MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[DanSchwartzgan]

Not how I heard it.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/th...96632485?i=1000628930446  The talk about rookies starts at about 20:10.

From the hype, I listened to this pod expecting news. But it seemed liked basic coach-speak to me.

While Kidd talked up the rookies, I heard him positively speak about every player Stein asked about, no negative on any possibility for anyone, and he may have ended up mentioning and praising every player.

So I can't put a lot of stock in any of it.

Thanks for posting this.  I have slightly different interpretations on a couple of things, but those tweets and the early reaction to them were not in alignment with what was said.  The last line above is probably the most important since Kidd hasn’t even had a practice yet.

I think they think they have two very talented rookies they want to develop.  You can’t bring them along together (in the lineup at the same time) and expect to win.  I think part of the logic of maybe starting a rookie is so both can get minutes…just not simultaneously.  

Kidd made it fairly clear Josh and OMax are probably competing for a starting spot.  It wouldn’t shock me if OMax got the nod.  It won’t necessarily be because he’s better than some of the other options as much as it will be a great place to hide him alongside The Big Three and a center.  There is enough O on the floor with Luka, Kyrie and GWill hitting over 40% from the corner and a lob threat that OMax hitting 3’s is a luxury and not a necessity.  That might not be the case alongside backups.  Starting and getting only 18 minutes would certainly be a possibility.

He did say positive things about everyone he spoke about, but he didn’t speak about everyone.  No mention of Hardy or Curry.  After inferring Josh and OMax would compete to start and after talking about there being three centers, he mentioned Exum, DJJ and Maxi and talked about SMOTY Hardaway.  That’s 11 players if you only count two of the three centers.  It is certainly possible there is no meaning to who he mentioned and who he didn’t.  Or, maybe the 11 who were mentioned are the top 11.  I was encouraged that they seem committed to working Lively and OMax in and that Kidd and Nico seem to be on the same page.  I’m probably more interested in how players will be used and whether Luka and Kyrie will get more time together or not than who starts the first month of the season.  I could care less who Kidd wants to start in pre-season and don’t see anything in his interview with Stein that should have raised the ire it raised here prior to your post.