Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Frank Vogel spoke after the team’s 125-107 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, replacing ousted head coach Jason Kidd.
“Yes, we were trying to challenge a play. They got the ball in before we could. We thought we had the right to challenge. He and Scott [Foster] got into it and that led to the ejection,” Vogel said of Kidd’s early departure.
Regarding the team’s offensive struggles, Vogel noted, “That’s not going to win too many games. Starts with an offensive execution. Too many lost possessions that got them into those fast breaks and not enough resistance when we tried to come back.”
Citing spacing and transition issues, he explained, “They clean you up… playing a five-out system and then they crash from the perimeter. A lot of threes, a lot of quick shots before the guys are ready. We’ve got to do a better job there.”
Vogel reflected on his return to the middle game as a coach, saying, “Cycling was comfortable. I tried to charge our guys. Made a few runs, but ultimately not enough. So disappointing we didn’t get the W.”
Discussing the roster’s instability, he added: “We’ve had a lot of guys in and out of the lineup. That’s the most important thing. It’s hard to create the necessary cohesion offensively. We don’t play enough for each other, touch the paint and try to create for others.”
Rookie Cooper Flagg received attention for his efforts despite a tough evening. “He had a tough night. He’s getting to the basket, attacking the rim and a lot of calls don’t blow the whistle. He should get to the line more than he does. He’ll bounce back from tonight’s performance.”
Vogel acknowledged the impact of missing key players Anthony Davis and PJ Washington. “It’s difficult to win in this league without your best players. Those two guys are crucial. You have to find a way – the next man. But if we don’t have them, we also fall behind with the bench.”
He also praised the bench contributions, saying, “Moussa and Miles Kelly played well. Miles hadn’t played much this year, so we wanted to see what he could do. Moussa’s energy is always positive, and he had some big buckets and strong defensive possessions.”
Vogel concluded about the team’s path forward: “We need to perform offensively, get better at rebounding and resisting fast breaks. It’s a next-man-up competition and we will continue to work on building cohesion and overcoming adversity.”
The Mavericks fall to 14-25 and host Brooklyn on Monday, while the Bulls improve to 18-20 and head to Houston on Tuesday.
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