Mavs Film Room

In this episode we preview the upcoming First Round NBA Playoffs series between the Mavs and LA Clippers, the third time in five years the two teams are meeting in Round 1. We discuss why this matchup is so different than the 2020 and 2021 series, namely to the acquisitions of Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, and Dereck Lively on the Mavs' side and James Harden and Russell Westbrook on the Clippers' side. We discuss X-Factors, key matchups, and things that work in each teams' favor.

We talk about the new identity of the Mavs' and why they're finally suited to get over the hump and defeat this Clippers team that has given them so much trouble over the years. Finally we give our predictions for the series.

In this episode we discuss the 125-107 blowout win over the Houston Rockets, who came into the game on a NBA-best 11-game win streak. This was the Mavs' 11th win in the last 12 games, which capped an 11-4 month of March for the team. We discuss the two huge wins the Mavs got in Sacramento last week to move out of the play-in and into the top-6 of the Western Conference, and why those games showed the Mavs are one of the most formidable teams in the Western Conference Playoff field. With 8 games to go in the regular season, the Mavs now sit at 5th in the West and now have earned the title of the hottest team in the NBA.

In this episode we react to the Mavs' STATEMENT win over the Sacramento Kings 132-96, in a game that has propelled the Mavs into sole possession of 6th place in the Western Conference for the time being. We talk about the incredible shooting performance the Mavs' had as a team, converting on 22 of 39 three pointers. We also talk about the dominant defensive play from Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, shutting down Domantas Sabonis in the paint. We also discuss the Western Conference standings and the opportunities the Mavs have to move even higher with 10 games remaining in the season.

In this episode, we discuss the recent happenings around the Mavs, most notably Kyrie Irving's incredible left-handed floater at the buzzer to beat the Denver Nuggets 107-105. We discuss what the Mavs have been doing well since our last episode, which has led the team to win five out of their last six games, a stark difference from when we last recorded. We break down the Mavs' new identity as tough interior team that can score at will in the paint thanks to Luka Dončić Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II. We also talk about concerns we have for the team going into the postseason, namely their poor shooting and Maxi Kleber's role as a key member of the closing lineup. The Mavs have 14 games remaining in the regular season, with still much to be decided in the Western Conference standings.

In this episode we discuss the recent stretch that has seen the Mavs lose five of their last six games, thanks to the worst defense in the NBA since the trade deadline. The good vibes of the Mavs' 7-game win streak from February are gone, and the team finds themselves in a similar position for the stretch run that they were in during March and April of 2023. We talk about how the abysmal defense and overall recent play from the Mavs indicates deeper issues, largely with head coach Jason Kidd. His inability to make quick adjustments, run more suitable schemes, and overall inability to have the team prepared every night, are all reasons that might warrant his firing unless the Mavs' can turn their season around.

In this episode we talk about the Mavs' 136-125 win over the Toronto Raptors which saw PJ Washington have his best game as a Maverick with 23 points in addition to another monster triple double by Luka Dončić. We dish on whether PJ Washington is capable of being a true third offensive option for the Mavs. We also discuss some of the defensive issues that have plagued the Mavs these last few games, and talk about how the Mavs can overcome them going forward, namely ways they can keep Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford on the floor longer. Finally, we talk about how the return of Dante Exum unlocks Kyrie Irving's game even more, and gives the Mavs a much-needed third ball handler.

In this episode we talk about the Mavs' 123-113 win over the Phoenix Suns out of the All Star Break for their 7th straight win. We discuss the factors that led to this including PJ Washington's defense, Kyrie Irving's sustained All Star play, and Luka Doncic being an MVP-caliber player. We also give our takes on what kind of ceiling the Mavs' newfound depth gives them.

In this episode, we are joined by Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com to discuss the new-look Mavs with Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington in the fold. We talk about Washington's fit on offense, his defensive versatility, and how his versatility gives the Mavs a more diverse approach to the game. We also talk about how Washington and Gafford's additions make life easier for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, leading to a more lethal offense.

You can follow Grant on X/Twitter @GrantAfseth and read his work on DallasBasketball.com.

