Should head coach Jason Kidd take blame for Dallas Mavericks struggles?
By Tyler Watts
Jason Kidd is trying to make the current Dallas Mavericks into something they are not
Kidd deserves the blame for trying to make this into a defensive-minded team. Yes, it was the reason they reached the conference finals last season, and the current Mavs must play better defense, but it is not in their DNA. The Hall of Famer is coaching a special offensive group that should have the best offensive rating in the NBA. He needs to lean into that strength to get them back on track.
Back to the food analogy, Kidd must forget his desire for spaghetti and make a delicious chicken and rice dish. Let Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving punish opposing teams. Put the best players on the floor, including Josh Green and Christian Wood. Give up 120 points every game as you attempt to score 125. Using Dwight Powell over Wood and Justin Holiday over Green is not winning games right now, so simplify things and play to the strengths of the roster.
The Mavs need to embrace those edges. Go small playing Maxi Kleber and Christian Wood at the five. Let Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Reggie Bullock handle the minutes on the wing with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving taking on the playmaking duties. Letting those seven average 32 minutes per game leaves just 16 for the rest of the roster.
The Dallas Mavericks are in a bad spot with plenty of blame to go around, but how do they get out of it?