Were the Mavs 'a Klay Thompson Away' from Winning the NBA Title? | Dallas Mavericks Podcast

[@AbelTTU]

I think Nico knows we were more than a Klay away. I think its just a matter of wanting Klay to feel wanted which is huge for Klay’s confidence and potentially his play. I also think its to show how the Mavs care about there players and maybe showcasing that to future free agent options

[@hardywoodaway9912]

old intro was too iconic, why change

[@Sgt_Pineapples]

bc change is good :)

[@morriscastillo9587]

Let it ride would feel different

[@hardywoodaway9912]

@@Sgt_Pineappleschange is good when something doesn’t work, but never touch a running system

[@ericmmelin]

The new one slaps. I’m glad there’s a rotation. Plus, no more Issac / new rotating co-hosts = new era to me

[@DoomerMavsFan]

Nick was probably asked to include the female announcer to streamline with other locked on channels. We don't watch for the intro, so it's kind of a non-issue. Intro change was needed, but It could definitely be improved over the season.

[@Smido83]

Before watching the Video... no... We were one Klay away from making the Finals competitive. We were one good Klay, one efficient Kyrie and one healthy Luka away from winning the Finals.

[@hottake8940]

Noooo don't change the locked on mavs intro!!!!!

[@Kelbonobo]

Just for the offszn

[@deadlylightningspirit4295]

They were a klay+healthy Luka+competent kyrie away

[@dannysmuzic1807]

Also, a home-court advantage throughout the post-season away. No chance if that last season, but with a full season, DAL should have that in 2025.

[@Xlaeflicks]

Depends, if Klay’s defense is better than it was last season & Lively becomes a descent shooter, the Mavs could even be better than Boston. But otherwise, I think they’d still be likely to lose. They have a much better chance now with Klay & Naji though.

[@beastscale1892]

Kyrie was gassed from the playoffs as anyone can see that fatigue was affecting him and Luka after going through the West gauntlet. A floor spacer like Klay would've relaxed the opposing defense from doubles

[@user-bs8zt2gq1p]

No, Celtics 8 deep, Mavs 2 to 3 deep with quality dependable players. Not sure PJ or DJ even start for top 8 teams

[@deadlylightningspirit4295]

@@user-bs8zt2gq1p the games would at least be close and I’m taking the mavs in any close games

[@OneWingedAngelsBand]

I hate the new intro. It sounds too generic and mainstream. The old intro made Locked On Mavs sound unique, now it just sounds like every other Locked On podcast.

[@is0morph]

At this point you just gotta trust Nico

[@edwinblack-rw5xk]

You really don't. The tears at the end of the season sent us backwards

[@is0morph]

@@edwinblack-rw5xk no finals tears without him in the first place

[@reececisneros1622]

@@edwinblack-rw5xkare you an idiot? He’s done nothing but improve the mavs since he’s been with the organization

[@farukguney6894]

@@edwinblack-rw5xkThose tears was watching THJ and Powell before Nico and now its for finals.

[@mouseinthehouse_]

Unless he trades for Christian Wood, signs Javale McGee, signs Grant Williams, etc…

[@96wtfomg]

I miss the "If you don't believe you shouldn't be here." I feel like we need to constantly remind people so it was useful to have it there.

[@jariohtonen3676]

I think that Naji is a great addition.

[@leoreoibardo9294]

Great guest Nick! Welcome to Locked on Mavs Naji Marshall. 😎

[@diogodasilva5]

Lmaooo

[@manucide]

Go Mavs y Viva España! It came home, again

[@rolex739]

Nahhh gotta go back to the old intro… Fixing things that don’t need to be fixed.

