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In this episode of Good word with good willYahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill joins The Athletic’s Dallas Mavericks reporter Tim Cato to talk about all the changes the team has gone through over the past three years.
Since losing to the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks have changed owners, general managers, head coaches and virtually every member of the roster not named Luka Doncic. Vinnie and Tim talk about the adjustments that were made and the patience it took to make it all work and for the team to be successful at this level.
The guys preview the NBA Finals, including how both offenses seem to force both defenses to play in a way they’re not entirely comfortable with.
Dereck Lively II may be a rookie, but he is one of the most important and impactful players for Dallas in this series. How he defends on the perimeter could be the key to the Mavericks stopping the Celtics’ offense.
Kyrie Irving has a long and tumultuous history with Boston, but Tim maintains that growth and maturity have brought Kyrie to a place where he won’t be fazed by what Boston fans yell at him.
The health of former Dallas Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis, who hasn’t played in nearly six weeks, could be the key to the entire series. If he can move his feet and hit deep 3-pointers, it will be nearly impossible for the Mavericks to defend the Celtics the way they want.
Before concluding the show, Tim gives his (admittedly biased) prediction on what will happen in the 2024 NBA Finals between the Mavericks and Celtics.
Watch this full episode on YouTube
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