The Dallas Mavericks were something of a revelation last season under Jason Kidd. Winning 50 games for the first time in eight seasons, winning their first playoff series in the Luka Doncic era and reaching the Western Conference finals for the first time since their title win in 2011. But what are the next steps and just how far can Doncic take this team?

The Mavericks have made an in-different start to the season, record wise, winning three of their opening six games. With four of those games against teams expected to be challenging atop their respective conferences (Suns, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Nets), all three losses have been by single digits and the Mavericks have had a shot to win two of those three.

The team sits 10th in the Western Conference but we are very early in the season, so they are just two games back on the top seeds. Sunday's victory over the Orlando Magic brought the team back to .500, with Luka Doncic dropping 44 points to continue his epic start to the season.

The 23 year old is averaging 36.7 pts, 9.5 reb, 8.7 ast & 1.7 steals across the Mavericks first six games. And while he is only shooting 23% from three, his 2pt efficiency of 65% means he is still shooting over 50% from the field.

His outpouring against Orlando means he is the first player since Michael Jordan back in the 1986/87 season to score 30+ points in each of his teams first six games. His start to the season has also included two 40 point games & two triple doubles. To put that in context for Luka, it took him seven games to score 30 points last season, 12 games to record a triple double and 37 games to hit 30 points three games in a row.

Doncic has been a star since entering the league as a rookie in 2018, but this year feels different. He is in the best shape of his career and appears ready to take his game to the next level. As seen by the jump in his free throw attempts, averaging 11.5 FTA a game, 2nd only to Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.4). The question now, does Luka's greatness provide the best platform for the Mavericks franchise to succeed?

The simple answer, yes. The Mavericks regular season success last year came from their improved defense, and their playoff success was a result of that same defense as well as Jalen Brunson breaking out as an offensive star alongside Doncic. However, a star backcourt partner alongside Doncic was unlikely to be the key to continued playoff success but a potentially elite pick and roll partner like Christian Wood, who can also score, rebound and spread the floor, could be.

Wood may be coming off the bench at the moment, but he is still putting up solid numbers. And as soon as he can prove to Jason Kidd that he is committed on the defensive end, he will be the starting five for Dallas, who's offense is purring to start the season.

The team currently ranks 2nd in offensive rating (119.2), they finished 15th in offensive rating in 2022. While their defense has dropped from last season, when they finished 6th in defensive rating, the Mavs currently sitting 14th (111.8). Their defensive slowly improved as the season went on last season and sparked a strong run of form, expect a similar trend with the defense this year but expect their offensive consistency to continue.

Wood is currently averaging 16.7 pts & 8.2 reb, with Spencer Dinwiddie dropping 16.2 pts a night, while shooting 45% from deep and Tim Hardaway Jr (who missed most of last season) also averaging double digits in scoring (14.4 ppg). As well Reggie Bullock shooting 41% from deep. Sustainable numbers with room for improvement in some cases and other players still to find their offensive touch.

This Dallas team may not be the finished product just yet but despite losing their second star during the off-season (Jalen Brunson) they look like a more complete outfit. How they do this season? Well that's up to Luka Doncic's mind & body because the talent is there in abundance!

The scariest part about Doncic is that he hasn't even reached his prime yet, he will only become more dominant from here.  He is "a Michael Jordan waiting on his Scottie Pippen."

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(PHOTO CREDIT- Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)