12-05-2021, 11:32 AM
To put a bow on the original post, Luka and KP both sat against Memphis - who was also without their top two guys - and the Mavs lost a game about "the other guys".
The Mavs started Luka, THJ, DFS, Kleber and KP in last year's playoffs and those guys played 80% of the game.
Last night only Dorian started, and his time combined with THJ and Kleber accounted for only 40% of the minutes.
I started this thread noting the leadership (and maturity) vacuum on this team and it was indeed mainly targeted at Luka. He can be a much better leader on the floor. But Luka doesn't pick the lineups and he isn't the actual leader. That's the Head Coach.
I think it may be time for a critical examination of Jason Kidd's performance. We're 20 games in and this team has lost seven of nine, and it's last four at home. The top five guys on last year's playoff roster are still here yet they've started a grand total of zero games.
Maybe it's time to go back to what we know worked. This team sure looks like it's lacking direction. Kidd changed too much, too fast. The offense has tanked. The defense is inconsistent and middling at best. Basically nothing seems to be working and the team is spiraling.
My solution is to start the best five guys and see if we can get the team back on track. If KP and Kleber need to be load managed, that's fine, but don't limit their minutes when they play. You go Luka, THJ, DFS, Kleber, KP and play mostly five out. Brunson is your sixth man. Try to get guys in back in rhythm and playing like a playoff team. Then you mix-in Bullock, Brown, Ntilikina and the rest and let them earn more minutes.
If that doesn't work you really have to look seriously at a significant trade involving either KP for some rotation guys (a Westbrook to LA type deal worked well for the Wizards) or you deal rotation guys like Brunson + Kleber + DFS for a bigger name (Westbrook to LA in reverse).
The Mavs started Luka, THJ, DFS, Kleber and KP in last year's playoffs and those guys played 80% of the game.
Last night only Dorian started, and his time combined with THJ and Kleber accounted for only 40% of the minutes.
I started this thread noting the leadership (and maturity) vacuum on this team and it was indeed mainly targeted at Luka. He can be a much better leader on the floor. But Luka doesn't pick the lineups and he isn't the actual leader. That's the Head Coach.
I think it may be time for a critical examination of Jason Kidd's performance. We're 20 games in and this team has lost seven of nine, and it's last four at home. The top five guys on last year's playoff roster are still here yet they've started a grand total of zero games.
Maybe it's time to go back to what we know worked. This team sure looks like it's lacking direction. Kidd changed too much, too fast. The offense has tanked. The defense is inconsistent and middling at best. Basically nothing seems to be working and the team is spiraling.
My solution is to start the best five guys and see if we can get the team back on track. If KP and Kleber need to be load managed, that's fine, but don't limit their minutes when they play. You go Luka, THJ, DFS, Kleber, KP and play mostly five out. Brunson is your sixth man. Try to get guys in back in rhythm and playing like a playoff team. Then you mix-in Bullock, Brown, Ntilikina and the rest and let them earn more minutes.
If that doesn't work you really have to look seriously at a significant trade involving either KP for some rotation guys (a Westbrook to LA type deal worked well for the Wizards) or you deal rotation guys like Brunson + Kleber + DFS for a bigger name (Westbrook to LA in reverse).