3 Mavericks Most to Blame for the Disastrous NBA Finals Collapse

Every Role Player Not Named PJ Washington

The Dallas Mavericks players not named Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and PJ Washington have made five threes so far in the series. Derrick Jones Jr, Maxi Kleber, and Tim Hardaway Jr are 1/13 from downtown. This has allowed the Celtics to collapse in the paint, send help to Luka and Kyrie, and risk the Mavs' role players. And these players have failed to punish the Celtics' defense.

There was always a risk of this happening. Dallas doesn't have the most elite crop of role players. Derrick Jones Jr is an excellent defender but is very limited offensively. Maxi Kleber is in serious decline. Tim Hardaway Jr. is an offense-only player and that offense isn't that good. There is a severe lack of two-way players outside of PJ Washington.

The real reason the Mavericks are losing this series is on the offensive end. They have defended well enough so far, holding the Boston Celtics to 116 points per 100 possessions. If the Mavericks could maintain their offensive rating from the earlier rounds of the playoffs, they could have won games in this series.

Their role players turning into pumpkins is a big reason why. Perhaps it's not fair to expect more of this group. None of these role players have played in an NBA Finals before. Jones Jr. and Dante Exum are on minimum contracts. Dereck Lively is a rookie. Josh Green and Jaden Hardy are on their rookie contracts and have serious limitations.

Compared to the Celtics' depth, the Mavericks are severely lacking. And that is okay. It is up to the front office this offseason to help change this and further improve the roster.