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Mavs Monday Donuts: Can 'super-exciting' Luka and Porzingis carry a playoff load?

Mavs Monday Donuts: Can 'super-exciting' Luka and Porzingis carry a playoff load?
Mike Fisher|
Mavs Monday Donuts: Can 'super-exciting' Luka and Porzingis carry a playoff load?
Mavs Monday Donuts: Can 'super-exciting' Luka and Porzingis carry a playoff load?

DONUT 1: 'SUPER-EXCITED'

Steve Nash, Dallas Mavericks watcher, isn't just excited about the Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis combo. He's "super-excited.''

“I think it’s a super-exciting time to be a Mavericks fan and to play and work for the Mavericks,” Nash said. “You’ve got two players that are incredible difference-makers, if they can form a bond and a chemistry and an understanding.''

DONUT 2: ABOUT THAT BOND

We're not too worried about the bond, though, Nash is right: In less than two weeks, when Mavs training camp opens up, it'll be the first thing we look for: How Dallas' two burgeoning stars work within the framework of one another.

We know that the off-court bonding is already occurring; check out Dalton Trigg digging into the players' recent trip to Miami.

DONUT 3: REPLICATING NASH AND DIRK?

Next challenge? Well, as long as Nash is part of this conversation, let's just say it: The idea around here, from owner Mark Cuban on down, is to attempt to replicate, in some way, the early 2000's success Dallas experienced with another duo that grew into something very special.

Luka as Nash? KP as Dirk?

DONUT 4: MVP MEMORIES

Mavs Nation has convinced itself that had Dirk and Nash remained together in Dallas, championships would've been won. Multiple championships.

Steve thinks along these lines, too, and that's understandable. But it all reminds me of what Dallas Cowboys fans (and players on their three-time Super Bowl-winning 1990s teams) believe about the departure of coach Jimmy Johnson, that they were otherwise destined to win four straight ... or five straight ... or six straight ...

DONUT 5: REVISIONIST HISTORY

It doesn't work that way. Coaches (especially coaches built like Jimmy) leave. Players do, too, and Nash is evidence of that. 

Players also grow. I think a smart prediction is that two-time MVP Nash wouldn't have won either of them had he remained in Dallas ... that be became an better player after he left.

And that Dirk became a better player -- certainly a more emboldened first option -- after his buddy left, too.

DONUT 6: A LOGICAL REALITY

The logical reality is that Dirk and Nash would've both become outstanding players ... would've split responsibilities and therefore MVP votes ... and that beyond that, there are no guarantees of titles.

DONUT 7: THE MODERN GAME

Ironically, while Cuban and the rest of us envision Luka and KP as a throwback combo, Nash sees it in a different way.

"They both fit the modern game extremely well,'' Nash said.

Indeed, like Dirk, KP is not restricted to one position; he'll play the 4 and the 5 and maybe he'll shoot like a 3. And as we know from the day Luka landed here, he is the new embodiment of "The Interchangeable Man.''

DONUT 8: SPEAKING OF 'EMBODIMENT' ...

Luka -- and not just due to the public nudging of Cuban but more because this is what responsible professional athletes do -- looks to be in outstanding shape.

Yes, he's "added an ab'' and obviously ready for swimsuit season.

DONUT 9: ABOUT THAT 'CHEMISTRY'

I love what Nash said about the stars' supporting cast.

Said Stevie: "You have some talented players around them as well, some role players that are happy with their role and they can exceed expectations at their role and not necessarily feel like they need more, which could kill a chemistry, kill a team and its chemistry.''

Ah, "chemistry.'' This is a core value of the Mavs organization under The Triangle of Trust. Cuban, GM Donnie Nelson and coach Rick Carlisle believe in it deeply. The right chemistry and yes, this duo and this group can begin to replicate what Dirk and Nash once started 20 years ago. 

I kind of wish there was a "third star''; that was sort of the point of Mavs Summer Shopping, but alas ...

But short of that? Two stars with chemistry is a start.

DONUT 10: 'WE MUST WIN'

Dallas fancies itself playoff contenders; Luka is on-record as saying the Mavs "will make the playoffs ... we must.''

The Euro one-two punch (which our buddy Will Cain tells our Step Back podcast ranks with the best) is charged with leading them there. 

Chemistry will do it. But not without talent ... and there is no argument about Doncic or KP in that department.

DONUT 11: 'LOAD MANAGEMENT'

Maybe the only slow-your-roll feature here is the organization's open commitment to being careful with Porzingis' "load management'' as he's coming off the lengthy rehab and the offseason remaking of his body.

But talent and chemistry and "super-excitement''? That's all here.

DONUT 12: THE FINAL WORD

“It’s going to be exciting to watch them develop together this year,'' said Nash.

Well, make that "super-exciting.''

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Mike Fisher
MIKE FISHER

Mike Fisher - as a newspaper beat writer and columnist and on radio and TV, where he is an Emmy winner - has covered the NBA and the Dallas Mavericks since 1990. He has for more than 20 years served as the overseer of DallasBasketball.com, the granddaddy of Mavs news websites.

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