(01-16-2023, 08:17 PM)cow Wrote: I was trying to leave JB out of this, but since we are here. We certainly miss the player. With the Mavs "swapping" JB for Wood, I thought there was potential for the team to be as good as the previous year, but different but also potential to be a worse team. Turns out the second is true. A lot of that has to do with JB as a player, but I can't help but think we are missing his leadership the most.
Something is off with this team. What's new? Din's role. McGee. Wood. We know about McGee's past maturity issues. We know Washington was eager to get rid of both of Din and Bertans and we know some of that had to do with their locker room. We know teams have treated Wood like a hot potato. We've heard nothing and have really seen nothing to give us indicators that these guys are causing issues. What's missing? JB.
And a little backpedaling to McGee. I'm not trying to start an apology tour for him He's mostly been dreadful, but I don't think he's really been given a fair shake and that was even before the season started. We saw clips of Mavs scrimmages with Luka calling him "Joel" which is not only disrespectful but also tells you how much use Luka has for him as a basketball player.
I have sat through 20 years of NBA professionals and fans misspelling and pronouncing Dirk´s name. I doubt there was any malicious intent on Luka´s part. He simply didn´t know the bum's name. And that was intended disrespect.
(01-16-2023, 08:53 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: For the first time in his career the +/- numbers support this case. The team collapses when he isn´t on the floor. Leading to Kidd´s choice to just play Luka without any rest.
He is averaging 40.3 minutes in january. Played the entire second half (plus OT) in multiple games. And leads the entire league in mpg.
I assume the graphics are the same on all broadcasts? Anyway the Blazers broadcast showed that the Mavs are the #1 offensive team, when Luka is on the floor and 30th, when he is not. LOL.