IZTOK DIAGNOSES DECLINE OF MAVS OFFENSE

[Kammrath]

I guess I just consider the PR skillset a huge part of the necessary GM bag of tricks. Hell, I could even be wrong about that in the first place, but if I'm not, then I just find it surprising that someone poached from the athletic wear branding world, someone supposedly used to fighting for superstar clients, wouldn't be a little more practiced in such situations. I just expected him to be much more "smooth" than he has seemed to me, so far. 

If he had a player evaluation background, like if he had been a video coordinator or a scout or something, I might expect things like interviews to be new for him. With his background I assumed he'd have the "snake oil salesman" part of the job down to a science already.

I'm not saying this is any reason for concern (other than the obvious concern we should all have with ANY unproven GM). It's just my honest takeaway from what we've seen, thrown into the pot for discussion.

The GM doesn't need to be the face of the franchise from a PR standpoint, so for me I am much more concerned about how is he one on one with players and other GMs, etc. We KNOW for a fact players love him, but it is an open question on how he is with other GMs and how they perceive him. 

I also personally LOVE that he doesn't come across as a BSing "snake-oil salesman" or "good old boy" (like Donnie). What you see is what you get. At least that is my impression and I love it. That's why I compared him to Dirk. 

And no question he is 100% unproven as a GM, but none of the evidence we have so far has me concerned in the least. If the TDL rolls by with nothing, I will get more anxious or if some questionable moves happen then, but my eye is mostly on this summer. This will be the "summer of Nico" IMO.