Nick Angstadt here, the host of the daily Locked On Mavericks podcast, with your daily Locked On Mavericks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Mavericks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Changes the Dallas Mavericks Should Make
Nov 4, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks for a call after he is knocked down during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images|Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks have kicked off the season with a 4-3 record, a decent start but not without its challenges. As a dedicated follower of the team, I’ve noticed a glaring issue that needs addressing: the Mavericks’ first-quarter offense. It’s been a rollercoaster, with the team struggling to find their rhythm early in games. The Mavericks’ overall offensive rating stands at 112.6, placing them 15th in the NBA. However, their first-quarter offensive rating plummets to 102.9, a stark contrast to their performance in subsequent quarters. This discrepancy is a significant concern, as slow starts have become a recurring theme.
Luka Doncic’s Role and Leadership
Luka Doncic, the Mavericks’ star player, is central to this discussion. His first-quarter shooting percentages are lower than expected, with Doncic hitting just 35% from the field. This is surprising given his historical prowess in setting the tone early in games. While Doncic’s rhythm is expected to improve, there’s a broader issue of leadership and maturity on the court. As the franchise cornerstone, Doncic must elevate his game and lead by example, especially in terms of emotional maturity. His interactions with referees and body language have been points of contention, and it’s crucial for him to step up and embody the leadership role expected of him.
The Mavericks’ offensive strategy also needs a tweak. Doncic’s drives are a key component of their attack, yet he’s passing less on these drives compared to last season. This shift could be contributing to the team’s first-quarter woes. By distributing the ball more effectively, Doncic can help create better opportunities for his teammates and alleviate some of the pressure on himself.
Kyrie Irving’s Contribution
Kyrie Irving’s role in the first quarter is another area worth examining. Irving appears to have taken a backseat in the opening minutes, focusing on getting others involved. His shot attempts in the first quarter are notably lower than in later quarters, suggesting a strategic decision to defer to Doncic early on. While this approach has its merits, it might be beneficial for Irving to assert himself more in the first quarter, providing a balanced offensive threat alongside Doncic.
The Mavericks’ struggles in the first quarter are not solely due to individual performances. The team as a whole needs to find a way to start games with more energy and efficiency. Whether it’s through strategic adjustments or simply hitting more shots, something has to change to avoid these slow starts.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ first-quarter challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Mavericks Podcast:
- The impact of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively on the starting lineup
- Naji Marshall’s increasing role and contributions
- Strategies for improving the Mavericks’ pace and offensive flow
Sports fandom has long been a vehicle of escape, basketball fandom perhaps even more so. If you’re someone who toggles between NBA and WNBA, then you’ll never have a break in games you can escape into. If you’re purely an NBA watcher, then the league has done its willful best to make its product one that runs all year round, even if the games themselves take a break. If you’re even a little online then you can find something NBA-related to get excited/upset/anxious/overworked about any day the year, even in the deepest dregs of August.
Escapism is fine as a temporary measure. There’s no person alive that doesn’t seek it out in some shape or form, sometime. In basketball fandom the dangers of treating the game, and the people who play it, as a pure means of escape run fairly parallel to the dangers of this political moment.
To lose sight of the humanity of athletes, to range on the spectrum of othering to nullification of their personhood; to assume a franchise has only your interests as its sole, driving concern. To put so much stake into the outcome of a game, a season, that anything outside of pure dominance and control is considered failure. To take on defeat as a personality trait and grow miserable, hostile, blame serving both as vitriolic release and an easy balm.
This is perhaps a clumsy attempt to address the U.S. election results last night in a newsletter about NBA basketball, but it seemed a perfect encapsulation of my point of blind escapism to write about OKC’s pestering defence, or Joel Embiid’s three game suspension after shoving a reporter, and make no mention of Donald Trump’s second ascension.
Basketball isn’t apolitical. No sport is, but the NBA hasn’t been for a long time. Shut up and dribble, stop-work protests in the Orlando Bubble led by athletes personally the target of police brutality, taking a knee. Even when it isn’t trying to be, it is, because it’s a game played by people and beyond that, predominantly Black men. In October 1979, when the Knicks paired their roster from 13 players down to 11 — a move required by league regulation — media and fans jumped on the move because the remaining team became the first all Black roster in the league. “White people have to have white heroes,” Cavs owner, Ted Stepien said at the time, “I myself can’t equate to Black heroes, I’ll be truthful. I respect them, but I need white people.”
