NBA: Dallas suffers, Brooklyn hopes

There is a saying: “Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.” We see a living example of this saying in the stories of Dallas and Brooklyn. Of course, after Kyrie Irving’s trade.

The Texans wanted to win in the here and now, which means trading another superstar for their roster. Brooklyn realized that with the older roster available at the time, they didn’t shine because of the immensely strong Milwaukee, Boston, and Philadelphia. And this year’s playoffs are already in your pocket. Fans have nothing to worry about. The Nets general manager, Sean Marks, was looking for someone to “send” to their stars at the end of their careers who themselves wanted to play in real contenders.

No one needs Simmons, Mark Cuban – moreover, no one to give for Durant, but an outstanding striker with experience to win against the undefeated Golden State (2016) in the NBA Finals is just what is needed, Mavs owner, top 3&D artist Finney-Smith and a good “little one” Dinwiddy for Irving.

The trade immediately raised questions for the Dallas management, saying Kyrie has an unstable psyche and it’s unknown what to do this time (ask the Cavs for a trade at a crucial moment of the season, anti-vaccine, a statement about a flat Earth). Also, Jason Kidd will have to make plans to hide not only Doncic but Irving on the defensive. And finally, how will the two stars share the ball amongst themselves as they play their best basketball with “oranges” in their hands? But most importantly: the newcomer’s contract expires and Dallas becomes a hostage to the situation he’s dragged himself into. Or renew the contract on favorable terms for the 31-year-old player, and that’s a lot of money and a down payment for the future, namely Doncic’s future. Or admitting his mistakes and failures by handing over the best defensive player and a guaranteed playoff spot (Dallas was 6th before the trade) for Irving’s two-month loan contract.

In response, Brooklyn understood that there would not be an election on its own until 2028 and that it would not be appropriate to “merge” outright. However, assets are required for reconstruction. So Sean Marks decided to have a monopoly on small forwards who specialize in defense and can shoot 3-pointers.

And he succeeded by simultaneously taking on Royce, Dorien and Mikel – basketball players, each of whom was the cornerstone of his last team’s defense. Each of the top two is worth at least a first-round draft pick, because championship teams look for such performers. And Mikel is already trying out his role as Brooklyn’s leader and the Iron Man NBA title from Dinwiddie (since he’s played every game this season).

“He’s currently playing at the best performing level, so it’s nice to have him among us,” said team center Nick Claxton.

Back to Dallas and play-in qualifiers: “It’s been a very disappointing season,” Luka Doncic told ESPN.

The Mavs competed for the postseason with the following teams: Oklahoma, Minnesota and New Orleans. The win/lose ratio is 1-2 with the Thunder and Timberwolves and 2-2 with the Pelicans. Opponents that can be defeated in a one-match duel and while strengthening the composition. Moreover, it is impossible to look at the team while Doncic is resting.

So Luke has the highest usage rate in Dallas at 37.7% (second only to Giannis in the NBA). By comparison, Christian Wood is second in scoring and second-in-command, with the exception of rookie Irving and the traded quarterback Dinwiddie. In addition, Doncic spends the most time on the field – averaging 36.2 minutes for the season (9th in the NBA) and also sometimes needs a rest. And Dallas is a basketball player who can replace the leader.

But let’s remember why Kyrie was unhappy in LeBron’s Caves: for her, the role of the second person on the team (after the same James) is very low. In Boston there are no such things as roles in principle, everyone has their own meaning there, so ambitious Smart, Brown and Tatum coexist in the Celtics. And he usually had a third role in Brooklyn, after Harden and Durent, followed by a second role when only Durent remained. And then – Sean Marks isn’t crazy about making Irving the face of the organization, and under the guise of a sale, he cancels his contract for two-year role deals (which he should get nothing at the end of the season). Players with their own worth in the NBA trading market.

Especially when Doncic is as good as LeBron at controlling his team’s play, will Kyrie play the new old role? As a rookie, Dallas had 9 wins and 17 losses. 3 of these were won by Doncic and Irving playing separately. In the absence of both basketball players, 1 win was won. When both were on their own team, Dallas was 5-11. Before the trade, Dallas had a 29-26 win/loss.

He wants to spend his entire career with us. But we deserve it,” Mark Cuban said last week when asked about the Slovenian’s loyalty to the organisation.

Doncic demanded a stronger squad from the Mavs front office earlier in the season. But now, the best the organization can do is extend the contracts of Wood and Powell (two key role players) and stay with the players they currently have. With or without Irving.

“Sometimes I just don’t feel like myself. I used to really have fun smiling on the floor. But now I’m sad. It’s not just because of basketball,” the Mavs leader shares his feelings after quitting competing for the postseason.

But Brooklyn is the opposite. Jacques Vaughn’s team received a direct ticket to the playoffs where they would face Philadelphia. The Nets have not sunk much this season, with 13 wins and 14 losses since the trade. But we have good material for building a new team through barter. And Mikel Bridges will be the cornerstone of this team: “I’m already in the playoffs and will play 83 games this season. It should be fun.

So for the second year in a row, Dallas, who wanted it all at once, could lose a quarterback – replacing Luka while he’s resting. Thus, the team is deprived of the opportunity to win, which the Slovenian player so desires. And finally, the Mavs risk losing Doncic in a year.

Brooklyn took a step back. And he got a treasure and many opportunities to work with dignity. I wish Sean Marks had traded so skillfully for Ben Simmons. But Mark Cuban has nothing to give.

Vyacheslav Shevchenko