MavsBoard

(09-28-2020, 06:15 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 04:44 PM)ClutchDirk Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/stat...7918209028

WOW

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(09-28-2020, 04:49 PM)Mavs2019 Wrote: [ -> ]If Giannis loves Doc so much, he can become our head assistant. Doc can coach the first four games of every play-off series, then Carlisle comes in for the kill.

Just sayin, Doc does have something Carlisle doesn't have, and that's an ability to connect with players. Doc is a player's coach through and through. 

No way he'd ever take an assistant role but boy he'd be the perfect foil to Carlisle. Carlisle runs the X and O's, Doc rallies the team. What a combo that'd be.

RC is the coach. Make Donnie the head of the scouting department. I don´t lke Doc but his recruting skills are beyond any doubt. So he gets the GM job. While we are at it. Bring back Casey and Stotts and also add Jerry West to the MBT.
Honestly suprised that no team ever collected the best coaching talent in the league. There is no salary cap for the coaching staff. The richest owner could simply overpay Pop, Stevens, Spoelstra, Nurse and RC and let them fight it out. Not sure about the outcome but it would be fun to watch.

(09-28-2020, 06:38 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:15 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Just sayin, Doc does have something Carlisle doesn't have, and that's an ability to connect with players. 

How do you know this? Is that you, Delonte?

There is a strong theory here that players don't like RC, which honestly I think it is far from the truth.

(09-28-2020, 08:18 PM)khaled1987 Wrote: [ -> ]There is a strong theory here that players don't like RC, which honestly I think it is far from the truth.

I don't think Mavs players dislike RC. But on average, RC has had more dustups with players than Doc has ever had. 

And that's solely because Doc doesn't confront and push his players. He's a players coach, and lets his superstars do their thing. RC will tell you to do it his way or to go to the bench. That kind of coaching rubs some players the wrong way.

There have been countless of stories of players either voicing their displeasure with some of RC's choices, or the players themselves going to RC to have him change his mind. It's not new. I didn't think pointing that out would be controversial.

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(09-28-2020, 06:38 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Is that you, Delonte?

Speaking of apparently Cuban just picked up West in a gas station in Dallas and is trying to get him into rehab. Crazy events for this dude. I pray he gets better.

Yeah, I heard about that. Good for Cuban, if true. I feel bad for the dude.

(09-28-2020, 07:50 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:15 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 04:44 PM)ClutchDirk Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/stat...7918209028

WOW

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(09-28-2020, 04:49 PM)Mavs2019 Wrote: [ -> ]If Giannis loves Doc so much, he can become our head assistant. Doc can coach the first four games of every play-off series, then Carlisle comes in for the kill.

Just sayin, Doc does have something Carlisle doesn't have, and that's an ability to connect with players. Doc is a player's coach through and through. 

No way he'd ever take an assistant role but boy he'd be the perfect foil to Carlisle. Carlisle runs the X and O's, Doc rallies the team. What a combo that'd be.

RC is the coach. Make Donnie the head of the scouting department. I don´t lke Doc but his recruting skills are beyond any doubt. So he gets the GM job. While we are at it. Bring back Casey and Stotts and also add Jerry West to the MBT.
Honestly suprised that no team ever collected the best coaching talent in the league. There is no salary cap for the coaching staff. The richest owner could simply overpay Pop, Stevens, Spoelstra, Nurse and RC and let them fight it out. Not sure about the outcome but it would be fun to watch.

Amen to that!  The Mavs need a defensive steroid injection.

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(09-28-2020, 08:30 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 08:18 PM)khaled1987 Wrote: [ -> ]There is a strong theory here that players don't like RC, which honestly I think it is far from the truth.

I don't think Mavs players dislike RC. But on average, RC has had more dustups with players than Doc has ever had. 

And that's solely because Doc doesn't confront and push his players. He's a players coach, and lets his superstars do their thing. RC will tell you to do it his way or to go to the bench. That kind of coaching rubs some players the wrong way.

There have been countless of stories of players either voicing their displeasure with some of RC's choices, or the players themselves going to RC to have him change his mind. It's not new. I didn't think pointing that out would be controversial.

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(09-28-2020, 06:38 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Is that you, Delonte?

