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5 Expectations for the Dallas Mavericks This Season

By Sam Casey
Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle watches his team take on the Houston Rockets during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle watches his team take on the Houston Rockets during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) celebrates his basket in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) celebrates his basket in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Wesley Matthews Improved Production

Wesley Matthews tore his Achilles in 2015 when he was with Portland Trail Blazers, and that offseason the Mavs offered him a rich contract. Many experts and analysts didn’t expect him to play until December of 2015 or maybe even after the new year, so when Wes said he would be ready for the season opener, people got a kick out of it. Then, Matthews surprised us all and played in Game 1 of the season, and proceeded to suit up for 78 of the Mavs 82 games last season.

However, his injury wasn’t completely in the past. For most of the year it was apparent that he wasn’t fully healthy, lacking explosiveness and energy. His performance fell significantly from his time with Portland, averaging less points, worse FG%, and overall didn’t meet the expectations of his new contract.

Now, the Iron Man comes into the season following an offseason of working out and getting back to full health. His explosiveness and athleticism is already noticeably better, and expectations are sky high for the Mavs SG. Fans will want Matthews to earn every penny of his 17 million dollar cap hit this season, and he will satisfy our expectations if he can improve his 3 point FG% to 40 percent and points per game to 16.

Next: Elite Defensive Performance

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