01-26-2024, 11:00 AM
(01-26-2024, 10:33 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: This year felt much different. Last year from the start was such a slog. There was no joy in watching them play last year.
The double digit losses this year are definitely concerning though. You want a mentally tough team that competes hard. This years team has shown way too many times that they don't bring it every game. That is bad news.
They feel to be falling into the same rut as last year. Can they pull themselves out? Most teams get into ruts. Most good teams withstand them and grow. We will see. It is going to be a real depressing offseason if things don't improve. You can have one really sucky year. 2 is a trend and everyone questions if this is the right place for them.
One thing I am surprised isn't debated more is the heavy minutes for Luka early in the season. Last season, I brought it all the time. I thought it was almost a fireable offense Luka would play full halfs in a regular game. This year hasn't been quite as bad, but there are games (regular average games) where he is taking way too much load. I don't care what he says. Kidd has to find ways to get him rest and your job as the coach is find ways to survive those minutes. Your answer can't be to have Luka play 24 minutes straight.
At the end of the day, as long as Kidd is the "leader" of the team, this team will be mentally weak.
I didn't know it at the time, but Brunson was the reason why the team was mentally strong.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.