Victor Wembanyama’s monster night exposed exactly who the Mavericks are missing

52 points. 24 rebounds. Eight blocks. There aren't many words to describe Victor Wembanyama's otherworldly performance in a 112-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Yet Mavs fans can't help but wonder… What if the team had someone to stop, or at least deter, Wembanyama?

Mavericks missed Dereck Lively II's length against Wembanyama

Well, thankfully, Dallas sorta does. That's Dereck Lively II. Okay, fine, Lively hasn't played in nearly a year and has appeared in fewer than 100 games throughout his career. But when he has taken the hardwood, Dallas has routinely been a much better team.

In each of his three seasons with the Mavericks, Dallas has been at least 7.5 points per 100 possessions better with Lively on the floor. Over the past two seasons, albeit in a limited sample size, Lively has also ranked in the 99th percentile in points allowed per 100 possessions. Meaning, Dallas has been especially stifling defensively with the 7-foot-1 big man in the lineup.

Wait, 7-foot-1, you say? Yes, remember, Lively is a 7-foot-1 nimble big man who also just happens to sport a 7-foot-7 wingspan. If there were a Wemby stopper, he's your man.

But Wembanyama is as skilled a big man as the league has ever seen! He can shoot it from deep, create off the dribble, and score from just about anywhere on the floor. Well, true, but that's not how he dismantled the Mavericks.

The 7-foot-4 center made 13 of his 16 field-goal attempts in the restricted area. He took 23 free-throw attempts, converting 19, and also corralled nine offensive rebounds. In this game, Wemby really utilized his tremendous length, and rightfully so.

The Mavericks utilized Daniel Gafford, Morez Johnson Jr., and P.J. Washington to defend Wembanyama. Gafford, who stands only (yes, he looked small next to Wemby) 6-foot-10, played only 18 minutes and was largely ineffective. Johnson Jr. is still a rookie who hasn't made much impact defending the rim this season. Meanwhile, Washington, who stands 6-foot-7, did the best a 6-foot-7 player could possibly do.

Needless to say, Dallas didn't have many answers for keeping Wemby off the glass or away from the basket.

Mavericks need more than Daniel Gafford protecting the rim

That's where Lively comes in. The Mavericks desperately need another interior anchor behind Gafford. Someone who Dallas can confidently rely on to patrol the paint whenever Gafford isn't in the game. That player would be Lively.

The former lottery pick is a seemingly forgotten player, and deservedly so. He's appeared in only 98 games across three-plus seasons. Only one other lottery pick from the 2023 NBA Draft class has played fewer minutes than Lively, and he also happens to be in Dallas: Jett Howard.

Ultimately, this loss to the Spurs exposes just how badly Dallas needs Lively. The Mavericks need his length, but they also need someone who can fill in when Gafford is out. Gafford is the only Maverick who consistently deters opponents from attacking the rim, and that's just not acceptable.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow