When the Mavericks stumbled on their journey this season, with their record always fluctuating between fifth and eighth in the Western Conference, the team's decision-makers decided to seek changes through transactions. After all, relying on Doncic and Irving, a pair of twin stars with fierce offensive firepower, can ensure that the team is sharp on the offensive end; but if they want to go further, they need to strengthen their lineup depth and defense.
Therefore, the joining of two new players, Washington and Gafford, gave the Mavericks a shot in the arm and became an unexpected surprise.
pjWashington, the forward who was buried and underestimated during the Hornets period, has now taken on new vitality with the Mavericks. He has excellent 3D abilities - accurate three-pointers without the ball and strong defensive confrontation. He is the ultimate 3D player that is extremely rare in modern basketball. In the Mavericks' system, Washington's presence not only provides the team with stable outside fire support, but also becomes a solid barrier for the team on the defensive end.
At the same time, the addition of center Gafford also brought new strength to the Mavericks' inside line. , a blue-collar center who rose to prominence with the Wizards, is known for his efficient scoring, aggressive rebounding, and excellent defensive blocking. His arrival not only enhanced the Mavericks' internal strength, but also formed an internal and external echo with Washington on the defensive end, making the team's defensive system more stable.
Recently, the Mavericks have been in a hot state, with a steadily improving record and winning rate. Among them, the contributions of Washington and Gafford are indispensable. Their tacit cooperation with core players such as Doncic and Irving makes the Mavericks' offense smoother and their defense more tenacious.
Especially in the battle with the Raptors, Washington ushered in a big explosion. He made 9 of 16 shots from the field and 5 of 10 three-pointers. He scored 23 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 blocks. . This performance completely exceeded our expectations for him, perfectly integrated into the team's tactical system, and well shared the pressure on the shoulders of Doncic and Irving.
Washington has averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game this season. For a role player, this performance is good enough; but for a top 3D player like Washington, this is Just the tip of the value iceberg. His "joining" has improved the overall strength of the Mavericks and provided the team with stable scoring output and defensive protection at critical moments.
It is worth mentioning that the joining of Washington and Gafford was the result of careful consideration and precise operation by the Mavericks in the trading market, and they successfully recruited these two giants. Their arrival has filled the team's shortcomings in the lineup, and has also improved the team's resilience on a spiritual level, and its fault tolerance rate has also been greatly increased.
Of course, the Mavericks do not necessarily need these two to win the championship. They must continue to fine-tune the lineup and improve chemical reactions in future games in order to truly achieve their grand goal of hitting the championship. But with the addition of two new players, Washington and Gafford, the future of the Mavericks will be brighter and worth looking forward to. At least they will not miss the play-offs like last season.
The "joining" of Washington and Gafford is a big surprise for the Mavericks this season. Their technical characteristics make up for the team's shortcomings very well. In future games, Washington will continue to use his 3D ability, while Gafford will become the guardian of the penalty area. The two will work together to contribute more to the success of the Mavericks.
The Mavericks will also launch an impact towards the championship goal with a more complete lineup and stronger confidence. This is a start full of hope and expectation, and it is also a wonderful story worth continuing to look forward to. Doncic and Irving will bring us a different on-field experience.
