics (+102), O/U 203.5, 8:30 PM ET
The road to the NBA Finals no longer goes through Milwaukee, as Boston officially took out the defending champions by eliminating the Bucks. The Celtics, especially Jayson Tatum, have looked outstanding of late.
But they are not favored in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Finals. The favorite is the Heat, who finished as the top seed in the East in 2021-22. Both these teams play a punishing defensive style, and I can’t wait to see how Miami will handle the hot-handed Tatum.
Who’s in and out?
— Celtics: Marcus Smart (foot) is questionable against Miami
— Heat: Kyle Lowry (hamstring) is questionable against Boston
— Warriors: Otto Porter (foot) is questionable against Dallas
Shootaround
— Patrick Beverley eviscerated Chris Paul while on ESPN’s Get Up
—Devin Booker’s ‘Luka Special’ trash talk completely backfired
—Tyrese Maxey discusses playing with James Harden long term with Sixers
— HoopsHype’s Yossi Gozlan previewed the offseason for the Suns
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