In 2011, the Dallas Mavericks had just won their first championship in team history. The whole city was immersed in carnival, and fans were looking forward to the continuation of the dynasty. However, the new general manager Lin Mo came from time-to-time with a completely different blueprint - to dismantle this outstanding championship lineup.
When Kidd was sent to the Warriors, Terry left for the Kings, and Marion transferred to the Timberwolves in exchange for three seemingly useless first-round picks, Dallas was boiling. "Madman" and "the sinner who destroyed the championship", the media's verbal criticism and the fans' street protests came like a tide, and even the boss Cuban was hesitant. But Lin Mo withstood the pressure and used these chips to pick out three little-known young people on draft night in 2011: Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, and Isaiah Thomas.
The next few years were a journey of questioning and transformation. Thompson has grown from a "softie who can only shoot" to a historical shooter, Butler has earned the title of "Iron Jimmy" with his iron-blooded defense, and Thomas has ignited a scoring flame on the bench. Lin Mo did not stop. In 2013, he sent away Thomas in exchange for multiple draft picks and picked up Greek teenager Antetokounmpo. In 2014, he picked up Serbian fat Jokic in the second round; in 2015, he added Devin Booker and Porzingis.
From being at the bottom of the league to returning to the playoffs, from being in the first round to winning consecutive championships, the direction of Dallas has quietly changed. The boos turned into cheers, and the name of "Reconstructor" Lin Mo, together with Cuban, Thibodeau's coaching staff, and the group of players who went from youth to the top, were engraved in the history of the Mavericks - this is not a betrayal of the past, but a new one.
Reader comments
The writing is so good, it gives me the feeling of being there, but the two little cards are so weird [making faces]
The writing is so good, it gives me the feeling of being there, but the two little cards are so weird [making faces]