Nick Angstadt and Isaac Harris here, the hosts 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.
Five Stats Defining the Dallas Mavericks’ Season
Nov 19, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images|Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dallas Mavericks: Star Duo’s Progress and the Quest for Elite Status
The Dallas Mavericks are showing promising signs of getting back on track, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the charge. This dynamic duo has been a focal point of discussion, especially considering their journey from uncertainty to becoming a formidable pair on the court. While they’ve made significant strides, there’s still one area where they need to elevate their game to join the NBA’s elite ranks.
Luka and Kyrie: A Star Duo in the Making
Reflecting on the past, there were doubts about whether Doncic and Irving could effectively play together. Those concerns seem to have been put to rest as their synergy has improved remarkably. Their journey to the NBA Finals is a testament to their ability to complement each other. This season, their on-court chemistry has been evident, and the numbers back it up. The Mavericks’ net rating with Doncic and Irving on the floor is impressive, outscoring opponents by nine points per 100 possessions. However, to reach the next level, their offensive efficiency needs a boost.
Comparing them to other star duos in the league, such as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray or Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, highlights the gap. While the Mavericks’ defense is on par with many top teams, it’s their offense that needs to reach elite status. Jokic and Murray, for instance, boast an astounding 138 offensive rating, setting a high bar for others to follow. Doncic and Irving are close, but to truly compete with the best, they need to enhance their offensive output.
Building Consistency and Chemistry
One of the keys to unlocking the full potential of Doncic and Irving lies in the consistency of their supporting cast. The Mavericks’ best starting five, featuring key players like Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively, has only played 47 minutes together this season. In contrast, the New York Knicks’ starting lineup has logged 229 minutes. This lack of continuity has hindered the Mavericks’ ability to build chemistry and maximize their offensive potential.
The Mavericks’ offensive struggles in clutch situations further underscore the need for improvement. Currently, they rank last in the league in free throw attempts during clutch moments, indicating a tendency to settle for outside shots rather than attacking the rim. With players like Doncic and Irving capable of penetrating defenses, increasing their aggressiveness in these situations could significantly impact their success.
Despite these challenges, the Mavericks are not far off from the league’s best. Their record is competitive, and they’ve already secured victories against strong opponents like the Oklahoma City Thunder. The potential is there, and with some adjustments, they can elevate their game to the next level.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ journey, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Mavericks Podcast:
- The impact of the Mavericks’ best five-man lineup
- Analysis of the Mavericks’ performance in clutch situations
- A look at the Mavericks’ three-point shooting struggles
- Discussion on the Mavericks’ defensive performance against top teams
A refrain I’ve increasingly heard from casuals, like the talking heads on the NBA’s biggest broadcast partners, is that the league is too homogenous these days, that every team just goes out there and chucks up threes. Every game is the same.
Leaving aside the shortsightedness of famous, influential media analysts dumping on their own product, it’s a common enough complaint that I felt an urge to investigate. My eyeballs tell me the league’s never been more diverse and fun, thanks largely to the absurd wealth of stars today with skill sets as bespoke as their draft night suits. Jokic’s Nuggets look nothing like Tatum’s Celtics look nothing like Brunson’s Knicks, and to suggest otherwise is willful ignorance.
As I wrote about for Basketball Poetry yesterday, the current top five offenses are Boston, Cleveland, New York, the Lakers, and Dallas. Those five teams rank first, 14th, 17th, 24th, and 21st, respectively, in share of shots that are triples. You certainly don’t need to launch a million threes relative to your peers to score the basketball successfully.
Of course, that’s a rather superficial analysis. Regardless of rank, what if the absolute numbers are all getting closer together? That would represent a growing sameness.
I looked at shot data from this season, a decade ago, and 20 years ago to see how much the share of three-pointers had changed.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Stat Owen Phillips of The F5 looks at how often centers defend guards, how often perimeter players are involuntarily guarded by centers (aka the Tony Allen effect), and much more in his analytical newsletter.
Analysis Jared Dubin of Last Night, In Basketball discusses something related: what kind of players are guarding point guards these days?
Must Read Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic talks about the NBA’s increasing difficulty for defensive-minded, older players, but the real story is that Draymond Green claims to have started lifting just four years ago.
Analysis Dallas Mavericks’ slow start is raising concerns. Moving key players might incur significant costs, especially impacting stars like Luka Dončić. The team must weigh these decisions carefully. (Mavs Moneyball)
Preview The NBA Cup offers the Dallas Mavericks a legitimate chance to advance to the knockout rounds. Learn how the team is positioned to make a strong run in this new competition in Explaining the NBA Cup. (Mavs Moneyball)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
The Randomness Of Fantasy Basketball On A Wednesday In The NBA
Nov 20, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Top Five Fantasy Takeaways from Wednesday’s Games
1. Paul George’s Knee Injury Concerns
Paul George’s knee hyperextension during the 76ers vs. Grizzlies game is a significant concern for fantasy managers. While initial reports suggest no structural damage, his availability in the coming games is uncertain. This situation could open up opportunities for other players on the 76ers to step up, making it crucial to monitor updates closely.
2. Unpredictable Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Game
The Pelicans vs. Cavaliers matchup was a bizarre affair, with unexpected lineups and performances. Elfrid Payton started for the Pelicans, and Jaylon Tyson shone for the Cavs, but these anomalies are unlikely to have long-term fantasy implications. Managers should view this game as an outlier and avoid making hasty roster changes based on these performances.
3. Pacers’ Struggles and Tyrese Haliburton’s Slump
The Pacers are facing challenges, particularly with Tyrese Haliburton’s shooting woes. His road performance has been notably poor, possibly due to lingering back issues. Despite this, Haliburton’s track record suggests a turnaround is likely, making him a prime buy-low candidate for managers willing to take a risk on his recovery.
Click the button below to see how Norman Powell’s injury could open up opportunities for the Clippers, and a top 50 player returns to action.
Join Nick Angstadt and Slightly Biased as they break down the game, discussing key players like Dereck Lively II, PJ Washington, and Naji Marshall. The episode also touches on the challenges faced by the Pelicans, who were missing several key players. Tune in to hear insights on the Mavs’ strategy and how they can maintain their momentum in upcoming games.
The Dallas Mavericks secured a significant victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing their potential even without Luka Doncic. This episode explores the dynamics of the Mavs’ gameplay, focusing on key players like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and the overall NBA landscape.
Join Nick Angstadt and his co-host as they break down the game, discussing the impact of players like Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, and Naji Marshall. The episode delves into the strategies that led to the Mavs’ success and highlights the challenges faced the Thunder. Tune in to hear insights on how the Dallas Mavericks managed to pull off this impressive win.
