Mavs 107, Kings 121

[Jason Terry]

One of the main chemistry goals of the season is (or should be) to perfect the Luka-KP synergy thing, and the grade is incomplete, at best. 

I am not an adherent of the idea that this is some snit-induced conspiracy on the part of Luka and the other guys to sabotage KP. I almost wish that were all there were to it, because that would be the easiest thing to fix. I think this is a more systemic issue. 

Carlisle has admitted that he likes to use KP as a spacer, to draw off a good defender, and then play four-on-four to attack weaker defenders. That is built into the system, and requires an adjustment to fix. Rick has acknowledged that it is on him to make sure that the offense is balanced, and KP gets a chance to shine. While KP should cooperate with the system, I can't fault him for not wanting to stand in the corner the whole game -- that is surely not maximizing his considerable talents, and is not getting any closer to solidifying a Luka-KP synergistic duo. 

The other part of the system that results in this issue, imo, is the flow offense, especially as managed by a young point guard, talented though he is. This type of offense inherently does not produce a predictable "x shots for A, y shots for B" pattern throughout any particular game. It has a certain catch-as-catch-can element to it, and different players will get more or fewer than their "fair share" of attempts, based on how the game is going. 

A layer of complexity to the offense for the point guard is making sure that everyone stays involved. Luka said after this very game that it is on him to "keep everyone motivated." I might not go that far, but it is part of his job to make sure that everyone is engaged offensively, in addition to looking for the open shooter and getting the best attempt available. That's an enormous job, especially for a 22-year-old, and it isn't that surprising that it doesn't always come off, and you get odd shooting distributions like last night, especially when some players are having cold games. 

Ultimately, it is on the coaching staff to develop a system that results in the two stars being greater than the sum of the parts, or to determine after reasonable effort that their two games are not compatible enough to make that happen. And, of course, it's then on the players to execute on the court. I don't think the team has unlocked that synergy, and the compressed season may not allow time for much experimentation in that direction or any other. 

I think it's going to take more than just telling Luka not to intentionally look KP off. I imagine he has already been given that instruction, or just knows it. But if they can't get it figured out, they'll be forced to trade KP. I don't think they're likely to get equivalent value for him, so I look for them to continue to try to make it work, at least for one more season, unless something breaks for them trade-wise.

The other option would be to get in a new coaching staff, to see if some fresh ideas would produce something more workable. If it is a choice between KP and Rick, I rather think Cuban would choose Rick, but it's certainly not for sure.

Well said very diplomatic version of the status quo. Respect to you. 

It's not easy to explain this failure. The KP-Luka synergy has been near nonexistent(catch and shoot doesn’t count). Maybe the most blame should be directed at RC for the system we run and instructions given. I really doubt it since he’s known as perhaps the best X and O’s coach in the league. RC also seems like the type of guy to scrap everything if the system isn’t working. Maybe none of that is true and RC is done here? That narrative doesn’t fit his actions though. He’s not coaching for his job, he’s going through the motions like everyone else. 

You hit the nail on the head with the 2 man game. Where has that been? There’s a dozen variations of the pick and roll that our superstars never run. Almost zero creativity or working together between them. Why? It’s a total waste of talent. Together they should be dominating. It should be our bread and butter. Why is it not? 

The defensive end is even more of a train wreck. What can our max player superstar KP do on that end? He can’t rim protect nightly. He can’t guard 4’s in this league who blow right past him. What can he do? If he really is part of this team he would have no problem giving effort every night. He plays in half the games and gives effort in half of those. No team can succeed under these circumstances. 

Yes blame for Luka is out there and maybe it’s all his fault. It’s not even worth mentioning because he’s not the guy you move on from.