The Dallas Mavericks have played pretty well through 6 games of the playoffs so far. In their hard-fought, highly competitive series against the Clippers, they are showing some real heart and fight.
And while Luka Doncic has been amazing thus far, the team might be in even better shape if Kristaps Porzingis, the team’s second-highest-paid player, would step up to the plate.
So far this series, he’s averaging just a little over 12 points per game, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor:
The Mavs pay Kristaps Porzingis $30M to be more than a tall wing who shoots 3s yet that’s all he is now. Averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists vs. Clippers. KP can’t create his own shot and he’s average at best on defense. It’s the Tim Hardaway Jr. Trade from now on.
The Mavs pay Kristaps Porzingis $30M to be more than a tall wing who shoots 3s yet that's all he is now. Averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists vs. Clippers. KP can't create his own shot and he's average at best on defense. It's The Tim Hardaway Jr. Trade from now on.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 5, 2021
Porzingis has been pretty underwhelming in the playoffs so far, which is unfortunate because Luka and the team depend on him to provide a scoring edge.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has provided a good spark for the club, and he’s a big reason why the Mavs have won three games. But if KP can’t step up and play up to his big contract, it could limit how far the team goes.
