Statistical diagnosis of the Dallas Mavericks failed season

Offensive strategy

Yes, Luka Doncic is a generational talent, but the Mavs offense has become too stagnant around their superstar.

Among the 30 NBA teams this season, Dallas ranked 28th in the percentage of their two-point field goals that were assisted (44.8 percent), 27th in the percentage of their 3-point field goals assisted (77.6 percent), and 28th in the league in the percentage of their field goal attempts that were layups.

Specifically looking at where the Mavs ranked in regards to their percentage of two-point field goals that were assisted (again, 44.8 percent), seven of the top ten teams in that category made the playoffs.

This shows that the offense isn’t moving, which makes it extremely predictable. Luka Doncic either attempts a shot, tries to throw a lob to a big man rolling to the basket, or tries to create an open 3-pointer for another player.

In theory, it sounds nice, but it shrinks the margin for error. NBA teams, especially ones that are on a contending level, have figured out how to counter it pretty well in small doses, which is part of the reason the Mavs were only 12-15 in one-possession games.

Teams have started playing various types of zone defense to prevent Luka and his screener to get into the lane, while also blitzing Doncic with double teams to force the ball out of his hands. When that happens, it eats up precious seconds off the shot clock and raises the difficulty of the shots the Mavs get up.

When your team isn’t getting many easy baskets (layups and assisted field goals), things can get harder at the end of games when teams tighten up defensively and try to force other guys to beat them besides Luka.

When you also throw in the fact that Dallas was 28th in pace (an estimate of possessions over 48 minutes), and 28th in field goal attempts per 100 possessions, it shrinks that margin for error even more. The Dallas Mavericks need to develop more of an offensive system that can allow them to get more guys involved and create more easy baskets throughout the game.