When the Mavericks became a good defensive team in the 2021-2022 season, the common refrain was that they were playing over their heads. One could point to the fact they had been bad since Luka had entered the league, that they had average personnel and no Defensive Player of the Year candidate. It was more complex than that, but it’s easy to say those talking heads were right with how the defense is performing now.
Another take tied to doubt in last year’s Mavericks was about the flukiness of their run, with comparison to the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers from prior years.