(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks drew plenty of criticism for tanking their way through the end of last season.
Despite still having a chance to make the playoffs, they decided to sit Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in an attempt to keep their first-round pick.
That minor decision had major implications, as it allowed them to get the big man they had been craving since Tyson Chandler left the premises.
Dereck Lively II looks like a carbon copy of Chandler, and his impact in the playoffs has been more than remarkable.
As pointed out by Courtside Buzz, Lively became the first rookie since Magic Johnson to get consecutive double-doubles in the NBA Finals, logging 11 points and 12 boards in Game 3, and following that up with 11 points and 13 rebounds in Game 4.
Dereck Lively II is the first rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980 with consecutive double-doubles in the NBA Finals
Lively II: 11 PTS, 12 REB | 11 PTS, 13 REB
Magic (3 in a row, not in Game 4, then 2 in a row): 16 PTS, 10 AST | 13 PTS, 11 AST | 16 PTS, 11 REB | 14 PTS, 15 REB,… pic.twitter.com/rdsb0eEXpV
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) June 15, 2024
Lively was the catalyst behind their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He was strong enough to hold his ground vs. both Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, and he could also defend on the perimeter.
He has the makings of a future rebounding champion and perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
On top of that, he’s not an offensive liability like some big men with a similar profile, as he’s a perennial threat above the rim with his lobs and ability to finish with both hands.
The Mavs are Doncic’s team and that will continue to be the case for years to come, but Lively might be the X-factor that allows them to get to the next level at some point in the future.
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