Gafford Providing Mavericks Missing Edge

Former Hogs' perfection, defensive abilities perfect fit for Doncic, Irving in Dallas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorbacks fans have long known the value of having Daniel Gafford at starting center, but the Dallas Mavericks are really starting to gain that realization also.

Not only are the Mavs undefeated in games in which he has started at center at a perfect 4-0, but he has only missed one shot from the floor the entire month of March. He's 21-of-22 this month over the course of six games. That includes a streak of 21 straight that will carry into tonight's game against Chicago.

The flip side of this is Dallas is 3-5 with Gafford beginning the game on the bench. It takes a little while for him to fully earn head coach Jason Kidd's trust, but he's finally come around the last couple of games. 

The former Razorback scored 17 points while adding seven rebounds and four blocks in a win over Detroit Saturday. The game before against Miami, he put up 12 points, seven rebounds and a block.

This allowed Dallas to give rookie Dereck Lively a chance to absorb the game from the sideline before coming in off the bench. It also provided a veteran presence to go alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

"One of the biggest things is going to be being a team and being able to sacrifice," Kidd said. "When you look at the minutes, everyone's not going to be able to play the minutes that they want to. We got to understand and define the minutes for the team that can win. And teams that can digest that or the players who can digest that, you can start a winning streak."

Perhaps, more than anything, it has begun changing the reputation of the Mavericks. The book on Dallas was simple. Attack the rim relentlessly and see if they will quit. 

With Gafford offering someone inside who not only challenges shots at the rim, who doesn't shy away from physical confrontation, that basic strategic tactic isn't as reliable. Having someone of his size who relishes the defensive side of the game while being highly efficient on the offensive end has helped tip the scales toward a winning formula.

"You know, it's a fast paced game and it's a lot of things that's gonna happen down the stretch towards a lot of guys that probably could beat off the dribble," Gafford said. "So, at the end of the day, I'm the last line of defense. I got to protect home, so I most definitely tried to do my job 100% tonight for sure."

Meanwhile, Doncic is having his best season and is currently in the best five-game stretch of his career. He logged four straight 35+ triple-doubles, then tacked on a 30+ triple-double against Detroit.

Of course, Doncic and Gafford can't continue such perfection. Eventually Doncic is going to have an off night and Gafford is going to miss a shot. 

However, that doesn't change the Mavericks' assembly of a three-headed monster with Gafford filling in as the piece Doncic and Irving were missing. He offers points without demanding the ball, makes up for defensive deficiencies, and provides a tough mindset on both ends of the floor that spreads to others. 

Of course, Arkansas fans already knew that from his time in Fayetteville. But now the people of Dallas know it too. And as one great philosopher of the 1980s once said, "Knowing is half the battle."

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