This season, the Dallas Mavericks championship run has been more than just a testament to their talent. It’s a narrative of growth, highlighted by the exceptional development of two of their newcomers, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford.
Entering this season, the Mavericks had a chip on their shoulder. Last year’s campaign ended without a playoff appearance, despite bringing in former NBA champion and eight-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to pair with point guard Luka Dončić. Irving and Dončić had all the tools to make a late-season playoff push, but integrating a new star into the system midseason isn’t an easy task and the adjustment period saw the team struggle to find its rhythm.
In the 20 games Irving played for the Mavericks last season, the team posted an 8-12 record, finishing in 11th place in the Western Conference. It wasn’t for a lack of skill—the backcourt duo of Irving and Dončić was as potent as any in the league—but the Mavericks desperately needed a defensive anchor, a presence in the paint to complement their offensive firepower.
Enter Lively II. The silver lining of the Mavericks missing the playoffs was the opportunity to select within the NBA draft lottery. With the No. 12 overall selection, they eyed the 7-foot-1 center from Duke. Lively instantly brought size and verticality, providing defensive stability.
From the onset, expectations for Lively II were tempered. His 5.2 points per game at Duke left much to be desired offensively. However, his selection to the All-ACC Defensive Team during his freshman year showcased his potential on the defensive end, where the Mavericks hoped he could make an immediate impact.
“You could see the future of him being an anchor on the defensive side,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said in an interview posted June 3rd. “The future just happened to come a lot faster.”
The Mavericks were confident enough in Lively II’s skills to name him the day one starter at center. In the early stretch of the season, Lively II’s confidence kept building as Dončić and Irving began to trust the rookie more. Lively II gained the trust of his teammates through his ability to aggressively get to the rim, catch lobs and provide his presence in the heart of the Mavericks’ defense.
However, the Mavericks weren’t done improving the frontcourt, so they added Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford and Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington at the midseason trade deadline. The Mavericks instantly felt Gafford’s impact as a lob threat, giving Dončić and Irving another option in the pick-and-roll. With the addition of Gafford, Lively II’s role as a starter regressed, but the relationship between the two only blossomed.
“We have a great one-and-two dynamic of picking each other up no matter what’s going on,” Lively II said in an interview posted June 3rd. “I look at him as an older brother.”
Gafford wrapped up the season as the full-time starter over Lively II, but their bond only deepened as the postseason commenced. Every time one of them steps onto the court, the other chimes in with, “Be a monster.” This simple mantra fuels their fiery play style, attacking the rim with ferocity and finishing with force. But where they truly shine is in the pick-and-roll offense.
Throughout the playoffs, the Mavericks leaned heavily on the pick-and-roll, boasting a 19% usage rate, placing them in the NBA’s top five. This strategy became a lethal weapon, leveraging Dončić's keen vision and scoring knack with Lively II and Gafford’s relentless rim-running. Lively II has been a revelation in these sets, connecting on 70.8% of his field goal attempts, ranking him second among all roll men in the postseason, and averaging a formidable 1.26 points per possession.
Mavericks Luka Doncic's IQ excels in the pick-and-roll game. Doncic's patience and body control with the ball force defenders to pick their poison. On two plays with the same set, the combination of Doncic and Dereck Lively is on full display. pic.twitter.com/xTytkO9UA9
— Jude Ocañas (@judocanas) June 5, 2024
Yet, the pick-and-roll brilliance has extended beyond just Lively II and Gafford. It transformed Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. into deadly 3-point threats from the corners. Benefiting from Dončić's sharp passing off screens, both players saw a significant uptick in their postseason shooting. Washington’s 3-point percentage climbed to 36.2% from 32.0% in the regular season, while Jones Jr. rose to 39.6% from 34.3%.
“Being able to have both of us setting screens, catching lobs, throwing elbows, and catching rebounds makes our teammates trust us,” Lively said.
The Mavericks’ postseason journey has been a masterclass in chemistry and collaboration, particularly between their guards and centers. Lively II and Gafford have set 59% of the ball screens for Dončić, creating a dynamic offensive rhythm. This synergy has translated into a remarkable statistic: Dončić has racked up 49 assists on dunks, the highest in an NBA postseason since 1997. The vertical prowess of Lively II and Gafford, combined with Dončić's playmaking, has carved a path of dominance, painting a picture of basketball’s artistry and precision.
“It came naturally at the end of the day. We are two big targets for those guys—Kyrie and Luka—coming downhill,” Gafford said postgame on May 26th. “It’s always automatic, as long as we get the [opponents] big to help and make a decision.”
The Mavericks capitalized on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ drop coverage during the Western Conference finals. With the Timberwolves failing to apply immediate on-ball pressure after the screen, Dončić had the luxury of choice. Lively II flourished, going a perfect 16-for-16 from the field and amassing 38 points and 31 rebounds across four games.
Dallas Maverick rookie center Dereck Livley has had himself quite the postseason debut so far. Right before exiting game three of WCF with an injury, Lively had one of his best sequences from the postseason, scoring six points in one minute. pic.twitter.com/HbY9kNMkh9
— Jude Ocañas (@judocanas) June 2, 2024
However, their mission to win the NBA Finals must still be fulfilled as the Boston Celtics loom—the final hurdle on the path to the Mavericks’ first Larry O’Brien Trophy since 2011. Compared to others, the Celtics rarely blitz, employing the tactic only 1% of the time this postseason.
This decision could prove costly. The Mavericks aim to exploit 38-year-old center Al Horford, with Dončić thriving against switches, averaging 1.23 points per possession this postseason. But the Celtics possess capable defenders— guard Jrue Holiday, guard Derrick White, guard Jaylen Brown and forward Jayson Tatum—ready to apply on-ball pressure.
During the regular season, the Celtics defeated the Mavericks twice. Boston’s variety of skillful defenders only makes Lively II and Gafford’s roles more pivotal. Their ability to adjust the roll and offer a reliable option at the elbow for Doncic or Irving will be crucial. Patience with the ball, whether kicking out to shooters or attacking the rim, will alleviate the burden on Dončić's shoulders. For Lively II, though, the end goal transcends stats: it’s about being the last team standing.
“I am here to win games. I am not here to care about how many points I put on the board,” Lively II said. “Gafford is the same way.”