12-04-2021, 04:15 PM
(12-04-2021, 04:04 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: The question was presented to Kidd as a somewhat aggressive query, I thought -- "You're always talking about this. Why do you think the team is tuning you out?"
I thought his answer seemed surprisingly honest. -- The team is built for shooting, not for defense. When the shooting isn't working out, and the team has to rely on defense, which they are not good at or well suited for, they tend to get frustrated that they are not able to be effective on either end of the floor. That can sometimes lead to their dropping their effort level, rather than continuing to struggle to the bitter end.
Kidd himself acknowledges that he is trying to run systems that the roster is not suited for. Maybe he needs to change the system to accommodate the players he has. Maybe he has a great system, and the front office needs to get him some players who can execute it. Additionally, other teams have, presumably, at least somewhat figured last year's Mavs out. They have to keep evolving, and he may or may not be leading them in the right direction.
I personally have some qualms about Kidd's ability to come up with the right systems. He has been guilty of imposing dated systems in the past, and it seems that he is mostly trying to turn this iteration of the Mavs into the Lakers lite. Additionally, he reportedly is trying to compensate for a reputation as being a coach players didn't like in the past, and may be leaning a little too far in the other direction now.
I don't put it all on Kidd, though. This is just one of a number of examples of the organization still being somewhat all over the place at every level, imo. Goals not matching resources. Lack of agreement on a direction and a means to get there. Seemingly in a wheel-spinning mode.
This is a reorganization year for them, so maybe Kidd and Nico just need a season to come up with a coherent and realistic vision.
This is a great post. Thanks for this.