The inventory
Few observers expected them at this level and yet, the Mavericks managed to reach the final in June (4-1 defeat against Boston). However, their first half of the season was sluggish, exposing their lack of presence under the basket around stars Luka Doncic (25) and Kyrie Irving (32). The arrivals of Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington in February, coupled with the rise of rookie Derek Lively II, transformed the team, making it a serious candidate for the title.
Reaching the final step is the goal for Jason Kidd and his men this season. They will be able to count on the experience and skill of Klay Thompson (34), titled four times with Golden State, and on the versatile profile (three-point shooter and defender) of Naji Marshall. Doubt remains, however, about Doncic’s ability to stay focused in the matches that matter. The final exposed his defensive deficiencies and his still too sanguine temperament, especially towards the referees.
Player to watch: Klay Thompson
This is one of the big moves of the offseason. Dallas managed to attract one of Golden State’s two “Splash Brothers”, Klay Thompson, a five-time All-Star in more than a decade spent with Stephen Curry. His last season under Steve Kerr was frustrating and he even found himself on the bench for the first time in his career. If his performance (17.9 points in 2023-2024) is no longer the same as before, Thompson remains an outstanding three-point shooter (38.7%), capable of shooting faster than his shadow. Enough to blend in perfectly with the Mavs collective alongside ball providers Doncic and Irving.
The story: Lively II has made its mark
Highly anticipated for his NBA debut, interior Derek Lively II (20 years old, 2.16 m) had a full season in Texas. He gained strength over the months before exploding in the play-offs. The young man, however, had to face adversity by losing his mother in April, who died of cancer at the age of 53. “She passed on her strength to me, and I must continue to carry that within me”declared the rookie in May. His defensive presence and his importance on pick and roll on offense now make him a potential starter in Dallas. It remains to develop an effective offensive game, something the player trained at Duke University worked on this summer.
