07-06-2021, 09:42 AM
(07-06-2021, 09:34 AM)mavsluvr Wrote: It sounds to me like you think it may be likely that KP withered under Carlisle's regime, and he would respond much better to a "player's coach," who relies mostly on positive reinforcement, rather than another disciplinarian.
Since we're speaking frankly today, I have to say that there have been a lot of things about KP's attitude that haven't sat too well with me. Going to the strip club during the playoffs, even though it was off limits, and risking a suspension. Being unavailable for a game during last season's playoffs, because he didn't get his test done on time. The off-court incidents. Repeatedly checking out during games. Airing his grievances in the media. Always dissatisfied about something, and seemingly more focused on himself than the team.
Maybe Carlisle was running a horror show in the locker room, but we didn't see that kind of attitude issue with the other players, for the most part. Given that KP also had these kinds of issues in NY, I suspect the problem at least partly lies with him.
By all accounts, J Kidd has learned to relate well with players, and may provide a boost to KP's morale. I hope so. But there are some people who constantly think the world is doing them wrong, and act out their dissatisfaction with passive-aggressive behavior.
We are obviously doing quite a bit of armchair psychologizing based on incomplete information, but someone at the Mavs is bound to have a handle on what the situation really is. If they decide to roll with KP for now, I can understand that. It was thrilling to think, when the trade happened, that KP could be that unstoppable offensive player while also serving as a first-class rim protector, and they may not be ready to give up on that dream.
I will cheer for him if he is still here, of course, but I have come to think that his physical decline, injury history, extreme tallness, and troubling attitude would take a lot of the sting out of losing him, especially if they can get some kind of reasonable return. It would be an admission of failure by the front office, but the shakeup in that department would make that decision easier, I'm guessing.
I hope Kidd makes all the difference, as you suggest he might. It's not as easy to be loved as a head coach as it is as an assistant. Holding people accountable, even if done fairly and gently, doesn't always leave the person in a positive frame of mind.
100% with you. Good stuff here.
There are lots of different possibilities here. Don't take my musings and speculation as me thinking "I KNOW" (I don't).