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Your premise is based on your assumption that there is nothing to rationally explain and justify Wood's minutes being limited, other than a unilateral Kidd power play. That is so absurd, and nonsensical.

What a farce it would be, for Kidd to sabotage his own game results, which is the very thing that would or wouldn't give him any voice of influence in the first place. In fact, Kidd's power base (if he were looking for one) is best served by him MAXIMIZING the potential of Wood, in such a way that Kidd is adding incredible value to the Mavs' franchise and to their ability to win games.

My takeaway is that we see the tip of the iceberg re player development and situations. There can be way more going on than we see or understand from the games, and the dynamics of personal maturity and accountability are a big part of the team picture. An assumption that we know all, and have more insight than coaches whose lives are intertwined with these guys and see the whole, is very narcissistic imo.

Interesting detail from yesterday, not sure if it was mentioned. There was a brief time, a couple of possessions, when Denver was playing DAJ and Wood was the lone center for Mavs. In that stint, it was Luka guarding DAJ and Wood whoever was PF at that time - Nnaji or whoever.

(11-21-2022, 03:29 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting detail from yesterday, not sure if it was mentioned. There was a brief time, a couple of possessions, when Denver was playing DAJ and Wood was the lone center for Mavs. In that stint, it was Luka guarding DAJ and Wood whoever was PF at that time - Nnaji or whoever.

I noticed this as well.  It's pretty telling of where they think he's at.

(11-21-2022, 03:28 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]An assumption that we know all, and have more insight than coaches

I very much agree. 

I have never assumed to know all. Everything I have said is theory and fan guesswork. Everyone in the Mavs front office knows way more than both you and me. All of our claims and theories are guesswork. From my theory that Kidd is exerting control over the roster to your theory that Cuban is the problem with everything in the organization. It is all ultimately guesswork from all of us. 

I am NOT claiming I am right. What I am defending is NOT my rightness (and I actually hope and pray I am dead wrong on Kidd), I am defending my actual position and opinion from being mischaracterized. 

Please disagree with my position. Please think I am dumb. But please do not paint my position to be something it is not.

(11-21-2022, 03:37 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]Please disagree with my position. Please think I am dumb. But please do not paint my position to be something it is not.

Never done intentionally. But what I push back against is the totality of what I am hearing (or think I am hearing), so there's that as well.

I know the mob mentality is that Wood would play more, but he is being held back arbitrarily. And that Wood has absolutely nothing to do with it, bears no responsibility, and it's the Mean Ole Kidd who is doing him wrong. Your narrative 100% feeds into that, assuming its truth and then searching for an explanation to fit that assumption.

I think the assumption is blind to reality. And way wrong.

Kidd, plus all the coaches, plus the whole organization, they ALL have a hand in what's happening ...and they all have a vested interest in the BEST outcome for Wood and the team. The idea that they are stupidly mistreating him, running him off, and on and on, is silly thinking inasmuch as it runs exact opposite to what helps them all get to where they want to go. As a result, I have to conclude that Wood himself is a MAJOR participant in the result.

As for why we wouldn't know about what issues Wood might have, to be able to micro-manage the minutes for correctness, I would trust you would know the answer to that. (It's the same reason that RC was always the problem, when asked, when the Mavs had a bad game outcome.)

(11-21-2022, 03:28 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]Your premise is based on your assumption that there is nothing to rationally explain and justify Wood's minutes being limited, other than a unilateral Kidd power play. That is so absurd, and nonsensical.

What a farce it would be, for Kidd to sabotage his own game results, which is the very thing that would or wouldn't give him any voice of influence in the first place. In fact, Kidd's power base (if he were looking for one) is best served by him MAXIMIZING the potential of Wood, in such a way that Kidd is adding incredible value to the Mavs' franchise and to their ability to win games.

My takeaway is that we see the tip of the iceberg re player development and situations. There can be way more going on than we see or understand from the games, and the dynamics of personal maturity and accountability are a big part of the team picture. An assumption that we know all, and have more insight than coaches whose lives are intertwined with these guys and see the whole, is very narcissistic imo.

