The Malaise in Dallas - S66 Preseason Presser

[LazyTitanSmash]

The stadium is half empty for the last preseason game. On the big screen, an advertising campaign highlighting this year's rookie of the year candidate Dominitrix Johnson and the future all-star Scoot Henderson play overhead. The ad goes on to tout some free agency pick-ups that they swear will be good. It promises that this year, defense will be emphasized, and just you wait, we'll be good this year.

But no one is paying attention. All eyes are on the ticker strip under the big screen ad, which displays the preseason record-- 1-5. Here we go again. Dallas fans have seen this before, and they are sick of it. The promise of a playoff birth; just to watch their team tank all year so that the GM can pick up the next hot prospect. The prospects look good on paper, but they take forever to develop. Hence the losing year after year. Worse, they have seen rookies traded away just before they become good. (Hackney)

The few fans that are left in the stands talk about how the problem this year and every year is that they have never had a true passing point guard. At least since the days of He Hor, and he was only on the team for half a season. They heard rumors that the GM was considering bringing him back this offseason in free agency at the ripe old age of 37. (You know the CP3 signing type of deal. Wait, isn't he 38. God that CP3 part of the podcast was funny) Oh, the dream of a good point guard.

The fans talk about their point guard woes, but deep down, they know the real problem is the GM. He has missed in free agency over and over again. Player development is been absent from this team since he got here. He promises that this time around, things will be different-- player development will be emphasized. But no one believes him. They know he spends time trying to cobble together the league's misfits and unwanted. The aging superstar on his last good season or the g/g player he knows will go blue.

When the fans leave the stadium, they are greeted by a giant billboard that reads: " If you want to know what it feels like to win, come join the show," with the headshots of Safi Fino-A-Laself Paolo Banchero flanking Johnny Davis. Just past the billboard are the street vendors selling NBA merchandise. The true fans just leaving the stadium pick up their Mavs shirts there. But they notice that the Lakers gear is nearly sold out. There might be more Laker fans in Dallas than Mavs fans.

On the radio on the way home from the game, the host announces that they have a special guest, the GM of the Mavs, if anyone wants to call in with questions, but the malaise in Dallas has left the switchboard empty up until this point...

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Mavs made a splash in UFA by grabbing E.J. Liddell on a max contract. What kind of production do you expect from him, and what areas are you expecting him to improve to consider that contract earned?

[LazyTitanSmash]

Honestly I want 15 points, 9 rebound, 2 assist and completely shut down defense. No PF he goes up against should be leading their team in point when they play the mavericks. Hold opposing PF to under 15 points. I expect his scoring to improve over time.

[MexicanMamba]

With such a hyper-focus on PGs, is that the only position you feel like you'd be willing to trade assets for? Or would you consider opening up the war chest for other players if the right situation came around?

Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk

[greepleairport]

Hello, this is Brian from Fort Worth. LazyTitan, do you really think this is the year to let the malaise soak in? I mean, Kuminga's development has been slower than molasses, granted, but he's finally starting caliber with room left to grow. He's flanked by EJ for a little extra defensive support. Scoot is on the cusp of his first ASG appearance, and good god is Dominitrix about to become a major talking point around the league.

Kenneth Douglas is not the best PG but he is growing. While he's growing, have you sought out a pass-first PG in his or her y/y shining armor?? They're out there...

Oh, one more thing. Your team shot high percentage shots in the preseason, and you have a few accurate 3 point shooters too, which is not something the champs or prior champs had in their arsenal...

[Black Superman]

Desert here,

With scoot expressing frustration on Twitter with the team you went out and signed EJ. What steps are you taking to field a good team this year. Are you seeking a trade to compete and make your star guard happy?

[Eazy P]

Do you expect big things from Dominitrix this year? He's looking like he will be a problem for opposing teams.

[LazyTitanSmash]

With such a hyper-focus on PGs, is that the only position you feel like you'd be willing to trade assets for? Or would you consider opening up the war chest for other players if the right situation came around?

Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk

Until I have a team that can make the playoffs on its own, Dallas isn't looking for older players (29+). We are looking for players closer to Scoots age. That being said I am looking to move some of my rookie contracts for say a player coming off of the first year of his RFA contract.

[LazyTitanSmash]

Desert here,

With scoot expressing frustration on Twitter with the team you went out and signed EJ. What steps are you taking to field a good team this year. Are you seeking a trade to compete and make your star guard happy?

This is Scoot's team.The Mavs back Scoot 100%. If he's got a problem with EJ than we have problem with EJ. The Mavs just spent a ton of time (i.e. points) getting Scoot ready for next year. We would like to see how well Scoot and EJ run together but, thank you for bring this to our attention, it sounds like EJ better start packing his bags or figure out how to get along with Scoot.

[LazyTitanSmash]

Do you expect big things from Dominitrix this year? He's looking like he will be a problem for opposing teams.

I think he should win rookie of the year. We are hoping to get 20pts per game out of him. But next year watch out he's going to TKO the league.

[cashcab]

Who is the best player in your division?

Sent from my moto g pure using Tapatalk