Are the Dallas Mavericks the frauds of the Western Conference?
Through the first month of the season, the Dallas Mavericks are 9-5 and are tied for third in the Western Conference standings. On the surface, it would seem that the Mavs are off to a good start and have even taken a step forward from last season.
However, when you did a bit deeper into the advanced stats that surround the Mavs, it tells you a much different story.
Before we dig into this team in what many would describe as a negative light, let’s look at what the Mavs have done right this season.
The most interesting thing about the Mavs this season is that they haven’t exactly had an easy schedule to start the year. Eight of the team’s first 14 games have come against “projected” playoff teams and have gone 3-5 against those teams.
Luka Doncic has been a strong offensive presence for the Mavs, even though he has struggled with his shooting efficiencies. He’s averaging 25 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists per game this season.
Once again, though, Kristaps Porzingis has struggled, aside from a few flash games here and there, to fit on the team. He might be averaging 19 points per game, but he’s struggled with his efficiency as well and has already missed four games this season.
If it hadn’t been for the strong play of Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr., who are both averaging 15 points per contest, I’m not sure where this Mavs team would be right now.
Now, to the bad news.
The Dallas Mavericks’ struggles
Despite their 9-5 record, the Mavs have struggled mightily on both ends of the floor. Statistically speaking, there’s no way they should be 9-5, much less tied for third in the conference through the first month of the season.
The Mavs are ranked 18th in offensive rating, 21st in effective field goal percentage, and 17th in 3-point percentage. Their defensive numbers aren’t much better. Dallas is 16th in defensive rating, 22nds in assists, and 21st in rebounding percentage.
In part, what has saved the Mavs is the fact that they’re shooting so many 3-pointers (39 attempts per game) that they’re ranked 9th in made 3’s per game (13 made 3-pointers per game).
Perhaps what is most confusing is that the Mavs are 9-5 with a -1.2 net rating; that ranks 21st in the league.
The Mavs entered this season with pressure to deliver, and that wasn’t entirely on just Doncic. After not doing much during the offseason, it will sooner or later show up in the win-loss column. The quick start that the Mavs have gotten off to is bound to break. The regression to the mean may be coming and may come hard.
Dallas has a talented team. That’s never been a question. It’s always been about whether they have enough of that talent around Luka to be a real threat in the Western Conference. As unfair as it may sound, the Mavs are probably the most fraudulent team in the NBA right now.