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The Dallas Mavericks can’t catch a break. After trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in the most infuriating move in NBA history, Dallas quickly lost Anthony Davis to an abductor injury and Kyrie Irving to a torn ACL. Davis entered this season mostly healthy, although he was dealing with Achilles soreness. In an October 29th clash against the Indiana Pacers, Davis left the game and was ruled out at halftime with an injury. While he seems to have avoided anything serious, the Mavericks’ piling up injuries is a question of team culture and resources. After the Doncic trade, the Mavericks parted ways with their head trainer and strength coach. It would seem that their players are not in the best hands. Dallas Mavericks Have an Ironic Injury Problem When the Mavericks traded away Doncic, they famously used his durability and conditioning as an excuse to justify the deal. Of course, Davis has never been the picture of health, although he is a better defender than Doncic, which was also reportedly a concern. Davis entered the preseason about 15 pounds heavier than usual, although he cited that as a competitive advantage. It turns out that his lack of conditioning, the very reason the Mavericks traded away Doncic, may be to thank for his most recent injury. “How many times did you see players come into camp overweight and then deal with lower leg, calf, or just injuries over the course of the year?” asked Richard Jefferson on the Road Trippin’ Podcast. “If you do this, the probability of [injury] happening goes up exponentially, right? You said your doctor was like, ‘Hey, come in light.’ So if you’ve had an injury history or if you come in out of shape, and then you’re trying to get [hurt].” The Mavericks seem to have a culture of mismanagement, both on and off the court. As a result, even their best players are subject to injury and a lack of playing time. Anthony Davis’ Injury Was Predictable According to Jefferson, Davis getting hurt early in the season was a forgone conclusion. “When we see Anthony Davis walk into training camp and seeing that he was a little heavy,” Jefferson added, “if you told me looking at him in that interview, that eight games in, he would have Achilles soreness? Yes.” Jefferson played 17 seasons, missing 15 or more games only five times in his career. He was largely the picture of durability and reliability. The Mavericks have long made conditioning a priority, at least to the media at press conferences. In practice, however, their track record tells a different story.
