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Now the NBA owes the Dallas Mavericks 3 games this season

By Fred Rooters

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings in the first half at American Airlines Center on March 26, 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 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings in the first half at American Airlines Center on March 26, 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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It appears the Dallas Mavericks have been robbed again because the NBA has admitted once again they made a poor call at the end of regulation that ultimately cost Dallas the game.

This week, the Dallas Mavericks clearly missed point guard Delon Wright‘s defensive presence against the Sacramento Kings. The San Antonio Spurs were able to beat the Kings in their previous game with sneaky defense. The style of defense Wright, out with a right groin strain, is known to play.

Not a serious injury, but because of the strain put on the groin, it’s that can linger if not handled correctly. The Mavericks missed Delon’s size and quickness against the Sacramento Kings which is one of the reasons they fell into an early hole. All of this was exacerbated by the referees allowing the Kings to play Luka Doncic extremely physically which led to a missed call and resulted in a Mavs loss.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game,

"“He (Luka) gets hit a lot. People take a lot of liberties on him. When he comes over to the bench, and he has scratches and blood marks on his arms and hands, I know there’s something there.”"

Speaking to the way refs are calling fouls on Luka. Dallas Mavericks fans have long taken issue with the way Mavericks games are officiated. Most famously the 2006 NBA Finals bad calls cost the Dallas Mavericks an NBA championship.

This season the 16-7 Dallas Mavericks have had 3 games decided by calls later corrected by the league office. Of course the officials miss calls. Maybe when the call goes in our favor it goes unnoticed, but a bad call has yet to help us win a game.

Against the Portland Trailblazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings missed calls cost the Mavericks the game. I understand that’s only three games, but with those three wins the Mavericks would only be one game behind the number one ranked LA Lakers. In a tightly contested Western Conference those games could affect playoff position, and load management options later in the season.

It might seem I’m crying over spilled milk, but it’s actually the contrary. These are actually good losses for a young team to take early in the season. In the post game interview Mavericks power forward Kristaps Porzingas admitted the team came out “slow and overconfident”.

He would go on to say, ” We felt they would just find a way to win.” This kind of confidence is good to see from a young team. It is also good to see that confidence humbled with these losses early. The Dallas Mavericks have only lost in consecutive games once so far this season. This suggests that the team learns from their mistakes, something that isn’t always a given with young players.

The biggest take away from the Kings game is, Luka coming to the realization that he has to temper his contempt for the referees and missed calls. Doncic would say after the game,

"” I’m passionate for the game. I want to win, and I just sometimes get out of control. I know a lot of times I’m wrong. People are wrong sometimes and I’ve just got to learn to calm down and go to the next play.”"

Hearing this from Luka is promising because we’ve seen bad calls made worse by the Mavericks allowing those calls to effect their focus. The missed call in the Los Angeles Lakers game caused the Dallas Mavericks to come out flat and look defeated in overtime.

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Though you’d like to have these games as wins instead of losses on our record. With the maturity of this young Dallas Mavericks team these losses might be more valuable to the long-term success of the team. It’s important that a young team maintains a good balance of confidence and humility. It’s great the Dallas Mavericks feel they can find ways to win. However it’s important to remember that a good finish can’t always make up for a bad start. Especially when calls don’t go your way.

The truth is in both the Portland and Los Angeles games missed free throws were more detrimental than missed calls, and in the Sacramento game overconfidence and lack of urgency were more to blame for the loss than the officiating. These types of lessons are priceless for this young talented team.

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Hopefully these moral victories can lead actual victories as the Dallas Mavericks continue to grow as team.

  • Published on 12/11/2019 at 13:01 PM
  • Last updated at 12/11/2019 at 11:46 AM
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