The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to break multiple NBA records this season with victory in the 2024 NBA Finals. One record they’ve already broken is all-time NBA social media views on a single play with over 260 million views for a three-man fast-break between Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Derrick Jones Jr. against the Utah Jazz in March 2024.
This play by the Dallas Mavericks is the most-viewed video EVER across NBA social media platforms, generating more than 260 million video views. The 2024 #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV tip off on Thursday, June 6, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 3, 2024
The play starts with Doncic making a high-effort defensive play to steal the ball from Jazz rookie Keyontae George. As Luka is falling to the floor, he passes the ball to Kyrie at the half-court line, who sprints forward and tosses a lob to Jones Jr. for an emphatic dunk.
This game led to a highlight parade, as the Mavericks set a team record for dunks in a game with 18. It was a comprehensive 113-97 victory over the Jazz, with Doncic putting up 34 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Kyrie added 16 points, five rebounds, and six assists of his own, while DJJ had 12 points and four rebounds.
There are so many highlights that people would consider more appealing from this season alone, let alone NBA history, but this play has struck a chord amongst fans. It was the first sign of the post-deadline Mavericks for most of the world to see, as the Mavs started winning games on fundamental principles such as defense and lobs.
This might have been the best defensive highlight of Luka’s career as well, though his clutch block on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals has joined the fight as well.
Derrick Jones Jr. Is The Only Maverick With An Uncertain Future
Jones Jr. started the season as a deep-bench player for the Mavericks after signing for a veteran minimum in the summer. He chose the Mavericks over the Celtics and Bulls, explaining why he turned down a larger contract in Chicago to play for the Mavericks.
“I could have accepted my player option in Chicago… I just decided to bet on myself and took less money to come here but the money wasn’t the problem… wanted to have the opportunity to be on the floor and showcase what I’m able to do and it happened for me.”
Most of the Mavericks rotation is signed up for next season as well, giving the franchise a chance to run their success from this season back regardless of what happens in the Finals. But DJJ’s free agency provides a wrinkle for the Mavs, as they don’t have the salary cap space to offer him a competitive salary compared to the teams with cap space.
This could be a Bruce Brown situation for the Mavs, as they could lose a key role player in free agency just like how the Nuggets lost Brown after their title win this season.
Given the highlights he’s had this season and the role he earned on merit in the starting lineup, continuity might be DJJ’s best friend. However, it’ll be hard to turn down a contract offer worth over $20 million annually to re-sign with the Mavericks for the mid-level exception.
DJJ averaged 8.6 points and 3.3 rebounds this season, serving as the Mavericks’ primary on-ball defender for most of their successful second half of the season.
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