Can we consider the month of February to be the worst ever month for an NBA team? The Dallas Mavericks are 10th in the West, a huge drop off from their championship final run from last season. But that’s just the beginning. From trading star man Luka Doncic to the Lakers and Quinten Grimes to the 76ers, new center Anthony Davis dropping a masterclass in his debut and injuring himself in the same game, club legend Dirk Nowitzki slamming the team for trading Luka, to now losing Kyrie Irving to an ACL injury for the rest of the season- it’s hard to pick one rock bottom moment for Jason Kidd and Co.
To rub salt in the deep, deep wounds- they just lost to the Suns to extend their losing streak to 5. They lost a few more players in the game which just adds to the injury list that’s as long as Bol Bol’s arms. They never looked amped up to get the dub to begin with. And Kidd’s post-game conference made that clear, where he all but cried for help.
“I don’t know if that’s actually the league rule; I think if you have 5 you gotta play… If we have 4 then there’s something different but again we lost three players, one was able to come back and finish, we got no subs because of the time restrictions on two so we’re tryna figure it out as we go,” said the gaffer in the postgame press.
It’s tough to see a legend like J-Kidd with the look of helplessness as he did. He mentioned the fact that he’s never been in a position to not be able to take anyone out to rest in the game due to the injuries. But one thing’s for certain. The HC and the faithful share the same reaction to a dark period in the franchise’s history- it is what it is, and we move on to the next.
Naji Marshall is hopeful of a bounce back
Mavs forward Naji Marshall probably had one of the best games of his career against the Suns. Served up an Irving-like display in the absence of Uncle Drew. 34 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 13/22 (approx 60%) from the field. His post-game thoughts in the press are exactly what the locker room needed after their loss.
“Nico and Coach Kidd and all those guys in the front office signed all of us on the roster hoping that if we had to play or if we get in the game we can fill the shoes of the next man… Just wish the best for your brothers and hate to see them go out like that especially when we’re such a good team and its been a great season upto this point so like I said just play as hard as I can till they get back” said Marshall on the Mav’s current injury situation.
Oct 7, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) brings the ball up court against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Despite having the likes of Kyrie and Klay Thompson in the squad, it seems like Naji has found his footing being one of the team’s most important players. In the absence of the veterans, the 27-year-old New Jersey native has taken it upon himself to lead the squad to a strong backend of the season.
The Mavericks now face a struggling Spurs side at the Frost Bank Center. This is exactly the type of game Jason Kidd needed to snap the losing streak and turn the fortunes in their favor. What do you think the rest of the season holds for Dallas?
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