The retirement of Dirk Nowitzki will be remembered as one of the most emotional days for Dallas Mavericks fans. Little did they know a star would be on the horizon when the Mavericks ended up with Luka Doncic in the 2018 draft.
There is more excitement throughout the Mavericks organization this season, with progression from last year’s squad, as well as additions from the off-season. Dallas has high hopes to make a Western Conference Championship run this season, despite falling out of the first round of the playoffs a year ago. Check out the 2020-2021 season preview for the Mavericks.
Dallas Mavericks 2020-21 Season Preview
Dallas Mavericks Frontcourt
The Mavericks used a lot of different rotations throughout the season. Especially in the bubble with Dwight Powell and Kristaps Porzingis out with injuries. During the playoffs, the Mavericks ran a small lineup and Boban Marjanovic played critical minutes.
With a fully healthy Powell and Porzingis returning to the rotation, the starters for this team may look different. When healthy, Porzingis was playing at an All-NBA level. The 7-foot-3 perimeter threat from Latvia averaged 20.4 points per game on 46 percent shooting from the field.
It was promising for Marjanovic to pick up critical minutes in the playoffs, after playing sparingly in the regular season. After averaging 6.6 points during the regular season, Marjanovic excelled in more minutes in the playoffs. His 31 points and 17 rebounds in the game prior to the league’s hiatus showed signs of his value when he is on the court. More minutes and stamina is the Achilles heel for the veteran from Serbia.
The Mavericks have had reliable frontcourt play over the past decade. Anchored by Nowitzki, they have had other serviceable additions with the likes of Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire. This year’s frontcourt quite possibly is the deepest it has ever been in the franchise’s history.
Dallas Mavericks Backcourt
The rise of Doncic was among the most headlined stories of last year and will be again this year. The Mavericks lead the NBA in scoring with 117 points per game. One of the weaknesses for the Mavericks is perimeter defense, with the team giving up 112.1 points on 46 percent shooting from the field.
It was clear the Mavericks plan in the off-season was to stock up on defensive perimeter options. Dallas went into the draft and picked up three All-Conference Defense Team players from the Pac-12. The trio of Josh Green (University of Arizona), Tyrell Terry (Stanford University), and Tyler Bey (University of Colorado).
The Mavericks also added an excellent veteran defender in Josh Richardson via trade. Richardson can be a solid three-point shooter but dominates on defense with his 6-foot-5 frame. Part of the deal was sacrificing some offensive firepower as guard Seth Curry was shipped to the 76ers.
However, Tim Hardaway Jr. returns after having the best season of his career. While operating as the number three scoring option on offense, he averaged 15.8 points per game. Although it was not his highest point totals, his efficiency from the field was the best of his career. He shot nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc and had his lowest turnovers per game numbers.
Don’t expect this backcourt to have the same offensive explosion as last year, especially with Curry leaving. However, this backcourt should be much more competent on defense and could finish as a Top 10 unit.
First-Half Schedule
The Mavericks do not start their season with cupcakes as it features three road contests. The season opener squares off against the Phoenix Suns, who finished undefeated in the bubble. Then, they travel to face two of the best teams in the Western Conference in the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Mavericks face the Eastern Conference Champions Miami Heat on New Year’s Day in Dallas. This continues the trend of their early-season schedule, which features primarily playoff-caliber teams. Twelve of the Mavericks’ first 20 games feature matchups against playoff teams from a year ago.
The slate in February gets easier with the hardest portion of the schedule featuring a road game against the Philadelphia 76ers on the 25th. The Mavericks will not have anything handed to them and this first-half slate backs it up in potentially the league’s toughest month-and-a-half stretch. Still, the Mavericks have the roster to perform well, regardless of schedule.
Outlook on the 2020-21 season
The Mavericks have a lot to play for and own some of the most attention in the conference right now. Doncic’s MVP hype has put the Mavericks on the map. With the added defensive depth, they should be much more efficient in that area. The additions of the three draft prospects and Richardson gives the Mavericks a new element.
With the loss of Curry, the Mavericks should not have too much of a disadvantage. Hardaway Jr. is coming off one of his best seasons and Jalen Brunson is healthy. Doncic will score a lot of points while making excellent passes and hustle plays. The backcourt as a whole, should not get overlooked.
Last season felt like the first time in a long time the Mavericks are legitimate. Since their 2011 championship run, the Mavericks have been scrambling to get back to that position. This team is more than capable of making a deep run and a dark horse for the NBA Finals.
Whether that will play out or not hinges on two areas. The Mavericks need to limit injuries this season and maintain the same level of production from players last season.
Dallas Mavericks 2021 Season Prediction: 41-31, sixth in the West
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