In this game we discuss the Mavs' 112-104 win over the Washington Wizards, their fifth straight win, which improves them to a season-best 31-23. We discuss Daniel Gafford's monster game, Luka Doncic's 4th quarter takeover, and Maxi Kleber's strong play. We talk about how this team might look when fully heathy and share ideas for potential linueups. Mavs have one more game before the 2024 All Star Break, a home matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

In this episode we react to the moves the Mavericks made at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring Daniel Gafford from Washington in exchange for Richaun Holmes and a 2028 Pick Swap as well as their trade for PJ Washington and two 2nd round picks, in which they sent Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 First Round Pick (top-2 protected). We discuss how much the Mavs' ceiling as been raised this season, as well and debate how close the Mavs are to being contenders. We talk about each player's fit with the team, as well as how it impacts the players currently on the roster. Finally, we talk a little bit about former Maverick Spencer Dinwiddie, who is now a candidate in the free agent market, who the Mavs are interested in a reunion with.

In this episode, we discuss the Mavs' 118-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers which saw Kyrie Irving return to the lineup, and Josh Green and Maxi Kleber turn in strong performances. We quickly pivot to discussing the Mavs' options leading up to the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, which takes places this Thursday, February 5th. We discuss the merits of trading assets for players like Kyle Kuzma, PJ Washington, and Andrew Wiggins. There is a lot to consider for the Mavs both long term and short term with less than 72 hours to go.

In this episode, we discuss the huge 16-point comeback the Mavs made against the Orlando Magic to get a 131-129 win. The Mavs rode a 35-12 3rd quarter to turn a 16-point halftime deficit into a -point lead going into the 4th quarter. After some theatrics, the Mavs came out on top. We talk about the defensive adjustment the Mavs made at halftime, including some animated coaching from Jason Kidd. We also discuss the strong individual performances from Luka Dončić, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dereck Lively, and Jaden Hardy.

In this episode we react immediately following Luka Doncic's historic 73-point night in a win against the Atlanta Hawks. We discuss just how impressive this performance was, and why a game like this from Luka mattered, with so much of the narrative right now focused on his demeanor and composure.

In this episode we chat with Mavs fans about everything that has happened in the Mavs world since the calendar flipped to 2024. We discuss Kyrie Irving's return from injury, the Mavs' win of the season followed by their worst loss of the season, persistent injury issues, and the inconsistent play of Grant Williams and Josh Green. We also talk about the Mavs' reported interest in Pascal Siakam and discuss how he would fit on the team.

In this episode, we return from our hiatus to discuss all the latest news around the Mavericks, starting with the sale of a majority stake of the team to the Sands Corporation. We then dive into the latest basketball happenings of the team and discuss the recent slew of injuries four game win streak, capped off by an impressive 127-125 win over the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back. We talk about the impressive play of Dante Exum, all season, but especially of late, when he has stepped up in the face of the multiple injuries the Mavs have faced, namely to Kyrie Irving. We also give flowers to Tim Hardaway Jr. who returned from a back injury and poured in 32 points against the Lakers including three charges. We talk about the recent defensive uptick the Mavs have had along with our concerns about Luka Doncic burning out due to having to carry a depleted roster.

The Mavs are 15-8 and are in the midst of their toughest stretch to date.

In this episode of Mavs Film Room Spaces, Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com joins us again to talk about key takeaways from the Mavs' last two games: a blowout loss in New Orleans against the Pelicans, and a blowout win in Washington against the Wizards. We cover many topics spanning from Tim Hardaway Jr.'s shooting dominance, Dereck Lively's dominant game in Washington, and Derrick Jones Jr.'s strong start to the season and fit with the Mavs. We also look ahead to the back-to-back the Mavs will play against the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings.

You can follow Grant Afseth on X/Twitter @GrantAfseth and read his work on DallasBasketball.com.

In this episode we talk about what has been going well and not so well during the Mavs' 5-1 start to the season. We talk about them battling back to beat Charlotte 124-118, as well as their first loss of the season in Denver last Friday. We discuss the strong play from Grant Williams and Dereck Lively, as well as talk about how Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have shown the ability to adapt their games to allow the Mavs to play a different style when the three pointer isn't falling. Finally, we talk about what the Mavs could do differently on defense to prevent some of the lapses they are prone to.

In this episode of Mavs Film Room Spaces, we were fortunate to be joined by Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com to talk about his early impressions of the team. We cover everything from his early impressions of the team, Dereck Lively's rise, the newfound versatility of the roster, and the defensive potential that this year's Mavericks team has.

You can follow Grant Afseth on X/Twitter @GrantAfseth and read his work on DallasBasketball.com.

