The Dallas Mavericks have gotten off to a solid start this NBA season with a record of 7-4. It is impressive that they have been able to squeak out as many wins as they have, as the numbers suggest this is a team that should be under the .500 mark.
They are currently 22nd in offense and 19th in defense, not normally a recipe that results in a winning record. While the numbers aren’t great right now, could that be a sign of the Mavericks being a good team once they can get everything clicking?
They have won seven games despite their superstar, Luka Doncic, struggling mightily. Jason Kidd’s schemes have seemingly struggled to get his best players into positions to succeed, but the team is still winning games.
Doncic remains the team’s best player, but it has actually been Jalen Brunson who has been the most impactful. The impending free agent is averaging 15 points per game and knocking down half of his shot attempts. Dallas is outscoring opponents by eight points per 100 possessions with Brunson on the court. Without him, they are getting demolished.
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The Mavericks have lost non-Brunson minutes by 17.4 points per 100 possessions thus far this season. Minutes when Doncic plays without Brunson, which has been 192 thus far this season, the Mavericks are -91.
Those are some shocking numbers. Doncic is adjusting to some new roles with Kidd running the show, as there are times that he is considered the power forward, with Kristaps Porzingis in the middle and three guards rounding out the lineup.
It’s certainly a new-look Mavericks thus far this season, but as Zach Lowe pointed out, this may be who they are now.
“Or maybe this is who the Mavs are: sludgy, praying for good Porzingis games, redirecting too much offense away from Doncic spread pick-and-rolls. (Maybe call two fewer pindowns per game for Tim Hardaway Jr. long 2s while Doncic pouts like a puffy statue at half-court? In fairness, Doncic’s time of possession and pick-and-roll volume are up, per Second Spectrum. That said, I throw up a little in my mouth every time Porzingis wanders into a “post-up” at the elbow during what might otherwise be an effective Doncic-Dwight Powell pick-and-roll.)”
Luka Doncic is currently shooting 43.3 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from the 3-point line, and 70.5 percent from the charity stripe. He is adding eight rebounds, seven assists, and 1.2 steals per game as well for a solid stat line.
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He will likely get it going sooner than later, which the Dallas Mavericks could certainly use. Their luck will eventually take a turn for the worse, as they are playing like a team that should be 4-7 right now, not 7-4.
