THE CRUCIFIX: Cato: Wood isn't thrilled w/ his role...Will depart in the summer

[mvossman]

Well to be fair you can´t blame all of this on Kidd and Nico. They did the exact same thing with Noel and Dalembert, when Rick and Donnie were in charge. It´s actually crazy how similar the situations are. I think one needs to look for a common denominator that was overseeing both situations.

But maybe there is no such person with knowledge what goes on on the basketball operations side of the Mavericks. I heard similar stories about the business operations side being like the jungle.

I think Noel might be a similar situation but look at the end result.  After flirting with a 70 mil contract, the Mavs decided he did not have the right mental makeup and did not to invest in him long term.  He went on to be a fringe NBA player as a defensive specialist and never made close to what that contract would be.  Noel thought too highly of himself and the Mavs rightfully backed away.  

Maybe Wood is a different case but the Noel situation is more a cautionary tale for Wood than for the Mavs.

[Mavs2021]

I think Noel might be a similar situation but look at the end result.  After flirting with a 70 mil contract, the Mavs decided he did not have the right mental makeup and did not to invest in him long term.  He went on to be a fringe NBA player as a defensive specialist and never made close to what that contract would be.  Noel thought too highly of himself and the Mavs rightfully backed away.  

Maybe Wood is a different case but the Noel situation is more a cautionary tale for Wood than for the Mavs.

Read the room, Mark.

It´s me. Are you trying to convince ME of all people that this whole Noel mess was a win/good decision from the Mavs FO, just because Noel turned down the 70/4 extension offer. 

[SleepingHero]

After flirting with a 70 mil contract, the Mavs decided he did not have the right mental makeup and did not to invest in him long term.

I mean Cuban DID offer him a 70 mil contract. It was Noel who turned it down. After which the Mavs moved on, probably sobering up that Noel/his agent were so deluded that they could get more, they probably shouldn't invest. 

Just clarifying this, because the only thing that saved Cuban from that mistake was Noel himself. 

I'm not going to try and get into Wood's head cause I don't know the guy but here's my take right now as it stands since Wood is subtweeting the Mavs and pouting on the bench. 

Wood in this scenario vs Nerlens is also looking for as much money as he can get. But after the Irving trade, his stock fell at least 2 spots down the totem pole with Green's newfound scoring ability. If I'm Wood, I look around and say I can't get my numbers now to go to teams and say "give me 100 mil.", and the coach won't work with me at all because he wants defense. 

What I think Wood fails to realize is that his big payday was never coming realistically. The 2 weeks he had after Christmas was the closest he looked like being worth an extension and even then the biggest number that was thrown around was 77 mil for 4 years.

I really feel like we're not being told even a tenth of what's going on behind the scenes with Wood because it really makes no sense how this is all playing out.

[IamDougieFresh]

@"SleepingHero" when he starts his Kidd/Wood altercation fan fic in his head

[F Gump]

I think Noel might be a similar situation but look at the end result.  After flirting with a 70 mil contract, the Mavs decided he did not have the right mental makeup and did not to invest in him long term.  He went on to be a fringe NBA player as a defensive specialist and never made close to what that contract would be.  Noel thought too highly of himself and the Mavs rightfully backed away.  

Maybe Wood is a different case but the Noel situation is more a cautionary tale for Wood than for the Mavs.

We're all trying to understand the Wood situation, and why the demand for his services (both trade, and contract) seems so tepid. Thanks for your perspective.

Interesting analogy to the Noel scenario. As we recall, his career arc basically went downhill once he showed himself unreliable (to the point of the hot dog stuff) in Dallas.

I also look at the Kanter career arc and see an analogy. Got big money, still didn't play a lick of defense, and teams wouldn't pay him big money after that.

We are also seeing Voulgaris' comment on Wood that he is a "completely unserious defender."

I have to wonder if the puzzling negative undercurrents about Wood in re the Mavs, as to why he is perceived (and used) so differently from his stats, is in some way like that of Noel and Kanter, and tied to that "unserious" perception offered by Bob. He's being paid fairly big money, but he's still "unserious" as a defender?

