Explore every episode of the podcast Mavs Film Room

In this episode, cover the current Public Relations that the Dallas Mavericks have brought upon themselves. We also cover Luka Dončić‘a Lakers Debut and what to expect from him going forward this season.

In this episode, we discuss the Mavs' 116-105 home victory over the Houston Rockets, which also was Anthony Davis' debut with Dallas. We talk about the pregame scene at American Airlines Center which featured a spirited demonstration from fans calling for the firing of GM Nico Harrison and for the Adelson Family to sell the team in the wake of the Luka Dončić trade. We then pivot to discussing Davis' debut, which featured the full gamut of the AD experience, with a 21 point ,13 rebound first half, and then a non-contact groin injury in the second half. We also shout out strong bench performances from the young Max Christie (23 points) & Naji Marshall (16 points).

On this episode, Jay is joined by Joshua Ebrahim of ProFitX sports to work through their emotions stemming from the Luka Dončić trade. They talk about the colossal basketball and business implications of such a deal, and why NBA front offices are not as smart as they think they are. Finally, they discuss where their fandom goes from here and if rooting for the Mavericks will ever be the same again.

In this episode we share our raw, unfiltered thoughts on the bizarre decision by Mavs GM Nico Harrison to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for the meager return of Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 First Round pick.

A truly shameful day for the Mavs franchise, and a devastating one for the City of Dallas.

We love you, Luka, go be great.

In this episode we discuss the Mavs' 115-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, their 10th loss in the last 15 games. The game was perhaps overshadowed by the devastating news that Dereck Lively will miss 2-3 months with a stress fracture in his ankle, adding to this “season from hell” which has seen several Mavs starters suffer significant injuries. We talk about how this news changes the expectations for this season and how it might alter their approach to the trade deadline in two weeks. We also share our thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of Jason Kidd as a coach and how he may not be elevating the team to their full potential during this depleted stretch. Finally we debate where the Mavs should consider punting on this season and focusing on draft positioning.

In this episode we come to you after the Mavs. 106-98 victory over Oklahoma City to discuss the happenings around the Mavs since Christmas Day 2024, namely Luka Dončić suffering a calf strain among other nagging injuries to Kyrie Irving , Dereck Lively, and Jaden Hardy. We talk about what has been going wrong during this rough stretch of basketball and how the Mavs record more wins than they have been of late, even with injuries. We also spend a healthy amount of time discussing how the Mavs can approach this year's trade deadline to address their needs of more perimeter defense. We namely debate whether it might be time to move on from Daniel Gafford in pursuit of a player better suited to guard teams that play five shooters.

We recorded this episode following the Mavs' wild 121-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. In this episode we discuss the Mavs' recent stretch of 9 wins in 10 games, weathering the absence of Luka Dončić among other players. We discus how Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and PJ Washington have all stepped up in the last few weeks to help the Mavs find a new identity and start putting together wins. We talk about how much deeper this Mavs team is in recent years, and how for the fist time in the Luka Dončić era, the Mavs have a team that can be a force in the regular season.

In this episode we talk about the Mavs' most recent 3-game win streak which comes on the heels of a frustrating 4-game losing streak, in which the Mavericks lost each game on the final shot. We talk about what went wrong during the losing streak, and what has improved since to turn things around. We talk about the impressive victory on the road against OKC, which the Mavs played without Luka Dončić. We discuss PJ Washington's return to the lineup and the positive impact it has had on defense and rebounding. Finally, we talk about how the Mavs' rotation has evolved over the season's first 15 games, and debate how it may change going forward.

In this episode, we discuss the Mavs' 134-127 loss to the Indiana Pacers, which saw them fall to 4-3 on the season. We discuss the issues that plagued the team such as another slow start to the 1st quarter, poor paint defense, and an overall lack of competitive fire. We also talk about how these issues have manifested in recent home games, namely the dispiriting loss to Houston last Thursday, which saw the Mavs give up 18 offensive rebounds. We share our thoughts on how these issues can be addressed, and also take time to recognize Naji Marshall (20p, 5r, 6a) for his strong performance tonight after a slow start to the year.

