MAVS NEWS:

[michaeltex]

The argument I’m making is that minutes and usage are two different things. The Mavs have to find more ways to get the ball out of Luka’s hands while still being effective. To this point, they’ve never had the personnel to be competitive without Luka initiating nearly every half court possession with high PnR or ISO. I don’t think anyone in the history of the NBA could play 37+ mpg with a usage rate of 37% year after year.

Even Harden, who Luka is compared to often, has a career usage rate of 29%. It’d be one thing of it were for a season, but I think there’s no way he can keep it up and stay healthy for an entire season, let alone a career.

I agree with your premise, but the biggest factor in getting the ball out of Luka's hands is probably Luka, himself. If Kidd can have another player bring the ball up then maybe the offense gets started earlier and can engage more players, rather than Luka walking it up and pounding the ball as the shot clock unwinds and limits opportunities to get everyone involved.

I do think, however, that improved reliability of his on-court teammates will encourage him to to play less hero ball and exhibit more of the assist super power he is blessed with. I wouldn't mind seeing his points and rebounds drop a bit if the assists go up. Distribute the points to other players and trust your two active young centers to get the rebounds. 

That's my simplistic view from the August NBA wasteland.