GAME 11: DAL (6-5) @ NYK (3-9) | 103-106 loss

[SleepingHero]

I think the inconsistent rotations are part of playing the long game. The team is trying to see what it has and what combinations work best all while trying to get KP up to speed and integrated AND trying to get Powell up to speed and integrated. The reinsertion of Powell and the mini slump of KP were both kind of momentum disrupters I think. 

The use of the 3 pt shot is a team philosophy decision. The team has decided to have all their players practice 3 pt shooting relentlessly, and the team is learning an offense that should result in open 3s. The problem at the moment is learning the offense and each other such that players know which shots are the right shots to take and have the confidence to step in to those shots. If the players still don't know which shots to take and still can't hit those shots at a better than current clip in a couple of months then I'd be surprised and concerned. 

I think that's a smart take. Obviously the addition of Powell has complicated things. The Mavs were 3-1 before Powell came back and since he's come back he's been a net negative player on defense and offense. Add on the slump of KP, which is to be expected of a dude coming back from 18 months, we have an offense that's hemorrhaging with no sort of consistency. Also doesn't help that the bench is DOA since Powell as well. Perhaps the Mavs were too hasty bringing Powell back?

However, while the 3 happy offense is obviously the philosophy the Mavs are subscribing too, I don't think it's the best choice. This roster isn't comprised of elite shot makers. The Mavs are trying to copy the GSW/HOU method, without actually having the majority of the roster able to hit the 3. DFS, THJ, Luka, Maxi, Powell, Wright etc. ALL are subpar to downright terrible 3 point shooters. Which lends the question as to why are the Mavs forcing this system when the obviously don't have the personnel to run it? Had they gotten Kemba or Danny Green, it'd be different.

It takes time to nip things in the bud. And it takes time to integrate new players in a meaningful way. Steering a team is more like navigating a ship than turning a zero turn mower. I'm not disputing that the team looks bad. But my conclusion isn't that they've failed, it's that this is a work in progress. Rick answered a Luka/KP pnr question recently and it sounds like that part of their game isn't ready for prime time quite yet. You're listing lots of issues (because they exist!) and saying that they've failed to address the issues. But doesn't the fact that there are a lot of issues imply that it will take some time to address all the issues. This isn't easy stuff. Luka and KP are going to be together for a long time. it's going to take a least a little bit of time to craft their two man game. 

You're right and I agree. While I think they've failed to pinpoint specific areas to improve game to game, I'm not expecting EVERYTHING to be resolved in 1 night. But it irks me that Carlisle continues to play Powell and THJ heavy minutes. Powell has the 4th most mpg on the roster, despite being relatively one of the worst performers on the roster. I do think something as simple as playing Kleber more than Powell is relatively minor transition with huge upside and can be done overnight, but Carlisle has frigid rotations.

I think Seth should play more, but at the same time, I think THJ got some of his minutes the other day because he wouldn't take a shot. Seth's amazing shooting doesn't work if Seth doesn't shoot.

I can see wanting for Luka to play more like 8 or 9 minutes in the 4th, rather than 6. But Luka came in with a one point lead and orchestrated several turnovers and bad possessions in a row. Luka is so awesomely amazing that I hesitate to pin anything on him, but last night, he could have executed better down the stretch. He's MVP, contention for best Mav ever level great, but he's still learning how to execute in crunch time along with the rest of the team. 

The lack of shots for Luka and KP bugs me too. The turnovers and bad possessions hurt there. I think Rick is probably trying to get Luka to not just play 1 on 5 in crunch time, which is Luka's default sometimes. So maybe in trying to learn that Luka isn't completely comfortable in crunch time yet. Not sure. 

I also think Rick is trying to get Luka to play more team ball, but its a catch 22. Everybody on offense sans Luka looks uncomfortable, and usually when Luka has the ball, we barely have any motion. 2 players stand in the corners while Luka runs a horns PnR set with either Powell or KP, and the other team just doubles Luka. It happens almost every possession and the offense is extremely predictable, and its a symptom to the under performing role players that are out there. So Luka is forced to go 1-5 to try to create something, resulting in terrible turnovers. 

I also think putting him in with 5 minutes left after sitting him for ~20 minutes real time ruins his rhythm. Just cutting down his 3rd quarter minutes and bringing Luka in with 8 mins instead of 5 is such a simple change it puzzles me why Carlisle hasn't tried it. Kawhi, Lebron, AD, and nearly every other super star is playing a minimum 8 minutes in the 4th. 

I'm glad you elaborated your position more because it seems we are largely in agreement. We all recognize the issues at hand, you just have more patience than me    I think if Carlisle just sets more defined roles for each player, the better off we'll be and the quicker people will find their rhythm. Once Seth understands he's going to get at least 23mpg each night, perhaps he won't be so scared to shoot a shot and miss and get pulled. Once THJ is told that he is to stand in the corner and spot up (which surprisingly he's elite at) then maybe he won't take those 18 seconds left-in-the-shotclock 3's.

But it all starts with Carlisle. Lets hope the Mavs make some progress against Toronto.