Mavericks are dying laughing as nonstop hate immediately backfires

Since the beginning of the offseason, it was clear that the Dallas Mavericks needed playmaking and a jolt of offensive life with Kyrie Irving sidelined for the beginning of this season, even with Cooper Flagg coming to town. With this in mind,the Mavericks signed D'Angelo Russell in a move that many doubters thought was overrated and destined for disaster, considering how much the Mavericks were going to be relying on Russell.

While Russell chose to be in Dallas on a lesser prove-it type contract, he likely understood that with the Mavericks, he would have the best opportunity to turn his career around and earn a potential payday next summer. For other teams, relying on Russell has proven to be a formula that doesn't work out in the past, but after only one preseason game, it's clear, Russell is here to silence the doubters.

In just his first game suiting up for the Mavericks, Russell looked like a poised ten-year vet who had grown with the team he signed with over the summer. With multiple sweet dishes and set-ups for easy baskets, Russell almost looks like he was born to play for the Mavericks in this role.

Mavericks' Russell gamble is already paying off in best way possible

When the Mavericks initially signed Russell to a two-year $12 million contract, it was met with mixed feelings from Dallas fans. On one hand, fans felt that for the price that the Mavericks were able to obtain Russell, it was a home-run deal itself; however, the other half of fans believed that Russell is ultimately a shot-chucker whose best playing days are behind him.

While there has been plenty of concern surrounding the workload that the Mavericks may be handing Russell almost guaranteed, in just the first preseason game, Russell already proved why fans have nothing to worry about. In the opening few minutes, the Mavericks fully trusted Russell to run the team's offense, which was something that came naturally to the 10-year vet.

On multiple occasions, Russell solely brought the ball up the floor, where he would find an open teammate or comfortably get a pass to a teammate who would then see an open teammate. While playing a lesser Thunder squad is a huge bonus, Russell still seems to look comfortable within his new offensive system under Jason Kidd.

Russell would finish with five assists in a role that the Mavericks will need to continue handing Russell if they want to have any hope at winning games. There is no doubt that the concern surrounding Russell's name was valid, but regardless of the stigma surrounding Russell, he proved in only one preseason game that he can be trusted with the ball in his hands.

Assuming Russell continues to look like the player he did in just his first preseason game with the Mavericks, Dallas could truly be in store for a special season. Russell will need to continue to display his playmaking capabilities on a bigger stage to get more recognition, but Russell is well on his way to proving doubters wrong.

Considering Russell's past, it would be safe to assume that multiple other franchises would have passed up on the opportunity to take Russell in a potentially diminished role, but the Mavericks were fully willing to give Russell his desired role. With the Mavericks going all in on Russell, it could potentially backfire or turn into one of the most genius moves of this past offseason.

Dallas should be dying laughing at the world for doubting their decision to sign Russell, and he is looking like he will be a major steal and a great piece as they begin the Flagg era.