In this episode, we discuss the Mavs 120-114 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, coming on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. We discuss the Mavs being successful against a Western Conference contender in spite of Luka Doncic's offensive struggles, and talk about Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and Klay Thompson picking up the slack. We also discuss the center rotation of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, and whether Lively's higher minutes count and strong play will earn him the starting spot. We also discuss Quentin Grimes' acclimation with the Mavs, and talk about our concern level about Naji Marshall's struggles.

In this episode we cover the Mavericks' 120-109 season-opening win against the San Antonio Spurs. We discuss Klay Thompson's stellar debut in which he scored 22 points and 7 rebounds on 6/10 shooting from 3. We also talk about Dereck Lively's strong performance off the bench with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. We give our thoughts on the Mavericks debuts of Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes, and talk about whether more consistency should be expected from PJ Washington on offense. Finally, we preview the Mavs' second game of the season on the road against the Phoenix Suns.

In this episode, we discuss the start of the Mavs 2024-25 campaign, beginning with the San Antonio Spurs on October 24, 2024. We talk about a few hot topics around the time such as the backup point guard role between Jaden Hardy and Spencer Dinwiddie, how the Mavericks defense might look with Klay Thompson in the starting lineup with Dereck Lively II as the full time starting center. Finally, we talk about whether Naji Marshall will end up nudging his way into the starting lineup by the end of the season.

In this episode we react to the Mavs' first preseason game of the 2024-25 season, a 121-116 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. In this episode we discuss the performances of several players including Jaden Hardy, Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and surprisingly, Jazian "Jaz" Gortman. We discuss how their performances in this game set them up for the rest of training camp and what their roles could be heading into the upcoming season.

In this episode, we are joined by Joshua Ebrahim, founder of ProFitX.Ai, an AI platform that helps NBA teams and players gain valuable performance insights and negotiate the best contracts for both sides. In this episode we cover ProFitX's partnership with the Mavericks, which spanned the last three seasons. We discuss how the Mavs have found good value in their recent transactions, most notably acquiring PJ Washington, Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson. Finally, we touch on the Mavs finding potential gems with Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes, and what ProFitX projects their value to be.

In this episode we share our reaction to the press conference held today to introduce new Mavs players Klay Thompson (#31), Naji Marshall (#13), and Quentin Grimes (#5). We talk about our expectations for each player and how today's event was almost a celebration of Mavs culture and what Nico Harrison, Michael Finley, and Jason Kidd have built in Dallas. We talk about why the Mavs should offer Quentin Grimes a contract extension even before he plays a game for the Mavs. Finally, we close with some discussion about the upcoming run at the Las Vegas Summer League for the Mavericks.

In this episode, we cover recent reporting around Klay Thompson's decision to sign with the Mavericks. We talk about his genuine interest in the Mavs and Dallas, and why Klay being himself will be a great thing for not only the team but the city. We also discuss Luka Dončić and Slovenia's fight to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. With this comes some pause for Mavs fans, who want to see Luka be represent his country on the world stage, but also want him to rest and recover from his nagging injuries. Finally, we discuss who the Mavs could be looking at signing next to round out their roster, specifically if Dennis Smith Jr., Spencer Dinwiddie, and Markelle Fultz could be options.

In this episode we cover the breaking news of the Mavericks signing former 4-time champion, 5-time All-Star, and former member of the Golden State Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson. We discuss the significance of this signing, being the biggest free agent signing in the history of the Mavs franchise, and what this represents. We also discuss the fit of Naji Marshall, who the Mavs signed to replace Derrick Jones Jr., and Quentin Grimes, who the Mavs traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for. It's been a busy offseason for the Mavs, and it's not over yet.

