NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Dallas Mavericks were never real contenders to win the NBA championship this seaosn. No matter what the analysts are saying regarding the pairing between Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, there will be no winning until Jason Kidd steps up to the plate and becomes a leader. From a head coach, that’s all any team should want but Kidd is throwing his players under the bus when he’s the main problem.
Against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks blew a 27-point lead and lost the game this past Sunday. Losing a lead in the NBA is nothing uncommon but it’s the way that a team falters that makes this biggest impression. The Mavericks came out hot. Hitting three-balls left and right but anyone who has watched the Mavericks this season knew they would let the Lakers back in. Hell, Kidd didn’t sound too surprised after the loss.
I’m not the savior here. I’m not playing,” Kidd said when asked why he used only one timeout in the second and third quarters as the lead was slipping away. “I’m watching, just like you guys.
Kidd stated he’s not there to be the savior, then what are you there for? His job is to put his team in the best position to win and while the team became unglued against the Lakers, the issue is what comes next? The Phoenix Suns, when Kevin Durant suits up will pose the same problem for the Mavericks. The same can be said regarding the Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Minnesota Timberwolves. These are all teams with good frontcourt play who can pound the ball inside and rebound.
Look at teams in the NBA with winning records, they have size in their frontcourt consisting of players who know their role. The Mavs are not as big, especially with Davis Bertans, Max Kebler, and JaVale McGee not getting any minutes. Kidd is left with just Josh Powell and Christian Wood in the paint and they’re not getting it done.
Is Jason Kidd The Right Coach For The Dallas Mavericks
For the Mavs to be successful, they must outscore you. There is no defense being played at all. The Lakers’ game was a match to see where they are following the Irving trade and for at least 3 quarters, they looked the part until it was time to defend. it was the same in their game against the Indiana Pacers Tuesday night. Heading into the final stage of this season, Kidd will need to instill some toughness into this group. Irving and Doncic are ballers and will give their all but how can they rely on Tim Hardaway Jr, Reggie Bullock, and Powell to be all-world defenders when they’re undersized in the post?
In the Lakers’ game, their leading rebounder was Irving who finished with 11 boards. The next closest player was Doncic with 9 and Wood with 9. There is no way your top rebounders should be your guards. Against the Pacers, it was the same. Doncic finished with 8 and Josh Green had 6. Once again, the guards are doing the dirty work. Then we have to take into account Kidd and his rotations. Why is Wood only playing 20 minutes? Why is he not starting? There was no foul trouble. When the Lakers began to make their run, Kidd did not make the necessary adjustments.
As a team, we’ve got to mature. … We’ve got to grow up — if we want to win a championship. There’s no young team that’s ever won a championship, mentally or physically.
While Wood is not an All-NBA defender, his absence on the floor allowed the Lakers to get second-chance points that would eventually be their demise. It does fall on the players on the court but Jason Kidd is not taking responsibility for his coaching. Instead, he’s telling reporters he’s watching the game like everyone else. It’s time to stop watching and start coaching.
On the season, the Dallas Mavericks rank 30th in rebounding, 27th in Blocks, and 24th in Steals. There is no real defense being played. They are an exciting bunch to watch but winning is more than playing playground ball. And that is where the team is now. Jason Kidd can point the finger all he wants, but the real issue with this team is their coach.
