Mavericks alarmingly can't fix the only thing they fully control

Through nine games, the Dallas Mavericks are 5-4 at the tenth seed in the Western Conference.

This is not where most fans expected them to be after a wild offseason that included them signing Klay Thompson, but a large portion of their struggles can be attributed to injuries. P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber, and Dante Exum all have various injuries.

Having four role players out with injuries this early in the season is less than ideal, but there is one another thing that the Mavs can't figure out, and it's fully controllable.

Dallas' energy early in games has been inexcusable

The Mavs' energy and effort early on in games has been horrendous, and Jason Kidd knows it.

Kidd erupted about this issue after Friday night's loss to the Phoenix Suns, and he emphasized that someone has to step up to help Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Doncic and Irving are doing their part, but the Mavs won't be able to win as many games as they'd like if these slow starts continue.

Dallas is tied for 23rd in the NBA with 26.3 points per game in the first quarter, and Kidd talked about how this is something they can "hold them accountable for," after the loss to the Suns earlier this weekend.

"Just understanding that the one thing that you can control is your effort and energy," Kidd said. "Right now our energy is low and we got to be better with that."

Kidd also talked about how players can't control the minutes they get or how many shots they get, but the energy is something that is fully controllable. Dallas is putting themselves in these holes early on in games, and then they're forced to claw away at these early deficits and fight back from being behind almost every game.

Dallas has been able to fight back in these games, even after being down by double digits early, but playing like this isn't sustainable. They shouldn't be forced to play from behind every single game, and the starting five has to be better in this aspect.

Irving acknowledged these slow starts during his postgame press conference on Friday night, stating that "they've got to be better," in the first quarter.

Irving said that the coaching staff emphasizing these faster starts is a "healthy ask," and Dallas has the perfect opportunity to fix this reoccurring issue tonight against the Denver Nuggets.

The Mavs are still battered with injuries, and it's not going to be easy, but the time is now for the team as a whole to bring some more energy and effort at the start of games. As Kidd said, this is controllable, and they can turn the page on this once and for all entering this week that is filled with games.

Dallas can't be expected to start fast every game, but they also can't be down by 10 or more at the end of the first quarter every game. They have to put themselves in a better spot early on, and more wins should follow if they can make this happen consistently.