As the Mavericks move on to the Western Conference finals for the second time in three seasons, it’s different than it was in the first go-round.
In 2022, they were younger, smaller and had a defense that was growing teeth.
In 2024, they’re older, bigger, more athletic, have true centers and have a defense that possesses full-grown fangs.
That’s why they feel the job is not done.
In 2022, the Mavericks most definitely had the attitude that they had accomplished something to be in the West finals. Happy to be there, as the saying goes.