The Dallas Mavericks are just 13 games away from the NBA Playoffs, so head coach Jason Kidd needs to make every effort to get the most out of the team’s rotation before the postseason gets underway. The Mavericks have experimented with a wide range of starting lineups, including five-man lineups, this season, up until recently.
Derrick Jones Jr. and Daniel Gafford, the Mavericks’ two most recent additions to the starting five, have provided the team with a balanced combination of length, athleticism, and rim protection on the defensive end.
Even though Mavericks supporters have harshly criticised Jason Kidd’s coaching and rotations this season, the Mavericks appear to be benefiting from Kidd’s defensive adjustments as Dallas is currently eighth in the NBA in defensive rating after their last seven games.
Some players gain when the rotation is changed, while others see a decrease in playing time. Dereck Lively II, a rookie for the Mavericks, has recently been asked to replace Daniel Gafford with fewer minutes and come off the bench. Despite this, the 20-year-old rookie has handled the transition with remarkable maturity and has flourished in his position.
Over the past five games, Lively II has averaged 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while playing mostly off the bench in a role that has only seen him play 18.6 minutes per game. Due to Lively II’s impressive growth in both defensive strength and discipline since the season began, he was also a key player in Dallas’ physical strategy of protecting Nikola Jokic on Sunday.
One of the few rookies selected in the lottery of the previous year’s draft, Lively II will be important to his club in the postseason. It appears that ESPN is beginning to realise how important Lively II has been to Dallas not just this season but also last. Lively II, a native of Philadelphia, came in third in ESPN’s latest rookie power rankings, trailing only rising talents Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren in the race for rookie of the year.
Given that Lively II has recently overcome some minor injuries and a bit of a rookie wall, it’s very impressive that his play off the bench has sparked talk about him being a top-three rookie on a national scale. This speaks volumes about his work ethic and mature demeanour.
Stay in to us as Dallas makes their final push to exit the play-in round when Lively II and the Mavericks take on the Utah Jazz tonight.
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