Speaking of apparently Cuban just picked up West in a gas station in Dallas and is trying to get him into rehab. Crazy events for this dude. I pray he gets better.

My concern is that RC is just a mojo killer for some players.  I need players that are intense and not having to worry about getting in the dog house if they pick up a foul by playing aggressive defense. It seems like they can start out the season on fire and then slowly, but inexorably trend downhill for the rest of the season.  A recent example is Delon Wright.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like I remember him being really aggressive and effective at the start of the season on both offense and defense, but just seemed to become more tentative and passive as the season went on.  Maxi also seems to have lost a lot of his early mojo.  I've just never been much of a RC guy; I've tried to, but I just can't help it.

(09-28-2020, 08:30 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 08:18 PM)khaled1987 Wrote: [ -> ]There is a strong theory here that players don't like RC, which honestly I think it is far from the truth.

I don't think Mavs players dislike RC. But on average, RC has had more dustups with players than Doc has ever had. 

And that's solely because Doc doesn't confront and push his players. He's a players coach, and lets his superstars do their thing. RC will tell you to do it his way or to go to the bench. That kind of coaching rubs some players the wrong way.

There have been countless of stories of players either voicing their displeasure with some of RC's choices, or the players themselves going to RC to have him change his mind. It's not new. I didn't think pointing that out would be controversial.

True. Maybe it´s easier for the European players to adapt, because they are used to much worse. Having played for Obradovic, I doubt Carlisle could scare away Bjelica or Bogdan Bogdanovic. The American snowflakes on the other hand...

I like the idea of moving Nelson up in the infrastructure and making Doc the player recruitment GM. Obviously will never happen, but it would ne nice.

Re: Doc: Luka's path to his destiny just got harder, because there's about a 100% chance of his replacement for the Clippers being a superior X's and O's coach. 

Of course, if the Clippers get Donovan, his playoff track record with a great team isn't so great either...

(09-28-2020, 11:05 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]Re: Doc: Luka's path to his destiny just got harder, because there's about a 100% chance of his replacement for the Clippers being a superior X's and O's coach. 

Of course, if the Clippers get Donovan, his playoff track record with a great team isn't so great either...

I thought Donovan to Chicago was official?

(09-28-2020, 11:07 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 11:05 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: [ -> ]Re: Doc: Luka's path to his destiny just got harder, because there's about a 100% chance of his replacement for the Clippers being a superior X's and O's coach.

Of course, if the Clippers get Donovan, his playoff track record with a great team isn't so great either...

I thought Donovan to Chicago was official?

Whoops, never mind. My condolences, Luka.

(09-28-2020, 08:18 PM)khaled1987 Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:38 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:15 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Just sayin, Doc does have something Carlisle doesn't have, and that's an ability to connect with players. 

How do you know this? Is that you, Delonte?

There is a strong theory here that players don't like RC, which honestly I think it is far from the truth.

Kendrick Perkins has said that multiple players he's talked to don't like playing for Carlisle.  I guess you can toss that out the window since he and Rondo are friends but I'm not sure he'd flat out lie.

Rondo and Carlisle did not work.  Kidd an Carlisle had a rocky start.  Dennis Smith wanted out in just his second season with Carlisle. There are other guards who did not work out:  Darren Collison, OJ Mayo, and Jameer Nelson.  Most recently, look at Wright.  Hell, it even took Rick a little time to figure out that he just needed to give Luka the keys to the kingdom.

I don't think anyone doubts that Carlisle is a great Xs and Os guy, but to thrive with him you need to be a certain type of personality and a certain type of player.  As good as he is at making game time adjustments, he seems equally bad to adjusting to players that don't fit his preconceived notions of the positions they play.  He's also plays a part and why we've struggled in developing young talent (bad drafting certainly didn't help).

The bright side is, maybe he's getting better.  He did figure out that he needs to remove the stick from his butt when dealing with Luka.  Doe-Doe, Maxi and Powell have all developed nicely under him.  On the flip side, Justin Jackson.

I'm not sure Rick Carlisle is who I want developing a young squad but I'd also not get rid of him just to get rid of him.  If there is an upgrade available, I'd pull the trigger.  I think it's all moot, Carlisle is probably here as long as he wants to be unless our core guys ask out or demand a change.

