Mavs 107, Kings 121

[SleepingHero]

1. The team is in serious need of some veteran leadership. Preferably, the kind that is exercised on the court, as there is a limited amount a guy can do from the locker room. They need a Luka whisperer. As it is, even if a teammate sees something that Luka or KP could be doing differently, they're not necessarily in a position to impose their opinions. Mark and Brian think this is important enough that it should be addressed in the offseason. 

This screams to me Goran Dragic. I don't mind the move. Just wish they did it 2 years ago. Further, Cp3 was right there for pennies on the dollar. Mavs should've made the move and not have thought about it. 

2. Something has gone badly wrong in the process of their preparation and approach to games. They have not handled this stretch of games in a mature manner. It is dangerous to look at a stretch of lower record opponents and think you can take it easy for a while. Each game has to be played on its own with appropriate effort and respect for the other team. They need to do something to adopt a more mature approach. 

3. Fatigue is not an excuse. Yes, they are tired and probably carrying a few knocks. But so is every other team. Their process needs to allow them not to play exhausted. One thing that may help is getting 85% of the team and staff vaccinated, as that would allow players to sleep in, rather than having to be tested for COVID at 8 AM every day. 

4. The coaching staff is aware of these issues. Carlisle adverted to them when he talked about respect for the process. 

5. Now that some of the COVID restrictions are lifting, they should consider doing some team bonding activities, to encourage team spirit and ease some of the tensions. These are more important than many fans think. 

6. It is not only the players and coaches that need to take a look in the mirror. The front office has whiffed terribly in both of the past two offseasons, and they will have to do better if the Mavs want to remain in the hunt. 

I don't see how the coaching staff can be aware of these issues yet still have the team be in such poor shape in terms of preparing for these games. Carlisle deserves A LOT of blame.


The front office also needs to wake the f up. Donnie seems to be afraid to make a big move and it's causing the team to stagnate while POR/DEN/LAL/LAC/PHX all made moves to improve.