[@wesdemaline7895]

I mean it's a new season, what makes an intro special is its exclusive to the vibe of that season. It might not be better but it is diffrent and I fuck with that

[@rolex739]

@@wesdemaline7895 so what if it’s a new season? It’s not going to have that “let it ride” type of vibe anymore which is very disappointing. If you’re going to change something at least make it better than it actually is and not fuck it up

[@wesdemaline7895]

@@rolex739 chill bro they had to end the Era plus the new season hasent started yet so it still may change. Give them a little break and if you don't like it don't watch 🤷‍♂️

[@rolex739]

@@wesdemaline7895 end of an era? wtf lol. Klay ends his era with the GSW and now all of sudden everything needs a new change? Lmao 🤡 And I mean ima still listen to it but I’ll skip the intro cause it’s wack asf now 🤷🏽‍♂️ if you don’t like what I’m saying then gtfo the way and move on

[@roneteus]

*To the tune of Enya* 🎵 Klay away, Klay away, Klay away🎵

[@jmaxwell5314]

Reggie is underrated in Mavs land..

[@michaelmarrero2569]

3 things hurt us most in that final, Focus on defense/Luka complaining while Boston scoring at the same time. Accuracy/Reliable scoring and Speed. IND almost beat BOS 3 times why? Because they played with speed and they have this little speed bunny TJ McConnell that would leave defenders behind while shooters were moving and cutting. Reminds me of Barea at his prime nobody could handle his speed.

[@edwinblack-rw5xk]

Exactly. And we just gave away our 2 quickest players. Go figure. We're worse than we were a month ago.

[@vernvartdal6479]

DJJ was a lot more flashy than the Mavs are now which is cooler, but not better than last year. Due to the depth difference with Marshall and Grimes we may be better on D now. Klay will not be on the court massive minutes. Lively can surprise again and each year for a while.

[@riccardo_7973]

We'll see

[@Punchybarnard]

Last year keef said he was coming back before he resigned and he did. I think nicks battle Royale between aj and ajinca is spot on.

[@Mikeoxloooong]

Do think we have to pump the brakes with Omax a bit. He’s being asked to do things in summer league that aren’t part of his game the same way they did with Hardy last year. I thought defensively he was quite good. Offensively he needs guys to set him up and the only one on this roster that can do that is Williams and he’d rather just score himself

[@highimwolf]

True, I'm high on OMax still. I wish player development coaches would help him with driving and finesse to do a fadeaway or floater and not just only go for layups and get blocked if defense is overplaying.

[@Mikeoxloooong]

I mean realistically his offensive role on the team is sit in the corner and hit threes and attack close outs when necessary, not give him the ball and let him cook like they did yesterday. I get wanting to add new things to his game but the spacing was so bad game 1 that he was driving into 3 dudes every time

[@reececisneros1622]

If any mavs fan thought a 2nd year player was going to provide impactful playoff/regular season minutes, you’re either idiotic or buying too hard into the hype this show brought to him. Rookies/young guys RARELY are as impactful as Lively was and impactful young guys in general are far and few between in the NBA.

[@mouseinthehouse_]

@@reececisneros1622 So when should they expect a first round draft pick to make an impact? In ten years? Never? Come off it. The Mavs need to squeeze every bit of production from their roster with these cap rules, they can’t afford to have guys on rookie deals not contributing.

[@Mikeoxloooong]

@@reececisneros1622 don’t think anyone excepts him to be as good as Lively but they are similar in the way that they need their offence created for them. If his G-League shooting can transition to nba level he’s easily a rotation player. Unfortunately the way the summer league team has been put together he can’t play to his strengths offensively

[@matthieusaade3616]

I love you guys , but please get rid of that new intro 😢. The old one is perfect, how are we letting it ride with this one ?

[@AdamHammond-]

Regarding 3 point disparity. A normal 5-game stretch from Klay last year was 17.5/45. So him going 22/55 in the Finals wouldnt be unheard of.

[@ryansonofhud]

@nickangstadt Kirby Yates is a certified OG. Dude can throw the ball real good

[@mavsdebator]

Does a 1-1 replacement of DJJ with Klay guarantee a championship?... No, but that's not the question Nico is answering. But does adding an 18-20 ppg, 40% 3-pt shooter make the game easier enough for Luka & Ky to produce up to their potential & on top of adding Klay's production, make the series go 7 games? It's not impossible. Mavs were outclassed by BOS because Luka & Ky underperformed to their own abilities for whatever reason, justified or not. But I think the overall upgrade of Klay, Naji, & Grimes taking over THJ, DJJ, & Green minutes is massive & will have a much larger effect than most people are giving credit for.