Being the target of someone’s desire for escapism can be enough to turn something from the political to the personal, and vice versa. We’re seeing a new iteration of it now with the rise of sports betting and the blurring of boundaries between athletes and fans, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw and put it succinctly in the early 1970s. “Out there, you’re a vector for all the hostility in the stands,” he said.
As a conduit for escape, there are no political prerequisites. Fandom isn’t barred from you based on your voting patterns. There may be an urge now, regardless of how you hoped (even as an observer, as I am) this election ended up, to burrow into basketball as escape, almost as a reflexive action. The distinct humanitarian fracturing at play not only in this election but on a global scale, this onus of “us vs.them”, or blame over solution (blame as solution), the narrowing of scope to only have your own interests at heart, is all a symptom of escapism. Just as it’s crucial as an engaged fan to not lose sight of an athlete’s personhood, the same goes, albeit on a decidedly more critical scale, in the wider world.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Must Read Over the years, the NBA has learned to embrace activism and social justice. Read more. (TIME)
Legacy Reflecting on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact — here’s how he changed the rules for Black athletes. (National Endowment for the Humanities)
Analysis How did Sterling Brown get the NBA to listen to its players? (The Daily Beast)
Analysis Rising Mavericks star Dereck Lively II gains momentum in Sixth Man of the Year odds, showcasing his growing impact. (Sports Illustrated)
Draft The Mavericks’ mock draft selection of European star Kasparas Jokucionis reflects strategic focus on enhancing team skillsets. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Replacements For Jeremy Sochan & Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena.|Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
As we gear up for another action-packed Wednesday with 12 NBA games, it’s crucial to stay updated on player statuses and potential fantasy basketball moves. Injuries are shaking up lineups, and knowing who to add or drop can make all the difference in your fantasy league.
Key Injuries and Player Additions
Aaron Gordon’s calf strain is a significant blow, sidelining him for an estimated four weeks. This opens up opportunities for Peyton Watson, who is expected to see increased minutes, making him a valuable addition to your roster. Julian Strawther might also benefit, but Watson is the priority pick.
Jeremy Sochan’s thumb fracture is another long-term injury, likely keeping him out for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Julian Champagnie emerges as a strong candidate for increased playing time. While Keldon Johnson might be a points league preference, Champagnie is a solid choice across formats.
Nick Richards is dealing with fractured rib cartilage, sidelining him for at least two weeks. With Mark Williams also out, the Hornets will likely start Taj Gibson, but he’s not a recommended fantasy add. Instead, keep an eye on Grant Williams, who could be a viable option in deeper leagues.
Game Previews and Strategic Considerations
The Detroit Pistons face the Charlotte Hornets, with the Hornets slightly favoured. Jalen Duren’s recent performances have been promising, but his minutes might be capped, allowing Isaiah Stewart to continue his role as a backup centre. Stewart’s current role suits him well, and he’s performing admirably in it.
For the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller’s dynamics are worth monitoring. Ball’s interactions with Charles Lee and Miller’s reduced minutes and shooting are areas of concern. Miles Bridges’ performance has been underwhelming, but improvement is expected.
Nick Angstadt & Slightly Biased discuss the defensive challenges faced by the Mavs, the impact of Lively’s injury, and the performances of players like Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington. The episode also touches on the contributions of Quentin Grimes and Daniel Gafford, providing a comprehensive analysis of the team’s current state.
Join hosts Nick Angstadt and Isaac Harris, along with guest Slightly Biased, as they break down the Mavs’ win and discuss the impact of players like Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. The conversation also touches on the absence of Paolo Banchero for the Magic and how the Mavs capitalized on this advantage. Tune in to hear insights on the Dallas Mavericks’ gameplay and what it means for their NBA season.
Join hosts Nick Angstadt and Isaac Harris on the Locked On Mavericks podcast as they discuss the team’s early performance, including insights on players like Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. They also explore the impact of Klay Thompson’s integration into the team and how the Mavs are strategizing around their star players. With mentions of PJ Washington, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the Mavericks’ current dynamics and future prospects.
