The Dallas Mavericks season has been a roller coaster of emotion with many unexpected twists and turns
The Dallas Mavericks season has been a roller coaster of emotion with many unexpected twists and turns, ultimately leading to abysmal results. After a dozen games that led fans to believe the team had finally figured it out, it appears the Mavericks are back at square one.
Maxi Kleber was a bright spot with his game-winning three against the Lakers a couple of weeks ago, however it was short-lived when Dallas lost to the Grizzlies and Warriors, then two demoralizing defeats to the Charlotte Hornets. The Mavs are now three games under .500 and a game out of the last play-in spot.
It’s been a season of highs and lows for the Mavs, starting with the departures of Jalen Brunson and Christian Wood. The only notable free-agent signing was Javale McGee, and head coach Jason Kidd has been a prickly, hostile presence all season long. Mavs fans were left wondering where the good vibes would come from.
The Mavericks season is no different than the season after the Dirk-era Mavs went to the Western Conference finals for the first time. Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison were brought in, and the team won more than 50 games, but the enthusiasm was lacking. They eventually traded away Walker and Jamison, which helped the team land in the NBA Finals just two seasons later.
The Mavericks need to look for hope in the big leaps made by Josh Green and Jaden Hardy this season, or Luka Doncic’s 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double, or that wild game-tying shot he hit off an intentionally missed free throw, or that absurd pass he made last night. The team needs to rest Luka Doncic and/or Kyrie Irving and see if they can lose enough to 1) keep their first-round draft pick and 2) get lucky once they do.
It may be time to give up on this season and look to the future. After all, it can’t get much worse. With some luck and hard work, the Mavericks can turn this season into a success and take the necessary steps to ensure a better future.