In this episode we recap the Mavs' NBA Finals loss, falling to the Boston Celtics in five games. We discuss an overall disappointing showing by the Mavericks in the Finals from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving all the way down the roster. We talk about what weaknesses were exposed in this series and how the Mavericks can address them to take the next step in their evolution as a true championship contender. Finally, we close with some praise for Dereck Lively and miscellaneous talk about some of the lazy narratives around the Mavericks after this loss.

In this episode we discuss the Mavs 0-2 deficit to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals and what they need to do heading into Games 3 and 4 to make this a more competitive series and avoid being swept. We also discuss the breaking news of Kristaps Porzingis' rare foot injury and what his uncertain status means for Game 3 and potentially the rest of the series.

Special thanks to Tim Cato of The Athletic for joining and speaking in this Spaces.

In this edition of Mavs Film Room Spaces, we discuss our thoughts on the eve of Game 1 of the NBA Finals featuring the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. We talk about what the Mavs need to do to upset a historically-great Celtics team.

In this episode we preview the 2024 NBA FINALS between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. We talk about key matchups on both sides, and how the Mavs can reasonably expect to defend the Celtics with their two superstars and cast of shooters. We discuss the status of Boston center Kristaps Porzingis, and how his health will determine a lot of how both teams approach this series. We also discuss ways in which the Mavericks possess advantages in this series, namely in having the best player (Luka Dončić), the better coach (Jason Kidd), and overall being more battle-tested, having beaten three of the top-4 teams in the gauntlet Western Conference to reach the NBA FINALS. Finally, we share our predictions for the series, as to whether the Mavericks will bring championship #2 to Dallas.

In this episode we react to the Mavs' blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals which clinched the series and sent them to their first NBA Finals in 13 years. We reminisce about the journey this team has been on this season and how special of a season it has been. We talk about the redemption stories for Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and Jason Kidd and how that has made this a dream season with the Mavs' 4 wins away from their 2nd NBA Championship. We will preview the NBA Finals matchup between the Mavs and Boston Celtics next week.

In this episode, we share our final thoughts on the Mavs' 2nd Round series victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder that ended in a wild Game 6 finish to close out the series. We pivot to previewing the upcoming Western Conference Finals series between the Mavs and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Mavs' 2nd WCF in the last three seasons. We discuss the various matchup wrinkles, specifically how the Mavs should approach guarding Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. We also talk about how different this series is from the OKC series, and what in the Mavs' approach will need to change as well as stay the same in the WCF. Finally, we share our predictions for the series which will determine if the Mavs will play in their first NBA Finals since 2011.

In this episode we recap the first two games of the Mavs' 2nd round series versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, which saw them suffer a blowout loss in Game 1, and then earn a gritty win in Game 2. We discuss the adjustments the Mavs made between the games, and which individual performances have stuck out, namely PJ Washington and Tim Hardaway Jr.'s strong nights in Game 2. We also talk about Luka Dončić continuing to tough it out and deliver for his team, playing with a painfully sprained knee among other injuries. Finally we look ahead to Game 3 and discuss what adjustments both teams may look to make as they try to break the 1-1 series tie.

In this episode, we discuss the Mavs' weekend in Dallas which saw then win Game 3 in convincing fashion and then lose Game 4, in a very similar fashion as Game 1, where the Clippers raced out to a 30-point lead despite playing without Kawhi Leonard. The Mavs made a furious comeback, but often as it happens with 30-point rallies, the comeback fell just short. We discuss what went wrong in Game 4, and what the Mavs can do in Game 5 to come out looking more prepared. We also talk about what they have done right in this series, and emphasize that they need to translate their 2nd half brilliance to the 1st half of games as well. Finally we discuss our concern level surrounding Luka Doncic's struggles and nagging injuries.

Game 5 is Wednesday May 1 at 9 PM Central Time in Los Angeles.

In this episode we discuss the Mavs opening games of the playoffs against the LA Clippers in which they lost Game 1 109-97 and won Game 2 96-93. We discuss what went horribly wrong in Game 1, and how the Mavs fixed it in Game 2. We discuss the Mavs' stellar defense in Game 2 against James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard who returned for the Clippers. We also talk about PJ Washington's contributions and how the Mavs can break out of their slump heading into Game 3 in Dallas.