That is, once a player is entrusted with a big contract (or the chance at one) and then doesn't work his azz off to develop his game or fix his flaws to justify it, teams feel cheated. And there goes his playing time, and market, as teams lose trust in his willingness to work hard on what needs hard work.

Just a theory.

[ItsGoTime]

https://twitter.com/KennyBybee/status/16...72608?s=20

So, I’ve mostly been a defender of Wood all season, however, I guess I don’t know what is happening behind the scenes, but I read this comment and cringe a bit. To me, loyalty hasn’t come into play yet, that will show at contract time. Commitment in some ways, but others not so much. All I think Kidd wants to see is total commitment to defense and let the offense land where it will.

[SleepingHero]

@"SleepingHero" when he starts his Kidd/Wood altercation fan fic in his head

Me reading your post right now after you've just ruined my surprise Wood X Kidd wattpad that was dropping next week. 

https://tenor.com/view/drake-phone-drake...f-24742412

(The title was called "Bench or not, Wood is harder than Love" )

[IamDougieFresh]

https://twitter.com/BibsCorner/status/16...14625?s=20

[SkenfromLMF]

It´s me. Are you trying to convince ME of all people that this whole Noel mess was a win/good decision from the Mavs FO, just because Noel turned down the 70/4 extension offer. 

Umm... 
have you ever read any comments regarding Kristaps Porzingas
have you ever read any comments regarding Dwight Powell
have you ever read any comments regarding Javale McGee

IF Nerlens Noel had been signed to that 4 for 70 million he would look like the last hot dog on the 7-11 rotor at 3 AM in the morning. Yeah somebody would eventually take him, but that is because there won't be much money left and they've spent the bulk of their time and assets on strippers and alcohol. In the meantime this place would be passing out pitchforks and zippos for avatars.

Yes good on the Mavs that Noel's camp didn't understand that C is the NBA's version of the NFL running-back. It means someone figured out AFTER the Mavs!

[cow]

https://twitter.com/nolongerdfh/status/1...95904?s=46&t=KyKfQOT7SxiTP0H6hZqOCA

I don't think anyone is blaming Wood for the state of the defense.  You are always going to be at a disadvantage at that end of the court thanks to Luka and now Kyrie.  If three of your five starters or negatives on the defense end, you can't play good defense.  Josh is quick, but he's not cover four players quick.

[mvossman]

I mean Cuban DID offer him a 70 mil contract. It was Noel who turned it down. After which the Mavs moved on, probably sobering up that Noel/his agent were so deluded that they could get more, they probably shouldn't invest. 

Just clarifying this, because the only thing that saved Cuban from that mistake was Noel himself. 

I'm not going to try and get into Wood's head cause I don't know the guy but here's my take right now as it stands since Wood is subtweeting the Mavs and pouting on the bench. 

Wood in this scenario vs Nerlens is also looking for as much money as he can get. But after the Irving trade, his stock fell at least 2 spots down the totem pole with Green's newfound scoring ability. If I'm Wood, I look around and say I can't get my numbers now to go to teams and say "give me 100 mil.", and the coach won't work with me at all because he wants defense. 

What I think Wood fails to realize is that his big payday was never coming realistically. The 2 weeks he had after Christmas was the closest he looked like being worth an extension and even then the biggest number that was thrown around was 77 mil for 4 years.

I really feel like we're not being told even a tenth of what's going on behind the scenes with Wood because it really makes no sense how this is all playing out.

It's been a long time, but what I remember was that it was rumored that Mavs offered 4/70 but later it came out that no offer was actually made and the two sides were way too far apart.  Seems like there has been conflicting rumors as to whether a two year extension has been offered to Wood or not.  Regardless of what they did or did not offer Noel, I could see where that situation might make them leery of offering Wood the full extension if they thought he had similar "focus" issues.

[Chicagojk]

I wonder if something happened?  I would just start him.    We all have egos.  I am sure it is not great to lose your spot to Powell after injury and then see freaking McGee enter the game before you now.    Wood was playing his best ball when he was put as a starter, albeit against poor competition.   Just start him...and see how he responds.  Even if the defense is not great.  Just run pick and role non stop with him rolling and popping with Kyrie and Luka.  After 6 minutes, take him out and let bring in the energizer bunny.   

