Why the Mavericks Are the Biggest Dark Horse in the NBA

The Dallas Mavericks have been on fire ever since trading for Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington, and Luka Doncic continues to play at an MVP level. With the synergy between Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic at an all-time high, there's no telling how far they can go if they continue to play like this.
The Daniel Gafford trade has allowed Dereck Lively to prioritize playing freely and they both can cover for each other when one of them needs rest. PJ Washington gave them some much-needed wing depth, plus the versatility necessary to help bolster their defense. The Dallas Mavericks offense has never been a problem, but now that their defense is firing on all cylinders, they look scary.
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Providing NBA analysis by making film digestible and using analytics thoughtfully to contextualize on-court production. I cover the NBA in various capacities as a writer and digital content creator. If you love basketball and the NBA, be sure to subscribe to my channel.
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#DallasMavericks #LukaDoncic #NBA

[@FR33_PALESTIN33]

👇🏾 Luka MVP Button

[@watarchives]

It's gonna be Tatum

[@eamonhogan2635]

@@watarchivesI’m a Celtics fan and that’s a wild take

[@Parodyzrus]

@@watarchivestatums gonna finish 4th what you talking about 😂

[@watarchives]

@@eamonhogan2635 I'm just playing with Tatum. It's def Jokić

[@theinstrumental8090]

They even got SGA 2nd now💀💀, hope he wins the finals MVP now though 😈

[@3hristopher]

Nobody wants to see Dallas or the clippers first round and they playing against each other first round tuff match up

[@jackastor5265]

Clippers are about to get roasted. Most people don't see it coming but I suspect the Mavs are going to CLEARLY be the better team.

[@matthewborovay]

@@jackastor5265 THATS FACTS DUDE, YOU KNOW BALL

[@fcordc19]

@@jackastor5265facts lad!

[@Taytexas]

The clippers being who stopped us TWICE should have luka going absolutely nuts this time around. And this time we have big defenders for PG and KL. Containing Harden might be Lukas assignment, to which I say he will need to lock in to keep harden inconsistent as he has always been. Westbrook will be who we need to worry about he is the engine for that team.

[@matthewborovay]

@@Taytexas Very good explanation

[@HalfAsianDerp]

This is the one team that I wouldn't be surprised to see beat Denver

[@twinzl]

What about Spurs? 😆😆😆

[@kewinabea5439]

Facts

[@Obi482]

@@twinzluhhh what?

[@twinzl]

@@Obi482 I was referring to Spurs beating the Nuggets

[@Obi482]

@@twinzl uhh playoffs?

[@ameyakhanapurkar9769]

I’m getting 2011 vibes. Mavs can have a historic playoff run if this momentum continues

[@tpsam]

Once again entering the playoffs very strong with great momentum in the final stretch of the season like in 2011 They swept the reigning and defending back to back champions

[@bryangiraldo6152]

Haha

[@devynlich00]

​@@bryangiraldo6152he doesn't know that was when Kobe had two back-to-back rings by himself in the late 2000s no Shaq

[@tommydashed4205]

@@devynlich00 Having Pau isn't "by himself". The disrespect.

[@Bust1n]

​@@devynlich00 Bruh that team was stacked hence why they won back to back duh

[@devynlich00]

@@Bust1n just trying to prove a point

[@frgabrielmary4620]

Very encouraging. Getting Lively back would ease some concerns. Another X factor not discussed here is the shooting of the supporting wings. When those guys (PJ, THJ, DJJ, Exum) are laying bricks (which happens 1/3 of the time), it puts too much pressure on Luka-Kai, and teams can sag off the others.

[@swish4realbasketball789]

Bro we love your content! Especially when you talk Mavs!!

[@MicahBXXIII]

Breakdown was actually tuff!!! Great video, brother!

[@jackastor5265]

Is DLive a better defender than Gaff? That's a tough call, Gaff is 7th in the entire league in blocked shots. If DLive is the better defender then the Mavs are going to be HELL to put away this year, and for years to come.

[@Taytexas]

We need D live to win big this year.

[@Smido83]

Lively isnt a better defender, YET! Hence why Gafford is starting and Lively comes off the bench next to Kleber, who himself is a good defender. But Lively is already way better then I thought possible. One or 2 more years of experience (and growing into his body) and he has the chance to be a bigger version of Jarret Allen. If he reaches that, Dallas is a contender for the forseable future.

[@lesternomo6578]

idk if I would say he's better yet but he is definitely more active at the least

[@farukguney6894]

DLives advantage over Gaff is his bball iq. They are almost equal all around for now.

[@behindthearcyt]

They were signs the mavericks could be this good in the first 4 games after trading for pj washington and daniel gafford. Now they have put it all together both offensively and defensively. They are also now fully healthy getting josh green back this past game he gives them a very solid point of attack defender. Idk who wins between them and the clippers but i can guarantee it will go 7 games and be the best 1st round playoff series in both conferences.

