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

[Chicagojk]

Has anyone looked at the January schedule?

I know that December looked like a tough month. This is worse, IMHO. Two games against Portland (if we lose either of those games, regardless of margin, it's objectively time to whip out the Team Tank thread), followed by 13 games of which the closest opponents to cupcakes are Ja-Memphis, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Orlando. It's a murderers' row.

Pretty clear the team will finish the month sub-.500. Doesn't the KP pick turn into 2025 seconds if it doesn't convey this year? What a tough position for Nico and Lindsay. I understand that Luka can best preserve his integrity and bank account by remaining a Mav, but I start to sweat seriously about this if we don't make the playoffs this year. I believe that Lively and OMax will be near-All-Star caliber starters by year three for both of them (well, maybe year four for OMax), but that's quite a while to wait. The Kyrie timeline ship may have sailed. A panic trade that clutters cap could further ruin future prospects. Glad I'm not the GM. So unfortunate with how well they did with Lively and Exum (and DJJ, while not starting caliber, should be a good rotation piece for them) this past offseason. Green and GWill look like minor mistakes.

At this point, I think the best thing to salvage the season is to fire Kidd as coach ASAP. Not sure how long it takes the FO to see that, though.

I don't see it happening.   Kidd has the two biggest stars on his side.  He has positioned himself well.  I agree though, if this team were to miss the playoffs or lose in the playin, his job should be in jeopardy.  

Luka was great in December.   When he has an off game, I always wonder is this how we want to play?   Luka takes the most shots and is the best player on the court.  When he isn't, we are going to lose.   Do we just need to surround him (and Kyrie) with long defenders and go with it?   Or do we find guys and let Luka's brilliance empower them at what they do well?   Looking at Jalen's and KP's growth once they left Dallas makes we wonder if we should be doing things differently.   KP was never healthy so it is probably not fair to put his failure on this.   Luka has guys who he undoubtedly makes better.   But they sort of got to do things his way.   Is that the way it is or should we look to do things differently?