(03-11-2025, 08:47 AM)bubbler86 Wrote: My side is around the thought that the Mavs making the playoffs gives Mavs fans something to root for, even if the most likely result is failure very early. Lots of people are angry, rightfully so, but I would rather see AD, Gaff, etc, back (if fully healthy) and the Mavs trying to make the final 8. We just went through one tank a few years ago. I do not have any say in it, so it may just be 8-10 players to close out the season.
Right on as to the 9th vs. 14th, but I do not see how they can get there, acknowledging that the players are going to try. Even if they go 4-12 to close out the season, they still have 37 wins, which means teams 9 and below have to go above .500 to finish the season. They were in the Phoenix game until the end...they are being competitive. If they could realistically get down into the meat of the lottery, I would feel different. I will opine that unless they get into the top of the draft, I do not see how this draft changes their currently depicted ugly period coming in a few years.
I only commented about not posting because I am such a low-volume poster; I did not want to stir up anything. It was directed at you or your post.
This team is in less shape to compete than the one that tanked two years ago. That tank got Derrick Lively. A tank this year could be similarly fruitful. It does not help that this organization has a history this season of bringing guys back early in desperation and getting them injured again (AD being the biggest example). They should probably shut down AD. If they don't, he will carry a massive load when he gets back and will be in danger of another reinjury.