The Forgotten Dallas Mavericks: Brad Davis

As the Dallas Mavericks Fan Favorite Bracket is now headed into the Sweet 16, it is time to refresh some MFFL memories on a few of the Mavs greats from before the age of the internet. Starting with one of the best, Brad Davis.

The Dallas Mavericks have had a number of players come through the organization since the expansion team was brought to the NBA in 1980-81. However, within that entire 38-year span, only one player has worn the number 15 for the Mavs.

On November 14, 1992, the Dallas Mavericks retired Brad Davis’ #15, after 12 straight seasons with the Mavs team. He is a Mavericks legend who was a key part in building the team up throughout the 1980’s, but his journey getting there was something very interesting.

Davis was a point guard for the University of Maryland from 1975-77 where he had a solid career, averaging 12.2 points and 5.1 assists per game during his three-year career. He was selected 15th overall in the 1977 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Over the next three years, Davis played very sparingly for three different teams: the Lakers, Pacers, and Jazz. He also played a short stint with the Anchorage Northern Knights of the Continental Basketball Association.

After a very short stint with the Utah Jazz, Davis decided to attempt a revitalization of his career by joining the newest NBA expansion team, the Dallas Mavericks. Three hopeless seasons after being drafted, Davis likely took the Mavs gig as a last effort to stay relevant in the NBA.

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And it paid off.

Brad Davis went on to have a great 12-year career with the Dallas Mavericks, never becoming a real bonafide star in the league, but doing all the little things so well that he became a fan-favorite during his time in Dallas.

He played in 883 games with the Mavericks during those 12 years, starting in 396 of them. He averaged 8.6 points and 5.1 assists and made it to the playoffs 5 times with Dallas. The final playoff run for Brad Davis in 1987-88 was the best one.

Davis, alongside Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper, Roy Tarpley, James Donaldson, and Sam Perkins (some names you will see in future “Forgotten Mavericks” posts), went to the Western Conference Finals only to lose to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.

Although Brad Davis was never really the best player on the court at any time, he became beloved in Dallas because of his mentality and his tenacity. Not many players in NBA history gave it their all every single possession like Brad Davis did.

Most people who read this likely do not remember Brad Davis and that’s ok. Some day, his film will be more easily accessible and everyone will get a chance to see exactly what Davis was for the Mavericks. You may never be truly impressed with his skill set, but you will become a fan of his drive, his determination, and his excellent mustache.

Next: Dallas Mavericks 2018 NBA Draft Board 2.0

Brad Davis lost in the Fan Favorite bracket in the first round to Avery Johnson, a true travesty to a Mavs great. Although he has been forgotten by most, I will always remember the highlights of Davis that I grew up watching. He is a true Mavs legend.