Dallas Mavericks: 3 takeaways from the 2019-2020 season

Dallas Mavericks: 3 takeaways from the 2019-2020 season

The Dallas Mavericks shattered expectations by clinching the seventh-seed in the 2020 playoffs after four years of lottery-level basketball. They were led by Luka Doncic. He produced MVP-caliber performances on a nightly basis.

The moniker “Luka Magic,” initially declared by Mavericks play-by-play commentator Mark Followill, stands now as a reminder of what the 21-year-old All-Star embodies. Doncic has an otherwordly ability to create beauty without suspending belief.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and all involved with the Orlando bubble’s creation inadvertently birthed an instant NBA classic in the Dallas Mavericks versus Los Angeles Clippers series. The highest-rated offense in league history takes on the deepest team in the league.

Dallas Mavericks battle LA Clippers in first round of 2020 playoffs

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George stood as the supposed bullies to the playoff-green duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.

However, Dallas pushed the highly favored Clippers in a surprising series. It took an all-time playoff performance from Doncic and the role players expanding production to make that happen. The drama between Marcus Morris and Montrezl Harrell to Luka played like theatre.

Porzingis suffered a meniscus tear in game one. His injury was not made public until game four, though. Dallas provided “sore knee” reports until the truth came to light. The toughness of the Mavericks center was on full display in light of the severe injury on which he played numerous games.

Ultimately, the Clippers bested the Mavericks. Dallas learned a lot from the dogfight with the envelope-pushing Clippers squad. Fans can read the Mavs player grades from the series here. May this article serve as a notice as to what the Mavericks discovered in its first year as a playoff team in the Doncic and Porzingis era.

Next: No. 3