Roundtable: Maverick things from 2018 for which we’re grateful

With 2018 in the history books, we wanted to take a brief look back at the year that was. The prompt was simple:

Which one thing from 2018 are you grateful for concerning the Dallas Mavericks?

Kirk: I’m really, really glad Luka Doncic panned out. Well, ‘panned out’ is a bit of an understatement but I spent so long making an idiot of myself on Twitter that for Dallas to end up with him was incredible, but that he’s this good this fast is beyond my wildest expectations. The week to week growth and adaptation has been exceptional to watch.

Jordan: It’s hard to look at 2018 for the Mavericks and not be most grateful that they were the team to risk it all and get their guy in Luka Doncic. Lottery trades, especially lottery trades that have you giving up a future pick as well, can often blow up in your face. Even though it looks like a no brainer today, the Mavericks risked some of their rebuild by making this move. It’s hard to say what the value of that trade looks like now, we won’t really know for years. But I’m already grateful for their guts.

Nick: Last season it seemed as if Dorian Finney-Smith may have peaked in his rookie year. But in 2018 he has redeemed himself and then some in route to becoming a the solid three-and-D player everyone hoped he could become. Along with Maxi Kleber, I’m glad that two guys I really believed in and have enjoyed talking to have become vital role players with a chance to secure a bag this summer.

Sam: After decades of sustained, almost unparalleled success, the past two seasons of losing (intentional and unintentional) basketball were gut wrenching, confusing, and unenjoyable. At the end of 2018 I’m grateful to finally have basketball games I care about again. Admittedly, the last two seasons I was more focused on how the Mavericks could improve their lottery odds, but now I’m focused on how the Mavericks can rise in the standings. It’s exciting to have this feeling back.