(09-29-2020, 03:00 AM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 08:18 PM)khaled1987 Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:38 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:15 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Just sayin, Doc does have something Carlisle doesn't have, and that's an ability to connect with players. 

How do you know this? Is that you, Delonte?

There is a strong theory here that players don't like RC, which honestly I think it is far from the truth.

Kendrick Perkins has said that multiple players he's talked to don't like playing for Carlisle.  I guess you can toss that out the window since he and Rondo are friends but I'm not sure he'd flat out lie.

Rondo and Carlisle did not work.  Kidd an Carlisle had a rocky start.  Dennis Smith wanted out in just his second season with Carlisle. There are other guards who did not work out:  Darren Collison, OJ Mayo, and Jameer Nelson.  Most recently, look at Wright.  Hell, it even took Rick a little time to figure out that he just needed to give Luka the keys to the kingdom.

I don't think anyone doubts that Carlisle is a great Xs and Os guy, but to thrive with him you need to be a certain type of personality and a certain type of player.  As good as he is at making game time adjustments, he seems equally bad to adjusting to players that don't fit his preconceived notions of the positions they play.  He's also plays a part and why we've struggled in developing young talent (bad drafting certainly didn't help).

The bright side is, maybe he's getting better.  He did figure out that he needs to remove the stick from his butt when dealing with Luka.  Doe-Doe, Maxi and Powell have all developed nicely under him.  On the flip side, Justin Jackson.

I'm not sure Rick Carlisle is who I want developing a young squad but I'd also not get rid of him just to get rid of him.  If there is an upgrade available, I'd pull the trigger.  I think it's all moot, Carlisle is probably here as long as he wants to be unless our core guys ask out or demand a change.

Notice a pattern with the players that clash with RC?

(09-29-2020, 03:29 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Notice a pattern with the players that clash with RC?

One or more of: trash, mentally ill, big ego, on drugs

(09-29-2020, 03:29 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-29-2020, 03:00 AM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 08:18 PM)khaled1987 Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:38 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-28-2020, 06:15 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Just sayin, Doc does have something Carlisle doesn't have, and that's an ability to connect with players. 

How do you know this? Is that you, Delonte?

There is a strong theory here that players don't like RC, which honestly I think it is far from the truth.

Kendrick Perkins has said that multiple players he's talked to don't like playing for Carlisle.  I guess you can toss that out the window since he and Rondo are friends but I'm not sure he'd flat out lie.

Rondo and Carlisle did not work.  Kidd an Carlisle had a rocky start.  Dennis Smith wanted out in just his second season with Carlisle. There are other guards who did not work out:  Darren Collison, OJ Mayo, and Jameer Nelson.  Most recently, look at Wright.  Hell, it even took Rick a little time to figure out that he just needed to give Luka the keys to the kingdom.

I don't think anyone doubts that Carlisle is a great Xs and Os guy, but to thrive with him you need to be a certain type of personality and a certain type of player.  As good as he is at making game time adjustments, he seems equally bad to adjusting to players that don't fit his preconceived notions of the positions they play.  He's also plays a part and why we've struggled in developing young talent (bad drafting certainly didn't help).

The bright side is, maybe he's getting better.  He did figure out that he needs to remove the stick from his butt when dealing with Luka.  Doe-Doe, Maxi and Powell have all developed nicely under him.  On the flip side, Justin Jackson.

I'm not sure Rick Carlisle is who I want developing a young squad but I'd also not get rid of him just to get rid of him.  If there is an upgrade available, I'd pull the trigger.  I think it's all moot, Carlisle is probably here as long as he wants to be unless our core guys ask out or demand a change.

Notice a pattern with the players that clash with RC?

To be fair, these guys had success:  Kidd after RC figured out he was one of the greatest PG to ever live, Monta, West, Curry and Burke.

From a team building standpoint, there is something wrong in Dallas. Rick Carlisle does deserve some blame but our front office generally seems overmatched when it comes to drafting/undrafted signings, trades and free agency. Look at the depth on the Heat and shed a tear.

There also seems to be a weird disconnect between Carlisle and Donnie (and whoever else works on FA signings). Wright's signing and the his role on the team are a head scratcher.

(09-29-2020, 03:45 AM)IamDougieFresh Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-29-2020, 03:29 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Notice a pattern with the players that clash with RC?