In this episode we got on Spaces to discuss the Mavs' 125-110 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies. We talk about the continued dominance of Luka Dončić, as well as the breakout 22-point performance from Derrick Jones Jr. We also talk about the importance of Grant Williams to this team and how his impact is felt both in the box score and out of it. The Mavs improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.

In this episode we quickly react to the Mavs 126-119 win over the San Antonio Spurs on opening night to spoil Victor Wenbanyama's NBA debut. We react to the incredible performance by Dereck Lively in his first NBA Game (16 pts, 10 reb) as well as talk about the brilliance of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. We also highlight the Mavs' execution on their commitment to playing at a faster pace as well as showing more toughness on defense. We also sing the praises of Grant Williams to contributed 17 points along with stellar defense and hustle plays that helped elevate the Mavs in crunch time, very unlike what happened last season.

Game 1 is in the books, now 81 more to go.

In this episode we discuss some final thoughts on the eve of the Mavs' regular season debut against the San Antonio Spurs. We talk about Josh Green's freshly signed 3-year $41 million extension, why Dereck Lively is the Mavs' X-Factor for this season, and how likely we think it is that the Mavs will actually play with a faster pace this season.

Finally we share where we think the Mavs will finish in the Western Conference, and give a bold prediction for the season as well.

In this episode, we discuss the latest news from the Mavs world as training camp began for the 2023-2024 Dallas Mavericks earlier in the day. We discuss Jason Kidd's recent comments about the roles that rookies Dereck Lively and O-Max Prosper will have this season and debate how big of a risk it is for a team with playoff aspirations to start one or even two rookies. We share our excitement about how a full training camp and preseason will allow Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to be even more potent than they were last season. Finally we touch on the breaking news of the day which was the blockbuster deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks to team up with 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In this episode, we discuss Dirk Nowitzki's induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this past weekend. We talk about what made Dirk so special both on and off the floor, and why his legacy is as much about who he is as a person as it is about his basketball accomplishments. We take a trip down memory lane, sharing just how much of a storybook Dirk's Mavs career was, and how perfect the timing of his arrival in Dallas was. We conclude the episode by talking about Luka Doncic's run with the Slovenian National Team in the FIBA World Cup, and discuss comments made by his personal trainer about Luka's commitment to staying in shape and silencing the critics.

In this episode, we give our closing thoughts about the Mavs's Las Vegas Summer League run and talk about recent offseason rumors relating to the Mavs. We talk about the 4-1 record for the Mavs SL team and the exciting growth from their 2023 draftees Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. They also discuss some underrated members of the Mavs' SL team including Mike Miles Jr, Jordan "Jelly" Walker, and Taze Moore. In the second half of the episode, we discuss the ongoing connection the Mavs have to Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela, and also talk about how Derrick Jones Jr. and Kelly Oubre, two players the Mavs have been recently connected to, would fit with the team.

The offseason grinds on...

In this episode we share our thoughts from the Mavs' 98-96 Summer League win over the Golden State Warriors, which improves the team to 2-1 in Las Vegas. We touch on Jaden Hardy's struggles in this game and while we aren't concerned about him, he stands to improve his decision making. We also discuss in detail OMax Prosper's strong 17-point 10-rebound performance and why he's already ahead of the curve of Dorian Finney-Smith, a popular Mavs fan player comp for OMax. We also talk about another strong game from Dereck Lively in which he showed the ability to play though mistakes and show up when it mattered most for the Mavs. We end by briefly discussing the games from Mike Miles Jr. and Taze Moore, who is quietly having an intriguing Summer League.

In this episode Rohan and Vinay talk to fans about the Mavs' 111-103 victory over the Summer League Philadelphia 76ers, which was the first Summer League win for the Mavs since 2021. A well-deserved victory that saw key contributions from the young Mavericks Jaden Hardy, Dereck Lively, and OMax Prosper. It also featured good moments from Jordan "Jelly" Walker and Taze Moore. Coaching adjustments from Jared Dudley and God Shammgod were very apparent in this one as well.

In this episode of Mavs Film Room Spaces, we react live to the news that the Mavericks are acquiring forward Grant Williams in a multi-team sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. As part of the deal, the Mavs are also sending Reggie Bullock to San Antonio and are also acquiring two 2nd round picks. We also touch on the Mavs' signing Matisse Thybulle on an offer sheet and discuss what might be on the horizon for the team as they look to round out a successful offseason with a starting center.