[@beastscale1892]

Underperformed because they was gassed from the West gauntlet of teams while the Celtics didn't face no one to make them sweat. Giannis and the Bucks were their biggest threats and they didn't play.

[@phearunos5201]

1. I agree with Nico. Klay Thompson is more than a spot up shooter and his gravity alone will help everyone else on the court. There will be offball action with him that creates shots for other players. The difference will be larger than most realize. 2. 😂 Nick Nurse is the 76ers coach. Doc Rivers is the Bucks coach.

[@DJCinthaBoy]

The Mavs are better now than they were in the Finals, that’s good enough for me. Nobody they could’ve gotten during free agency would’ve raised the needle as much as Klay

[@UltimateLuka25]

Intro beat slaps hardddd

[@jmsjolly05]

I agree with this statement.. we were hoping that Hardaway would of gotten and stayed hot behind the arc.. if he was a solid 3 point shooter, that would of changed our whole offensive approach. Just think about it , we weren't able to activate our offense to the fullest and we still made the finals. Can you imagine adding at least 25-30 points from 3. 3 point shooters change the whole game my man

[@96wtfomg]

In paper the Mavs have made a straight upgrade this offseason. The ball is now in J. Kidd's court to properly manage the rotation, including potentially sitting a player that has more rings than the entire franchise.

[@JadensWisdom]

All we need is for lively to become a stretch 5 now, that will change the game completely

[@MickHogarth]

"Airfryer"- Nick Can we get this asap sound bite and you play it every time Klay cooks

[@AnthonyWilliams840]

It's not necessarily Klay Thompson per se. It's more the skill set Klay and the other new Mavs brings. I would recommend an article by Dan Gilinsky, where he talks about what Naji & Grimes bring to the Mavs. It's a good read, and I think those 2 additions will give the Mavs something they will need next season, and that's making those regular season games less taxing physically. Nico talked about the team running out of gas in the Finals, whereas the Celtics more or less cruised through the regular season, making them look more fresh than Dallas in the Finals.

[@fabriziopace1]

We still need a good playmaker when the starters rest

[@datboytrav]

He gives them the spacing they desperately needed in that Celtics series. Idk if they win but they would’ve been infinitely more competitive

[@Mai.707.89]

I already knew the Celtics were going to win over the mavs. I didn’t even watch the game. I stopped watching after the warriors lost to kings. Since you have klay on the mavs now, this is definitely worth the watch

[@richardcase9165]

@nick we are a lay-up line maxi misalot and a Super Dwight replacement away that's why Melvin, 0-max and Whaley are so important

[@lakritz1987]

The difference is if we need the best skill of Klay (our third best player), we must sub him in and take on of our top two guys out. Boston on the other hand can play it’s best 5 (!) guys at the same time.

[@Smido83]

I dont get your point... can you write it one more time in english please?

[@kalithechamp1412]

5 3s a game literally makes up the 3 point gap. Klay was taking those

[@kibeeen]

Reggie Adetula looks like the Melvin Anjinça

[@circaen]

Luka being healthy & looking like himself completely changes everything on the floor. Having guys that can do a little more now. Klay. Guys having gone through last year. Plus the east looks like it will put up more resistance next year. The Mavs did not have the juice to go against a fresh Celtics team. There are enough tweaks and changes where Mavs chances are better this year.

[@JJW419]

I don't care what nobody says, Naji will bring the toughness and more consistent shooting that DJJ didn't have. Grimes will bring a bench piece that can put up 20 on any given night that josh green didn't have. And Klay will bring the consistent shot making and ability to spread the floor that THJ didn't. Mavs are a much better team, and they can compete with anyone including Boston. If they play to their abilities, there is no team that they can't beat in a 7 game series. DLive will be a borderline all-star and in the convoy for DPOY. I know it all sounds optimistic, but come a 7 game series and you have Luka Doncic with these pieces, give me the Mavs in 6.