In this episode we preview the upcoming First Round NBA Playoffs series between the Mavs and LA Clippers, the third time in five years the two teams are meeting in Round 1. We discuss why this matchup is so different than the 2020 and 2021 series, namely to the acquisitions of Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, and Dereck Lively on the Mavs' side and James Harden and Russell Westbrook on the Clippers' side. We discuss X-Factors, key matchups, and things that work in each teams' favor.

We talk about the new identity of the Mavs' and why they're finally suited to get over the hump and defeat this Clippers team that has given them so much trouble over the years. Finally we give our predictions for the series.

In this episode we discuss the 125-107 blowout win over the Houston Rockets, who came into the game on a NBA-best 11-game win streak. This was the Mavs' 11th win in the last 12 games, which capped an 11-4 month of March for the team. We discuss the two huge wins the Mavs got in Sacramento last week to move out of the play-in and into the top-6 of the Western Conference, and why those games showed the Mavs are one of the most formidable teams in the Western Conference Playoff field. With 8 games to go in the regular season, the Mavs now sit at 5th in the West and now have earned the title of the hottest team in the NBA.

In this episode we react to the Mavs' STATEMENT win over the Sacramento Kings 132-96, in a game that has propelled the Mavs into sole possession of 6th place in the Western Conference for the time being. We talk about the incredible shooting performance the Mavs' had as a team, converting on 22 of 39 three pointers. We also talk about the dominant defensive play from Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, shutting down Domantas Sabonis in the paint. We also discuss the Western Conference standings and the opportunities the Mavs have to move even higher with 10 games remaining in the season.

In this episode, we discuss the recent happenings around the Mavs, most notably Kyrie Irving's incredible left-handed floater at the buzzer to beat the Denver Nuggets 107-105. We discuss what the Mavs have been doing well since our last episode, which has led the team to win five out of their last six games, a stark difference from when we last recorded. We break down the Mavs' new identity as tough interior team that can score at will in the paint thanks to Luka Dončić Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II. We also talk about concerns we have for the team going into the postseason, namely their poor shooting and Maxi Kleber's role as a key member of the closing lineup. The Mavs have 14 games remaining in the regular season, with still much to be decided in the Western Conference standings.

In this episode we discuss the recent stretch that has seen the Mavs lose five of their last six games, thanks to the worst defense in the NBA since the trade deadline. The good vibes of the Mavs' 7-game win streak from February are gone, and the team finds themselves in a similar position for the stretch run that they were in during March and April of 2023. We talk about how the abysmal defense and overall recent play from the Mavs indicates deeper issues, largely with head coach Jason Kidd. His inability to make quick adjustments, run more suitable schemes, and overall inability to have the team prepared every night, are all reasons that might warrant his firing unless the Mavs' can turn their season around.

In this episode we talk about the Mavs' 136-125 win over the Toronto Raptors which saw PJ Washington have his best game as a Maverick with 23 points in addition to another monster triple double by Luka Dončić. We dish on whether PJ Washington is capable of being a true third offensive option for the Mavs. We also discuss some of the defensive issues that have plagued the Mavs these last few games, and talk about how the Mavs can overcome them going forward, namely ways they can keep Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford on the floor longer. Finally, we talk about how the return of Dante Exum unlocks Kyrie Irving's game even more, and gives the Mavs a much-needed third ball handler.

In this episode we talk about the Mavs' 123-113 win over the Phoenix Suns out of the All Star Break for their 7th straight win. We discuss the factors that led to this including PJ Washington's defense, Kyrie Irving's sustained All Star play, and Luka Doncic being an MVP-caliber player. We also give our takes on what kind of ceiling the Mavs' newfound depth gives them.

In this episode, we are joined by Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com to discuss the new-look Mavs with Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington in the fold. We talk about Washington's fit on offense, his defensive versatility, and how his versatility gives the Mavs a more diverse approach to the game. We also talk about how Washington and Gafford's additions make life easier for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, leading to a more lethal offense.

