The Pursuit of Happiness (Dallas Mavericks Edition)
“Hello darkness my old friend,” is the tune many Dallas Mavericks’ fans have been playing in their heads as of late. In two weeks, the team went from going 2-1, to 0-2. Some defeats included a Monday night deficit to the Memphis Grizzlies (without Ja Morant), and a Wednesday night loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Yet when push comes to shove the Dallas Mavericks still remain anywhere from a play-in team to a fifth seed at best. Reality check: whatever the case may be Dallas has yet to exceed expectations this season.
But with two weeks and a half left of the regular season, can the Dallas Mavericks achieve the NBA Pursuit of Happiness?
If you remember the movie The Pursuit of Happiness, actor Will Smith portrays a salesman trying to make ends meet, while navigating life’s many obstacles. Some conflicts include him becoming homeless, while also being arrested. In the end, he overcame all that and landed the full-time gig he recklessly fought for
Sounds coincidentally?
No, but it can happen. Right? Mavs’ fans can only hope.
If you remember the beginning of the season started off rocky for the team. In the first month of the season, Luka Doncic and company went 3-3. November wasn’t any kinder as the group went 3-6 during a good chunk of the month. In December they picked up the slack closing out the year on a six game winning streak.
So let’s go back to the movie for a minute…
Remember when the main character got the opportunity of a lifetime becoming an intern stockbroker at Dean Witter Reynolds. Well, afterwards things literally got worse. His wife eventually leaves him for good and the IRS garnished his back account.
In the end though, he landed a full-time position with the company, and later goes on to form his own brokerage firm.
What does this movie mean for Dallas then?
Nothing yet! You see, the Mavs trade their future life savings in Dorian Finney-Smith and future draft picks for Kyrie Irving. Sound familiar?
The biggest difference between now and the movie though is it worked in the film, while Dallas has yet to see any silver lining.
If you remember Marc Cuban’s group had their fair of obstacles in the beginning. For example, they traded for JaVale McGee in hopes of solving their frontcourt issue. Oh and who can forget the numerous seasonal injuries to players like Doncic, Maxi Kleber and even Irving.
So miracles can happen right?
Yes, believe it or not. While Dallas may not need one to play in the playoff, they might need one if they hope to avoid the league play-in scenario.
But with nine games left anything can happen. The Dallas Mavericks next couple of games next week include back to back sessions against the Charlotte Hornets, a meeting with the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat.
If Doncic and Irving can co-exist together and come back full strength, then the sky is the limit.
Who knows maybe Dallas can pull off a miracle and go on a magical run like last postseason.