Via ClutchPoints
Key Players: Luka Dončić, Dennis Smith Jr., Harrison Barnes
This article is not about the Dallas Mavericks.
This article won't philosophize how Deandre Jordan signing to a one-year, $24.1 million deal is a figurative example of life coming full circle and what's meant to be will be.
This article will not do a deep-dive into Dirk Nowitzki coming off the bench in favor of a more favorable Smith Jr./Dončić/Matthews/Barnes/Jordan lineup.
This article will not break down how a Rick Carlisle-led Mavericks wield a legitimate chance to make a playoff push.
No, this article is about the two most important players to don a Mavericks jersey this season -- 19-year-old Luka Dončić and 20-year-old Dennis Smith Jr..
The Dallas Mavericks acquired the European prodigy, Luka Dončić, through a draft night swap with the Atlanta Hawks, giving up Oklahoma point guard Trae Young.
Dallas' Best Case Scenario
Via The Smoking Cuban
Entering year 20 of Dirk Nowitzki as the franchise face, Dallas has finally found the 7 footers replacement. Replacements.
In his rookie season, Dennis Smith Jr. quietly impressed with a 15/5/4 statline. Only Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook have shown the explosiveness that Smith played with in his inaugural season. According to Dirk Nowitzki, his rookie season was just an appetizer of athleticism, stating "he looks way more athletic than last year."
Smith's other-worldly athleticism will be joined in the backcourt by the phenomenal skill set of the 2018 EuroLeague MVP. Pairing his talent with his measurables and accolades, Dončić could make a Xerostomia patient's mouth water. Google it. You know what, I feel like the term won't be googled and not everyone is good with context clues so to avoid a quality joke going over heads, here's a clinical definition of Xerostomia.
Xerostomia- refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.
Now here's a basketball fan's quick remedy to the above condition.
Via Frankie Vision
At just 19-years-old, Dončić lived up to his billing as arguably the best player ever in basketball's second toughest league, leading his team to a 2018 EuroLeague championship. Per 36 minutes, the 6'7 combo guard averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists.
Under the tutelage of coaching legend Rick Carlisle, the Dallas Mavericks have the potential to have an all-time great backcourt with Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Dončić.
Dallas' Worst Case Scenario
Via ClutchPoints
"Patience is a virtue" ~ some deep thinker
~Michael Scott
While filled with potential, the Dallas backcourt is far from perfect. Neither Dončić or Smith shot over 31 percent from deep. Smith shot below 40 percent from the field and as his 2.8 free throw attempts per game suggest, he uses his athleticism to a fault, contorting his body around contact rather than accepting it and going to the line.
Putting his noted athletic deficiency aside, Dončić's game isn't free of weaknesses either. Some of his biggest pros, his passing ability and measurables, lead to his most noticeable cons. Standing at 6'7, the 19-year-old guard knows he can make any pass he wants; this leads to questionable decisions that leave those watching what exactly did Dončić see out there. His size allows him to pull-up and finish over most players in his position, but his lack of lateral quickness allowed for EuroLeague guards to blow by him far too often. Now imagine what the likes of James Harden and DeMar DeRozan will do to him out West.
Remember how the article started by stating Dallas' playoff potential wouldn't be mentioned. That was done because a Mavericks playoff appearance is of little relevance when compared to the development of its backcourt. As his yearly attempts to sign a big name free agent suggest, Mark Cuban isn't one for patience; if he sees an opportunity to give Dirk a last hoorah in the playoffs, he'll go for it. While the playoffs would be a great experience for the young duo, allowing the futures of the franchise to go through a trial-and-error season would be far more valuable in the long run.
Whether it be Dončić and Smith caving into their weaknesses or Mark Cuban failing to see past this season, any scenario that doesn't conclude with Dirk being able to securely pass the keys of the franchise over is the worst-case scenario.
Record Prediction: 40-42, The backcourt of the future puts their feet into the water.