One or more of: trash, mentally ill, big ego, on drugs

This, and even among this types of players he did well with the likes of Ron Artest (whatever his name now is) and Stephen Jackson.I can't believe some people will hold " Kidd and RC had a rocky start" him 
Kidd renewed just in a year. There will always be some clashes with coaches unless he is some sort of a weak personality coach, it doesn't mean he is difficult to work with or players don't like him. 
Dirk, Billups,Miller,Artest, Kidd etc, all has nothing bad to say after working with him. Lebron wanted him to coach Cavs when he wanted Blatt out.
I think winners simply wants to play for him, whiners won't. People here are over reacting some minor incidents tbh. Other than Rondo nothing to get worried about.

I like a lot about RC, but observing his coaching over the years since the 2011 championship, I have to say it seems like it might have went to his head a bit.  He seems more stubborn now, just based on many of the comments he's made post Mav's championship.  A bit too cocky and sure that what he's doing is right without explanation.  He has a ring and he's a top 3 or 5 coach the league, so why would we question his strategy?  Just because he's doing it, even if everything we see happening says something is wrong, its right by definition. 

The high powered offense that turns around and blows big leads when it most matters, repeatedly, at historic levels, is an example of where there might be room for improvement? 
When questioned on it his comments seem more defensive than bothering to seriously consider. 

As far as player relations, without getting into the player generalized comments, there's been a pattern too often where players minutes don't seem to connect with performance from game to game or even quarter to quarter.   

In other words its way too often that a player can be having a great game, a great quarter where its clear to anyone watching the game that he's on fire or just really helping the team but Rick Carlisle will inexplicably bench that player the next quarter, the rest of the game, the next game.  I think its based on the way he thinks of match up based minutes but its not really worked or made sense overall. 

It's been particularly bad for centers post 2011 as he seems to be continuously searching for the prototypical modern center for his scheme, the Tyson Chandler.  
It's really unfortunate because it kind looked like Dwight Powell was starting to become that guy then came the injury.     My issue is, if you're not that prototypical guy but you're still good or even exceptional in other areas, you're going to get marginalized badly in Carlisle's system. 

It's not just big men though, guards can get the treatment as well. The prime example I can't forget was Roddy B. who was absolutely on fire, in the playoffs against Spurs and everyone, commentators included were shocked when Carlisle benched him and didn't bring him back into the game until it was almost over and too late to save Dallas from a big 'L'.

Dirk rarely has anything but kind words to say about anyone. Billups, Miller and Kidd are working in the NBA as broadcasters, coaches or media personalities that have coaching aspirations. I'm not saying they have issues with Rick but you aren't going to get an unfiltered take from any of those guys. There is nuance to this conversation and simply digging your heels into one side of the fence is silly. He's had issue with some players. He's had great relationships with some players. One does negate the other and vice versa.

Also the "mentally ill" hot take is super shitty. Be better. For once we can look to our owner as an example with his handling of Delonte.

(09-29-2020, 01:04 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]Dirk rarely has anything but kind words to say about anyone.  Billups, Miller and Kidd are working in the NBA as broadcasters, coaches or media personalities that have coaching aspirations.  I'm not saying they have issues with Rick but you aren't going to get an unfiltered take from any of those guys.  There is nuance to this conversation and simply digging your heels into one side of the fence is silly.  He's had issue with some players.  He's had great relationships with some players. One does negate the other and vice versa. 

Also the "mentally ill" hot take is super shitty.  Be better.  For once we can look to our owner as an example with his handling of Delonte.

It's a job. Carlisle is their boss. I just think the "Carlisle can't get along with players" narrative is silly. 

Does the "player of today" require a change in teaching tactics to be reached? Probably, but the teaching GOALS remain the same.  

Can you get more out of your roster by being a "player's coach?" Sometimes, but I think what you get with that, mostly, is Joel Embiid or Karl Anthony Towns. I'm not interested in keeping a couple of immature prospects happy just so I can feel like the team is "developing" them. I'm interested in a culture that is known around the league to hold players accountable. If they're not into that, I'm fine with them not playing here. 

