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Former Dallas Mavericks Playing Well in Playoffs

ByKohl Rast|
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers 121-87. 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. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers 121-87. 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. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks have a lot of former players across the NBA. Some of them are now competing in the playoffs and showing a little bit more than we ever saw from them in Dallas.

It has been a wild start to the NBA playoffs, with the first round coming to a close just earlier today. The Rockets, Warriors, Pelicans, and Jazz have all moved on in the West, while the East survivors are the Raptors, Celtics, 76ers, and Cavaliers.

The rest of the playoff teams played well for the most part too, but these 8 teams live to fight another day. The Dallas Mavericks may not have made the playoffs this year, but they do get to see some former players really shine in their new homes.

Here are a few of the players who have found a better home for their skill set after maybe not playing at their best level during their time in Dallas.

Rajon Rondo

Even though we have all tried to forget the pain that Rondo put the Mavs through during his time in Dallas, there is no denying that he has found himself in a good spot in New Orleans. He has played really well, looking a lot like his old Boston days, and the team did really well in the first round with a surprising sweep over the 3rd ranked Trail Blazers.

Not many players can be thrown into any system and make it work and Rondo proved that with his time in Dallas. It was a bad pairing and both parties are better off with the split now.

CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Darren Collison

Collison was a Maverick for only a year in 2012-13, but he showed that he is a starting caliber point guard in the NBA even then. The Mavs were a bit of a mess during Collison’s time here, but he has proven to be a capable player who can take over in games occasionally when needed.

Even though the Pacers got eliminated today, Collison had a great series and looks to have a reasonable future with the Pacers as he fits well with Victor Oladipo in the backcourt.

Jae Crowder

There were a lot of MFFLs upset when the Mavs let Jae Crowder go, but his fit in Dallas was pretty up and down. He never really found his groove in the Mavs system and subsequently got traded to Boston in the Rondo deal. Crowder immediately showed major improvements in Boston before taking a big dip in production in Cleveland.

Now in Utah, Crowder is finding more minutes and more opportunities to be effective. His fit with the Jazz appears to be pretty good and the 27-year-old wing appears to have a good chance at lifting his career back up.

PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 1: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers boxes out Jarell Martin #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game between the two teams on April 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 1: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers boxes out Jarell Martin #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game between the two teams on April 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Al-Farouq Aminu

The Portland Trail Blazers may have been a dud in this year’s playoffs, but Aminu continues to thrive as a great two-way player for Portland. He was one of the main contributors for the Blazers in the series, despite being swept by the Pelicans.

Even though Portland got beat up pretty bad, Aminu outshone most of his teammates, racking up an average of more than 17 points per game, as well as 9 rebounds, 1 steal and 0.5 blocks. Even though Aminu was pretty good during his time in Dallas, he was never quite at the level he has played at in Boston.

Wayne Ellington

Ellington was essentially a non-factor during his half-season in Dallas. He played in only 45 games during the 2013-14 season and averaged less than 9 minutes per game. Despite looking like just another bench reserve with the Mavs, Ellington has gone on to become one of the top bench players for Miami over the last two years.

The Mavs really never gave Ellington a chance during his season in Dallas, but he has turned in to a special player who can shoot the ball lights out. The Heat were eliminated by the Sixers in five games and, even though Ellington did not contribute the way he did during the season, it was still clear that he has improved since his time in Dallas.

Next: Dallas Mavericks: Best Player at Each Position in Draft

It is easy to be upset or bitter towards some of these players, but they have all worked their butts off to get back to the level they only showed flashes of in Dallas. Either way, we are happy for all of the success these former Mavs have been able to have in their careers.

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