George Karl wants his team to face Dallas Mavericks in playoffs
There are very few people in professional basketball, specifically in the National Basketball Association, who would wish to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs.
But, Denver Nuggets coach, George Karl, thinks that it will be the best for his team to face the Mavericks, rather than face another dangerous team.
Dallas Mavericks, who lost the season series 1-3 to the Denver Nuggets (48-30), lost another recent contest against them, 104-96.
The Mavs are now just carrying a one game advantage over Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. Dallas Mavericks have lost four straight and are at the third position in the Western Conference. They have just four games remaining in the regular
season. So it means that Oklahoma still has a chance to leave Dallas behind and propel forward in its division championship.
The four-time NBA All-Star, George Karl, when asked about which teams he would choose to play against if given the option, said that it would be 55 per cent for Dallas, and 45 per cent for Oklahoma City, the reason being that the OKC and Karl’s team, the
Nuggets, are athletic and have great players.
By great players he was mean't, Kevin Durant, and, Russell Westbrook, who play at the forward and point guard position respectively.
He is concerned and his statement was a clear proof of that when he stated, "They have two All-Stars, who are really in their prime and have never won on the playoff stage. I just think right now our speed might have more effect against Dallas than it will
against Oklahoma City".
Dallas seems to have lost their winning spark as the regular season is coming to an end. They have failed to win their previous four games and have gone 8-9 after letting go of a 21-1 run. They have even been beaten in nine games played against the Western
Conference teams heading into the playoffs.
Coach Karl said that, "I personally like to be in a better mode of winning more games than probably Dallas". He further added that he wants to be winning while heading into the playoffs. He also said that some coaches don’t want to do that but it’s his personal
thinking that it’s not necessary that a team wins every game but they have to be in a winning state.
The coach appreciated the Mavs and said that they are a veteran team, who understand how to perform in playoffs and that’s what gives them the benefit of his doubt. Karl anticipated that the Mavericks would be energized for the playoffs.
Looking back at the playoff matchups of 2009, the Nuggets won five games against the Mavericks in the second round. They have also dominated them this season, 3-1.
The Mavericks being less offensive make it easy to defend. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best shooting forwards the league has and he is currently leading the Mavs, who are at 28th position in the league in scoring from the painted area and hold
26th position for their free throws.
However, Karl is convinced that the Mavericks' strength can turn into their weakness. He said that the Mavericks have this ability to score by shooting jump shots and that’s their strength. He also appreciated Rick Carlisle and said that he is a very good
offensive coach, who gets good opening shots from his team.
The wise coach closed the conversation by saying that jump shots are not that reliable as scoring from the painted area is. He wished that the Mavericks would score more from the foul line and from the area around the basket.
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