The Mavericks now have a new weapon thanks to superstar quick breaks. Fast breaks are one item that can alter the flow of a basketball game. It’s really the most effective approach to quickly get a large number of simple points.
However, a team must have a strong sense of unity and connection in order to run fast breaks and push in transition. For example, a team must know who will leak out to run first and who is a superior finisher at the rim in a two-on-three situation.
The season has been gradually getting better, but in the last few weeks since Kyrie Irving’s injury comeback, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving’s offensive connection has been very impressive. But it really became evident what a strong connection they have on the court in transition against the Spurs, With a smooth and almost playful approach, the two of them looked like two superstars in the g-league at times.
In the first instance, Luka is in the middle of the floor when Kyrie recovers the ball, pushes it immediately, and passes it to him. Rather than stopping, Kyrie continues to run, and in a give-and-go situation, Luka passes back to him, sending Kyrie hurtling downhill. He passes an alleyoop to Lively, who is skulking in the dunker’s spot, to escape Victor Wembanyama in the paint. Lively scores an easy basket during one of the team’s most visually stunning fast breaks in recent memory.
Kyrie to Luka to Kyrie to DLive pic.twitter.com/ZX8Z6FtU0a
— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) February 15, 2024
This appears to be an exact replica of the transition exercise that many people (maybe especially in Europe) and my team used frequently when we were teenagers. Surprisingly, It was called “Real Madrid.”
The next one demonstrates the two’s combined timing, which makes it even more amazing. Given how similar it is to the prior example, it is likely something they have practiced. The awkward times of courteous turnovers and your turn-my-turn are long gone.
Currently, we witness the advantages of a year spent together for two explosive players who can both take control of a game. However, they have also learned how to develop another star, someone who can take what you offer him and make it even better, at least in the case of Luka Dončić.
nothing to see here, just Superstars doing Superstar things pic.twitter.com/2N6E8NrHLb
— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) February 15, 2024
Here, Kyrie pushes the ball once again, handing it to Luka so he may get by his opponent and turn the possession into a transition opportunity. As soon as Luka assesses the scenario, he makes one of his signature bounce passes, which lands perfectly for Kyrie in the paint, where he easily finishes over the defender.
Over the course of this season, Kyrie and Luka have gradually developed into a playing partnership this seamless. However, these two plays gave confirmation. When they pick up the tempo, this superstar pair can be even more impressive than we had anticipated.
When they run in transition, the two of them can beat any defense, because of their combined savvy and vision, and if they keep playing off each like we’ve just seen, they are in a position to beat any team.
In addition, the Mavericks now have a number of athletic guys surrounding them who are good runners in transition. Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., P.J. Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., Dereck Lively, Josh Hardy, and Daniel Gafford. When used properly, this group of players has the potential to become a lethal attacking weapon.
Running in transition allows you to take advantage of the defense’s inability to settle in. However, you can only launch a downhill attack when you achieve defensive stops. And the Mavericks have improved greatly in that area lately, particularly with the addition of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.
Running in transition may be a fantastic tool for the Mavericks if the defense keeps getting better throughout this upcoming stretch, or just maintains being average, which is probably the case given what we’ve seen with the new guys with Maxi Kleber back and improved. If they all keep the defensive effort up, this team will run over the best of them with their three point shooting and high IQ plays in transition.
At this moment, the Dallas Mavericks are eighth in transition points with 23.3 per game, and also eighth in pace. As an interesting side note, the Mavs have played faster WITH Luka Dončić this season than without, something most deemed impossible last year due to his preference of slowing the game down.
Fast breaks are a place to go when the offense is stale or the three-point shot isn’t falling, in addition to creating simple and quick points. This might be a game-changer for a future postseason run. If all else fails, you can still win a game by working hard and being a hustler, which can lead to defensive stops that result into fast break points.