The Dallas Mavericks have had an impressive playoffs so far. They defeated two of the top-three seeds in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, on their way to the Finals, where they are tasked with slaying a Boston Celtics-sized giant.
Regardless of how the championship round shapes up, the Mavs may have shifted the Western Conference landscape. Starting next season, West contenders will have to go through Dallas, which will be easier said than done.
The organization appears to have found the right mix of stars and role players after a productive trade deadline. With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving expected to continue playing at a high level, the likes of P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr., and Daniel Gafford fulfilling their roles to a tee, and Jason Kidd guiding them from the sidelines, opponents will need to account for the Mavs when planning their offseason.
Mavericks’ dominance of Thunder could force them to trade up for Donovan Clingan
Oklahoma City is one of the teams that has to retool its roster a bit in the wake of an early playoff elimination. The Mavs exposed its weaknesses in the conference semifinals, particularly its lack of quality depth and size.