NBA Finals: Mavericks Share Qualities with Past Champions
The 2023-24 NBA Finals are set to showcase the Dallas Mavericks, who are making their third appearance in the championship series. This time, the Mavericks are facing off against the Boston Celtics, marking their first Finals matchup against a team other than the Miami Heat. As the Mavericks aim for their second title in franchise history, they exhibit several qualities that align with past NBA champions.
1. **Scoring Champion**
In the heat of a best-of-seven series, having a reliable scorer who can create their own shot becomes crucial. Luka Doncic, the sixth scoring champ to reach the Finals in the past 50 seasons, follows in the footsteps of legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan, who have clinched titles with their scoring prowess.
2. **International Superstar**
With an influx of international talent in the NBA, Luka Doncic stands out as a potential Finals MVP, joining the likes of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Dirk Nowitzki, who have all claimed the prestigious award in recent years.
3. **Midseason Acquisitions**
The Mavericks’ additions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have played a pivotal role in their playoff success, reminiscent of past champions like the 2019 Raptors and 2004 Pistons, who made key acquisitions en route to winning the title.
4. **High-Scoring Backcourt**
The dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving provides the Mavericks with a potent offensive threat, akin to the dominant backcourt pairings seen in championship-winning teams like the Warriors in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
5. **3-Pointers Made**
A versatile 3-point attack featuring sharpshooters like P.J. Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., and others gives the Mavericks an edge, similar to the successful long-range shooting strategies employed by past champions like the 2021 Bucks and 2022 Warriors.
6. **Beating Three 50+ Win Teams**
Having defeated three 50+ win teams on their path to the Finals, the Mavericks have proven their mettle, a feat achieved by elite teams like the 2010 Lakers in previous seasons.
7. **Missed Playoffs to Finals**
The Mavericks’ remarkable journey from missing the playoffs to reaching the Finals mirrors the surprising success stories of teams like the 2022 Warriors and 2021 Suns, who defied the odds to make a deep postseason run.
8. **A Full-Circle Moment**
Head coach Jason Kidd’s return to the Finals with the Mavericks, the team he led to victory as a player in 2011, adds a nostalgic touch to the current championship quest, reminiscent of coaching legends like Pat Riley who achieved success both as players and coaches.
As the Mavericks gear up for an exciting showdown with the Celtics, their shared qualities with past champions position them as formidable contenders for the 2024 NBA title. The stage is set for a thrilling Finals series that could culminate in a historic triumph for the Mavericks.