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Dallas Mavericks: Dwight Powell is Earning Every Penny

By Kohl Rast

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 3, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 3, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks continue to be one of the harder teams to read in the NBA, and they aren’t making it any easier with the polarizing players that step on the court every game.

If you have been keeping up with Dallas Mavericks news over the past couple years, you are probably well aware of the general attitude on Mavs power forward/center, Dwight Powell. There is no arguing that he is a great person with plenty of moral integrity, but he has often left us wanting more on the court.

Last season was especially tough for fans. In the year after signing what some would call a questionable 4-year, $37 million contract, Powell struggled  in the scoring and rebounding departments, despite playing an average of 17 minutes per game. He was a nonfactor on the court and was actively criticized off the court.

I was one of many that had doubts on the Mavs decision to give Powell such a big contract. I never actively disliked Powell and have always felt that he was still growing into his game, but the contract seemed a bit outrageous for someone who has barely even been a role player for the Mavericks.

That being said, he always seemed to be too good for the D-League (or G-League) in my eyes. His skills hadn’t fully refined yet, but he was much too athletic and intelligent to be playing anywhere but in the NBA at this point in his career.

That is until this season.

Now, in the 2017-18 NBA season, Dwight Powell has officially found his groove. He is showing more energy, more composure, and just an overall higher skill level than we have seen from him up to this point. Just look at some of these replays.

And then there is this one…

And all these beauties…

https://twitter.com/NBACanada/status/948962256741548032

The fact is that Powell is catching and finishing better, he is rebounding better, he is defending better, and he is getting open better. His jump shot is coming around, and his pick-and-roll with JJ Barea is a legitimately dangerous weapon for Dallas.

Although his stats do not reflect that of a difference maker in a game, there is no doubt that Powell is playing very well right now. His play has improved, he has made up for many of his mistakes, and Coach Carlisle has really found where he is the most effective on the court.

I may get some criticism for this, and that is alright with me, because Powell deserves some recognition instead of always being on the receiving end of the distaste of Mavs fans. He is playing well enough to justify his contract right now, and looks to only be improving.

Next: Rick Carlisle Compares the 2017 NBA Draft to the 1984 Draft

You may not see it or you may not want to see it, but the fact of the matter is that Dwight Powell is justifying his contract more and more each day. Give him a chance, MFFLs.

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