(06-29-2022, 08:29 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: If your point is that the Mavs made a calculated risk (at the deadline) that no team would make Brunson an offer north of what they were comfortable offering him themselves, I agree. But, to my mind, that's a HUGE risk and a huge mistake.
Devil's advocate.... what was Mark going to say publicly? I mean what else could he say? He had to act as if the Mavs had the upper hand.
He screwed up. His best option coming into this 2 weeks ago was to say he was confident and not give NY any motivation or incentive to continue the pursuit. Of course they went balls out anyway and Cuban still looks like an idiot, but it's the only hand he had to play 2 weeks ago. No sense in behaving as if you lost back then. A little bluff is all he had.
But the mistake was made months ago, and perhaps this outcome is no surprise to him now. We are at a point where Cuban can still sell his offer to the Brunson camp, or maybe up it a little. Good. Maybe it happens.
But part of it still feels like this another D. Jordan moment from years ago.... the one where the player increases the drama and then all eyes focus on Cuban... and the Mavs come away with zippo, and the organization has egg on its face.