[@13spettit]

We were title contenders last season. If you think we've gotten better, even marginally, then you have to think we are contenders again this coming season.

[@fredsandford9342]

One klay away just means HIGH PERCENTAGE SHOOTERS. What good is a playmaker If the others don't hit shots

[@be3beru708]

Nick got no faith in Nico. Mans made 3 great moves and Nick STILL SCARED OF BOSTON🤦🏾‍♂️😭

[@rmr9345]

No arguing with the success (Nico). Think this way if Mavs offense was better (if Klay like shooting was there) wouldn’t Celtics defense become a tad worse? Had Mavs offense kept going for longer stretches Celtics defense would have started losing their game. Come on, what happens to Centics defense against Heats and Knicks? Brunson alone could have taken them to game six.

[@tylerb1851]

I like the new intro tell these haters to stop complaining all the time

[@edouble9573]

get Tyus Jones on a discount and the team is a no doubt title contender. easily the best team in the west

[@aw3some470]

must say nick clearly missunderstood what finley said. To me he meant that they werent the answer to building the perfect team because every team has flaws even the 6 time champ bulls had flaws but that doesnt say that its not the best team in the league (not saying the mavs are we have to wait and see)

[@kIdkilla7]

I told you guy's during sac series last year,that we was getting klay..check records

[@williammarple8109]

Intro is New Coke.

[@martinh5182]

Does “one Klay away” sort of depend on whether Klay’s expected reduced energy expended on offense translates into elevating his defensive prowess to get it somewhere close to what it was pre-injuries? No doubt Klay will start, right? (meaning, if he was resigned, DJJ’s impact was going to be lessened). OMax has not yet looked like a basketball player to me - not smooth or skilled enough compared to what I believe I normally see in top performers. Ajinca (does he really pronounce his name with an accent on the second syllable, or is his name pronounced more like the word syllable?), on the other hand, has observably to me a much smoother gait, has a better looking shot, and just generally looks more like a basketball player who needs to bulk up (not comparing, but young Giannis had similarities, although no one has called Ajinca the “next Dr. J” like the Mavs GM did - whose plea to draft Giannis went ignored).

[@doug7von]

Who would’ve said we was PJ and Gafford away from going to the finals

[@thabangmatsepe863]

Yoh defensive issues were overrated the problem is our offense wasnt so geeat

[@dannysmuzic1807]

I agree, Klay is an upgrade over Timmy. But Holiday killed us with OR put-backs, layups, cuts to the rim etc ... That's why I want Dennis Smith. BUT, if Mavs have home-court throughout post-season, Luka/Kai will be more rested, like Boston was. Mavs only had 22 games together. 2025 is different. One more thing, if Mavs have home-court, Kyrie doesn't even have to win a game in Boston, if they meet again. But Celtics are not going back imo, because there will never be another road to Finals more injury laden by opponents stars than theirs. Also, DAL won't make it back without their starting defensive 2/SG, Jonesy imo. Need a defender in back-court w/ Kai. We'll see.

[@danielw.9026]

the gap was wide because the mavs played terrible they were tired had nothing left most notably luka and kyrie if they play up to their standard and ad thompson and a little more from the role players the gap is not as big as you think having said all that they are still one playmaker/shotmaker away!

[@highimwolf]

Luka injury played a role. But Kyrie always plays bad vs Celtics. And Mavs just don't play good vs Celtics as a whole.

[@danielw.9026]

@@highimwolf kyrie always plays bad against boston is a little bit to easy the question is why? i don't know, but its in the past now he is gona have good games against boston streaks are there to be broken!😃

[@beastscale1892]

​@@highimwolf Kyrie avg 20ppg just like Jaylen Brown. The issue was the Mavs spacing with no 3pt shooters as Kyrie and Luka were exhausted from their playoff run

[@generallukeproductions]

Were they a Klay away from winning the 2024 Finals? No. But could Klay be the difference in the 2025 Finals? Yes.

