DALLAS MAVERICKS: 45.5 WINS – UNDER
Key Additions
- Grant Williams (trade)
- Richaun Holmes (trade)
- Dereck Lively (draft)
- Olivier-Max Prosper (draft)
- Seth Curry (free agency)
- Dante Exum (free agency – Europe)
Key Subtractions
- Reggie Bullock
- Davis Bertans
Rotation
- Guards
- Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Jaden Hardy
- Wings
- Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dante Exum, O-Max Prosper
- Forwards
- Grant Williams, Maxi Kleber, Derrick Jones Jr.
- Bigs
- Dwight Powell, Richaun Holmes, Dereck Lively
Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.
Not much to say really. Though I love Cuban, Kidd, and Luka, I truly don’t enjoy watching this team play. The heliocentric offenses historically fail in the playoffs (See: Harden, James), and I assume this Mavs team will as well. Kyrie hasn’t played at a consistently high level since his last year in Cleveland. That was in 2017, btw. I imagine a lot of “Your Turn, My Turn” stuff in their offense. Until Luka learns how to move without the ball, the Mavs will be destined for mediocrity.
Last Year – Interesting Stats
- 7-15 post all-star break, as the tank was in
- 96.6 Pace – 28th out of 30
- 116.7 Defensive Rating – 24th out of 30
- 3rd in threes made and attempted
- 30th in rebounds
- 28th in assists
- Luka averaged 32.4 ppg on 22 FGA
Keys to Success
Luka learns what a box-out is, Kyrie takes his meds consistently, Hardaway Jr., Green, and Curry all shoot 37% or above from 3, Williams & Kleber stay healthy, Richaun Holmes redeems his career
Potential Obstacles
Luka & Kyrie can’t figure each other out, Kyrie converts to Latvian Orthodox on a whim, their perimeter defense is historically bad, JKidd fails to hold his 2 stars accountable
Hot takes
- The “Luka is Leaving” hype will reach a fever pitch mid-season when the Mavs hover around .500.
- Lukewarm take – Kyrie does something absurd at some point
- Kyrie doesn’t finish the season with the Mavs
- Neither does Jason Kidd
- Dereck Lively is destined to become Jaxson Hayes
- O-Max Prosper will be a stud, but not yet
- Grant Williams will get punched in the face by both an opponent AND a teammate before the end of the season
STANDINGS PREDICTION: 9TH IN THE WEST
