02-28-2021, 01:23 PM
(02-28-2021, 12:49 PM)DrMav Wrote: I didn't try to find the chair kicking incident, and am not sure even what it was a response to. Was KP frustrated about something on the court related to himself or someone else (people are saying he was frustrated with Luka)? Was he frustrated he wasn't in the game when he had been playing well? I'm sure we'll get an answer at some point, but who knows if it will be the truth.
I could see him being frustrated about not being taken out of the game, or not being put back in, but I don't think that's going to have any lingering effects; it's just a competitive guy that was playing well wanting to be on the court, but then he'll realize it was a blowout and understand.
If he's frustrated with Luka, then that merits more watching. If there is something for him to be frustrated with, there has been a pattern this season of Luka driving and KP's man collapsing from the 3-point line to help leaving KP wide open at the top of the arc, but Luka not finding him. There was definitely one of those in the game and a bit later on is when the chair-kicking talk started.
I saw Brunson do it a few times too. I noticed Luka do it a few too...not just once. It actually pop in to my head as being odd during the game. Not saying they were abandoning KP on purpose...just that it seemed odd on multiple occasions.
I think Im done with the KP talk...the Mavs need to figure it out. Missing a lot of games leads the fan base to really hawk his in game performance when he does play. Now its he misses games and his defense sucks. Now the fan base is questioning KP, contract, KP's team(Janis I guess?), KP's past with Knicks, KP's motivation, is he/his team high maintenance....is it all worth it?
From a non-insider point of view...I understand taking the risk on KP...he is talented but has some unfortunate injuries that have kept him off the court and hurt him being able to work on his game. The injuries (and maybe Janis) are hard to deal with but I think the Mavs already knew this before getting him...so I dont think Mavs are caught off guard in regards to those two things. What I would zero in on...IF...IF...KP and his team are not causing trouble behind the scenes...is KP's desire to play an 82 game schedule not being the #1. If there is something to KP wanting to shoot a lot or he is not interested...if he wants to shoot missals from the Logo multiple times a game...if he prefers to shoot 3's and if he cant he is bored(and then lazy on defense)...if he wants to try and flash dribbles even though its easy for guards to rip him...basically...if KP wants to play a game that is stimulating for him but hurts the team being able to win....then the Mavs need to move on. As someone said on RealGM last night...if he wants to be the #1 and play a game that is stimulating to him...send him to Washington with Westbrook and they can each launch 30 attempts a game.
I dont know what if anything is going on behind the scenes and I cant fault KP for injuries...but if there is even a little suggesting he doesnt care about winning basketball...you probably need to move on. I can live with Janis and injuries to an extent...but not caring about the team winning is a different story.
Anyway...I hope KP is nothing but professional behind the scenes and I would like to see him long term on the Mavs because he is talented...but Mavs need to figure this out.