Playoff Series Imponderables

[mavsluvr]

I don’t see how we could possibly know that in any way right now.

Agree, as fans, we can't know one way or the other. 

Are you talking about a bone/ligament deterioration, or a muscle type one?

I am referring to the cumulative deterioration of ligaments, cartilage, joints and bones that tends to strip NBA players, particularly super-tall ones, of their mobility as the years and injuries take their toll. Not presenting the potential decline as a fact, but a matter on which there appears to be a basis for concern.   

JJJ is a pretty solid gauge on this to me. Seeing him come back months after KP did, not sure why the bigger tendency isn’t to point to that.

One injury is different from another, and it is tough to compare them one-on-one without more specific information. 

Rather than believing something we couldn’t possibly know, I put my faith in the most likely scenario, he came back too soon and needs time to weight and basketball train.

I like your optimistic outlook, and as fans, there is a lot to be said for looking on the sunny side, cuz why not? The Mavericks organization presumably has much more info, and will need to make clear-eyed decisions. 


I think he comes back to begin the season showing us bubble KP and minus major injury, starts to peter out toward the middle/end of the season unless we load manage him like Kawhi.

That is indeed a possibility. 

If that actually takes place, I think the phones ring for him again.

The defense is a strength and conditioning thing mostly because he’s done well with it before. He can improve on it as well as his exit interview suggested he would. Strength and conditioning will help with his shot and stamina as well. 

Agree that strength and conditioning can only help. It won't solve problems like poor footwork and lack of mobility, but perhaps those won't be big issues with a healthy and strong KP.

The head stuff...that’ll subside with winning.

Could be.