I don't want to start Maxi due to wear and tear and it may be hard to match up their minutes, but you could probably do it in the second quarter and fourth quarter. 

I just see now upside of giving McGee minutes.  I see a role for Powell but more of a bench guy who comes in and makes hustle plays.   Maybe a 20 minute per game role.  Even if we have decided Wood is not a fit here long term.

[cow]

I wonder if something happened?  I would just start him.    We all have egos.  I am sure it is not great to lose your spot to Powell after injury and then see freaking McGee enter the game before you now.    Wood was playing his best ball when he was put as a starter, albeit against poor competition.   Just start him...and see how he responds.  Even if the defense is not great.  Just run pick and role non stop with him rolling and popping with Kyrie and Luka.  After 6 minutes, take him out and let bring in the energizer bunny.   

I don't want to start Maxi due to wear and tear and it may be hard to match up their minutes, but you could probably do it in the second quarter and fourth quarter. 

I just see now upside of giving McGee minutes.  I see a role for Powell but more of a bench guy who comes in and makes hustle plays.   Maybe a 20 minute per game role.  Even if we have decided Wood is not a fit here long term.

Maybe it's less about something Wood did and more about the concern if they could play enough defense with the Luka/Wood combo (now the Luka/Wood/Irving trio).

[ItsGoTime]

The Wood/Luka/Kyrie trio has better defense than the Wood/Luka/SD trio. Why is this a point of discussion? When Wood started, that was the trio.

[SleepingHero]

The Wood/Luka/Kyrie trio has better defense than the Wood/Luka/SD trio. Why is this a point of discussion? When Wood started, that was the trio.

That's true and a fair point.

I don't know I think Kidd has it out for Wood. While I don't value Wood's offense as much as others around here, this team clearly has a better chance to win by playing its best players more, and Wood is apart of that group.

Hopefully after the ASB Kidd has a revelation smoking some weird stuff Kyrie probably gave him out in the desert and he comes to his senses.

[IamDougieFresh]

1. I don't think anyone can dispute that Wood is the best offensive option.

2. Do you guys really think the defense is significantly better with McShaqtin or Dwight?

3. If you do think the defense is better with McShaqtin or Dwight, do you really think it is enough to offset the MASSIVE offensive diffy?

[IamDougieFresh]

4. Luka - Green - THJ - Maxi - Wood is by far our best lineup (+31.1). Undeniable fact for you stat degens. Swap THJ for Kyrie and let's see what happens.

[KillerLeft]

It's been a long time, but what I remember was that it was rumored that Mavs offered 4/70 but later it came out that no offer was actually made and the two sides were way too far apart.  Seems like there has been conflicting rumors as to whether a two year extension has been offered to Wood or not.  Regardless of what they did or did not offer Noel, I could see where that situation might make them leery of offering Wood the full extension if they thought he had similar "focus" issues.

No, that for 4/70 was made, factually. It’s why Noel sued his agent a couple years back. He sued him for the value of that contract, basically.

I remember this well because I posted that article about the lawsuit over at that other place you and I used to post and some weird guy over there got into it with me about how Noel “knew his worth” and was right to turn it down, despite STILL not having earned $70 million total since.

[LukaMVP]

if wood is to learn anything from noel's case, the first thing is that he should stay with us this summer, even for less pay. his market ain't that good as he and his agent think. the best scenario I can imagine on his behalf is that he plays on a rebuilding team, being a core piece in offense while padding stats for fun (similar to what he did in houston). such teams wouldn't mind paying him possibly, but they would rather reserve playing time to develop young players. meanwhile, no contender would give him a role bigger than a rotational player, maybe the 7-8th man at best. the few teams that might have some interest in him wouldn't have the space to offer him anything close to a max that he wants.

if there is a second thing to be learned, it's that players may get screwed by their agents once in a while.

[ItsGoTime]

His next step is to eat a hot dog.