I don't subscribe to the clause afterwards, but the bolded seems pretty transparently clear to me and the vast majority of informed Mavs fans, and without that subsequent clause, the Occam's Razor is that Kidd is a really awful and dumb basketball coach. However, given the additional info of how well Kidd did with last year's team until his lack of adjustments in the WCFs, if the bolded is wrong, those attitude and coaching issues you cited as potential explanations would have to be simply elephantine beyond our imagining to justify Wood's minutes. It boggles the mind, but perhaps you're right and there is a library's worth of issues we simply don't know about.

On more than one occasion - listening to the radio on my way home, I've heard more than one of the host say "from what we know about Wood, etc. etc". Implying that there is "something" to be known. What IT is I'm not entirely sure but since we're making assumptions...

The Mavs may believe that Wood is looking for his BIG payday. That's it. They believe he is not a TEAM guy. Selfish to a fault. Doesn't love basketball and his work ethic and attitude probably show as much, around bball circles.

That's not my opinion of the grown man, as I do not know him. But I posted on discord a few weeks back about an "inside report" on G-bag radio and most of the above was my takeaway on the "Wood report."

As a fan, it's infurating becasue he is very talented and should be getting 30+ minutes. The idea that we can all see it but the 10 coaches on the Mavs staff can't??

(11-21-2022, 04:30 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]I don't subscribe to the clause afterwards, but the bolded seems pretty transparently clear to me and the vast majority of informed Mavs fans, and without that subsequent clause, the Occam's Razor is that Kidd is a really awful and dumb basketball coach. However, given the additional info of how well Kidd did with last year's team until his lack of adjustments in the WCFs, if the bolded is wrong, those attitude and coaching issues you cited as potential explanations would have to be simply elephantine beyond our imagining to justify Wood's minutes. It boggles the mind, but perhaps you're right and there is a library's worth of issues we simply don't know about.

I don't think we outsiders have a clue. And I would suggest that inside the team, they probably ALL have a pretty good idea of why Wood is not getting more play.

I see those who travel with the team - beat writers (not the bloggers and national media who cast opinions from afar) - and they obliquely say that there is a reason Wood has been bouncing from team to team throughout his career.

I am reminded of when I played the game many moons ago. I don't recall this happening regularly on every team, but one team (several seasons) I played on a team with an INCREDIBLY talented player who just drove us nuts. He was a big man, could be dominant, and we knew he was coming, and were eager for him to be on our team because he could make us better. But once on the team, he was incredibly frustrating, because he could be so unfocused, immature, distracted. One game great, and another one it was like his head was elsewhere. The same thing in practices, where he would at times be goofy and playful and we couldn't get things done.. It drove the coaches and the rest of the team completely nuts, because he (and we) were so much better when we could get his head on straight. In some games, we did much better when he sat, because he was just a guy.

He's a good guy. Still a good friend. Mostly has grown out of the lack of maturity and focus, yet has retained his joyfulness. But back then, it was an ongoing frustrating task of trying to get him to contribute up to his potential. I wonder if that's part of what Wood brings to the table.

(11-21-2022, 04:50 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]I don't think we outsiders have a clue. And I would suggest that inside the team, they probably ALL have a pretty good idea of why Wood is not getting more play.

I see those who travel with the team - beat writers (not the bloggers and national media who cast opinions from afar) - and they obliquely say that there is a reason Wood has been bouncing from team to team throughout his career.

I am reminded of when I played the game many moons ago. I don't recall this happening regularly on every team, but one team (several seasons) I played on a team with an INCREDIBLY talented player who just drove us nuts. He was a big man, could be dominant, and we knew he was coming, and were eager for him to be on our team because he could make us better. But once on the team, he was incredibly frustrating, because he could be so unfocused, immature, distracted. One game great, and another one it was like his head was elsewhere. The same thing in practices, where he would at times be goofy and playful and we couldn't get things done.. It drove the coaches and the rest of the team completely nuts, because he (and we) were so much better when we could get his head on straight. In some games, we did much better when he sat, because he was just a guy.