[@toneSwan4041]

You said doc rivers is the coach of the 76ers?

[@ronmoody3001]

IF U DON'T THINK WE WERE A KLAY AWAY... THEM WHAT DO U THINK... HIS SHOOTIN WOULD'VE MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE

[@bbscott2828]

Klay Thomson - upgrade to the max three point shooting. Better at offense and defense than Hardaway. Grimes and Marshall as a combo - upgrade at offense and defense over combo of Green and Jones. Grimes and Marshall have both taken on the best point player of the other team. Jones may be the best defender of the bunch but NOT the best player of the bunch. Read that last sentence again

[@OhmyZephyrus]

I mean if we had a Timmy, we could have done a bit more but he wasn’t ready going into the finals 🤷‍♂️

[@chunkymay1650]

Nick, do not “Let it Ride” with that new intro 😢

[@jackastor5265]

Does anyone acknowledge at all that the best player on the court was Luka who was playing on a sprained knee? Think the Mavs struggles had anything to do with that? Sheesh.

[@johncrabtree8857]

I don't expect much from thompson maybe a slight upgrade from thj

[@kornelpodembski3348]

Anything

[@robyncox9238]

Ohio is pretty exotic if you live in kentucky like me.

[@nestoraguilar5811]

“If it’s not broke don’t fix it” hopefully this is just off season intros

[@kennethdelacruz4444]

I think this is Luka need long time ago he has kyrie, klay as shooter naji a good defender Quitin grimes another good player, on the bench, kidd should manage how there role so the team will do balance offense and defense

[@kIdkilla7]

NICK ASK A QUESTION, AN ANSWER IT IN THE SAME SENTENCE..

[@Levski011]

.....Hmmmm yeah we were Klay,Naji, Grimes away.... all more consistent 3 pt shooters than THJ, Josh and DJJ....sooo assuming major improvement in one player swap, and improved shooting plus same defence in the other two player swaps....yeah we can push Boston to 7 and win with that lineup.....To answer the question with All the upgrades not just Klay yes absolutely.... assuming all the youth improves we are a lot better...Derick Lively will start hitting more threes we will run both Gafford and Lively at the same time. Kidd will experiment with lineups for sure....I will say this again 1-3 is where we will be ranked in the regular season and less pressure on Luka, more ball movement, with some screen and roll catch and shoot action plays designed for Klay....the offense will change mark my words...

[@markyoung9]

Come on. When you’re thumped 4-1 and most of the wins were runaways, you’re not one 34 year old player away. But if Lively, PJ find more consistent offense, then that’s getting there.

[@samuelquinones6964]

Luca play in one leg ,to many miss free throws,Boston,Denver, even clippers,they should be ok w 17 points from Klay and 15 from center positions they lost by a few points

[@HowsSIGHTS]

what was that inteo

[@matthew.kunovic]

London aint all that.

[@jnmc2498]

It’s amazing for visitors. Every big city is. Very different experience compred to a citizen.

[@TheBoki000]

I think bigger then anythingnit was luka being injured..luka on a bum lag was able to kill boston had 30pt imagine him in that post AS period going against boston Man it would have been over and him also having a klay ...its the end

[@user-bs8zt2gq1p]

We got to the finals, Great. But no way do we beat the Celtics if we would have had won. Why?.1. Luka was too beat up and did not play up to his standard. 2. Irving was a no show except for the one game we won when he played well. PJ, DJ, Exum, THJ, Hardy lights definitely too bright for them. Green & Liv some good but some not so good. Celtics were 8 deep with 3 players on the US National team and clearly Brown should have been as well. That puts Tatum, Holiday, Green & Brown being the USA top 12 players. No we are not title contenders yet, we missed Curiso which would have been solid. We added Klay, Grimes and Naji. Great pickups. But to get in top 4 teams ( Celtics, Thunder, Nuggets and Timberwolves) I would have liked to see: Luka, Irving, Klay, LM from Jazz and Liv. Second unit: Exum, Curiso, PJ, Naji and Gafford. Next three rotation players Hardy, OMax and Pat Bev. The rest trade em or get young development players or add Kennard as another 3 point shooter then keep Powell and Morris on min contracts to complete roster.

