In the big family of players not super happy with their treatment, Christian Wood raises the tone: a small outing in the media following a very frustrating defeat for the reception of the Nuggets, and a salient message sent to Jason Kidd. Will he receive it?
This Sunday, the Mavericks were trapped at home by Nuggets on a mission. Final score 97 to 98, Christian Wood only played 17 minutes, his lowest total of the season. Even more telling statistics, he appeared only one minute and 50 seconds into the last quarter. A normal situation for a struggling player, who does not produce enough and is currently far – very far – from the expectations placed on him when he arrived last June… huh? How does he excel with the little playing time given to him? Only 24.6 minutes per game for stats of 16.6 points at 57% shooting including 43% parking, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 drop balls and 1 assist. Add to that the 3rd best plus/minus of the Mavericks this season with +55, and Christian Wood is quite unfairly left out in important moments. Fourteen games played, no tenure, only three shots taken this Sunday once morest the Nuggets.
But then, why is he confined to the bench? First, he is a bit light defensively to replace Dwight Powell on position 5. Deuzio, Dorian Finney-Smith – unmovable – currently occupies the spot of strong winger to ensure this small ball that Dallas wouldn’t trade for the world. Isn’t there a way to give him more minutes in the course of the game? Difficult here too, especially since Max Glue progressing in his recovery and approaching a return to business. One more brake at the request of Christian Wood, who played respectively 32 and 31 minutes on average over his last two exercises in Houston. We understand the hot/cold and the thirst for ambition, both collectively and personally. Be patient man.
“I would like to play more. I’ve said it many times, but I’m just playing my part” – Christian Wood, for Tim MacMahon d’ESPN