Shaq and Wade have talked quite a bit about how much of an asshole Riley was with the Heat. They had to do way more calisthenics, constant weigh-ins, etc. Not their favorite part of their time there, but I guarantee you that in hindsight, they're glad they rose to the occasion. My contention is that the RIGHT kind of guy KNOWS deep down that they NEED someone who holds them accountable, and that this is true for any generation (though the delivery of this accountability will change as time goes by). 

At the end of the day, I want my PROFESSIONAL basketball coach to treat his players like professionals. You can tell he's reaching more players than he's not reaching, because the team almost always drastically outperforms expectations (at least the reasonable expectations from unbiased non-Mavs fans). 

Carlisle is frequently effusive with his praise of players in the media, particularly those who are struggling. I honestly believe that his rep is 80% media narrative, and probably a result of him being an asshole to the MEDIA (which he is), not to his PLAYERS. 

I believe that pretty much ALL good NBA coaches are much harder on their players than this "new generation" narrative would have us believe. The bubble mics picked up Spoelstra SCREAMING at Tyler Herro a couple of weeks ago (2nd round game, I think). It was something along the lines of "Tyler that was a STUPID FU___ FOUL!" This was in a game, in front of everyone. Dennis Smith, Jr would have pouted and given up. Tyler Herro nodded his head, said "sorry" and won the game. To take that semi-real, semi-hypothetical comparison one step further, it's possible that DSJ figures some things out as he matures over the next couple of years and actually becomes a solid pro. Nobody ever doubted his talent, least of all Carlisle. But if he does figure it out, that doesn't change the reality of what he was obviously like when he was HERE. "Figuring it out" probably means, at least in part, remembering things that happened here in Dallas and recognizing that he, DSJ, could have handled certain challenges differently. You can't point to that, as a complete outsider fan, and claim it as evidence that Carlisle can't coach. That's insane.  

Not saying that Carlisle (or any other human being) doesn't make mistakes. I'm sure he makes them every day. But, he treats his players with respect, and demands respect from them, all while demanding that they live up to the standards befitting "professional" basketball players who take their commitments to the organization seriously. I'm ok with that.

(09-29-2020, 01:04 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]Dirk rarely has anything but kind words to say about anyone.  Billups, Miller and Kidd are working in the NBA as broadcasters, coaches or media personalities that have coaching aspirations.  I'm not saying they have issues with Rick but you aren't going to get an unfiltered take from any of those guys.  There is nuance to this conversation and simply digging your heels into one side of the fence is silly.  He's had issue with some players.  He's had great relationships with some players. One does negate the other and vice versa. 

Billups and Miller has praised RC voluntary, Miller said he believed in our team because we have one of the best coaches in the league. 
It wasn't a typical pc answer about RC

I am not saying he won't fall for some players, I am counter arguing the belief that players don't like him and don't want to play for him.

HOF said the opposite, the 21 century goat was rumored to ask for him to be hired in Cleveland, he is one of the most respected coaches among his peers etc. 

I doubt that many players/superstars will decide not to join here because of him. Super stars wants to win and get better, and he is good for that, role players want the best financial offer regardless the coach.

(09-29-2020, 01:33 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-29-2020, 01:04 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]Dirk rarely has anything but kind words to say about anyone.  Billups, Miller and Kidd are working in the NBA as broadcasters, coaches or media personalities that have coaching aspirations.  I'm not saying they have issues with Rick but you aren't going to get an unfiltered take from any of those guys.  There is nuance to this conversation and simply digging your heels into one side of the fence is silly.  He's had issue with some players.  He's had great relationships with some players. One does negate the other and vice versa. 

Also the "mentally ill" hot take is super shitty.  Be better.  For once we can look to our owner as an example with his handling of Delonte.

Does the "player of today" require a change in teaching tactics to be reached? Probably, but the teaching GOALS remain the same.  

Like your post but I'm going to cherry pick.  The player of today has changed.  Players and their agents have more control than ever about where they play.  Loyalty is less important and playing for a title contender in a destination city is important.  That means if you are not in LA, NY, Miami or Boston (less so as a destination city), you are going to have a more difficult time recruiting and retaining players.  Just look at Kawhi.  A few decades ago he probably doesn't leave San Antonio.  As successful as he's been, Pop's culture helped push him out the door.  And it's not just Kawhi either as Aldridge has struggled in that system.  That style of coaching is outdated and you can't be a hard ass with no repercussions anymore.  You need to be able to connect with your players along with being a hard ass and knowing your Xs and Os.  And even then, you can lose players.  Look at Steve Kerr and Kevin Durant.