[@ralf4778]

I agree, but we also need D-Live to come back for the playoffs for sure.

[@austindowney5581]

Not fully healthy yet, lively is still out. If he’s ready to go for the series I have mavs in 6

[@Jas-ms4tr]

Missing crucial player Lively

[@Lincoln1_5]

This is an amazing breakdown man, I'm thrilled for these playoffs!

[@razortec]

Quality video as always

[@user-qv2sb5fr4f]

Dallas is one of the most unpredictable team which can loose and win every rival. But I believe that Luca Magic and uncle Drew will make some noise in the play-off

[@solbtv2753]

You're right bro

[@willneverstop]

Dallas is nasty this year

[@muvzyhoops]

Was hypeddd for this one

[@taegyeomybear9624]

This aged great

[@Gregor77777]

Anybody who say this serie is gonna be a 4-0 or 4-1 hasn’t watch these two team play. This is gonna be a though serie for both team and it’s hard to see a clear winner

[@richcantgame]

I like you on The Shootaround but I think you can be a bit too stubborn on there sometimes, but your solo content has amazing analytical work and I always learn something about a teams playstyle in these.

[@Dontatmebr0]

People are still writing them off. Can't wait for the Mavs to prove the haters wrong.

[@zigzag561]

Did not even mention derrick jones jr on defense lol

[@Ace-3.]

God bless and much love to all ❤️🙏

[@Cebuano_Edc]

Mavs has eliminated OKC to advance to the WCF :)

[@dg2379]

Mavs Knicks final ? 👀

[@benjimiguel17]

one hell of a revenge match for brunson

[@igonz22]

Great video. I love these high iq videos

[@insanevu904]

every playoff series the mavs will play they will have the best player on the court in Luka.

[@JGB1990]

I put a modest bet in yesterday for them to win the championship. Payout is 24x.

[@tteso2410]

Which platform?

[@lukaskywalker7791]

Spot on

[@malte5493]

This aged like fine wine.

[@awesomeninja234]

Unfortunately Denver vs Dallas will be probably be the semifinal so we won't get a treat in the conference finals since Denver will destroy everyone else

[@atticustexas9239]

Have faith brother…

[@Gregor77777]

Don’t underestimate the unpredictability of the playoffs. Being the best team doesn’t mean you are invincible

[@johnreydelatorre3450]

Hopefully, no injuries would happen

[@RealDarthvonvader]

The only big problem i see is Jason Kidd. As good as he was as a player; he isn´t a good coach.

[@DragonBro11]

True

[@-TheInfamousOne-]

😂😂Jason Kidd is an insanly good coach. He has the best tactics in the league, 2 years ago he out coached Quin Snyder, and CP3 with COTY Monty Williams. You dont know ball my guy.

[@syruplease]

he couldnt even turn dwight powell into prime wilt wtf is this guy doing

[@jackastor5265]

Kidd has improved as a coach almost as the teams young roster has improved as players. He has made significant improvements in his coaching the last 2 seasons.

[@Gregor77777]

@@-TheInfamousOne-Bro all mavs fan hate jason kidd (including me)

[@waynegreen7634]

They not even a dark horse at this point I believe they have the number one defensive rating since the trade deadline and honestly that's the point that you judge off of considering that's the new team essentially haha Dallas is nearly unstoppable when Lively is healthy coming off the bench. You're talking about two top ten defensive centers sharing most of the minutes and always having someone to dominate the paint. I don't think Lively playing against the clippers is even up for debate.

[@wonderfulperspectives2674]

Denver is going to lose. It’s going to be sweet seeing all of you eat these words for the third time.

[@aaroneisenman6873]

I would like to point out that Dallas dealt with alot of injuries in the first half of the season which is partially why alot of their defensive stats are so bad. To put it in perspective, Dallas' most played lineup includes PJ and Gafford. Its really hard to be a good defense if you dont play with someone alot.

[@tadaskalanta9733]

defence number 1 in the league last 18 games

[@benithebull7679]

Can anyone answer this question because I’m a casual. What does a coach actually do to change a team? If the players are really that good can’t they just play well like Giannis and dame should just play well and Adrian griffin or doc rivers shouldn’t matter

[@Gregor77777]

Draw offensive and defensive schemes, manage the rotation of the team, chose who play and how many minutes, chose who defend on who, take time out when players are tired or if the opposite team is on a good rythm, find weakness on opposite team defense, etc.

[@Smido83]

No, not that easy. Coaches are important to establish offensive sets and defensive rotations. When does player X do A, when does he do B and how does that change what player Y does. They have to establish clear automatisms that help players do the right things. Not to mention, if you are off the court, you can see more then being directly in the action. Means if they see some things the opponent does, they can change some rotations or call a play to counter the change. Its so much more difficult, but there is a reason why the top coaches in any sport get payed insane ammounts of money! Its not cause the owner has 10 or 15 mio to waste!

