As the Mavericks powered past the one-quarter mark of the season on Wednesday, the hardest part about breaking down their success is where to start.
But since we’re feeling the pressure to give you some legitimate reasons, we’ll boil it down to three areas where the team has overachieved.
First, they have arrived in the Western Conference’s top four with a 15-6 record because of their depth, something Rick Carlisle has harped on as a major plus since the day training camp opened.
Second, they are riding an unprecedented stretch of domination by 20-year-old Luka Doncic.
And finally, they have a quietly developing chemistry about them. Roles are getting defined and players are accepting those roles.
As a result the Mavericks no longer are thought of as “in the mix” for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference to “one of the best teams” in the league, as Houston GM Daryl Morey said earlier this week.
And the Mavericks are excited about the possibilities, even if they are trying to keep their eye on the ball and take each day as it comes.
“We love the team,” Carlisle said. “It’s a group of guys getting closer all the time. The commitment to defense the last 10 games has been a real difference-maker for us. And we got to continue with it.
“We got a good group. It’s a group that’s really working at coming together and finding ways to help each other win games. We have some challenging stretches where things don’t go great. We have times when we get distracted, but guys are helping each other get through those times.”
So with that, let’s take an in-depth look at the three factors most responsible for planting the Mavericks right smack in the middle of NBA relevancy.
That bench
It’s happened so many times this season, but you only have to go back to Wednesday’s 121-114 win over Minnesota to get proof that this group of at least seven contributors off the bench is one of the best in the NBA, if not tops.
Carlisle went with five reserves – Seth Curry, Maxi Kleber, Jalen Brunson, Justin Jackson and Delon Wright, for an extended run in the fourth quarter and they guided the Mavericks to the win during the decisive stretch.
In other games, Boban Marjanovic and J.J. Barea have had impacts. It’s really been a group that can have anybody step up and be a focal point on different nights.
“We’re deep man,” said Dorian Finney-Smith. “And the crazy part is JB (Brunson) hasn’t even played that much and he can play – he’s got game. That shows you how deep this team is. And everybody’s unselfish.”
Brunson, indeed, had played only eight minutes on average in the five games before Wednesday. Then he came in for 18 minutes against the Wolves and scored 16 points, 14 in the fourth quarter. Doncic noticed, and so did Carlisle.
“The game Brunson had was a difference-maker,” he said. “We needed a dose of energy and Brunson gave us a big one in the second half. Second of a back-to-back, you got to have a bench that can perform and these guys did a great job.
“We went with those guys (off the bench) for about six-plus minutes. Luka went back in and he called a play to get the ball in Brunson’s hands because Brunson was making great things happen and as a result, Luka got a wide-open shot and banged it in.”
That’s the kind of thing that builds camaraderie. But more on that in a minute. Mostly, the Mavericks have proven through 21 games that they have enough quality players that they can let all of them have a shot to be heavy lifters at various times.
“It could be a different finishing lineup every night,” Carlisle said. “If you’re getting into the, hey, what’s the finishing lineup and where’s the controversy? There is none. We got a deep roster and it’s not a problem. It’s great.”
Players want to start. Players want to finish. With the Mavericks a lot of them get chances to do both.
Luka Magic is the most wonderful time of the year
This is an obvious point, of course. Luka Doncic is flat-out awesome so far. And he is showing no signs of letup.
We can nitpick and say that we wish the Mavericks would figure out a way to get another point guard handling the ball a little more often to save Doncic for when the stakes are bigger. But then again, do we really want the ball out of Doncic’s hands? The only way to save him physically might be to curtail his minutes.
That’s Carlisle’s decision, though. And for now, he’s enjoying this crazy run of one of the top MVP candidates as much as anybody.
“It’s a blast. Aren’t you watching?” Carlisle said. “Look, he’s great. And this year, he’s become a great practice player along with being great in games. That’s something that’s helped everything – his game, our team’s game. He was good last year, but he picked it up. He’s more of a leader, more vocal and he has fun competing. And that kind of stuff is infectious.”
What might be most impressive about Doncic is his penetration. We all love the 30-foot jumpers, but watching him work when he gets in the paint is like watching an artist. He gets defenders on his hip (left hip, usually) and after that, the defense is history. Doncic is too strong to let defenders recover and if help comes, he will easily find an open teammate, as he explains.
“Basketball for me, you got a read it,” he said. “If they’re going to double you, somebody’s going to be open. When I got somebody on my hip, it’s like two-on-one. If the center comes to me, I pass to Dwight (Powell) or to the corner. Just read the game.”
Getting nice and comfortable
Chemistry is a hard subject at any level, and it’s no different in the NBA. It’s hard to get all players on the same page. Starters like starting. And finishing, too. Role players need to buy into whatever those roles are. It’s a difficult job for any coach.
Carlisle seems to have settled on a starting lineup. Pending Powell’s arm injury, it’s him, Luka, Kristaps Porzingis, Finney-Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr.
The bench has different players getting a little more burn every night, but they all get their shots. And a night after Curry throws in 19 points, Brunson gets 16, including 14 in the telltale fourth quarter. It’s somebody different all the time. And because the Mavericks can go 12 deep, it gives them a cushion for inevitable peaks and valleys that players have.
“Everybody has ups and downs,” Carlisle said. “The important thing is that all of our players take a consistent approach to their day-to-day (preparation). Keeping their bodies ready with body maintenance – a lot of little things add up to a player being really prepared to play his best.
“Some nights you’re going to go out and have a couple shots that don’t go in. You got to stay into it. I think depth is so important in today’s NBA. Everybody would love to keep all their guys under 30 minutes a game. It’s almost impossible, but you got to be deep.”
Twitter: @ESefko
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