With the final stretch of the NBA regular season upon us, the Mavericks have given plenty of hope that they can contend. However, how much hope is there that they can win the championship? Here are four reasons why the Mavericks can win the NBA Finals.
Playoff Luka
In the playoffs, Luka elevates his play. In the bubble, Luka went from averaging 28.8 points in the regular season to 31. He also hit a game winner against Paul George in the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers, but unfortunately lost the series. In 2021-22 Playoffs, Luka went from averaging 27.7 to 35.7 but lost in the first round of seven. However, his biggest improvement was in 2021-22, where Luka went from averaging 28.4 points to averaging 31.7 and 9.8 rebounds, also bringing his team to the Western Conference Finals by knocking off the No. 1 seeded Phoenix Suns in the second round. Luka plays much differently when it comes to the Playoffs compared to the regular season. He’s also never had a second option quite like Kyrie either. If needed, Kyrie can take the wheels and patrol the team. If Luka is struggling to make a shot, give Kyrie the rock and let him shoot more threes. Otherwise, have Luka setup other players in the paint or behind the arc. If Luka can somehow improve his play in the Playoffs, this team is able to go very far into the tournament.Â
The Thunder and Timberwolves
Normally if I told you there was an elite offensive team that is led by a 25 year-old MVP candidate, and an exciting team that despite an injury to one of their star players, has leaned on their No. 1 rated defense and upcoming star 23 year-old in the same conference as the Mavs, you’d be a little scared; but that’s the point. The Thunder, as talented as they are, are not experienced enough to make a real splash in the Playoffs. And the Timberwolves have multiple weaknesses that counter against their elite defense. Whether I mean their center not having any offensive bag or their star player being risky with his body, this team is not setup to succeed quite yet. Meanwhile the Mavs, have a seasoned veteran with experience in the Playoffs in Kyrie Irving, and a coach that has experience winning a championship not only as a player but as a coach as well, Jason Kidd. Also, the Thunder have struggled when the Mavs are fully healthy. In two games against the Thunder, the Mavs went on a 30-0 run late in one game and put up 146 points in the second one. Now despite losing the first one, they still relatively handled one of the best teams in the league.
Bench Depth… Sort of
The Mavs have a sixth man of the year candidate on the bench: Tim Hardaway Jr, a capable stud young rookie: Dereck Lively or if he’s starting, an energetic and efficient center was close to beating the record, but sits at second for most field goals made in a row with 33. They have two capable guards, Dante Exum and Josh Green. Lastly, they have Dwight Powell and P.J. Washington to add on to that. Speaking of Tim Hardaway Jr, he’s a guy who can hit three after three if he gets hot early in the game. Their bench is more than capable of holding teams in check long enough for Luka and Kyrie to rest up and continue their elite play. Now, even if they had people like Ben Simmons and Norman Powell as their top two bench options, it doesn’t matter. Luka’s ability to affect the game, despite the incapabilities of his bench at some times, is enough.
Lebron, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry: One will Miss the Playoffs
Credit to: bleacherreport.com
Yes, at least one of these three players will miss the playoffs this year, three of the most iconic and seasoned veterans in the league. Lebron is always a force in the playoffs. Last year, he brought a 7-seed to the Western Conference Finals. Kevin Durant is one of the most efficient scorers in the league, and has improved his defensive play late in his career. Steph Curry has brought the Warriors up from the dead (AKA: 11th seed), and still, despite his efforts, the Dubs are struggling in the standings. And if all of those players make the playoffs, Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, or Zion Williamson will miss, all of them being valuable players. If I’m the Mavs, I do not want to play against the Dubs, Suns, or Lakers. I would much rather take the Thunder or the Timberwolves. But luckily, at least one of them will miss, and most likely, if the Mavs were to play them, it would be in the Western Conference Finals
Anyway, that’s four reasons. Now, if they get eliminated in the first round, don’t blame me for giving you false hope. Regardless, good luck to the Mavs, but go Suns!
