Mavericks: Should fans worry about Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis?

Why Mavericks fans should not be worried about Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis?

Mavs supporters should not fret because players play and winners win. They have won two straight games including topping the defending champion Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back on April 22. Yes, Los Angeles did not have LeBron James and Anthony Davis played limited minutes, but a lesser team would have crumbled. Luka and KP have the talent to win in the postseason, regardless of their friendship status off the court.

Star players do not always get along. There are numerous accounts throughout NBA history. James Harden and Chris Paul in Houston had plenty of back-and-forth spats. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City were not best friends. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal won three NBA titles together but had a bitter divorce in 2004 months after playing in a fourth NBA Finals. All of those duos made playoff runs, but only Kobe and Shaq ended it with titles.

The Mavericks had their own spat between two stars in 1997 with Jason Kidd and Jim Jackson. Fans can read more about it and how it compares to Luka and KP in a fantastic piece by Brad Townsend in the Dallas Morning News (subscription required). Star players disagree, but it does not preclude them from winning.

Next: Where should the panic meter be?