He's a good guy. Still a good friend. Mostly has grown out of the lack of maturity and focus, yet has retained his joyfulness. But back then, it was an ongoing frustrating task of trying to get him to contribute up to his potential. I wonder if that's part of what Wood brings to the table.

This is hard to see from tape if there is some immaturity. Could be true. He looks impact player, and a very consistent one. He has probably been our per minute most consistent player, outside of Luka.

Could be that the team knows a whole a lot more. Could also be that the team over-interprets things and the coaches do not make the right decisions. Has happened before.

I think however that on defensive side there are a few clues he doesnt know defensive assignments/scheme. Two instances. One with Luka in recent game where Luka looked like redirecting him to the proper place. And one of previous games there was something with McGee if i recall.

However with Woods offensive talent, the coaches need to get the defensive schemes to suit his talent and to mesh that with rest of the starting lineup. They had tape of wood before, and should know exactly what kind of player and style of defensive he would fit in.

Ultimately it falls on the team, not on Wood. He seems to produce, and he impresses quiet a lot. Fans can also see a lot, and despite not knowing the intricate details of x's and o's and lots of private things in team meetings and trainings, there is just plenty of stuff you can extract from games. It is immediately clear that Wood is the second best player on this team, by a large margin. The coaches should be happy getting the most talented players on the planet, and design the schemes to match their productivity. Eapecially given how well Luka and Wood seem to play on offense, you would believe there must be ideas from coaches to make a great defense as well with Wood.

(11-21-2022, 05:03 PM)burekemde Wrote: [ -> ]This is hard to see from tape if there is some immaturity. Could be true. He looks impact player, and a very consistent one. He has probably been our per minute most consistent player, outside of Luka.

Could be that the team knows a whole a lot more. Could also be that the team over-interprets things and the coaches do not make the right decisions. Has happened before.

I think however that on defensive side there are a few clues he doesnt know defensive assignments/scheme. Two instances. One with Luka in recent game where Luka looked like redirecting him to the proper place. And one of previous games there was something with McGee if i recall.

However with Woods offensive talent, the coaches need to get the defensive schemes to suit his talent and to mesh that with rest of the starting lineup. They had tape of wood before, and should know exactly what kind of player and style of defensive he would fit in.

Ultimately it falls on the team, not on Wood. He seems to produce, and he impresses quiet a lot. Fans can also see a lot, and despite not knowing the intricate details of x's and o's and lots of private things in team meetings and trainings, there is just plenty of stuff you can extract from games. It is immediately clear that Wood is the second best player on this team, by a large margin. The coaches should be happy getting the most talented players on the planet, and design the schemes to match their productivity. Eapecially given how well Luka and Wood seem to play on offense, you would believe there must be ideas from coaches to make a great defense as well with Wood.

Yeah, you're not factoring in potential lockerroom/attitude/work ethic issues.

(11-21-2022, 05:10 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, you're not factoring in potential lockerroom/attitude/work ethic issues.

I get the business side, if that can be used as an excuse here.  Buy low, sell high.  Take a risk on a questionable player for cheap.

But Mavs and the public knew about these issues before they got him.  Trying to pry him loose of those characteristics is a fools game, imo...even if he was cheap value wise.

I’m ACTUALLY going to do a video LATE tonight or tomorrow of every Wood defensive possession that he was involved in. 

I’ve already cut up the clips from the game. I’ll say this as a teaser: There are BAD possessions that are for sure Wood’s fault. There are GREAT possessions that show his defensive potential. A lot of the possessions are miscommunications by multiple players and a lot of what seems to be unnecessary double teams putting us at a disadvantage.

(11-21-2022, 05:32 PM)IamDougieFresh Wrote: [ -> ]I’m ACTUALLY going to do a video LATE tonight or tomorrow of every Wood defensive possession that he was involved in. 

I’ve already cut up the clips from the game. I’ll say this as a teaser: There are BAD possessions that are for sure Wood’s fault. There are GREAT possessions that show his defensive potential. A lot of the possessions are miscommunications by multiple players and a lot of what seems to be unnecessary double teams putting us at a disadvantage.

Dude, put that in the X's and O's thread, too! 

We need more stuff like that, great idea!

