Kyrie Irving, Mavs Call For Greater Player Accountability After Major Slide

INDIANAPOLIS — After getting off to poor starts against the Charlotte Hornets in consecutive losses, the Dallas Mavericks haven't come out with the level of urgency required to turn their season around. They have lost four consecutive games and are 3-7 in their last 10 games.

Continually coming up short in the win-loss column has placed the Mavs out of the play-in picture entering Monday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Time is running out for them to work their way back into the mix. 

"When you look at the start of both games, we weren't very good." Kidd said after Sunday's loss. "Again talking about what happened, we looked at the video pre-game and we also talked about what we needed to do, and, unfortunately, we just didn't do that in that first quarter, and also probably the first half." 

For yet another game, the Mavs needed a halftime conversation to spark some greater effort in the second half. 

"Just like last game, we talked about it at halftime and I thought the effort was extremely high on the defensive end," Kidd said. "Offensively, all night, we got great looks and we didn't put the ball in the basket — wide open 3s, some missed layups that we normally make, but that's part of the game. I thought the energy level was extremely high in the second half."

While shots weren't falling at a strong clip, the question begs: why did a team with their season on the line is not responding with effort knowing the gravity of the situation? Especially when considering an almost identical scenario happened in consecutive games? 

A common theme from the players in the post-game press conference was the belief that the gameplan provided to them is there, but the execution from the players simply hasn't been there despite having the talent and the capability necessary to do so. Kyrie Irving went as far as to say that teams get up to play against him, Luka Doncic, and the Mavs, so they need to match that toughness.

“Losing in basketball is very frustrating, especially when we have as talented a group as we do," Irving said. "We have the talent, but we just got to be able to perform and be able to execute the details that we go over in the gameplan. ... 

"I’ve realized that being in the league any time a team go against me specifically — but now also Luka [Doncic] or the Dallas Mavericks or whoever we’re playing — . . .the other team has to beat them," Irving explained. "It’s a little personal and we have to play with a toughness that we’re getting ready to go to war or to battle with who we’re going against. 

"It’s a learning experience for all of us, but I think over the last few games it’s definitely been frustrating from that aspect," Irving explained further. "We know what we’re going into, but we’re just not performing.”

Irving was far from the only player to share such a sentiment. Tim Hardaway Jr., who spoke to the media before Irving after Sunday's game, made clear that there isn't a sufficient sense of urgency being felt. 

"The desire to win has to be at an all-time high right now," Hardaway said.

Hardaway holds the belief that scoring isn't the issue for the Mavs at the moment. He sees a need for greater personal accountability, particularly when it pertains to executing on defense. 

"I don't think offense is the issue. I think it's the other end," Hardaway said of Dallas' defense. "We gotta do a better job as players of being accountable for our play and how we do things out there on the court."

"It's cool and all the coaching staff and those guys take the hit -- Luka, Kai, and J-Kidd -- but it's a whole team effort. It's the players," Hardaway explained. "We gotta do a better job.”

"I think it just comes down to looking yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and seeing what you can do to help the team," Hardaway explained further. "The desire to win has to be at an all-time high right now."

The Mavs' next chance to put together a full 48 minutes of effort will take place on Monday when they take on the Indiana Pacers. Given that it will take place on the second night of a back-to-back, the need for motivation and accountability may be higher than in their recent letdowns. 

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here.

Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow Grant Afseth on Twitter.