03-17-2021, 01:53 PM
(03-17-2021, 01:40 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: I really don't think that is a bad take. You win with stars in the NBA. Even with a flawed roster, they still could wind up with as a top 4 best team if Luka and KP are healthy heading into the playoffs.
The issue is there were about 7 teams who legit could say they were one of the top 4 teams in the West. Utah, PHX and Portland have taken advantage this year. But that is not to say the same will be true by the end of this season or if you played the season over again. Mavs clearly have some work to do to get to a yearly contender, but I don't think expecting a top 4 team in the west heading into the season was a bad take.
They were said to have been very surprised that the roster didn't click as well as they had expected. Iirc, James Johnson was sold as an enforcer, and J Rich as an important playmaker and stopper. Both of which would have been optimistic takes, to say the least.
Whatever they thought at the beginning of the season, we are where we are now. However, if they really thought or still think they have one of the best rosters in the West, that might provide some insight into the reasons for not making more moves. If they think they're set, why should they?