02-12-2022, 05:08 PM
(02-11-2022, 10:20 PM)cow Wrote: Barnes: People listen to low-info morons all the time, especially LeBron. It also fit his narrative that players should have more control of where they play which I don't completely disagree.
DAJ: The closest thing to a big fish you land, you trade away in a half season. Also reinforces the perceived notion that the Mavericks prefer white players.
DSJ: The guy that was given the keys to the Mavericks and had a pretty good rookie campaign. Mavericks draft Luka and DSJ is gone a half season later. Also reinforces the preconceived notion that the Mavericks prefer white players.
Perception and reality are often at odds. You and I might know the real reasons behind those treatments, like Barnes asking to play even though he knew he was getting traded, but the truth often doesn't matter. We've heard rumbling in NBA circles and I have had more than one friend ask me about this.
The common thread to all these is Luka. Once he arrived, the focus was to get him to his happy place and make sure he stays there. The Barnes/DAJ/Matthews trio were actively shutting him out. DSJ got his feelings out of joint once it became obvious how much better Luka was, taking the shine off his FRP status.
Probably the worst thing the team did with KP was to imply that he and Luka might be co-numero unos. The pecking order is now firmly established and there will be no misunderstandings with future acquisitions.