After Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki retired, the team struggled to regain its elite status, hovering in mediocrity and failing to make deep playoff runs. During Luka Dončić’s second and third seasons, the Mavs reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round both times by the LA Clippers. The team seemed unable to break through, casting doubts on their ability to compete at the highest level.
However, a lot has changed since those early struggles. The Mavericks have advanced to the Western Conference Finals twice in the past three seasons and made their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011. This turnaround has been fueled by significant roster improvements, particularly this offseason, when the team bolstered its lineup by acquiring Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes. These additions have given Dallas one of the most formidable rosters in recent years, sparking hopes for another deep playoff run.
Despite these successes and a strong offseason, many experts remain skeptical of the Mavericks’ chances. CBS Sports recently released an NBA coach ranking list, placing Mavs coach Jason Kidd at No. 18, which many see as a disrespectful ranking given his contributions to the team over the past three seasons. Kidd has helped lead the Mavericks to consistent playoff appearances and guided them to multiple Western Conference Finals. Yet, this ranking underscores the doubt surrounding the team’s prospects.
The skepticism continued earlier this week when former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins made a bold prediction, suggesting that the Mavericks could collapse this upcoming season. During an appearance on *NBA Today*, Perkins listed the Mavericks as one of the teams most likely to struggle, citing concerns about Klay Thompson’s age and potential regression, as well as Luka Dončić potentially being fatigued after last year’s deep playoff run.
Perkins specifically noted that “no one is really fearing them right now,” referring to the Mavericks, and suggested that other Western Conference teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers could surpass them this season. His assessment, however, appears to overlook the strides Dallas has made. While it’s true that Thompson may not be in his prime, he still put up impressive numbers last season, shooting 38.7% from three-point range and averaging 17.9 points per game. Thompson also played exceptionally well towards the end of the season, converting 43.7% of his three-point attempts in April.
Dončić, on the other hand, performed admirably in the Finals despite dealing with injuries, including a knee sprain and a sore Achilles. He averaged 29.2 points per game on 47.2% shooting and posted a double-double in Game 5 with 28 points and 12 rebounds. His ability to excel despite these setbacks demonstrates his resilience and capability to lead the Mavericks deep into the postseason.
Additionally, the teams Perkins mentioned as potential threats, such as the Timberwolves and Lakers, made only minor improvements. The Timberwolves focused on internal development, while the Lakers missed out on key free agents that the Mavericks successfully signed. These factors suggest that Dallas is in a better position to have a stronger season than both teams.
In the midst of this scrutiny, it’s clear that the Mavericks have multiple chips on their shoulders. Whether it’s underestimations from experts or doubts about their roster’s ability to compete, Dallas seems to have all the motivation it needs to prove its critics wrong and make another Finals appearance.
