Dallas Mavericks bandwagon fan guide: Everything you need to know before the NBA Finals (2024)

DALLAS — In addition to airingevery game of the 2024 NBA Finalsonour station, WFAA is also hosting a special presentation called "The Pregame" before each and every matchup in the series. Headherefor more information.

The Dallas Mavericks tipoff against a team not named the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals for the first time.

In the franchise's third all-time NBA Finals appearance, they'll take on the legacy franchise Boston Celtics, who are seeking a record-breaking 18th championship. The schedule for the final series is set, and you can check out the dates and tipoff times here.

For those who aren't as "die-hard" and willing to shell out over $1,000 to attend in person – and maybe you plan to grab a beer and some food at a bar, or watch the game at a buddy's house – here are some facts and storylines to share so you can sport your fandom (bandwagon or otherwise).

Dallas Mavs playoff history

The Dallas Mavericks have won the NBA Finals only once in the history of the franchise (2011). A near miss came in 2006 when Dallas had a 2-0 series lead on the Dwayne Wade-led Miami Heat, but Wade brought Miami back with four straight wins to end the series, 4-2.

But it's probably best if you don't bring his up to your Mavs friends, or Wade's free throws for that matter.

Dallas' NBA Finals experience is not nearly as distinguished as Boston's but here is a look at the playoff history for the Mavs since the turn of the century:

Who is the new Dallas Mavs owner?

If you had asked this question just six months ago, the answer would be different than it is today. Longtime Mavericks owner/governor Mark Cuban – who bought the team in 2000 – sold a majority stake to Las Vegas-based casino magnate Miriam Adelson and her family.

Miriam Adelson's son, Patrick Dumont, is the Maverick's acting Governor since Cuban sold them the team in December of 2023. The sale has been reported to be worth $3.5 billion. Cuban retained a 27% stake in the Mavericks and continues to run basketball operations, but the Adelson/Dumont family are the majority owners.

Who are the Mavs' breakout players?

Luka Doncic

Even for the most casual fan reading this, you've likely heard of Luka. He's easily the team's best player, and some would argue the best player in the NBA/on the planet. Many would argue Doncic was snubbed for the NBA MVP award from this season.

No matter, Doncic has turned his snub into a dominant playoff run for the Mavericks, averaging 28.8 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game and 8.8 assists per game this postseason.

Doncic leads the playoffs in both assists on 3-pointers (50) and assists on dunks (49). The 49 assists on dunks are tied (with Draymond Green in 2019; 22 games played) for the most in the 28 postseasons for which there is play-by-play data.

Kyrie Irving

Luka's running mate, Irving, is a former NBA Champion (2016 with Cleveland) but has never been back until now. Irving notably hit the championship-sealing shot for Cleveland in 2016, which brought the Cavaliers its first title in franchise history.

Irving, who is averaging 22.8 points per game and 5.2 assists per game this playoff run, has come up huge in the clutch for the Mavs, closing out games with a masterclass. According to NBA stats, the Mavs have been 27.6 points per 100 possessions better with Irving on the floor (plus-8.2) than they’ve been with him off the floor (minus-19.4). That’s the biggest on-off differential among 52 players who’ve played at least 250 minutes in the playoffs.

Mavs frontcourt: Dereck Lively II/ Daniel Gafford

Gafford and Lively's impact on the Mavericks cannot be understated or underestimated. We've grouped them together because their on-court production and role are essentially the same and have been crucial to Dallas' postseason success. Gafford and Lively's ability to lock down the paint and protect the rim has been among the best in the league ever since the Mavericks traded for Gafford at the trade deadline.

According to NBA stats, Dallas opponents have shot just 51.1% in the paint, with that being the third-lowest opponent mark in the playoffs. Opponents have shot just 38-for-84 (45.2%) at the rim when Daniel Gafford has been there to protect it. That’s the best rim protection mark among 17 players who’ve defended at least 50 shots at the rim. Dereck Lively II has the third-best mark (35-for-71, 49.3%).

Dallas' lineup with Lively in Gafford’s place has allowed just 98.5 points per 100 possessions, the best mark among the eight lineups that have played at least 100 minutes in these playoffs, according to NBA stats.

P.J. Washington

The other Mavericks trade deadline addition alongside Gafford, P.J. Washington, has provided a 3-and-D wing player who perfectly compliments Doncic and Irving's play. Washington often takes on the defensive matchup against the opponent's best offensive player (but at times shares that responsibility with fellow wing, Derrick Jones Jr.).

Washington, however, leads all players in this NBA Finals series with 28 corner 3-pointers (five shy of Bruce Bowen’s record of 33 in 2007), according to NBA stats. Jones Jr. is second in this stats with 17. Washington was most impactful during the Oklahoma City Thunder series, where he took on the challenge of guarding Doncic's fellow NBA MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but also dropped 20-plus points in Games 2, 3 and 4 while shooting over 42% from three.

Washington's play against Oklahoma City made up for a struggling Doncic, who was held to a lower production level than he typically averages.

When did the Mavericks join the NBA?

The Dallas Mavericks joined the NBA in 1980. They joined as a member of the Western Conference.

Dick Motta, who had guided the Washington Bullets to the NBA Championship in 1977–78, was hired as the team's first head coach.

UCLA's Kiki Vandeweghe was drafted by the Mavs with the 11th pick of the 1980 NBA draft, but Vandeweghe refused to play for the expansion Mavericks and staged a holdout that lasted a month into the team's inaugural season. Vandeweghe was traded to the Denver Nuggets, along with a first-round pick in 1981, in exchange for two future first-round picks that eventually materialized into Rolando Blackman in 1981 and Sam Vincent in 1985.

The Mavericks' NBA debut game was against the San Antonio Spurs, which they won 103-92.

What is the Dallas Mavericks introduction song?

When you listen to the Mavs starting lineup introductions this series for Games 3 and 4 at the American Airlines Center, you'll hear The Who's "Eminence Front"layered under the in-game host announcing the players.

This song has been used at Dallas Mavericks home games during the starting lineup announcements for decades. Here it is being used on Dirk Nowitzki Appreciation Night during his last season in 2019:

More Dallas Mavericks coverage: