The 2023-24 Dallas Mavericks have one of the best duos in the NBA, and Luka Doncic specifically could be leading the charge in the MVP race. The superstar is averaging 34.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game this season and has the Mavericks in a playoff spot for a chance to make a deep playoff run alongside Kyrie Irving.
- Scoring – Luka Doncic
- Playmaking – Luka Doncic
- Rebounding – Luka Doncic
- Defense – Dereck Lively II
- 3-Point Shooting – Kyrie Irving
- Finishing – Kyrie Irving
- Athleticism – Dereck Lively II
- Clutch – Kyrie Irving
- Efficiency – Luka Doncic
- Leadership – Luka Doncic
- Versatility – Luka Doncic
- Handles – Kyrie Irving
- Underrated – Josh Green
- Overrated – Maxi Kleber
- Overall – Luka Doncic
But who are the best Mavericks players by category? We have named the best player in every offensive and defensive category this season to get an idea of the level of talent on the roster right now.
Scoring – Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic’s performance in scoring during the 2023-24 season for the Dallas Mavericks is nothing short of remarkable. He averages an impressive 34.4 points per game, showcasing his ability to dominate offensively and carry a significant scoring load for his team.
His field goal percentage stands at 49.3%, reflecting his efficiency as a scorer, especially considering the high volume of shots he takes. Doncic’s versatility is also evident in his three-point shooting, where he maintains a solid 38.0% accuracy, making him a credible threat from beyond the arc. The fact that he dropped a career-high 73 points earlier in the season proves how dominant the Slovenian is as a scorer right now, leading the league in PPG.
Playmaking – Luka Doncic
In terms of playmaking, Luka Doncic continues to shine for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. His exceptional basketball IQ and court vision make him a maestro on the floor, constantly orchestrating the Mavericks’ offense. Doncic averages 9.7 assists per game, expertly finding his teammates in scoring positions and setting them up for easy buckets.
His ability to read defenses and make pinpoint passes allows him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates even in tight situations. Doncic’s playmaking extends beyond traditional assists, as he often generates scoring chances through his dribble penetration and drawing defenders to create open looks for his teammates.
Rebounding – Luka Doncic
Despite primarily being a guard, Doncic showcases impressive rebounding abilities, particularly on the defensive end. His understanding of positioning and timing allows him to grab rebounds in traffic, helping the Mavericks secure possessions and transition into offense quickly.
Doncic’s willingness to crash the boards (9.0 RPG) contributes to the team’s overall rebounding effort and prevents opponents from getting second-chance opportunities. Leading the Mavericks in rebounds, Doncic’s contributions in this aspect of the game are noteworthy and add another dimension to his versatile skill set.
Defense – Dereck Lively II
Dereck Lively II showcases impressive defensive skills for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. Standing at 7 feet 1 inch tall with a remarkable wingspan, Lively possesses the physical tools to disrupt opponents’ shots and protect the rim effectively. His size and athleticism allow him to alter shots in the paint and deter opposing players from driving to the basket with ease.
Lively’s mobility and lateral quickness enable him to switch onto perimeter players and contest shots on the perimeter, making him a versatile defender in pick-and-roll situations. Additionally, his anticipation and instincts help him generate steals and disrupt passing lanes, leading to transition opportunities for the Mavericks. In his rookie campaign, the No. 12 overall pick is posting 0.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
3-Point Shooting – Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving demonstrates exceptional proficiency in 3-point shooting for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. Known for his scoring prowess and ability to create space off the dribble, Irving is a constant threat from beyond the arc. He maintains a high 3-point shooting percentage (41.5%), consistently knocking down shots from long range and stretching opposing defenses.
Irving’s smooth shooting stroke, combined with his quick release and off-the-dribble shooting ability, makes him a difficult cover for defenders. Whether pulling up in transition, spotting up off screens, or creating his own shot, Irving possesses the range and accuracy to capitalize on scoring opportunities from beyond the arc. Nailing 3.0 threes per 7.2 attempts, Kyrie has been a killer from deep.
Finishing – Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving excels in finishing around the rim for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. Despite his relatively smaller stature compared to many other NBA players, Irving utilizes his exceptional ball-handling skills, craftiness, and body control to navigate through traffic and convert difficult shots in the paint. His ability to contort his body mid-air allows him to finish acrobatic layups and floaters over larger defenders and that has contributed to his 49.0% field-goal percentage.
Additionally, Irving possesses a soft touch around the rim, enabling him to finish with finesse even in contested situations. His creativity and improvisation make him unpredictable near the basket, keeping defenders off balance and allowing him to exploit openings in the defense. As great as Doncic is around the rim, Irving’s finishing is simply surreal at times.
Athleticism – Dereck Lively II
Standing at 7 feet 1 inch tall, Lively showcases remarkable agility, mobility, and explosiveness for a player of his size. His athleticism allows him to cover ground quickly on both ends of the floor, making him a formidable presence in transition defense and in contesting shots around the rim.
Despite his towering stature, Lively displays fluidity in his movements and demonstrates the ability to run the floor with ease. The fact that he is only 20 years old also helps with his energy and his athleticism has helped give him averages of 9.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Clutch – Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is renowned for his clutch performances for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. In crucial moments of the game, Irving consistently steps up and delivers for his team, displaying nerves of steel and a penchant for making big shots. His confidence and composure under pressure are unparalleled, as he embraces the opportunity to take and make critical shots when the game is on the line.
Irving’s exceptional ball-handling skills enable him to create separation from defenders and create his own shot, allowing him to thrive in isolation situations in late-game scenarios. His latest one-handed game-winner is still shocking to the NBA community and it could be a sign of things to come in close games for the Mavericks.
Efficiency – Luka Doncic
Despite carrying a heavy workload as the team’s primary scorer and playmaker, Doncic maintains impressive shooting percentages across the board. His ability to score efficiently from all three levels of the court sets him apart as one of the most versatile offensive threats in the NBA. In fact, the Slovenian might be having the most efficient season of his career by averaging 49.3% from the field, 38.0% from three, and 78.8% from the stripe.
Overall, Doncic’s ability to score efficiently while shouldering a significant offensive burden underscores his status as one of the most efficient and impactful players in the league. Along with high shooting percentages, Doncic is also playmaking and rebounding at a high level which takes his PER to 28.7 which ranks fourth in the league.
Leadership – Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic embodies exceptional leadership for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. Not only is he the best all-around player on the team, but he also serves as the go-to offensive player and the driving force behind the team’s success. Doncic leads by example on and off the court, consistently demonstrating a high level of commitment, work ethic, and competitiveness. His ability to elevate his game in critical moments inspires his teammates to raise their performance as well.
While Doncic’s vocal leadership may still be evolving, his actions speak volumes, as he consistently delivers clutch performances and demonstrates a relentless pursuit of excellence. As he continues to mature and gain experience, Doncic’s vocal leadership is likely to grow, further solidifying his role as the emotional and strategic leader of the Mavericks.
Versatility – Luka Doncic
As a scoring, passing, and rebounding threat, Doncic operates at superstar levels in each category, leading the team in all three. Doncic’s PER ranking 4th in the NBA underscores his impact and efficiency across various facets of the game. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds, Doncic possesses the size and strength to play both guard and forward positions effectively. His ability to seamlessly transition between positions adds another dimension to the Mavericks’ lineup and creates mismatches against opposing defenses.
Whether orchestrating the offense as a point guard, scoring from the perimeter, or battling in the paint for rebounds, Doncic’s versatility makes him a dominant force on both ends of the court. His unique combination of skills, size, and basketball IQ allows him to impact the game in multiple ways, making him one of the most dynamic and versatile players in the NBA.
Handles – Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is widely regarded as one of the best ball-handlers in the NBA, if not the best, during the 2023-24 season with the Dallas Mavericks. His exceptional dribbling skills, creativity, and fluidity enable him to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Irving’s ball-handling prowess allows him to navigate through traffic with ease, using a wide array of moves such as crossovers, hesitations, spins, and behind-the-back dribbles to keep defenders off balance. His ability to change speeds and directions on a dime makes him virtually unstoppable in one-on-one situations, as defenders struggle to stay in front of him. Additionally, Irving’s tight ball control and quick hands enable him to protect the ball effectively and evade defenders’ attempts to strip him.
Underrated – Josh Green
Josh Green emerges as one of the Dallas Mavericks’ underrated assets during the 2023-24 season. While he may not receive as much attention as some of his teammates, Green’s contributions as a wing defender are invaluable to the team’s success. A model of consistency, Green showcases his defensive prowess on a nightly basis, often tasked with guarding some of the opposing team’s best perimeter players.
His defensive efforts translate into tangible results, as evidenced by his 0.8 steals per game, and Green’s offensive game shows promising signs of development. Averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, he proves to be a reliable scoring option when called upon. His shooting efficiency, particularly his 40.1% from beyond the arc, demonstrates his ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from long range. At just 23 years old, Green’s trajectory suggests that he is only scratching the surface of his potential.
Overrated – Maxi Kleber
Maxi Kleber’s performance during the 2023-24 season for the Dallas Mavericks has raised questions about his impact and effectiveness as a big man. Despite appearing in 31 games with 7 starts and logging an average of 21.0 minutes per game, Kleber’s contributions have fallen short of expectations.
While he is known for his shooting ability, his shooting percentages, particularly his 30.0% from three-point range, are underwhelming. Additionally, his scoring output of 4.3 points per game fails to make a significant impact on the offensive end. Defensively, Kleber’s performance has also been lacking, failing to provide the necessary rim protection or versatility to anchor the Mavericks’ defense effectively.
Overall – Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic undeniably stands as the cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 season. As the team’s primary playmaker, scorer, and leader, Doncic’s impact transcends statistical measures. While Kyrie Irving adds an elite ball-handling dimension and clutch scoring ability, Doncic’s leadership qualities elevate him to the forefront of the team.
Doncic’s ability to lead by example solidifies his role as the team’s leader. Additionally, Tim Hardaway Jr. emerges as a crucial contributor, providing valuable scoring punch as the team’s third option. Hardaway’s scoring output of 15.7 points per game adds depth to the Mavericks’ offensive arsenal, complementing Doncic’s playmaking abilities effectively. However, Doncic can elevate his teammates’ performances and galvanize the team in critical moments that truly distinguishes him as the heart and soul of the Mavericks.
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