Mavs set title sights with Euro stars after return to playoffs

Luka Doncic # 77 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis # 6 of the Dallas Mavericks high-fives during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 1, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Katharine Lotze / Getty Images / AFP

Luka Doncic was impressive in his playoff debut with an ankle injury. Kristaps Porzingis left the NBA bubble amid disturbing questions about whether his knees will allow him to be the faithful companion in Dallas.

While the Mavericks appear to be on their way to becoming championship contenders led by the young European stars, there are problems as they await the unknown start of the next season: the 10th since their only title and their last victory in the playoff series.

“We’re on the rise,” coach Rick Carlisle said after the Mavericks were eliminated in Game 6 of a first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. “You never know the exact moment when things like this happen. That is our passion. That is our obsession. “

Doncic averaged 31 points, 9.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists in the playoffs with the most spectacular bubble moment yet: a triple back at the bell to beat the Clippers in overtime in Game 4 with a sprained ankle. left in Game 3.

After making his first All-Star Game and being named a finalist as most improved player a year after winning rookie of the year, the 21-year-old Slovenian left little doubt that the franchise will build around him for years to come.

“My goal at the beginning of the season is to win a championship,” said Doncic, whose impressive three made him the youngest player in NBA history to win a playoff game when the bell rang, and he capped a total of 43. points and 17 rebounds. Showing 13 assists for the NBA’s triple-double leader this season.

“There is no other objective,” he said. “So that will be mine.”

Porzingis, who also made his postseason debut, missed the final three games of the series with torn cartilage in his right knee, which isn’t the one he injured in what ended up being his last game for the New York Knicks a early 2018.

The 25-year-old missed 10 games before the shutdown due to pain in his right knee. The torn meniscus occurred in Game 1 against the Clippers, but he managed to overcome the injury for two more games.

With the possibility of surgery after his left knee ACL repair, Porzingis will face questions about his durability until the 7-foot-3 Latvian proves otherwise.

“I really can’t be too concerned about that,” he said. “They were both injured by contact. What I can do is focus on the work that I can do to make sure I lessen the chance of that happening. That means strengthening everything and trying to do as much preventive work as you can. That is in my hands. I can’t be too frustrated by this kind of thing. “

WANTED: ENFORCER

The Mavericks already knew they needed an inside player with attitude before Marcus Morris went to great lengths to physically challenge Doncic in the playoffs.

With the ball out of bounds on the opposite end of the court in Game 5, Morris stepped on Doncic’s injured left ankle. Morris was sent off for a flagrant foul when he attacked Doncic in Game 6.

“We are facing probably the most physical and talented team in the entire league,” Carlisle said. “It was a difficult experience, but it was the kind of experience we needed.”

OTHER MISSING PARTS

The Mavs were without guard Jalen Brunson and greats Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein in the bubble. Before closure, Brunson underwent shoulder surgery and Powell tore an Achilles tendon. Cauley-Stein chose to exit the reboot due to the impending birth of his daughter.

All three are under contract for next season. Brunson, drafted the same year as Doncic, is seen as a solid endorsement for the star point guard. Powell is a likely starter and Cauley-Stein a likely rotation player.

THE OTHER CURRY

Seth Curry’s best two years in the NBA came with the Mavericks three seasons apart. His breakthrough came at Dallas in 2016-17, and after missing a year through injury and spending last season with Portland, the younger brother of two-time MVP Stephen Curry shot 45% from three-point range.

Young Curry just started a four-year contract. If he stays healthy, he will be an important perimeter component to make Doncic’s life easier and could become a sixth prize contender.

BUILDING AROUND BIG 2

Playing together for the first time, Doncic and Porzingis led Dallas to the playoffs for the first time in four years as the first couple to average at least 20 points per game since Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley in 2001-02.

Doncic finished sixth in scoring (28.8 points per game) and third in assists (8.8). They were 17 and 18 in rebounds (Porzingis 9.5, Doncic 9.4) and Porzingis finished sixth in blocks (2.0). Porzingis averaged 20.4 points per game.

“There are a lot of brilliant things that came out of this season,” Carlisle said. “We have to keep building the squad around Luka and KP and keep adding pieces that fit those two guys so that we can move on and keep growing the team. That’s really the most important thing. ”

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