Luka Doncic's intense message to rest of NBA shows Mavericks are dangerous

The NBA regular season is finally here and the Dallas Mavericks tip off game one of 82 on Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama.

After one of the franchise's best offseasons in history, the team is eager to get things started and showcase to the NBA that they have what it takes to return to the NBA Finals. The Mavericks not only got deeper but also added one of basketball's greatest shooters, Klay Thompson, to pair alongside Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has gone on the record to say that the Mavericks were a Thompson away from winning last year's Finals against the Boston Celtics.

While this statement has a lot to live up to, the Mavericks will need to prove to the league that they have what it takes to not only return to the Finals but hoist the Larry O'Brien in June.

Doncic and the Mavericks are 'not joking around' this season

Not only will Thompson and other Mavs need to be locked in to win a championship, but Luka Doncic will need to spearhead this team throughout the season. After yesterday's practice, Doncic seems to be fully bought into what Dallas is hoping to accomplish this season.

During Doncic's post-practice interview, he was asked about the tone the team aims to set throughout the season. Doncic responded by saying "I think our mission is to set the tone early that way people know we are here and not joking around."

Doncic's intense message has gotten fans riled up for Thursday's season opener. Fans are not only eager to see the team back up what Doncic is saying but they are excited to see the potential MVP play in his first game this season.

Historically the Mavericks have had trouble getting their feet off the ground early in the season. Last year the team was battling to stay out of play-in contention until the Mavericks went on an incredible 18-2 run to close out the regular season and finish fifth in the Western Conference.

Ending the season hot has been a formula for Dallas in making the Conference Finals in two of the last three years, but it's caused unneeded stress for the Mavericks in the last month of the regular season.

If Doncic is serious about the team getting off to a quick start in the regular season, this could put the Mavericks in contending conversations early. Many fans and analysts expect the Mavericks to finish as a top-four seed in the West, but this will require focus and energy from the Mavericks stars early in the season.

Throughout the interview, Doncic went on to speak about playing hard and how that is the key to getting off to a quick start. It's hard to lock in for all 82 games but if the Mavericks manage to buy into Doncic's mindset, the team could be in store for a historic season.