In this episode we discuss the introductory press conference that was held today to introduce new Mavericks 1st round draft picks Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Our own Vinay Chemiti and Fazal Ahmed were on-site for the presser and they share their impressions of the new rookies and the vibe in the Mavs training facility. Overall both Lively and Prosper came across as very impressive individuals, and it's clear that both General Manager Nico Harrison and Head Coach Jason Kidd are ecstatic that the two young guys are Dallas Mavericks.

The work continues with free agency coming up this Friday.

In this episode, we react to the Mavs' moves on Draft Night. The first move they made was selecting center Dereck Lively from Duke at No. 12 in a deal in which they traded the No. 10 pick and Davis Bertans to Oklahoma City. The biggest surprise of their night came later in the first round in which they acquired Richaun Holmes and the No. 24 pick, which they used to select forward Olivier-Maxence "O-Max" Prosper from Marquette. We discuss how these moves showed a rare creativity we haven't seen from the Mavs' front office in many years, and why there is finally reason to believe they have a direction as they look to build a competitive team around Luka Dončić and hopefully Kyrie Irving. With free agency one week away, we also look at how these moves increase the Mavs' spending ability and look at what needs they still have left to fill.

More detailed analysis of Dereck Lively and O-Max Prosper coming next week.

In this episode, we react to the Bradley Beal trade that landed him in Phoenix in yet another splashy move for the Suns. We discuss how the Mavs can capitalize in the aftermath of the trade, especially with the Washington Wizards entering a full-scale rebuild. We have an honest discussion about where Josh Green fits into the Mavs' timeline and whether the time is now to trade him and shake up the roster, seeing that the Mavs have very few assets and draft picks. We also discuss a few options to improve the Mavs' starting center position, with Daniel Gafford, John Collins, and Clint Capela being the players we focus on.

Happy Birthday to Dirk Nowitzki!

In this episode the guys talk about a prospect the Mavs' reportedly have eyes for: Anthony Black, a guard from the University of Arkansas. They discuss how his 6' 7" frame combined with his elite on-ball defense and downhill game can help him make a day 1 impact with the Mavericks. They also evaluate some of his offensive weaknesses such as half court creation and shooting, and talk about how the Mavs' player development staff combined with Black's work ethic give reasons for optimism that he can improve. Finally, they debate how important it is for the Mavericks' pick at #10 to be a day 1 starter for the team next season, or if it is satisfactory for that player to grow into a starter over the next few years.

In this episode, Jay, Rohan, & Fazal react to the recent news that Kyrie Irving is trying to recruit Lakers superstar LeBron James to Dallas to join he and Luka Dončić on the Mavericks. They talk about what motivations all parties involved in this rumor have in putting this story out there, and how despite the new CBA rules, if you have a chance to add LeBron James you do it immediately. They discuss that while this is extremely unlikely, it does say a few things, namely that Kyrie Irving views Dallas a place where he can build something, as well as the fact that the Mavericks' infrastructure of Jason Kidd and Nico Harrison may finally be paying off in making them a destination for players.

In this episode, we are joined by NBA Draft Expert Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft) as he helps break down some of the names in the 2023 NBA Draft the Mavs have been connected to, with the 10th overall pick. The guys first discuss Gradey Dick (Kansas), who the Mavs hosted for a visit this week, albeit are reportedly not interested in. They then shift focus to two of the most popular names Mavs fans want due to their potential for immediate impact: Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida) and Jerace Walker (Houston). They then discuss two guards that could be available at 10 in Anthony Black (Arkansas) and Cason Wallace (Kentucky). Finally, they evaluate whether there could be any place for longer-term developmental project players like Bilal Coulibaly (France) and Derek Lively (Duke). Richard explains why his preference for the Mavs would be to trade down to a later spot in the draft, and who could be available at around the 20th pick.

In this episode the guys discuss what options the Mavs possess now that they know they will have the 10th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The main options they discuss are trading the pick for a veteran player, trading back in the draft for a later pick with the hope of shedding salary or getting assets in the process, or of course selecting a player at 10. They weigh the pros and cons of each approach. As it stands, there is very little clarity on the prospects the Mavs are interested in or the types of players they could acquire should they make their pick available for trade. It will be a fascinating month leading up to the draft on June 23rd.

