Doncic and Mavericks, and the challenge of being champions

In this new season, Doncic’s realistic goal should be to become an NBA champion, that trophy that separates great players from superstars.

What are the challenges for Doncic and the Mavs in the upcoming season.

1- What is the franchise’s dream?
Build a championship team for Luka Doncic.

Last season, the Mavs made it to the NBA Western Finals – even though they were underdogs – and there they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors, who were the NBA champions.

The big challenge for the Mavs is to build that winning team around Luka.

Dallas lost point guard Jalen Brunson in free agency, but added Christian Wood, Jaden Hardy and JaVale McGee. The Mavs on the season is that they will finish with a 49-33 record to finish sixth in the West, which is a setback because last season they had a 52-30 record and finished fourth.

It’s clear that Doncic alone is capable of leading the team to the playoffs, but it’s also clear that he needs help for Dallas to be champions. will he get it?

2- What is the Mavs’ main unfinished business?
The Mavs’ main unfinished business seems more like a ‘Mission Impossible’: Make a long run in the Playoffs.

Being in the ‘Wild West’ with franchises like the reigning champions Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets; the renewed Los Angeles Lakers, plus the unknown (every year) LA Clippers, does not seem easy for a team that on paper, starts as the least strong of this group.

Having Luka Doncic, one of the best and most spectacular players in the league, does not seem to be enough for the Texans to take the important step in the Playoffs. The departure of Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks was a major blow to the franchise that finished as the fourth seed last season.

While the cast surrounding Doncic is significant with Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, Tim Hardaway Jr. plus the additions of Frank Ntilikina, JaVale McGee and Christian Wood, among others (for now), the reliance on the former Real Madrid man will continue to set the tone for what the team may or may not accomplish.

I don’t doubt the Mavs will make the Playoffs, but the most they can hope for is a first round bye, that is if Doncic stays healthy.

3- Real or not: are the Mavs a better team than last season?
No, they are not a better team than last year. Also, not only did they lose their second offensive voice in Jalen Brunson, but they lost the opportunity to pair Goran Dragic with Luka Doncic.

While the JaVale McGee signing is good, because they needed a center, I’m not sure how much confidence new power forward Christian Wood can bring ‘off the bench’.

Yes…he will partner perfectly with Luka in the pick & roll and provide points in the paint, but will he perform in the key moment? If you review his stats, they are remarkable, but many of those lines are ‘inflated’ on once losing outfits like the Rockets and Pistons.

That said, in the end it will all depend on how Doncic approaches the campaign. He will arrive ‘hot’, as he will be playing in EuroBasket 2022. The Mavericks will go as far as the Slovenian superstar says. We saw it last tournament when they eliminated the favored Phoenix Suns, though they eventually fell to the champion Golden State Warriors.

Dallas needs one more piece. That’s what Doncic needs to get to a Finals. Depth they have.