AROUND the NBA:

[ballsrchr]

It is a tricky spot.   Losses will come but I have trouble rooting for losses.    I mean I watch the games and it is tough to watch them rooting for losses.  I know the season is over but I still want to see meaningful play and development.   I find it hard to root for loses and also playing people I have no interest in seeing their growth on the team.

It is a sucky place to be with teams like Utah, Washington, etc who have spent years rooting for the tank only to see the odds go against you and you drop down in the lottery.   Again, I understand that this pick is a very important asset and I am fine with losing (and even expect it), but I have trouble going into most games hoping for a bad loss.   Maybe if we didn't have Cooper, I would feel different.   Although, I probably wouldn't be watching the games than either.

I agree.  I'm not "rooting" for losses.  At the same time I know that losing is the way forward--for now--and that is really weird and uncomfortable.  I feel that each game should be an opportunity to work on basics, learn how to set up plays--and finish them with precision. Explore the qualities of the bench warmers, see how they perform in games under pressure.  I say "bench warmers"...anybody in the NBA is a pretty good basketball player.  But if you can't use them in the games--get somebody you can use.  In truth...going forward...these games should be high quality scrimmages.  To semi-quote someone else:  players should never tank.  They should give it all.  The tanking will be done by coaches and management. I don't think Kidd should be our coach of choice.

I've been watching the Mavs since 1982, through thick and thin.  If it wasn't for Flagg--I might think about taking the season off...

But Flagg is here.