Luka Doncic's Mavs Ranked 'Most Underrated' NBA Team
Just a season removed from a Western Conference Finals run, the 2022-23 Dallas Mavericks somehow missed the playoffs, even with the addition of star guard Kyrie Irving. What once was a "playoff guarantee'' at many points over the course of the season devolved ... and the Mavs became the 11th-place team in the conference.
Heading into this 2023-24 season, to some, Irving still remains the catalyst for a roster that has mediocre expectations. But another view? Last year's struggles leave this year's club ranked high in the "underrated'' department.
In a recent Bleacher Report article ranking the top five most underrated teams in the NBA for this season, the Mavericks came in at No. 1, with the piece noting that a 50-win season could be a possibility with consistent defense and by keeping their stars on the floor.
From B/R: "If Dallas can keep up the 121.7 points per 100 possessions they scored with Luka and Kyrie on the floor last season, while playing even slightly better defense, a 50-win total is in play."
In addition to that, a backcourt of Luka Doncic and Irving, on paper, is a lethal combination. Two gifted scoring options that can similarly dish the rock to create for the other seems like an almost-unstoppable offensive double-edged sword. A limit to such a weapon? That would be the defensive liberties that the pair takes when on the court together.
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With the addition of former lottery pick Dante Exum, maybe the duo is cleared of some of the defensive burden on the perimeter, while the acquisition of Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics brings in similar defensive prowess with the ability to stretch the floor, a vital ability with a backcourt that expects multiple double-teams a game.
Seth Curry and Tim Hardaway Jr. also help that widening-out of the defense for the Mavs offense, while the addition of Richaun Holmes brings in a bigger body on the inside to help with post defense.
Projected at 44.5 wins this season by bookmakers, the Mavericks' success this season relies on their front-office moves this offseason to fill the gaps in their defense along with the availability of their stars. If those things go right? Maybe Dallas advances from "underrated'' to "rated.''
