The NBA season is back, folks.

And so are Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks open the season with several familiar faces but some new faces as well, including new head coach Jason Kidd.

There’s a lot of optimism surrounding this team as Dallas looks to advance past the first round of the playoffs and give Luka Doncic a chance at the Larry O’Brien.

That journey begins tonight in Atlanta against Trae Young and the Hawks.

Let’s dive in.

 

Jason Kidd’s rotations

What can we expect with Kidd as a head coach? His checkered past as a head coach is noted but learning from Frank Vogul over the last two years in Los Angeles, including winning a championship, and a successful preseason run with the Mavs, the once pessimistic fan base are starting to lean the other way.

Tonight will be a great first test for Kidd and company against a well-oiled offensive machine in the Hawks. Atlanta can hit you from all three levels, and maybe even a fourth level with Trae Young’s range. Seeing how Kidd adapts to Young’s ability to not only stretch the floor with his shooting but turn that into an advantage with his playmaking ability will be a clear factor in tonight’s result.

Kristaps Porzingis

That’s it. That’s what we’re watching for.

It’s evident that last season, specifically the postseason, was the tough for KP. Hell, he wanted to be traded following being parked in the corner against the Clippers.

But, with a new regime in Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd, KP looks to be rejuvenated and has looked energetic and engaged during the preseason. If this is the kind of Porzingis we get through a full 82 game slate, the Mavericks are on a different tier than in previous seasons.

Free agency acquisitions

The Mavericks didn’t make that big splash that the front office and fans were hoping for this summer. No Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragic, Spencer Dinwiddie, etc. But, Dallas did add to their wing depth with Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown.

Bullock is a 3-and-D specialist. He’s brings a similar skillset that the Mavericks already have in Dorian Finney-Smith yet Bullock is a sniper from outside. Imagining a closing lineup with both DFS and Bullock in the corners on offense and hounding the two best wings on the defensive end is promising.

Sterling Brown, who played for Kidd in Milwaukee, brings a hardnosed mindset and depth off the bench at the guard position, who can also knock down shots from outside and defend at an adequate level.

The Mavericks and Hawks tip-off at 6:30 PM CT on TNT.