You can follow Grant on X/Twitter @GrantAfseth and read his work on DallasBasketball.com.

In this game we discuss the Mavs' 112-104 win over the Washington Wizards, their fifth straight win, which improves them to a season-best 31-23. We discuss Daniel Gafford's monster game, Luka Doncic's 4th quarter takeover, and Maxi Kleber's strong play. We talk about how this team might look when fully heathy and share ideas for potential linueups. Mavs have one more game before the 2024 All Star Break, a home matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

In this episode we react to the moves the Mavericks made at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring Daniel Gafford from Washington in exchange for Richaun Holmes and a 2028 Pick Swap as well as their trade for PJ Washington and two 2nd round picks, in which they sent Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 First Round Pick (top-2 protected). We discuss how much the Mavs' ceiling as been raised this season, as well and debate how close the Mavs are to being contenders. We talk about each player's fit with the team, as well as how it impacts the players currently on the roster. Finally, we talk a little bit about former Maverick Spencer Dinwiddie, who is now a candidate in the free agent market, who the Mavs are interested in a reunion with.

In this episode, we discuss the Mavs' 118-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers which saw Kyrie Irving return to the lineup, and Josh Green and Maxi Kleber turn in strong performances. We quickly pivot to discussing the Mavs' options leading up to the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, which takes places this Thursday, February 5th. We discuss the merits of trading assets for players like Kyle Kuzma, PJ Washington, and Andrew Wiggins. There is a lot to consider for the Mavs both long term and short term with less than 72 hours to go.

In this episode, we discuss the huge 16-point comeback the Mavs made against the Orlando Magic to get a 131-129 win. The Mavs rode a 35-12 3rd quarter to turn a 16-point halftime deficit into a -point lead going into the 4th quarter. After some theatrics, the Mavs came out on top. We talk about the defensive adjustment the Mavs made at halftime, including some animated coaching from Jason Kidd. We also discuss the strong individual performances from Luka Dončić, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dereck Lively, and Jaden Hardy.

In this episode we react immediately following Luka Doncic's historic 73-point night in a win against the Atlanta Hawks. We discuss just how impressive this performance was, and why a game like this from Luka mattered, with so much of the narrative right now focused on his demeanor and composure.

In this episode we chat with Mavs fans about everything that has happened in the Mavs world since the calendar flipped to 2024. We discuss Kyrie Irving's return from injury, the Mavs' win of the season followed by their worst loss of the season, persistent injury issues, and the inconsistent play of Grant Williams and Josh Green. We also talk about the Mavs' reported interest in Pascal Siakam and discuss how he would fit on the team.

In this episode, we return from our hiatus to discuss all the latest news around the Mavericks, starting with the sale of a majority stake of the team to the Sands Corporation. We then dive into the latest basketball happenings of the team and discuss the recent slew of injuries four game win streak, capped off by an impressive 127-125 win over the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back. We talk about the impressive play of Dante Exum, all season, but especially of late, when he has stepped up in the face of the multiple injuries the Mavs have faced, namely to Kyrie Irving. We also give flowers to Tim Hardaway Jr. who returned from a back injury and poured in 32 points against the Lakers including three charges. We talk about the recent defensive uptick the Mavs have had along with our concerns about Luka Doncic burning out due to having to carry a depleted roster.

The Mavs are 15-8 and are in the midst of their toughest stretch to date.

In this episode of Mavs Film Room Spaces, Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com joins us again to talk about key takeaways from the Mavs' last two games: a blowout loss in New Orleans against the Pelicans, and a blowout win in Washington against the Wizards. We cover many topics spanning from Tim Hardaway Jr.'s shooting dominance, Dereck Lively's dominant game in Washington, and Derrick Jones Jr.'s strong start to the season and fit with the Mavs. We also look ahead to the back-to-back the Mavs will play against the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings.

