MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[KillerLeft]

But which moves were moves in the wrong direction? I don't think they were necessarily making moves in a wrong direction. Their problem for 5 years was that they have really no direction. Wanting to be contenders, but not puting everything in to be one. Not tanking or developing on the other hand. They were also failing at what they actually wanted to do. They thought KP is the right piece next to Luka, they failed. They didn't want to let Brunson go, they failed. They didn't want 2020 rookies to not succeed, other than Green (to an extent) they failed. They wanted to sign complementary low level stars like Kemba and Lowry, but failed. I don't remember them spending cash to buy a SRP or correct some of the mistakes. Missed a bunch of opportunities like not getting value for cap space twice. Other than throwing 2nd rounders around like candy, they didn't trade draft capital. Always keeping the powder dry for that next star, which is the strategy that I do hold against them. 

I don't think anything is much different in a big picture. What is their direction? They brought Kyrie in, which is a short term move. Than they did a bunch of long term moves. So when those long term moves will be ready, Kyrie will be worse or gone. Failed to bring the good complementary pieces. Even if one believes Green and GW are credible starters, we all know they have huge hole on the C position. Still have plenty of players that don't fit the need. 

I said many times. I am fine with those moves they made. I hope all kids they have will become good players. What I firmly believe is missing, is a couple of complementary players to bridge the gap between now and the time the kids are ready. And I consider this part a failure. And if I quote Stein - THEY know they have not done enough.

I don’t see it as a success or failure based on all moves being EITHER win now OR long term. I think Kyrie could be moved pretty easily to add pieces and capital for the long term plan, or, if things go better than expected soon, some of the long term assets they added could be used to get more win now guys. What they’ve done is turned a complete lack of attractive assets into a pile of them really quickly. That seems like a plan, to me, and they’re not painted into an inflexible corner the way it’s felt like they were the past couple of years. They’re giving themselves real options, which I don’t personally think they’ve had since that awful Porzingis disaster.

And, this next point isn’t really a defense of anything we’re discussing, but this is the first summer I’ve felt was actually different since the big GM shakeup. Idk if it’s Lindsey, just that Harrison and Finley are finally finding their sea legs, or just an aimless, flash-in-the-pan abnormal summer, but it has me intrigued enough to want to watch what happens next. This might be a little lost on you since you joined us when Luka did, but the playbook they ran for the first 3-4 years of his career was pretty similar to what they’d been doing since Cuban bought the team. Trust me, this is DIFFERENT for the Mavs. 

I know it’s frustrating that they’re having to dig themselves out of a hole so deep, but I honestly believe this will prove to be a good summer, not only for the team, but for Luka’s career, too. Finally, I can imagine them being out there with a 25-27 year old Luka, loads of people wanting to play with him, and the assets to actually acquire them.