5 Lessons the Dallas Mavericks can learn from 2022-23 season

4. Chemistry is fickle

When Jason Kidd was hired as head coach in the summer of 2021, he preached chemistry and accountability to his new roster. The Mavs had a fantastic group that bought into their roles and wanted to win for each other. Jalen Brunson brought his “immaculate vibes”, and their chemistry helped propel them on an unexpected run to the conference finals.

The Mavericks thought that they would be able to recreate that chemistry without Jalen Brunson and Boban Marjanovic. Dallas traded Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie, two key pieces of their dynamic, for Kyrie Irving, who did not come with the best reputation for creating chemistry. The results were a team that lacked chemistry and missed the playoffs.

Chemistry is difficult to define and even harder to acquire. It has a lot to do with how the personalities on the roster mesh together, and how many players are bought into their roles.

The Dallas Mavericks need more talent around Luka Doncic, and they must create some positive vibes this summer. Fans know number 77 is most dangerous when he is smiling on the court. There wasn’t much of that down the stretch of this season, and the organization needs to help him find it. Without Luka playing his best, Dallas could be sitting at home during the playoffs for the second straight year, but even he cannot do it all.