04-20-2021, 10:23 PM
(04-20-2021, 10:02 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: 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.
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.
1) I think I started saying in December that leadership was a fundamental issue with everything going on and maybe THE underlying issue. And I still think that is the case.
2) The team has had inconsistent and poor effort and energy in almost half their games this year IMO.
3) Every team is dealing with the same conditions so if fatigue is an issue it is on the players/coaches for not being in proper condition compared to other teams.
4) I don't think the coaches have done a very good job at all of getting things under control that have been going on for months IMO.
5) I am glad they admit there are tensions, as that seems to be clear. I am not confident they can be worked out, but any sort of camaraderie is better than the dysfunction that is currently plaguing the team.
6) Yes the whole MBT is at fault in this and needs to take a serious look in the mirror.