The Dallas Mavericks misplaced their third sport in 4 on Friday. The Boston Celtics have been an excessive amount of for Jason Kidd’s crew to include. Boston’s array of capturing and defensive expertise has seen them cement themselves as championship favorites. The sport was a giant take a look at for the Mavericks, particularly the backcourt pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Kidd took a thinly veiled shot at his crew when talking at his postgame information convention. He famous how Boston’s success is based on their willingness to work for one another.
“It is a very uncommon factor on this league to see a crew like that with 5 shooters,” Kidd mentioned of the Celtics. “It is about crew for them. You possibly can see that with the ball motion. They are not apprehensive about who’s capturing it. A variety of occasions, the particular person capturing it’s large open.”
Kidd’s feedback could have been a primary commentary. Nonetheless, the Mavericks are identified for being an isolation-heavy crew. They rank second in the NBA for isolation possessions with a ten.4% frequency. Solely the LA Clippers isolate extra.
Boasting Doncic and Irving makes isolation basketball extra palatable for Dallas. But, when confronted with a extremely gifted crew that shares the ball, the Mavericks model of basketball usually will get uncovered.
As such, it is logical to conclude that Kidd was probably sending a message to his crew. Dallas’ entrance workplace has constructed a roster able to contending within the West. They’ve all of the expertise wanted for a deep playoff push. Nonetheless, they should transfer the ball extra in the event that they need to be unpredictable when attacking opposing defenses.
Going through the 2023-24 Celtics is a troublesome activity. They’re arguably essentially the most full crew within the NBA. But, if Kidd can take away some classes from that loss and implement them into the Mavericks’ method, it could possibly be a momentum changer for his crew.
Dallas has received seven of their last 10 video games. They’re trending in the appropriate path. Nonetheless, there are at all times enhancements that could possibly be made. Kidd is true to carry his crew accountable. However, Dallas’ type of play is unlikely to vary, a minimum of this season.