Dallas Mavericks: Five 2021 New Years Resolutions

Here are five Dallas Mavericks 2021 resolutions…

The 2020 Bubble season in Orlando proved to be somewhat of a success for the Dallas Mavericks. They finished as the 7th seed in the Western Conference and took the aggressive Los Angeles Clippers to six games.

The later half of 2020 has not been so kind to the Mavs. They close out the year with a 1-3 record losing record and start their new season in a hole. With blowout loses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets, the team has yet to find its groove this season. One can only hope 2021 will be kinder to the Dallas Mavericks, as they look to get back on track this season.

Let us look ahead to 2021 and envision some of the New Years Resolutions the team has:

1. An Aggressive Dwight Powell

So far this season Dwight Powell has looked far short of average and now many Mavs fans are questioning why he is even a starter. Compared to last season, Powell’s numbers have taken a dip. The starting center is averaging 3.3 rebounds per game, compared to last season before his injury when he averaged 5.7 rebounds a game.

Do we need to mention his turnover, assist and field goal percentage? The team is currently at the bottom of rebounds as a team and Powell is playing a significant part of that. With 2021 in the rearview mirror, the Dallas Mavericks can only hope Powell can get into somewhat of a groove or his days as a starter will be numbered.

2. A Healthy Porzingis

One of the top priorities for the team is a healthy and rejuvenated Kristaps Porzingis. Without KP, the Dallas Mavericks are shooting a mere 45% from the field and are 31.6 percent from behind the arc. All-Star Luka Doncic has been in a funk and is currently shooting 2 for 16 from the three point line.

While the total blame can’t be blamed on Luka, he does need some help. The only other player who has has a spark as of late is Tim Hardaway Jr. who has currently scored 18 points the past games. Aside, from Hardaway Jr, no other player has really seemed to find their spark. IF KP can come back healthy and energized, it would help take the pressure off of Luka and give the team another scoring threat.

 3. More Willey Cauley-Stein

Dallas Maverick fans have been calling for more playing time for Center Willey Cauley-Stein. The veteran has shown that when given the minutes he can contribute. On December 27th against the Los Angeles Clippers, Cauley-Stein went three for three from the field and tallied 6 rebounds in just under 18 minutes.

Compare that to the team’s first game of the season against the Phoenix Suns. Against Phoenix, the veteran center averaged just two rebounds and one basket in six minutes of playing time. When given the opportunity, Cauley-Stein can deliver. One thing Mavs fans love about him is his ability to fight for the ball and push around his opponents. Just imagine Cauley-Stein starting next to a health Porzingis, that would truly improve the team’s rebounding woes.

4. An Improved Defense

The Dallas Mavericks have yet to fix their defensive woes from last season. During the offseason they signed/traded for players James Johnson and Josh Richardson to help them out with their defensive problems. However, not much has changed for Dallas.

Currently the team ranks 20th in defensive rebounds and 29th in blocks per game. The Mavericks also rank 16th overall in terms of defensive rating and a large part of that is because of the amount of points teams are scoring against Dallas.

Aside from the Clippers game, Dallas has allowed teams to rake up the scoreboard against them. For example, on Christmas Day against the Lakers, the Mavs allowed Lebron and company to go off for 138 points and against the Charlotte Hornets the team allowed 118 points.

A big reason teams are going off against Dallas is because of their high shooting percentage. The Mavericks currently rank 22nd in terms of opponent field-goal percentage. Like the old saying goes “Defensive Wins Championships” and the team can only they can improve in that aspect.

5. Wins, Wins and more Wins,

One final resolution Mavs fan can hope is a series of wins. The season is still early and bright. Realistically the team is only a game back from a 6th to 8th in the Western Conference. While there is no doubt things will change, Dallas fans can hope the Mavs season turns around.

As is stands, the Dallas Mavericks currently have 17 games left to play in January, 14 games in February and 2 games in March. This will hold until the league releases the second half of the schedule. The upcoming month of January will tell just hold good the team is and if they can bounce back from their early December struggles.

2020 has proven to be a struggle for everyone worldwide, but for the Dallas Mavericks the future is bright and 2021 hopes to bring good fortune to the team and their success.

• Published on 01/01/2021 at 12:01 PM
• Last updated at 01/01/2021 at 10:05 AM