Unbridled enthusiasm in the preseason is nothing new.
Teams have it. Fans have it – at least until the first losing streak tests their loyalty and resolve.
Passion has been on display in surplus for the Mavericks through training camp. It even manifested itself during a 68-point exhibition blowout victory Wednesday at Charlotte.
With less than two minutes to play in a long-since-decided game, Moses Brown took a lob pass from rookie guard Carlik Jones and threw down the one-handed dunk with authority.
Luka Dončić got up on his feet. So did Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and the other starters and key reserves, whose work night was done way back in the third quarter.
It was a terrific show of unity and support for a couple of players who will see a lot of action, no doubt, on Friday in the preseason finale at Milwaukee, but perhaps not much beyond that when the regular season opens next week.
“You see the bench is engaged,” Hardaway said. “Everybody’s applauding one another – through mistakes and through good plays. I think right there it just shows that everybody’s really together and everybody wants to see each other achieve really, really well.”
This is not a reflection on leadership of the past. Unity was not a problem under Rick Carlisle.
But anytime a new coach arrives, chemistry becomes the new code word.
The Mavericks are doing everything they can to foster the all-for-one attitude.
“We have a great vibe, great energy,” Porzingis said. “All the guys on the bench have been supporting the guys on the court and that’s contagious. We’re excited. This is just preseason, but we feel with the work we’ve done and what we’re trying to achieve, we’re headed in the right direction.”
At this point, that’s about all the Mavericks can ask for. They have stressed defense as a byproduct of the camaraderie that Kidd craves.
Forecasting success in the regular season based on exhibition games is a perilous activity.
But winning games and being healthy beat the alternatives.
And the Mavericks are healthy. Dončić will sit out the preseason finale, as will Porzingis and Hardaway. That means all the starters will have gotten a game off during the four-game exhibition season.
Dwight Powell and Dorian Finney-Smith sat out the opener last week.
Kidd has enjoyed watching this team grow – and grow closer – for the last three weeks. And when he saw 29 assists and just 11 turnovers against Charlotte on Wednesday, he said the Mavericks would sign up for that every day.
And it came when Dončić made just 2-of-9 shots in the first half, yet the Mavericks were ahead 61-30 by then.
“We can say Luka didn’t get off to a great start shooting the ball,” Kidd said. “Again, his being able to pass and find the open guy, it’s contagious. KP is finding open guys.
“There was a possession when everybody turned down an open shot and we ended up missing it. But it’s just a beautiful thing when everybody can be a part of the play or feel like they’re a part of the play.”
Again, it’s another sign that the chemistry is growing.
Said Hardaway: “I’m just happy with the guys holding each other accountable. And guys going out and competing on both ends of the floor. Everybody’s got each other’s back.”
Twitter: @ESefko
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