2021-2022 MAVS NEWS: 4th in West | WCF loss [ARCHIVED]

[mavsluvr]

I also find it remarkable that Bob’s word parsing seems to be given credence in the article and in your post. When Luka asks who is in charge, Rick or Bob, it is not an adequate response to say, “It’s not me, it’s my data.” Neither is it adequate to point to the org chart and say “I’m just a consultant.” Pointing to several recent occasions on which Rick disregarded Bob’s advice (er, Bob’s data’s advice) might be persuasive. But the bald assertion that RC declined “some” suggestions is no denial. 

And I don’t blame the reporters for publishing this shit. Like Geico, if you’re an internet reporter, it’s what you do. I only blame them for lacking analytical skills and the wherewithal to write an interesting piece that is actually about the game. 

For those of you who made it this far, thanks for listening to an old man’s rant.

Always happy to receive your input, jb. 

I personally agree that I would have preferred a basketball analysis piece. However, it is very possible (and even likely) that a front-office piece will get way more views than a good X's and O's presentation. I was recently reading someone on one of the media sites lamenting that they couldn't do more articles analyzing the games because there is a much smaller audience for that than for examinations of other aspects of the operation. 

I didn't perceive anything in the article or my summary that particularly gave credence to Bob's views, other than the fact of reporting his views at all perhaps indicating that they were worth hearing. With respect to his recommendations, I thought he was pretty clear that he thought he was providing input to Rick that Rick was free to use or disregard as he saw fit. Rick may or may not have felt internal pressure to accept Bob's recommendations. He suggests that people may have perceived that he had more power than he did, because of his unique access to Cuban. Seems like there was a case of inadequate communication and lines of authority all around. Is it more complicated than that?

If McMahon had published an interview with Cuban's neighbor complaining that he won't keep his yard weeded, I would find it offensive as a non-basketball piece. However, the operation of the team organization gets to the heart of how the team functions, and I don't see it as somehow off limits. 

I am not saying that Bob, or anyone else, is right or wrong. Honestly, I'm not even sure why this article is perceived as particularly offensive jourrnalistically, since it is mostly incremental to what had already been reported. However, it seems perfectly reasonable not to like it, and I respect that feeling and even share it to a degree. 

I think where we might have a point of disagreement is the view that McMahon/ESPN have some sort of animus toward Cuban or the Mavs organization, and are using their megaphones to try to destroy them. I actually think these guys are just out there trying to make a living, like the rest of us. 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!