2021-2022 Preseason and camp thread

[EricaLubarsky]

I will never understand why Rick wanted to slow us down every play.

I understand when we had Dirk, we'd wait up for Dirk to get down the court and Rick wanted us to run some halfcourt to prepare for the post-season, but it seemed like Rick told them to slow it down every single play. But we never sped it up after Dirk retired, and it's one thing to practice half-court in practice/during games. It's another thing to completely limit the offense by refusing to run.

When your superstar is a 6'8" PG who rebounds, drives and passes as well as he does, you're ridiculous if you don't let them run when the opportunity presents itself.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I will never understand why Rick wanted to slow us down every play.

I understand when we had Dirk, we'd wait up for Dirk to get down the court and Rick wanted us to run some halfcourt to prepare for the post-season, but it seemed like Rick told them to slow it down every single play. But we never sped it up after Dirk retired, and it's one thing to practice half-court in practice/during games. It's another thing to completely limit the offense by refusing to run.

When your superstar is a 6'8" PG who rebounds, drives and passes as well as he does, you're ridiculous if you don't let them run when the opportunity presents itself.

And this was just part of it. You could SEE players look uncomfortable in the system, and I believe it was the chasing of the almighty efficiency. I think the team broke the record in offensive efficiency a few seasons ago. But at what cost?

Like, I'm sure Rick was friendly when off the court, but man was he strict once the ball tipped. And that was really apparent with big men, and it became headline number one with KP. You can get away with that with Noel or WCS but not your 158 million dollar star. Still crazy to think that KP is traded had Rick stayed. You just can't waste talent like that over a stubborn coach.

[G-Man]

I will always hate Rondo for sitting down during the playoffs against the Spurs. I have supported every Mavericks coach since I bought my frst season ticket package in 1982. But now that Carlisle is gone, I can allow myself to wonder what would have happened if he had gotten Rondo to buy in, or compromised with him. That trade cost the Mavs Jae Crowder, 2 draft picks, and helped fuel the slide into mediocrity. All we have to show for it is Dwight Powell.

The Celts had 8 first round picks after that trade. They've been to the conference finals twice.

[tap2390]

Originally Posted by G-Man

I will always hate Rondo for sitting down during the playoffs against the Spurs. I have supported every Mavericks coach since I bought my frst season ticket package in 1982. But now that Carlisle is gone, I can allow myself to wonder what would have happened if he had gotten Rondo to buy in, or compromised with him. That trade cost the Mavs Jae Crowder, 2 draft picks, and helped fuel the slide into mediocrity. All we have to show for it is Dwight Powell.

The Celts had 8 first round picks after that trade. They've been to the conference finals twice.

I stopped playing the what-if game when Luka fell into our laps. This would be a very tough time to be a Mavs fan if we end up with Bagley or Mo Bamba that draft and we’re still wondering about Giannis in a Mavs jersey.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I will never understand why Rick wanted to slow us down every play.

I understand when we had Dirk, we'd wait up for Dirk to get down the court and Rick wanted us to run some halfcourt to prepare for the post-season, but it seemed like Rick told them to slow it down every single play. But we never sped it up after Dirk retired, and it's one thing to practice half-court in practice/during games. It's another thing to completely limit the offense by refusing to run.

When your superstar is a 6'8" PG who rebounds, drives and passes as well as he does, you're ridiculous if you don't let them run when the opportunity presents itself.

I feel like it's clear why Rick wanted to slow us down. He HATES turnovers. He didn't trust the team as a whole to push it up and make good decisions. On one hand it's fairly understandable when you go back to our roster a few to a handful of years back. DSJ and Luka being so young and the guys around them weren't really quick and agile in terms of fast break.

Rick leaving was a blessing as good as he once was. He wasn't ever likely to make drastic changes and we needed big changes in play style. We needed an atmosphere change just as much.