02-03-2026, 10:40 PM
(02-03-2026, 09:59 PM)mvossman Wrote: They brought back AD a lot earlier than the Lakers were planning to and stated they were planning on playing him 38 minutes in his first game back (which was his current rate before the injury). Its no surprise he got injured again. Kidd didn't like Grimes and didn't play him. That's why he blew up after the trade. There was no hint they were trying to hold guys out. They put Lively on the floor with a broken foot. Even with the AD injury that team had no chance of making the lottery until the Kyrie injury (don't tell me you think he faked that). They still made it to the last play-in game. There was no evidence this team was trying to tank at any point last season.
I have seen this logic a lot. Folks can't believe that Nico was this incompetent so there must be something else a foot. I think the simple reality is that he was that incompetent. No conspiracy theories, no ulterior motives, such straight up incompetence.
Grimes was efficient here, he was doing great despite limited minutes. I don't buy the GM being a total moron taking on 3 years of bad taxed salary over keeping an RFA that potentially had a future role here or just could expire. Not gonna bother getting into the rest of the Nico stupidity and all the other stuff. I just hope the ethically stealth tank finishes well this year and the Mavs get someone good. Flagg is looking great and there's no more funny external bs next season.