The dynamics of an NBA team are complicated sometimes.
Like when you’re two best players are sidelined indefinitely. That has a major impact not just on the court, where making up for their loss requires a community effort.
It also impacts the locker room, where voices need to be heard, but often it’s not logical for players who are spending more time in the training room to be rah-rah leaders.
So the Mavericks were looking for leadership during the five-game losing streak that came with Luka Donu010diu0107 out and Kyrie Irving joining him on the shelf for the last two losses.