You can follow Grant Afseth on X/Twitter @GrantAfseth and read his work on DallasBasketball.com.

In this episode we break down the last few Mavs games that have led them to an 8-2 start to the season, their best since 2004-2005. We discuss the scoring breakout of Kyrie Irving and how he has unlocked a new dimension of Luka Doncic's game. We also talk about how the Mavs have become the most dominant team in the NBA outside of the 1st quarter thanks to their explosive offense. We also highlight the Mavs' 2nd and 3rd quarter defensive ratings, which are much more respectable than their overall mark as a team at this point. Finally, we mention how it may not matter if the Mavs don't have a clear-cut third-best player of Luka and Kyrie are dominating like this.

In this episode we talk about what has been going well and not so well during the Mavs' 5-1 start to the season. We talk about them battling back to beat Charlotte 124-118, as well as their first loss of the season in Denver last Friday. We discuss the strong play from Grant Williams and Dereck Lively, as well as talk about how Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have shown the ability to adapt their games to allow the Mavs to play a different style when the three pointer isn't falling. Finally, we talk about what the Mavs could do differently on defense to prevent some of the lapses they are prone to.

In this episode of Mavs Film Room Spaces, we were fortunate to be joined by Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com to talk about his early impressions of the team. We cover everything from his early impressions of the team, Dereck Lively's rise, the newfound versatility of the roster, and the defensive potential that this year's Mavericks team has.

You can follow Grant Afseth on X/Twitter @GrantAfseth and read his work on DallasBasketball.com.

In this episode we got on Spaces to discuss the Mavs' 125-110 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies. We talk about the continued dominance of Luka Dončić, as well as the breakout 22-point performance from Derrick Jones Jr. We also talk about the importance of Grant Williams to this team and how his impact is felt both in the box score and out of it. The Mavs improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.

In this episode we quickly react to the Mavs 126-119 win over the San Antonio Spurs on opening night to spoil Victor Wenbanyama's NBA debut. We react to the incredible performance by Dereck Lively in his first NBA Game (16 pts, 10 reb) as well as talk about the brilliance of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. We also highlight the Mavs' execution on their commitment to playing at a faster pace as well as showing more toughness on defense. We also sing the praises of Grant Williams to contributed 17 points along with stellar defense and hustle plays that helped elevate the Mavs in crunch time, very unlike what happened last season.

Game 1 is in the books, now 81 more to go.

In this episode we discuss some final thoughts on the eve of the Mavs' regular season debut against the San Antonio Spurs. We talk about Josh Green's freshly signed 3-year $41 million extension, why Dereck Lively is the Mavs' X-Factor for this season, and how likely we think it is that the Mavs will actually play with a faster pace this season.

Finally we share where we think the Mavs will finish in the Western Conference, and give a bold prediction for the season as well.

In this episode, we cover a few questions facing this Mavericks team with 11 days until the season opener against Victor Wenbanyama and the Spurs in San Antonio. We first cover how important it is for the Mavs to get off to a fast start this season, and discuss how the preseason injuries to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving might affect that goal. We then transition to discussing perhaps the biggest question the team faces right now, which is the starting small forward role. We discuss why Josh Green is probably the best choice and also react to preseason performances of Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr., who reportedly is in contention to be the starting SF. Finally, we talk about the encouraging play from Derrick Lively in the three preseason games and discuss how far he has come since Jay and Rohan saw him in his NBA Summer League debut back in July. Safe to say he is the right choice to start at center for the Mavericks given the personnel they have on their roster.

In this episode, we discuss the latest news from the Mavs world as training camp began for the 2023-2024 Dallas Mavericks earlier in the day. We discuss Jason Kidd's recent comments about the roles that rookies Dereck Lively and O-Max Prosper will have this season and debate how big of a risk it is for a team with playoff aspirations to start one or even two rookies. We share our excitement about how a full training camp and preseason will allow Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to be even more potent than they were last season. Finally we touch on the breaking news of the day which was the blockbuster deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks to team up with 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.