(11-21-2022, 04:30 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]Occam's Razor is that Kidd is a really awful and dumb basketball coach

That is not my position. 

My position is that he is blind in his arrogance (and it is only making him look stupid even though he is clearly not). And this has ALWAYS been Kidd's issue as a player and as a coach. Arrogance was his undoing in all of his failures. So Occam's Razor would suggest that arrogance is behind whatever failure we are seeing with him now.

(11-21-2022, 02:07 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Here's the rub:

This is probably 100% accurate. Right on the money. 

But, in the Mavs' situation, they need him to "figure things out" or "fit here" or "work out" or however you want to couch it, just as badly as Wood does, if not more. I think that's where the frustration is coming from. 

This could be wrong also, for all the same "we're not on the inside" reasons you hint at above, but from an outside POV it sure seems like an attitude of "hey, we're a deep playoff team without him, so if he wants to get paid it's up to him to live up to what we're asking of him" is being adopted. Only, this team, without Brunson, might not BE a playoff team. 

The Mavs NEED Wood to work here. BADLY.

I agree somewhat.  

What I mean is that by December of last year the Mavs had cycled through six covid replacements, and played at center Powell, Chriss, M Brown and Boban. Chriss is no longer in the league. This year, Boban has appeared in six games for another team and is averaging 3 minutes--Moses Brown a whopping 4 minutes. 

So last year the team had one playable center - Powell - averaging around 21 minutes. And Kleber (who is not a center but is, in fact, a stretch four in the world according to V) played some center. Yet they reached the WCF.

Powell and Kleber are still here. Plus the Mavs added McGee who should eventually be playable once he figures out what the hell is going on around here. 

So do the Mavs need another center? Yes and no. The center situation isn't great, but last year the team played its best with two guards, two wings and Kleber. 

And don't look now, but I don't think Wood is a center anyway. He's big forward. Same as maybe their two best defenders in Kleber and DFS. And the same as their most lethal shooter in Bertans. 

So I don't think Dallas needs Wood to work to be successful. Obviously it's ideal (for a bunch of reasons) but the Mavs have two proven defensive guys who play Wood's position and a 40% career 3pt shooter who stretches the floor whether he's making them or missing them. 

What I will say is Dallas needs to replace Brunson's scoring, penetration and mid-range shooting. Wood is a candidate to provide the scoring, but so is THJ. Green is a dark horse who could turn a corner. 

But Dallas also needs improved play from the center position e.g. rim deterrence, physicality and rebounding. And better bench consistency. And better shot creation. And better shot variance. And better ball handling. And better ... well honestly there are a lot of things they need that aren't likely to come with more minutes for Wood.

Of course, the best case scenario is Wood puts it all together an outplays DFS, Kleber, Powell and McGee. Bumps DFS to SF and Bullock or Dinwiddie to the bench. Or bumps Kleber at crunch time. Or bumps Powell from the starting lineup. Or all three. He certainly has the talent to do it. Guess we'll see.

There is a faction of this board that treats Wood as if he is Michael Jordan instead of the journeyman, albeit very talented journeyman, that he is.  I'm sure there is some truth to the speculation about tensions between Kidd and Wood's on court performance and since Kidd is so bullish on defense, another safe assumption is that is the side of the floor causing said tension.  

And while I understand Kidd wants to have an identity, you also need to be flexible enough to play to the strengths of your team, especially when the majority of the money on your roster doesn't fit that identity.

(11-21-2022, 08:13 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]There is a faction of this board that treats Wood as if he is Michael Jordan instead of the journeyman

Straw. Man. 

Come on. No one thinks even anything remotely close to that.

The most extreme view of his talents might be mine: I believe he is the most talented player Luka has ever played with. Now that doesn't make him Michael Jordan, not even remotely.

(11-21-2022, 09:27 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]Straw. Man. 

Come on. No one thinks even anything remotely close to that.

The most extreme view of his talents might be mine: I believe he is the most talented player Luka has ever played with. Now that doesn't make him Michael Jordan, not even remotely.

Jump.  Man.

It's called hyperbole.  Look it up.

I don't think you have the most extreme views on Wood.

UGH.