(07-12-2022, 02:31 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: A bit of an overstatement of what I said, but let’s start from there anyway.

I didn’t make the decision.  In fact, I’ve been arguing for Wood to start at PF.  But when FG pointed out this possibility the other night my comment was that it made sense of the most puzzling part of Kidd’s interview (that we would have a ton of offense coming off the bench).

I think it is a defensible approach to start the season off.  It is more important that Wood is happy in May/June than he is in October.  Nothing about this “news” destroys the ability for Wood to be happy in May/June.  I guess I tend to give the team that just went to the WCF’s some benefit of the doubt that they have some idea what works and what doesn’t.  

Life is going to throw a few curveballs.  I don’t like curve’s any more than anyone else.  What works for me is trying to work through the challenge and see the possibilities.  Wallowing in the fact I just missed a pitch doesn’t do me any good.  So, I try not to do it.  The fact that we just lost Brunson does not dictate the outcome for Wood.  In fact, it probably does the opposite as the team is much more attuned to the possibility and the PR nightmare of it happening twice in consecutive summers.

(07-12-2022, 02:55 PM)KillerLeft Wrote:

(07-12-2022, 02:54 PM)cow Wrote: Starting Lineup:  Bertans (PG), Maxi (SG), Powell (SF), Wood (PF), McGee ©

(07-12-2022, 02:56 PM)Smitty Wrote: OK, I'll bite. Imagine being 20 & 10 Christian Wood in a contract year, trying to earn a max deal, as the number 2 guy on a Luka-led team. Only you're in the running for 6MOY instead of All-star because you're behind up a 34 year old career back-up who was promised a starting spot as part of negotiations to sign here. What could possibly go wrong. 

It probably doesn't matter in the W/L column who "starts" but I'm sure it matters to the players and others around the league, the fraternity. Ultimately, it doesn't matter to me much either. Just pointing out how this board will inevitably shift from Wood is a great #2, All-Star worthy guy who Nico hit a grand slam with - to - he hasn't proven or earned anything and it makes sense to take this approach yada yada.

I think Christian Wood will be a really good player, if he's on the roster. I could be wrong. I also think that he either plays too well and wants to get to FA, where the Mavs won't pay - or - for whatever reason, he clashes with Luka and others (not starting?) or plays poorly and will not be retained.

(07-12-2022, 03:03 PM)Hypermav Wrote: 3 of 5 shoot the three better than Brunson.

(07-12-2022, 03:07 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I'm going to take a stab at something a little sensitive. 

I don't want to get labeled a CW hater. When he was free, before he signed in Houston, I was one of like 2-3 people here screaming for them to add him to this roster. I believe they could've.

Now, we all see the talent. But, why has he bounced around? 7 teams in 6 years is not typically a great sign. People in the know aren't really holding back with the hints that he has been...less than professional, so far. I think we might be glossing over that part a bit too much around here. I think maybe the reason he was available in the Mavs' (trade) price range was that basically, not many teams want to take a risk on him at this point. It's obviously not because he isn't talented. 

I'm hopeful that he'll come here and take advantage of the opportunity to play with Luka, as their offensive games should fit like a glove (we thought about Porzingis, too, so don't assume it), but in light of the information that this guy might not even be someone (off the court) who can function in a winning environment, I'm WAAAAAAAAY ok with the Mavs making him sing for his supper a little, rather than handing him the "shotgun" seat of the franchise, riding next to Luka. Honestly, if they had approached the Porzingis situation a little more like that, it might've worked out better. But, at least KP was a gym rat. 

I feel pretty strongly that it's in CW's best interest to accept whatever role here he can get. It's his first (and potentially only) chance to show the league what he can do on a stage that people will notice. If he's the all-star we hope, that will become evident and he'll make it into the role/minutes he wants, and eventually, the contract he wants, most likely.

(07-12-2022, 03:07 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I'm going to take a stab at something a little sensitive. 

I don't want to get labeled a CW hater. When he was free, before he signed in Houston, I was one of like 2-3 people here screaming for them to add him to this roster. I believe they could've.

Now, we all see the talent. But, why has he bounced around? 7 teams in 6 years is not typically a great sign. People in the know aren't really holding back with the hints that he has been...less than professional, so far. I think we might be glossing over that part a bit too much around here. I think maybe the reason he was available in the Mavs' (trade) price range was that basically, not many teams want to take a risk on him at this point. It's obviously not because he isn't talented. 

I'm hopeful that he'll come here and take advantage of the opportunity to play with Luka, as their offensive games should fit like a glove (we thought about Porzingis, too, so don't assume it), but in light of the information that this guy might not even be someone (off the court) who can function in a winning environment, I'm WAAAAAAAAY ok with the Mavs making him sing for his supper a little, rather than handing him the "shotgun" seat of the franchise, riding next to Luka. Honestly, if they had approached the Porzingis situation a little more like that, it might've worked out better. But, at least KP was a gym rat. 

I feel pretty strongly that it's in CW's best interest to accept whatever role here he can get. It's his first (and potentially only) chance to show the league what he can do on a stage that people will notice. If he's the all-star we hope, that will become evident and he'll make it into the role/minutes he wants, and eventually, the contract he wants, most likely.

(07-12-2022, 03:24 PM)Smitty Wrote: that McGee is the better defender, so of course he should start over Wood etc.

(07-12-2022, 03:25 PM)BigDirk41 Wrote: I think the 7 teams in 6 years isn't really a good gauge of who he is as a player. He didn't take off until Detroit 3 seasons ago and then took more money to go to Houston the following year. Let's look at it since he's been a quality player and that really makes us his 3rd team in 4 years.

(07-12-2022, 03:30 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I'm just happy they might not start TOGETHER.

(07-12-2022, 03:33 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: And Houston is already eager to move on. And, 3 teams in 4 years ain't exactly much better. 

I'm not trying to dog the kid - I'm excited about adding him. Very excited. 

All I'm suggesting is that maybe part of the next step for him is to learn how a good organization does things, and what they expect from him. And maybe, this strategy of bringing him off the bench (even if it's just talk to light a fire under him and never happens) is part of how he learns some of that stuff.

(07-12-2022, 03:37 PM)cow Wrote: Houston didn't exactly give him an outlandish contract either.

(07-12-2022, 03:42 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Yeah, I remember expecting him to get a max contract in Detroit and have the team built around him. Not only did he not get that, they made no attempt to keep him and chose Jerami Grant instead, for more money than Wood got. 

Again, I think that for those who have to live day to day in these organizations, things like showing up to practice are more important than the one-sentence throw aways they become around here. It's understandable. We don't want to know how the sausage gets made, even if we think we do.

(07-12-2022, 03:14 PM)cow Wrote:

(07-12-2022, 03:46 PM)https://twitter.com/tim_cato/status/1546910027839115265?s=20&t=dVRGcO5ipqGsinNubGZDNgIamDougieFresh Wrote: Guys I’ve been busy. Could someone kindly point me to the Wood off the bench news? Went back a couple pages and didn’t see it and I’ve got some more shot to do.

(07-12-2022, 03:48 PM)Mavs2021 Wrote:

(07-12-2022, 03:52 PM)cow Wrote: Also, I'm pretty sure I saw McGee and Wood hanging out at last night's game.