I understand that Rick Carlisle is in a tough situation. The Dallas Mavericks need to lock up the No. 2 seed in order to have the best chance to beat the Los Angeles Lakers. I understand that he values experience and earlier in the season, it was working. But despite better offensive numbers since the All Star Break, we're looking like the same old "soft" Mavericks. Not enough defense. Not enough heart. Even with newfound heart & soul member, Tyson Chandler. Why are we back to the same old song & dance?

Everything Carlisle does is based on a player's experience level. He ignores everything else. Roddy Beaubois was playing well and yet again, Carlisle limited his involvement in the second half. Most coaches ride out someone playing well and yet Carlisle refuses to play Beaubois during key stretches in the game. And then, he decides to plug in Beaubois for the last play of the game. After sitting out for an entire quarter?

Another thing. And actually, the main thing. Corey Brewer. There's no secret to the Mavs early season success. The two way play of Caron Butler. Particularly on defense. You signed Brewer to be your defensive stopper. Defense is the reason we're losing these games. And yet, another DNP takes place. You had 18 games to incorporate him into your plans. To get him into rhythm with his teammates. Play him. Take your lumps in the regular season, even during a race to the second seed. 

The way I see it. We're not beating the Lakers, the Spurs, the Celtics or, gulp, any first round opponent without the defense that we played in the beginning of the season. And without Caron, Corey Brewer is the best shot at that defense. So please, for the love of the Mavericks, start playing the inexperienced before it's too late. If you don't try to rush the development of Roddy B and Corey Brewer, we're going to lose in the first round again. Forget seeding. We need Roddy B's penetration and Corey Brewer's defense to regain the level of play from the beginning of the season. Especially since we lost Caron Butler and JJ Barea has come back down to Earth. But you're Rick Carlisle, and you'd rather play Brian Cardinal.

That's why we'll lose.

Note: Carlisle got fired from Detroit because he wouldn't play Tayshaun Prince and Mehmet Okur. A year later, Detroit won an NBA Championship.