It was about three games into Luka's rookie year when I decided he needed to immediately be surrounded by veterans who know how to play. He was that good and it was obvious.
Five years later he's surrounded by a bunch of veterans who know how to play and it's not working. There are chemistry issues and defensive breakdowns. I predicted earlier that the Detroit loss and the media frenzy that followed the team into New York would be the low point -- and I was sort of right for about two weeks. The team looked more engaged in the games that followed but they're 4-4 over the last 8 and back at the low point.
Last night's loss felt different. Luka played all the meaningful second half minutes and it was a disaster.
DFS has average 26 MPG over the last six and 23 over the last three.
The backup stretch four is the team's best defender (Kleber).
The fourth guard (Green) or the third string PG (Ntilikina) might be the second best defender.
The second best scorer (Wood) is such a defensive liability that when CLE felt threatened in the fourth they just directed a few actions his way and shredded the Mavs by 20.
Carlisle left on his own and so did last season's second best player (Brunson). The Pacers are playing a bunch of young players and have a better record than Dallas.
I'm an optimist but it feels like the wheels are falling off this thing.
Five years later he's surrounded by a bunch of veterans who know how to play and it's not working. There are chemistry issues and defensive breakdowns. I predicted earlier that the Detroit loss and the media frenzy that followed the team into New York would be the low point -- and I was sort of right for about two weeks. The team looked more engaged in the games that followed but they're 4-4 over the last 8 and back at the low point.
Last night's loss felt different. Luka played all the meaningful second half minutes and it was a disaster.
DFS has average 26 MPG over the last six and 23 over the last three.
The backup stretch four is the team's best defender (Kleber).
The fourth guard (Green) or the third string PG (Ntilikina) might be the second best defender.
The second best scorer (Wood) is such a defensive liability that when CLE felt threatened in the fourth they just directed a few actions his way and shredded the Mavs by 20.
Carlisle left on his own and so did last season's second best player (Brunson). The Pacers are playing a bunch of young players and have a better record than Dallas.
I'm an optimist but it feels like the wheels are falling off this thing.
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