Nick Wright considers the Dallas Mavericks a formidable playoff threat, despite their recent struggles with five losses in the last six games. In a recent segment on FS1’s First Things First, Wright categorized NBA contenders into tiers, placing the Mavs in the “Terrifying… For A Series Or Two” tier alongside the Los Angeles Lakers led by LeBron James. Wright acknowledged that teams like the Mavs and the Lakers, featuring stars like Luka Doncic and LeBron James, can appear dominant for short periods, but raised doubts about their ability to sustain success in a prolonged playoff run. He pointed out concerns for both teams, such as the Lakers’ rotations, defensive lapses, and coaching issues, and the Mavs’ recent defensive struggles. Despite the uncertainties, Wright emphasized the intimidating potential of these teams in a playoff series and cautioned against underestimating them in the bracket. The Mavs, currently facing challenges after a seven-game win streak was halted, have a chance to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament, with a six-game gap between them and the No. 11 seed. While they face obstacles, including an “outright allergy to defense” in recent games, there’s still optimism that stars like Doncic and Kyrie Irving could elevate the team’s performance. The article highlights the Mavs’ opportunity to improve their seeding and become a more formidable playoff contender if they can overcome their current struggles and find their stride before the postseason.
