Mavs Step Back: Dereck Lively II Takes Next Step; Luka Doncic, Dallas Turnaround Imminent?

Despite the Dallas Mavericks' recent struggles, rookie center Dereck Lively II has continued to be a big bight spot with his rapid development. With a lighter schedule coming up, a win streak is certainly in the cards.

Although the Dallas Mavericks have stumbled lately, going 3-6 over their last nine games, their No. 12 pick in this year's NBA Draft, Dereck Lively II, has continued to be a major bright spot, bringing newfound hope to the franchise's hopes of becoming a contender in the near future.

Through 17 games, Lively is averaging 8.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 blocks while shooting 72.2 percent from the field. Over his last three games since coming back from a back contusion that kept him sidelined for just a single game, Lively has taken things up a notch, averaging 10.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 83.3 percent overall.

“Really just trying to be able to find openings," Lively said after becoming the first rookie in NBA history to record 20-plus points and 15-plus rebounds while shooting 100 percent from the field in Saturday's near-miracle comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"If they’re going to double Luka [Doncic], just knowing if I’m going to be playing out the pocket or if I’m going to be playing out the flash game. So I’ve got to be able to know that sometimes the corner’s open, sometimes it’s me getting to the rim, or it’s just finding the open man.”

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On the latest episode of the Mavs Step Back Podcast, my DallasBasketball.com colleague Grant Afseth joins me to discuss Lively's rapid development – something that has surpassed our expectations that were already pretty high heading into the season. Has the 19-year-old starting center made a strong case to make the All Rookie First Team so far, especially with how he's played against the two Rookie of the Year frontrunners in Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren?

From there, we talk about how optimistic Luka Doncic is about the Mavs turning things around soon and jumping back into the win column. He has a legitimate reason to feel that way, as Dallas' next three opponents (Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies) have a combined record of 18-40.

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"I’m so sad we didn’t win this game, but we gave a big effort. This team today was impressive in the third and fourth quarter. We just got to play like this more times and we’re going to win a lot of games," Doncic said after the Mavs posted an NBA-record 30-0 run in the fourth quarter before ultimately running out of gas against the Thunder over the weekend.

“That [run] was insane. ... We played with great energy. We had guys out [and] it was a tough game, but we came back and almost won it. Like I said, I’m really sad we couldn't win it but it was a great, great effort.”

You can watch or listen to this episode below. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts! You can also leave us a review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win future giveaways.