Mavs 97, Clippers 104

[burekemde]

Rick is feast and famine, isn't he?

So is Willie. Willie isn't garbage. He's just inconsistent. If he is hurting rather than helping, it's up to the coach to recognize that and pull him.

Rick commented on KP after the game.


"I love the way he's playing." 

Really? Rick went on to say how professional Kris has been about adjusting to the team strategy. It sounded more like Carlisle loves the fact that KP is no longer squawking all the time about accepting a greatly reduced role. 

Rick continued, saying that with Porzingis, it always comes down to the question of "getting him going," and whether that is the right thing for the team, considering the opponent lineup and the fact that they assign a difficult defender to him. Clearly, the implicit answer was no.

Maybe the best thing in this series is for KP to stand in the corner and not be involved in the offense. Maybe it isn't. Whatever. The team is limited in their options for Game Seven to the choices that exist today. 

But in the larger picture, when KP signed his extension, I cannot imagine that either the team or KP envisioned that his offensive role in playoff games would be to take seven shots and score seven points and get 5 rebounds, even if he does draw off a defender. Tha might have actually made a little sense in the situation when the defender he was drawing off was Kawhi, but now it's just a guy. 

Even if this is really the best option on the court for now, it seems like the Mavs are waving the white flag and pasting a massive "Epic Fail" label on the KP situation. The roster isn't built to withstand KP being an offensive zero. Many on the board have noted as the season went along that the Kristaps fit didn't seem to be heading in the right direction, but I didn't foresee it coming to this. 

I hope I am just over-reacting.

The whole KP thing is strange. It started in a game this season, with some issues off the court. And the problem has never been solved iMO.

Its interesting when you think about, that KP has been a huge factor, even last season, against the very same Clippers. Him going out, was a major reason why Clippers advanced. KP did not had a peripheral role at this stage. Why cant he play like that now?

Is it injury that prevents him now? To some degree it might. But then again, he seems to move well enough. But sometimes, it comes down to split seconds, whether you make the block or not. Or wheter you get the shot off or not, your shape.

Is it something mental? Could it be he doesnt like Luka being the main guy. This is speculations. Other personal issues. To me there must be some of these elements, as the way he spoke to media after that regular season game, there has been some off the court issues with KP, almost certainly. Rick Carlise mentioning the selfish play, not mentioning KP by name, but, between the lines that was meant for KP. KP also hasnt adressed the media well, hinting at some issues on several occasions. Again not directly, but definitely between the lines. Something must be going on for sure.


If he plays like KP in game 7, this is a major dealbreaker, and Mavs will advance. It just doesnt seem likely right now, he will have a game like that. But hoping we see the old KP.