Luka Doncic's 'Amazing' Mavs Benefiting Trading for More Size, Bolstering Depth
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have surged since regaining Kyrie Irving back from injury for a three-game Eastern Conference road trip and haven't looked back since, winning seven consecutive games. In addition to Luka Doncic's historic play, the Mavs added P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford using trades and have Dereck Lively II and Maxi Kleber healthy after recent injury absences.
Following a 123-113 victory over the Phoenix Suns, the Mavs have become one of the hottest topics around the NBA. Doncic finished with 41 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, while Irving added 29 points. The team is experiencing the results anticipated when having the necessary pieces around two superstars.
“I think it answers the question that they work," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. "Those two [Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving] coexist quite well. I think it just shows, again, our health, our energy, everything's in a positive way right now. We're getting great looks.
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Many analysts have gained enough confidence to declare them a dark-horse title contender while viewing Doncic more as an MVP threat. The internal reviews are very optimistic, too, with Doncic going from desiring activity at the trade deadline to describing the "amazing" team around him.
"I think we have an amazing team, and seven in a row—it hasn’t happened for a while," Doncic said. "I’m really happy with the guys we have on our team.”
With a new starting power forward and a backup center added to the team, along with regaining various vital players from injury absences, the Mavs are experiencing the benefits of newfound depth. For the first time in a long time, the team is confident in the depth across the board.
"We're deep. This is the first time the Mavs have been deep in a long time," Kidd said.
Doncic repeatedly mentioned earlier this season how the Mavs must become more physical as a team, often the focus of his explanations about how the team has to improve defensively. It's challenging to be the aggressor when deploying undersized personnel often. After trading for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, along with getting Dereck Lively II and Maxi Kleber back healthy, the Mavs have options.
With Lively and Gafford being centers who can block shots, rebound, and rim roll, the Mavs have multiple options throughout games to rely on, keeping energy levels high when rest is needed. Dallas now has another option, even when an injury or foul trouble occurs. Kleber at the four paired with either Lively or Gafford while also having the option of going small by playing Kleber at the five.
"I think at some point, it was P.J. at the three, me at the one or two, and Kyrie, Maxi, and Gafford. That's a big lineup. I like that," Doncic said. "Even at the five, Max can guard one through five. So we go with him when we're in the position."
While Washington's shot hasn't fallen from beyond the arc, he's embraced being a defensive pest, adding needed athleticism and length on the perimeter. Along with Gafford, Doncic has been highly encouraged by the results achieved with the Mavs' trade deadline acquisitions through four games played.
“Yeah, it was good. P.J. [Washington Jr.], not just this game, but the last four games he’s been with us, he’s been amazing on defense," "Doncic said. "We’re just figuring that out. We’ve been together for four games with the new [addition], so we’re still figuring it out. But I think it’s going in the right direction.”
The Mavs now have the necessary personnel to experiment defensively, including using more zone-based approaches. With legitimate paint presence, they can have perimeter talents funnel drives into rim protection while having the athleticism and length to make the subsequent defensive rotations recover. Another option is to switch on the perimeter to stifle initial actions before getting into the ball.
“We’re looking at something new defensively, and the guys did a really good job of doing that,” Kidd said. “We’re (rotating) around one person. That’s what we’re looking at doing right now is, you know, we’ll pick someone that we’re going to rotate around, and that one person will be the help at all times, and we’ll just rotate around that one person we choose.”
Washington feels the unit around him has everything he needs to be aggressive defensively and force opposing players into taking tough shots. He is confident in the rest of the unit being capable of containing dribble penetration as well, which, when paired with defensive anchors, allows him to get into the ball more.
“The game’s easy for us on the perimeter just to switch and be aggressive out there and try to force the ball into (the shot blockers),” Washington said. “Make people take tough shots. I think we did a great job of that. Obviously, we have a lot of guys that can switch and stay in front of the ball. So it makes us a really good team defensively.”
When Kleber plays the five, Washington said the defense becomes arguably even more impactful since they are so effective at switching everything. Given Kleber still has the intangibles to protect the rim, they have no shortage of versatility.
"It's kind of the same concepts. I'm switching on everybody," Washington said regarding playing with Kleber at center. "I gotta be aggressive and listen to what the person behind me is calling, and I just try to get in the right spot. Maxi has done a great job. ... He's able to switch, and it makes us even better defensively, honestly."
"We have a lot of guys that can switch and stay in front of the ball," Washington explained. "So it makes it makes us a really good team defensively."
After halftime, the Mavs made a more concerted effort to lock into the game plan defensively, helping to achieve a significant run and take control of the momentum. Part of that focus was bringing the help side to the ball more.
"We just started locking into the game plan, and we stopped giving up a lot of easy baskets and started bringing over the help side a little bit more," Irving said.
The Mavs will be tested during a four-game Eastern Conference road trip, including matchups against the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, and Boston Celtics. However, more help is expected to be on the way. Dante Exum, who will miss his 12th consecutive game on Sunday due to right knee bursitis, could return on Tuesday against the Cavs.
At one point, Exum was considered the solidified starting wing alongside Doncic and Irving due to his on-bal defensive tenacity, playmaking skills, improved shooting, and ability to attack the paint. It remains to be seen how the perimeter rotation around the team's superstars will look with Exum back in the fold, but regardless, the fact the coaching staff now has options is a sign of a good problem.
