02-27-2023, 01:45 PM
(02-27-2023, 11:07 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I’m never going to be a Kidd apologist, because there are many things about him I just don’t buy.
But, I think way too much is being made of this Holiday starting over Green thing. I think it was a temporary measure to accomplish two things:
1) accelerate the “crash course” schedule of getting Holiday acclimated to the team. Say what you want, but to me he has been better than expected and will unquestionably be in the stretch run/playoff rotation.
2) give him a shot to play the DFS role against a big, athletic front court like LA’s. This is unquestionably the biggest design flaw with the roster right now, so I get Kidd’s interest in experimenting for a week or so to find the best mix at his disposal. It didn’t go well, but I understand the thinking.
And, Green hasn’t been super great for this recent stretch (four games or so), so while he has obviously solidified his role on the team moving forward, I think there possibly could’ve been some thinking that scaling him back to his old role for a game or three might help recoup some of his comfort and confidence.
It didn’t occur to me to wonder if Holiday was actually being given a chance to leap frog Green in the role hierarchy in any sort of permanent sense, and I don’t believe that’s the case after seeing some worry about it here.
Green is one part. The other part is that Hardy absolutely has to get around 20 mins a game, even if he struggles. He has the ability to create his own shot and unlike Green, he has the confidence to not always defer, even if it is Lukabir Kyrie calling for the ball. That should be encouraged and developed. Next year Kyrie most likely won’t even be here. Even if he is, we need that 3rd creator.
A coach can integrate newer players but why is it that when it comes to the Mavs the moment they get a retread veteran the first casualty seems to be development of someone younger who has shown promise? A year later that retread is cut and we are back to square one. Seen this time and again.