Kawhi then left a championship team to go to LA because that's was his location preference.   Toronto probably had a better chance of repeating with him than his new formed Clipper super group.  

Yes some of the Carlisle stigma is from the media but some of it is from players.  There are plenty of examples to look at and then wonder why your coaching staff isn't in lock step with Donnie/Mark.  I know people want to write Rondo off as a quitter and place all the blame at his feet, but the guy is still in the league and is a significant factor in why the Lakers made the finals.  Rondo has the same court vision gift that we saw in Magic or see in LeBron and Luka.  We gave up a ton of assets for him and the relationship between coach and player sabotaged it.  Rondo deserves blame for being pig headed but so does Rick.  And so does Donnie and Mark for making the trade in the first place.  It's not like Rondo's personality was a mystery before coming here.  He's also been able to function on other teams successfully after the Dallas fallout.

@"cow" I'll agree that there are times when the assembly of the roster and the way the roster is used seem to be at slightly crossed purposes. 

It's some combination of: 

• Not enough (effective) communication between coach and player acquisition team (GM, scouts, etc)
  
• Unsuccessful evaluation of the incoming players (as it pertains to what HAS been agreed upon by the group above)
  
• Players not growing into the role they're asked to play for the team (it's fair to wonder whether some of this is on the coach)
  
• the "wildcard" owner sweeping in to outsmart himself
  

We can't know what the ratio of the above is for the Mavs because we aren't included in the process. It's all speculation. What's NOT speculation is that EVERY team's fans have huge problems with many of their coach's decisions regarding rotations, developmental minutes, etc, even fans of teams who employ coaches that OTHER team's fans wish their team had. This is not unique to the Mavs or Carlisle. When you think about it, these opinions aren't built on knowledge of the situation, but on a "house of cards" foundation of expectations.

Here's an example:

Wright is signed. The Mavs want we, their customers, to be excited about it. They also want us to stop talking about how they couldn't get Kemba. Cuban, Donnie and Carlisle all do radio, tv and newspaper interviews about what they think Wright brings to the table. This is not presented as "well, if he can do ____ and ____ then he has a chance to help us with ____" because NOBODY wants to hear that during the off season, which is a time of hope and season ticket sales. Cuban goes so far as to suggest that his inclusion on the roster means that "the smallest guy in the starting lineup will now be 6'5"." (I wonder what the coach and GM thought of THAT interview)

Wright arrives, works hard, but isn't the difference making player who has been described to us in the press. Is it now the coach's fault for not using the player correctly and killing his confidence? Does this mean "Carlisle doesn't value defense?" Can he "just not reach some players?" Were we lied to about the player? Did the team accurately convey their expectations for the player, only they were WAY wrong about him? Is there something unreported going on in the player's personal life that's holding him back as a professional? We could go on and on and on with this. 

Maybe the problem is all ONE of those things, and maybe it's a combination of ALL of them. We will NEVER know. What we DO know, if we're paying attention, is that Carlisle is one of the most respected coaches in all of basketball by his peers and those in the cottage industries surrounding the sport. 

When Cuban made the decision not to defend the title in order to chase top free agents, there were points during the ensuing few years when it became clear that the move was unsuccessful and that the team was on a collision course with "rebuilding." There is no question that Carlisle could've (maybe should've) gotten out of here at some point back then and gotten himself a better job. He stayed, probably because he had kids of a certain age and didn't want to move them, but also because he believed in the organization and wanted to remain part of it. He didn't complain (at least externally) about those absolutely abysmal, high-turnover rosters, and just went about his business, milking more positives out of each season than I can honestly believe. While Carlisle can project as arrogant at times, these aren't the actions of an arrogant man. I think the man is a saint, to be quite honest. 

Every team has successes and failures. The Mavs' failures seem bigger to Mavs fans because we're constantly searching for the things keeping them from winning the championship. Every team's fans are doing this. 

I, personally, think that when you take a step back and examine how the Mavs operate relative to other professional sports teams (especially the other ones in THIS town) it's hard to think they're complete idiots (though there are things to complain about), and even harder to think the coach is among their chief problems (though there are things to complain about).