[@brycehammerton4542]

They are not a dark horse. Everyone things they are good

[@cyanraven7916]

Mavs can upset any team in the in the playoffs esp in a game 7 series

[@DefendTheCode]

Its such a pity clippers and mavs have to go one another in round 1.

[@trenton4407]

A month later and they in the finals

[@RNmoney1988]

They aren't a DARKhorse.

[@Cory-zn5mq]

And they got role players who can step up now

[@VoltaDoMar]

This team is a major problem and I think people are slow to realize it. They have size and versatility and crazy shot making

[@matthieusaade3616]

Who would've thought that giving a generational talent like luka a decent team would work ? 😂 The mavs still miss 1 piece to make them legit contenders in my opinion. They miss a reliable 3rd scorer like a Porter Jr in Denver . If they can get that without losing their new found defense ITS A WRAP FOR THE LEAGUE

[@DavidRodriguez-yb1qb]

And now Denver has fallen to 3, so Dallas would avoid them until conference final, and would potenciallt have a favorable match up against OKC on 2nd. Watch out for the Mavs

[@MeRacko]

They are not just a dark horse if they didnt have as much injuries as they had in first half of the season they would be one of the top teams in the leauge

[@thespiralgoeson]

I mean, are they even a "dark horse" at this point? I feel like they've been putting the league on notice for weeks now, and everyone knows the Mavs are serious.

[@rrinfela_]

Why do you sound like Fantastic Hip Hop narrator

[@yopo654]

Yall forget that luka took kawhi and pg to 7 games without kyrie and boban as his starting centre i dont know why people think that clips stand the slightest chance💀

[@bigred9991]

Both teams are vastly different. It's more than likely going to 6 or 7 games.

[@monkeymoo87]

If you have a top 3 offense you just need to be a top 10-15 defense and you can win it all like the nuggets

[@MeRacko]

Yeah Livley and Gaffor never played 48 combined Kleber always gets at least 20 of thoese minutes

[@mycabbages3538]

Luka is the MVP

[@Coolmike19]

Luka and Kyrie are Lethal

[@gorsek19]

Dark horse? They are easily the Top 3 team right now.

[@benjimiguel17]

easily? over the thunder?

[@trevorfields5216]

Mavs and pels are both pretty strong dark horse possibilities for the west. Let's be honest though, nuggets are gonna win the west. Only one team in the east has a chance against Denver.... And it's not boston

[@industrynewz6147]

Pravi Mvp

[@jonathanm9171]

This Mavs team is the one team that can beat Denver and this is coming from a laker fan

[@derekgraham9536]

They aren’t a dark horse though because everyone knows they are good

[@tbsbloodheist8986]

no way. has to be new orleans.

[@markferk93]

Ehhhh Defense isn’t good enough on either of these teams.

[@tnsle000]

THJ needs to go

[@FreeBandz658]

Can you really be a dark horse when you have two perennial all stars?

[@doomsday_72]

They were predicted to not make the playoffs at the start of the season

[@DunningKrugerJnr]

#pravimvp

[@user-mx8rn6tj8h]

Kyrie gonna retire a top 10 pg all time. Possibly top 5.

[@TARJ_1234]

First 🥇

[@serbonkers4130]

Suns and booker are the true dark h9rse not the Mavs

[@iiizzydon9224]

😂

[@sdaf48]

clippers in 5 (with kawhi)

[@CertainlyCynical]

Clippers couldn’t even beat luka by himself in 5 LMAOOO😂😂

[@jackastor5265]

Not a chance in hell, well, there is always a chance in sports for stuff like that but this Mavs team is WAY better than the last time these two teams faced off.

[@homerthompson416]

Can't see that series going less than 6 either way unless injuries.

[@wonderfulperspectives2674]

@@CertainlyCynicalExcuse me when was this

[@andyboerger]

yeahright.....

[@arlwav]

clipppers 4-1 first round exit for dallas

[@matthewphilipp6115]

Delusional, Clippers curse surpasses any team performance.

[@LLLLL17992]

The mavs aint no dark horse because LUKA IS WHITE!!!!

[@JCedition1]

They’ve had an easy schedule since the all star break

[@jalenchun9408]

dark horse my ballsack. they aint getting past my clips

[@BoolatGuzairov]

The problem is that team with Luka as a primary option will never win it all. Not cause he is not a good shooter or not talented enough, but cause Luka is enjoying the moment instead of wanting it badly. He is a bball hedonist - so talented that may get the team into Finals just by momentum.

[@MJCobz]

awful take and I aint even a Mavs fan

[@triple9353]

@@MJCobz agree

[@doriangonzalez7247]

Don’t ever give another basketball take pls

[@websterlusotan4126]

pls stahp!

[@swolfking7805]

Bro what are you talking about Luka has that mamba mentality. Really bad take

[@pipohemm8726]

Fuck dark horse, white horse. They are legit. Conf finals are possbile

[@iiizzydon9224]

Chippington