[@MC-ej4to]

One team that I think is going to get significantly better that these guys are forgetting about is the Memphis Grizzlies I really believe they're going to be better than Denver and I think they're going to be right there with Minnesota. I think the Pacers could be very very good in the East as well. They got to the ECF without Matherin, and Walker

[@Smido83]

Without Mathurin, yes... but Coulibaly is not a Pacer. Not sure who you are talking about...

[@MC-ej4to]

@@Smido83 totally meant Walker. Who os a heck of a defender.

[@Smido83]

@@MC-ej4to Ah... ok, that makes a bit more sense. 😉 But him being injured was as impactfull as O-Max Prosper being injured for Dallas. He wouldnt've played any real minutes to begin with. I mean he was a backup to the backup in the reg Season, and there was basically no playing time left after the Siakam Trade at PF...

[@MC-ej4to]

@@Smido83 well it would have helped on the defensive end because he was a big body. People don't realize how much those guys matter until you get to that point in the playoffs. I love Reggie Bullock and DFS but we needed more wings. Dallas wore those dudes down and when the Warriors game they had more depth. Wings win rings

[@Smido83]

@@MC-ej4to Turner/Siakam/Toppin/Jackson... all 6'8 ot taller. There was simply no place for Walker this season. Not to mention he was healthy and averaged 3.4 minutes... like I said, he wasnt important at all.

[@ppquicksilver]

you talking about the euros at the beginning?! and lol you think that france won the euros and not spain?

[@emjaay80]

Boston Celtics may have a problem after the team USA players pick. It’s slowly bubling

[@NamPham-jk5zc]

Yeah Mavs were far away from a title unless we had prime Klay

[@michaelbrice5169]

I got to say I disagree. If we made shots we probably winning it.

[@dagnt8145]

Doc Rivers is the coach of who? Come on man .

[@denigster]

1 klay thompson 10 years ago - this klay is done

[@zacharylenson5399]

Nah Reggie is right, nuggets have lost so much depth and haven't replaced anyone That’s way to much on jokic, Murray and mpj have to many injuries and injury concerns, Holmes that rookie guy, just tore his acl was it ? He tore somthing and is out the year already

[@zacharylenson5399]

Well Nic already corrected me, it was his achilles

DJJ’s defense got better with the addition of PJ Washington and Gafford. Look at the Mavs defensive rating prior to that trade with DJJ? Ok so much for that false narrative about DJJ who was an offensive liability.

[@E4Mafiapowers]

I’d say he wasn’t necessarily an “offensive liability”. But he also wasn’t some generational top 10 wing defender or something, honestly just a serviceable bench 3 and D guy. I’ll miss his gritty defense and highlight dunks, but if you’re getting at how many 3 balls he missed I won’t miss it either!!!

[@everydayesteban]

DJJ is a huge offensive liability, low IQ player that cannot make the right basketball plays in the clutch. Nico has no patience for that he already had Naji line up.

[@T-Dogg121]

He only began starting after the trades.

[@dannysmuzic1807]

Jones was defending the 4/PF before the trade. After the trade, Jones went back to defending 2/SG, helping Kyrie in the back court.

[@harrisonhousley1574]

The intro isn’t iconic anymore 😢😢

[@doug7von]

Why second guess the man that got them their🤦🏿‍♂️ ungrateful

[@beattheovenludwigvan]

Nick do u buy a new phone if it get scratched by an ant?

[@eda2341_]

🦝

[@user-bs8zt2gq1p]

No not even close.

[@williamkent2446]

We lost 2 of the first 4 games by 7 points. I def believe we were one Klay away. Klau changes the game more than just 3 point shooting

[@colesturgill]

Nick has been really negative lately