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Dallas Mavericks: Nothing more invigorating than this

By Reid Hanson

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center on March 18, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center on March 18, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks fanbase was re-energized this past season and that excitement is expected to carry over for the foreseeable future thanks to this…

For the past few seasons something has been missing from the Dallas Mavericks franchise. Despite the record-setting sell out streak, excitement has been severely lacking. In fact, if it wasn’t for the continual presence of Dirk Nowitzki, even modest enthusiasm would likely be a long-shot.

But everything changed this season. The addition of Luka Doncic last summer, and Kristaps Porzingis over the winter, did something that invigorated a generally complacent fanbase. It provided hope.

I’m not saying the local DFW fanbase was fairweather or disloyal. Quite the contrary. MFFL stuck with this franchise regardless of what the team put on the court. But it was clear that loyalty was driving much of the support rather than legit excitement.

What a difference a few months make, right?

The buzz started on Day 1 of Luka. We didn’t know what we had but he certainly seemed special. It soon became apparent Luka was more than any of us could have imagined. After talking ourselves into the stardom of Dennis Smith Jr for roughly 13 months, we needed no coercion to become believers in Luka.

Suddenly the franchise had hope. Legitimate hope. A hope towards the future that only grew with the addition of Porzingis. If the last decade has taught us anything it’s that this is a superstar driven league and if you don’t have a superstar, you can’t sign a superstar. And if you can’t sign a superstar, you probably can’t win.

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Now the Dallas Mavericks sit with two budding superstars, money to spend, and hope for the future. Without Luka or Kristaps on the roster the Mavs have exactly zero chance of luring an elite free agent. With them on the roster Dallas becomes and attractive place and the hope that’s been missing since 2011 has been restored.

The Dallas Morning News recently reported that DFW saw the biggest regional ratings spike in the NBA last season (86%). No longer is loyalty or a sense of duty driving us, but rather we’re driven by excitement and hope for the future.

We don’t know what the lottery brings this summer. Will the Mavs get to keep their pick or will it be outside of the top 4? Will they take their 6% odds and cash them in for Zion Williamson or will they draft a role player?

It almost doesn’t matter (almost).

We don’t know what free agency will bring, either. Will they do what was previously impossible and sign an elite free agent? Will they sign a couple of strong free agents instead? Or will they only succeed in luring role players?

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Next. Should the Mavs trade or keep their 1st round pick?. dark

Again, it almost doesn’t matter because Luka and Kristaps have restored hope. And given their young ages (20 and 24 respectively) it’s long-term hope they offer this franchise.

  • Published on 04/26/2019 at 12:00 PM
  • Last updated at 04/26/2019 at 06:51 AM
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