GDT game 76 - Mavs (31-44) at Bucks (40-36) 2:30pm FSSW

[EricaLubarsky]

Anyone remember Hammons?

[rimrocker]

Nice to see Brussino get some good burn.
Still wish we could see Uthoff.

And Barnes needs to quick deferring to Dirk, JJ and Wes.....this is what we get from him when he's assertive and takes control of this team.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Anyone remember Hammons?

Dude must be pathetic in practice since he can't get one minute of PT.

[rimrocker]

If we're going to win once in awhile it might as well be to a good team.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Management needs to have a small chat with Rick.

It still boggles the mind. Rick is a genius strategist. But can't understand when to pull the plug. Its idiotic. and why the hell not play the young guys. Powell may be a tarde asset. Hammons, Uthoff. There are 12 yr olds that play fantasy football that would understand the concept. Draft position can be the difference between an all-star and also ran.

And I don't want to here the "winning culture" bullshit. Cuban tore down a championship team for fucks sake. The Spurs tanked to start their dynasty. We (and the entire league)should've been using them as a model for the past decade. Not the last year. Pour resources into scouting, development, overseas guys, be opportunistic around draft time. Buy low on players like Dedmon, Danny Green, Patty, Diaw.

No half measures. Guys, remember that huge team building win at Milwaukee lat season? Um, no? It was all but meaningless in the grand scheme. He played Barnes 39 mins. It's just Rick being stubborn. Plain and simple. He can be a genius in one way and an ass in another. Look know further than his teams owner.

[Budapest Maverick]

Not gonna lie, this made me pretty mad. Building momentum for the next season? Are you f****g kidding me?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by mac222b

It still boggles the mind. Rick is a genius strategist. But can't understand when to pull the plug. Its idiotic. and why the hell not play the young guys. Powell may be a tarde asset. Hammons, Uthoff. There are 12 yr olds that play fantasy football that would understand the concept. Draft position can be the difference between an all-star and also ran.

And I don't want to here the "winning culture" bullshit. Cuban tore down a championship team for fucks sake. The Spurs tanked to start their dynasty. We (and the entire league)should've been using them as a model for the past decade. Not the last year. Pour resources into scouting, development, overseas guys, be opportunistic around draft time. Buy low on players like Dedmon, Danny Green, Patty, Diaw.

No half measures. Guys, remember that huge team building win at Milwaukee lat season? Um, no? It was all but meaningless in the grand scheme. He played Barnes 39 mins. It's just Rick being stubborn. Plain and simple. He can be a genius in one way and an ass in another. Look know further than his teams owner.

It really is the first time that I wonder if Rick should be the coach of this team going forward. Pig headed coaches eventually get fired. Seriously, running f'in Dirk into the ground when the games mean NOTHING is absolutely inexcusable. I don't really care as much about Barnes since he is at least young, but risking Dirk's career is insane.

And the problem is that he'll do it with Dirk again to start next season just to see Dirk have achilles soreness...again. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

[SMC0007]

In fairness, ya never know what is going on off the court. Dirk is a massive influence and might not give a shit what the difference between 7th and 11th pick could be. I wanted them to lose out but I wonder what impact it has mentally on some of the guys.

[EricaLubarsky]

Thing is, it's terrible to tell guys not to try, to put in half effort, or to play at half speed. Those things can wreck a player.

Best way to tank is injuries-- that's what got the Spurs the twin towers, and to mess with rotations. Sounds like they may shut down Dirk which is a start. Playing Brussino 17mpg is a good start too. I just wanna see Uthoff and Hammons. Maybe some more minutes for DFS.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Thing is, it's terrible to tell guys not to try, to put in half effort, or to play at half speed. Those things can wreck a player.

Best way to tank is injuries-- that's what got the Spurs the twin towers, and to mess with rotations. Sounds like they may shut down Dirk which is a start. Playing Brussino 17mpg is a good start too. I just wanna see Uthoff and Hammons. Maybe some more minutes for DFS.

You simply play your starters less. Or Give them games off. Play the starters 25 or less.

[sefant77]

Put Barnes on a minute restriction...no need to risk him blowing out his knees at the end of a long season...win-win

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by mac222b

You simply play your starters less. Or Give them games off. Play the starters 25 or less.

Yeah, that needs to happen.

Starters play no more than 25mpg
Dirk sits out the rest of the season
Hammons, Uthoff, DFS, Brussino, etc all need to play significant minutes
Some starters should sit out. It sounds like Rick is doing that, but only for the Kings and Nuggets games

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by sefant77

But Barnes on a minute restriction...no need to risk him blowing out his knees at the end of a long season...win-win

And I think managing minutes is a separate issue from tanking. If Rick really wants to keep winning every game, then why play dumps Matthews 35 minutes? It just doesn't make any sense. At least Barnes has earned his minutes.

I'd much rather try to win and develop the young guys if that's what he wants to do, but running vets like your franchise face into the ground doesn't work.