Game 41: Dallas Mavericks (22-18) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (9-32)

[KillerLeft]

My understanding was that Thibs got pissed at Grimes because he didn't play hurt enough in the playoffs that year (which is such a Thibs kind of thing).  I don't think there is anything in his history (including college) to think he doesn't want to play defense.

Maybe not, and yet I've been underwhelmed with him on that side of the floor this season, so far, while he has wildly surpassed my expectations on offense. Just spitballing, because Kidd is obviously not giving him the premier matchups consistently, the way he did with DJJ during the back half of last season. It's early(ish) still, of course.

[mvossman]

Maybe not, and yet I've been underwhelmed with him on that side of the floor this season, so far, while he has wildly surpassed my expectations on offense. Just spitballing, because Kidd is obviously not giving him the premier matchups consistently, the way he did with DJJ during the back half of last season. It's early(ish) still, of course.

As someone else mentioned, I don't really understand what Kidd is doing with Grimes in general.  I have no idea why he only got 19 minutes last night.

[KillerLeft]

As someone else mentioned, I don't really understand what Kidd is doing with Grimes in general.  I have no idea why he only got 19 minutes last night.

Right...and that's what I'm speculating about. Trying to connect dots. Not sure this is the right thread to pull, but it's clear to me they don't view Grimes as any kind of "stopper" to this point. 

I try to avoid assuming coaches are idiots when they don't do what I expect. Instead, I try to figure out what they might be thinking. It's the single most fun part of being a basketball fan to me. I was super down on Kidd for his first year or two, but he has done much to win me over. I'm trying to stay open to something we don't see, or maybe something we're all just wrong about. Not sure it's there, but that's usually my approach to these "the coach is an idiot" conversations. It just occurred to me today that Grimes has underwhelmed on defense, at least relative to my expectations coming into the season. 

On offense, totally different story, but...he's not a PG. As much as people claim Hardy isn't a PG, he's better at it than Grimes, and it's clear they want him (Hardy) to handle the ball and create offense. I don't think that's likely to change. The lack of Grimes minutes might be just about missing both Luka and Kyrie, necessitating healthy doses of Dinwiddie and Hardy for offensive purposes. I'm just trying to envision any possible thinking at this point, while more info trickles in as time passes. 

Right or wrong, there IS a reason Kidd's doing what he's doing. I'd at least like to figure out what that reason is before declaring him "the problem."

[mvossman]

Right...and that's what I'm speculating about. Trying to connect dots. Not sure this is the right thread to pull, but it's clear to me they don't view Grimes as any kind of "stopper" to this point. 

I try to avoid assuming coaches are idiots when they don't do what I expect. Instead, I try to figure out what they might be thinking. It's the single most fun part of being a basketball fan to me. I was super down on Kidd for his first year or two, but he has done much to win me over. I'm trying to stay open to something we don't see, or maybe something we're all just wrong about. Not sure it's there, but that's usually my approach to these "the coach is an idiot" conversations. It just occurred to me today that Grimes has underwhelmed on defense, at least relative to my expectations coming into the season. 

On offense, totally different story, but...he's not a PG. As much as people claim Hardy isn't a PG, he's better at it than Grimes, and it's clear they want him (Hardy) to handle the ball and create offense. I don't think that's likely to change. The lack of Grimes minutes might be just about missing both Luka and Kyrie, necessitating healthy doses of Dinwiddie and Hardy for offensive purposes. I'm just trying to envision any possible thinking at this point, while more info trickles in as time passes. 

Right or wrong, there IS a reason Kidd's doing what he's doing. I'd at least like to figure out what that reason is before declaring him "the problem."

I fall in the middle.  I recognize that Kidd has reasons and that many times they make sense eventually.  But he has also made some very questionable decisions that I don't think were ever warranted.  I don't think Grimes is an elite defender, but who is getting his minutes that is a better perimeter defender?  With all of the current injuries he is clearly a top 5 player on the team, and I would argue that him getting only 19 minutes in that game is part of the reason we lost.  Its not the first time I felt that way either.

[LukaMVP]

maybe it's the front office's decision to limit Grimes minutes and downplay him so he can be resigned cheap.

[ballsrchr]

maybe it's the front office's decision to limit Grimes minutes and downplay him so he can be resigned cheap.

That's a plan that seems to backfire more often than not.  Not something I'd do.  Of course...I'm not in the front office, back office, or any office--anymore...

Ah man...maybe they downplayed me so they could resign me cheap.  Ha...didn't work.