As the Mavericks prepare to face the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, a significant subplot revolves around former stars confronting their previous teams.
Although it’s been several years since Kyrie Irving’s tenure with the Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis’ stint with the Mavericks remains fresher, occurring just two seasons ago.
In 2019, Dallas traded for Porzingis from New York, aiming to form a dynamic duo alongside Luka Doncic. Despite their undeniable talent, their partnership was limited to 120 regular-season games and 10 postseason appearances.
On paper, Doncic and Porzingis seemed poised for success, yet they struggled to achieve it, leading Dallas to trade Porzingis to Washington. Here’s an examination of why the Doncic-Porzingis pairing fell short.
WHY DIDN’T THE DUO THRIVE?
In a recent podcast appearance on JJ Redick’s “The Old Man and The Three,” Porzingis shed light on the reasons for their lack of success.
“A multitude of factors contributed,” Porzingis admitted. “Primarily, my own immaturity — reflecting on what I could have done differently… I lacked maturity, particularly in my approach to analytics and statistics. Had someone effectively conveyed their significance to me earlier in my career and outlined my role accordingly, perhaps the outcome would have differed.”
Porzingis emphasized his own lack of maturity as a significant obstacle, impacting various aspects, including his relationship with Doncic.
“We both attempted to make it work,” Porzingis acknowledged regarding their dynamic. “However, improved communication and maturity from both sides were essential.”
Redick, who spent time with both players in Dallas, recalled an incident where Porzingis suggested coach Rick Carlisle call out Doncic during a game, underscoring the prideful dynamic between the two young stars.
In addition to the outlined challenges, injuries plagued Porzingis’ tenure with the Mavericks. His ACL injury upon joining delayed his debut until the following season, and subsequent injuries, including a torn meniscus, hindered his playoff performances and led to a restricted minutes regimen upon his return.
Although the partnership didn’t materialize as hoped, it’s noteworthy that Doncic and Porzingis achieved a commendable 71-49 record when playing together in the regular season. Different circumstances may have yielded more favorable results.
