Dallas Mavericks: 3 secret weapons they have going into the playoffs

Dallas Mavericks secret weapon to use in playoffs: 2. Josh Green

The rookie was an afterthought in the Mavericks rotation after 59 regular-season games. He had played just 28 times and was limited to duty in blowouts or games where Dallas was dealing with multiple players on the sidelines. It seemed like the 20-year-old would be glued to the bench during the postseason.

On April 26, the Mavericks were in Sacramento facing the Kings. They fell behind by 16 in the first quarter and needed a spark. Coach Rick Carlisle threw Josh Green into the game and the rookie delivered. His stats do not jump off the screen, but the Mavs outscored the Kings by 15 points in his 16 minutes. Green’s energy was contagious as he gave Dallas a spark.

It was a turning point for the rookie wing. Green played in 11 of the Mavericks’ final 13 games. Impressively, Dallas was only outscored three times during that stretch during the 20-year-old’s minutes. Green competes hard, plays solid defense, and can be a problem in transition.

If Dallas Mavericks fall behind or are struggling to guard on the perimeter, expect coach Carlisle to give Josh Green a shot in the playoffs. His infectious energy could be just what the team needs to get back in the game.

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