04-12-2021, 11:57 PM
(04-12-2021, 11:49 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: It actually is because the right thing (cutting/rotating to the open spot up position) is not an option when the ballhandler cannot get past his defender. More often than not the ball ends up back in his hands anyway. Richardson or THJ try to create something. Waste most of the shot clock and Luka bails them. Gets the ball with 10s left and tries to create something.
Again. Would be a different story if his teammates could actually create something. RCs offense actually encourages multiple ballhandlers. Multiple drive and kicks for the best possible shot attempt (JJB-Devin bench units).
Last seasons cast was doing a much better job. Not only because they could shoot. Better ballhandling and passing as well (Barea, Curry, Wright). They did not rely on THJ to create of the dribble. He was a spot up only guy.
Numbers are really telling the story:
289.6 passes per game last season (15th)
270.4 passes this season (27th)
24.6 ast last season (14th), 46.3 pot ast (14th)
22.4 ast this season (28th), 42.7 pot ast (27th)
Luka pass attempts per game are down by four compared to last season. Not enough to explain the overall lack of ballmovement. There is a legit case that Luka is the only player with above average passing vision on the entire roster (maybe Melli as well, not sure about the rookies). Brunson, Burke and THJ are score first guys with questionable decision making and awareness. Richardson can make easy reads but rarely creates for others. More often than not his attempts end with a drive or a mirange pull up. Maxi, DFS and the bigs can barely but the ball on the floor.
Not saying that they are bad players. Just questioning the overall roster construction. Mavs lost more than just shooting. They lost playmaking and for lack of words offensive bball IQ and awareness.
I read some article recently that the Mavs are looking for another guard next to Luka. So they realize the issue too. Plus that tells me they are on the correct path to not get Luka to fall into bad habits. Maybe they went a bit overboard this year with the 3 and D guys around Luka that they overlooked the value of a legit 2nd option ball handler. But again there are plenty of plays where Luka can cut and move too when he is off the ball. The FO can do better. Teammmates can do better. Luka can do better too.
The Mavs are doing the correct thing. Let us see how this team and Luka looks in a couple of years. Hopefully he is not wearing a different team uni by then.