(12-02-2022, 07:00 PM)sefant Wrote: Kidd has no clue how to coach the team
I'm still in wait and see mode on this tbh.
Kidd is clearly tinkering with lineups and still working stuff out. He's also a recent superstar player himself, who knows it's a long season and might not really care all that much about a loss to an undermanned team in November. This team's success, or failure will be judged on the playoffs.
Of course, they have to make it to the playoffs first and you'll count me among those carrying pitchforks if they don't. But I'm confident they will. There is no superteam in the West as far as I can tell and does it really matter if the Mavs first round opponent is Phoenix, the Clippers, the Nuggets or the Warriors? Those are all top veteran teams who will be hard to beat, regardless.
And don't look now but there are some young upstart teams - Pelicans, Grizz, Kings! - who are actually above some of those teams. I don't fear young teams at all. Dallas has Memphis' number and no other teams are playoff tested. The Wolves look easily beatable (does anyone buy the KAT Gobert pairing?). The Blazers are a dark horse to surprise some people but honestly the West is a crapshoot. Kidd knows this.
So why would he go to the whip in November? Or even December?
Clearly the Mavs still have to sort some things out, and they may yet make a trade but if the playoffs started tomorrow with Dallas as a 7 or 8 seed versus Phoenix or Denver? I say lace 'em up and let's go. Dallas still employs the top three players in MPG from the WCF team and 9 of the top 10 overall.
Yes, Brunson is missing 33 min and 18 points ... but in THJ's last playoffs he averaged 37 min and 17 points on fewer shots than JB ... and you also have Wood. Dinwiddie and Luka will both play 40+ MPG and Green is better, so two playmakers issue in the playoffs is solved.
To be clear, I'm not saying this year's team is better than last season's team. Brunson was special. But this team will be very good when the games matter and a really tough out against anyone in the West. They just need to play their best players "playoff minutes" and tighten up on defense.
**EDIT: If Reggie still can't shoot by March please forget I wrote this.