In this episode the guys react live to the reveal of the NBA Draft Lottery results. They Go through the full range of emotions as they anxiously await the fate of the Mavs with regards to keeping their pick. Ultimately they celebrate the moment they find out the Mavericks will keep their pick this year and then discuss the various potential options for how the Mavs can use that pick to improve their team. More to come later this week...

In this episode Jay, Rohan, and Fazal talk about recent changes the Mavs have made in their front office and front bench coaching staff. They first discuss the addition of former Utah Jazz executive Dennis Lindsey as a senior consultant to Nico Harrison in the front office. They discuss how the Mavs have a small front office and that they do lack some seasoned veterans in the room with Nico Harrison still being so new to the job. They also talk about the recent news of the Mavs choosing not to bring back front bench assistant coach Greg St. Jean. They mainly talk about how getting a better tactician to help Jason Kidd is paramount and who in that vain might be a candidate to replace him, namely Frank Vogel, Stephen Silas, and Mike D'Antoni.

In this episode, Jay, Rohan, Fazal, and Vinay get together to discuss the sad end to the Mavs season, which concluded with a 138-117 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs finished the season 38-44 as the 11th seed in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs entirely. They discuss the abrupt decision the organization made to tank the last two games of the season, the exaggerated reaction it generated among certain members of the media, and what it means for the Mavs to have an 80% chance of keeping their draft pick this summer, as a result of that decision. They also talk about recent reports that suggest the Mavs may look to trade their draft pick for a more established player, and debate whether such a decision is beneficial to the Mavs in the long term. Finally they also go through some other monumental questions the Mavs face this offseason including re-signing Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić's happiness. To this end, they also recap comments made by Luka in his exit interview where he went out of his way to dispel the notion that he was growing restless in Dallas. Safe to say, this is one of the most important summers in franchise history.

In this episode, Rohan, Fazal, and Vinay discuss the Mavs' 123-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings, which kept their play-in hopes alive for the moment. They also talk about the long media session held by Mavs owner Mark Cuban before the game, which produced many bulletin-board quotes about Jalen Brunson Kyrie Irving, and Christian Wood.

In this episode Jay and Vinay discuss their thoughts about the Mavs' after back-to-back losses to the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. They talk about how those games have continued to reflect trends from this season. They talk about the Mavs showing some fight against Atlanta, and lament why it took this long to see effort from the team. They mainly discuss how important this upcoming offseason is for the Mavs' present and future and why the Mavs decision makers of Mark Cuban, Nico Harrison, and Jason Kidd need to take this failure of a season personally, or it could spell bad things going forward.

In this episode, Jay, Rohan, Fazal, and Vinay get together to discuss the consecutive back-breaking losses the Mavericks suffered to the Charlotte Hornets over this past weekend, to drop them to three games under .500 and firmly out of the play-in range. They come to terms with the increasingly likely scenario of the Mavs missing the playoffs altogether and instead contending for a top draft pick. They talk about how nobody could have predicted this unimaginable scenario after last year's Western Conference Finals run and try to diagnose how the Mavs got here. They also comment on the bad-faith criticism Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving are receiving as a result of this poor season. Finally, they take a look at the draft lottery and explain where the Mavs stand, and what needs to happen for the Mavs to land a top-10 pick in this year's NBA Draft.

It's Joever.

In this episode, Jay, Vinay, and Rohan discuss the excruciating loss to the Golden State Warriors in a must-win game. They talk about all the factors that led to yet another final-possession loss, and why even bad officiating can't be to blame for the Mavs' struggles in this game and in the season at large. They talk about Jaden Hardy's superb 27-point performance and what it means for the future. They also discuss Luka Dončić's return from injury in a 30-point 17-assist performance. Finally, they come to terms with the fact that the play-in tournament is probably the best case scenario for the Mavs, after they lost the season series to Golden State, significantly hurting their chances of finishing in the top-6 seeds of the Western Conference.

In this episode Vinay and Jay are joined by Mavs fans as they grapple with the reality of this Mavs season after yet another epic collapse, this time at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. After taking a 16-point lead with just over a minute to play in the third quarter, the Mavs were outscored 32-12, which led them to lose the game 112-108. It never ends.

In this episode Rohan and Vinay take calls from Mavs Twitter Listeners as they discuss their observations from the Mavs' 120-116 victory over the Utah Jazz on March 7, 2023.  

Rohan & Vinay briefly recap the game, as well as preview any potential post-season matchup between them.