Dallas Mavericks: 5 reasons for optimism after a slow start

Why Dallas Mavericks fans should be optimistic: 2. KP finding his groove

Kristaps Porzingis was playing the best basketball of his career during the Orlando bubble. He averaged over 30 points and nine rebounds during the seeding games to make second-team All-Bubble. The Mavs outscored the Clippers with their two stars on the floor during the playoffs. KP was ejected in Game 1, and Luka Doncic injured his ankle in Game 3. Porzingis went down with a knee injury before Game 4, which ended his season.

The Unicorn had an offseason meniscus repair which caused him to miss the first nine games of this season. It was a slow ramp up, and he still may not be 100 percent back. Over his last six games, KP averages 21.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks on 47.1 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from 3-point range. Those numbers include one game where Porzingis played less than 20 minutes because of foul trouble and another blowout loss to the Warriors. His averages would be higher if not for those two contests.

Fans should be optimistic that Kristaps Porzingis can find his bubble form. He was protecting the rim, nailing 3-pointers, rolling to the rim, and creating mismatches all over the floor. The Dallas Mavericks are impossible to stop with that KP, and he is slowly working his way there.

Next: No. 1