Two practices into training camp is a good time to take stock of what’s really going on with the Mavericks.
That’s why one of our annual early camp staples is to gauge our optimism based on the number of question marks they have heading into the season.
The good news is that there are fewer of them this year than there has been in recent history.
Fewer. But still enough to pose problems as Jason Kidd and the Mavericks grind toward the preseason opener next week and the regular-season opener on Oct. 21.
So here, we will give you our four pressing issues – and yes, pressing is a clue to one of the issues – that need to be answered for the Mavericks to take a leap up the NBA’s power rankings this season.
Question: Can Kristaps Porzingis stay healthy enough for he and Luka Dončić to be the best combo in the NBA, or at least among the best?
Sefko: He’s going to have to prove it. The Mavericks don’t have a Russell Westbrook on the roster like the star-rich Los Angeles Lakers. They have one superstar in Dončić and one all-star level talent in Porzingis. Then it’s Tim Hardaway Jr. and a lot of good players who will have to do heavy lifting by committee.
The Mavericks need an MVP-caliber season out of their point guard – not an unreasonable request. They also need more than 70 games out of Porzingis, which might be unreasonable given that he’s played only 100 of a possible 147 games the past two seasons. He did not have to spend this offseason rehabbing from a surgery, unlike his previous summers with the Mavericks. So he’s clearly starting from a higher floor when it comes to maintaining good health.
The guess here is that Porzingis will have the best season he’s had yet as a Maverick. If that happens, then the potential for a strong run in the playoffs six months from now is within reach.
Question: Just how, exactly, do the Mavericks expect to improve defensively?
Sefko: This is no softball question. In fact, this might be the toughest one of them all. The short answer is that the Mavericks have to upgrade their aggression. And don’t be surprised if they spring some trapping, full-court presses along the way. The good news is that the three players that are new all have defensive skills that should help. Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown are both good on-ball defenders. Moses Brown is 7-2 and a quick leaper. Enough said.
And remember, the Mavericks were a solid defensive team in 2011 despite having to cover up for Dirk Nowitzki’s flaws on that end of the court. It can be done, even if Dončić is not one of the top defenders on the team. The Mavericks were 20th in the league in net defensive rating last season. That actually was down from 18th in 2019-20. It must go up if this team is going to make good on its desire of playing beyond the first round of the playoffs.
Question: Who starts alongside Kristaps Porzingis on the front line?
Sefko: Kidd spilled the beans early in camp when he said Dwight Powell would open the preseason as the starter at center. That means Maxi Kleber will anchor the second unit. But there are other considerations.
We are assuming that Dorian Finney-Smith is at one of the wing spots alongside Tim Hardaway Jr. But could Reggie Bullock crash the starting lineup?
Possibly, but either way, the winner in this equation is Kidd, who will have plenty of options with which to tinker.
Question; What will be the key to building the sort of chemistry that must be achieved for any big-time success?
Sefko: They are off to a good start if for no other reason than Kidd has made it a priority. He expects this team to play with UU – unparalleled unselfishness. That’s usually a good foundation.
Look at chemistry this way: Luka said during the summer that it needs to be better.
This of course seems like a reflection on Rick Carlisle, but the former coach fostered remarkable chemistry on teams that weren’t necessarily the most talented. It was good enough for a championship in 2011. Maverick fans everywhere would gladly accept epic chemistry once every few years if it equates to the occasional championship.
Chemistry doesn’t happen overnight. It might take months, even years. But if it happens, it can make all the difference. Nobody knows this better than Kidd which is why it’s going to be a priority 100 percent of the time.
Twitter: @ESefko
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