Preseason Game 4: DET vs. DAL

[SleepingHero]

Looking at on/off numbers last season was the best of his career. Prior to the Kyrie trade he was carrying the team on his own. But even after the trade it wasn't really about Luka. Despite all the chemistry/coaching/fitness issues Luka/Kyrie lineups had a +4.2 net rating. It's fair to point out that Kyrie on his own performed better than Luka but we shouldn't forget that Luka has been dealing with nagging injury issues.

Very true. I've said something similar last year when people were discussing usage rates. Despite Luka's ball domination, he conjures up a top 5 NBA offense by himself alone. One that can rank historically too. So of course it doesn't make much sense to limit that. When I said my little comment of it being a fact the Mavs look better without Luka, I didn't mean that they were a better basketball team without him. I'm a Luka stan and everything points to Luka being fine on offense. My comment was more highlighting the ball movement issue vs. actually saying the Mavs are better without Luka (although now rereading it through the other lens I was not clear at all, whoopsie).

I think its quite obvious ball stagnation isn't a good quality to have in an NBA offense, even if the person holding the ball is one of the most prolific scorers of all time. It's a team sport. It will always be a team sport.

What it comes down to for the coaches (zero trust in Kidd to get this done) is the right balance. I don't think Luka needs to bring the ball up the court on every single possession. Mavs should try to push the pace instead of just looking for Luka. Luka doesn't need to initiate the action. Even if he isn't a willing catch and shoot option he can act as a screener or come around screens to force switches. At times even as a decoy that isn't touching the ball.
Looking back at last seasons numbers it is in the best interest of the team to increase his post touches. With improved chemistry and some basic read/react options (a little bit like Jokic in Denver) that should create more opportunities for cuts to the rim or simple swing passes after Luka collapses the defense.
But when it matters most I still want to see spread pick and roll with Luka as the primary ballhandler.

I've been quite dejected the last couple of weeks about this team's upcoming season, but this part of your comment gives me hope. Kidd doesn't inspire confidence and we're wasting every single day this dude is employed here, but a good coach could institute a similar system that Denver has that still plays to Luka's strengths. That's a good way to integrate more ball movement and overall offensive movement for some variety into the scheme without losing the core identity of what makes Luka the ball maestro that he is.

Anyways thank you for that.