Dusty May has wasted no time making Dallas look different.
Through five games, the Mavericks have shown a sharper edge and a more tailored style under May, especially in the places where Jason Kidd could be uneven. Kidd did plenty of good in Dallas - and nobody is pretending otherwise - but May has already looked more flexible, more aggressive with his lineup choices and more willing to shape the team around what it does best.
One of the clearest examples is how Dallas is using Cooper Flagg. Last season, Flagg spent a lot of time at point guard, often because Dallas had no choice with the guard situation and Kyrie Irving out.
But that’s not his best role. Flagg is more dangerous as a secondary creator, someone who can keep moving, cut off screens and work in the midrange.
That’s the lane May has leaned into.
The offense itself has shifted with that in mind. Dallas is not leaning as heavily on pick-and-roll action as it did last season.
Instead, the Mavericks look more like a drive-and-kick team, with speed and athleticism creating the openings. That fits this roster better, especially with so many young legs in the mix.
The changes haven’t been limited to offense, either. Dallas’ defense has been better than it was a year ago, even if there are still clear concerns at the point of attack. May has also brought out a new level of competitiveness and off-ball effort from Zaccharie Risacher, something the source material says has not been seen from him at this point in his career.
May’s rotations have been just as notable. He has treated the lineup as something fluid rather than fixed, giving most of his top 11 or 12 players a shot in each game and extending the minutes of whoever is producing or riding the hot hand. Kidd was not bad in that area, but there were times when his rotations seemed influenced by financial reasons or other considerations, including the role D'Angelo Russell had last season.
There’s also been a noticeable edge in the way May handles special situations. He has been strong on ATO plays and more willing to mix in different looks, whether that means small-ball lineups or zone defense. Kidd used those tools too, but more sparingly and usually as a fallback rather than a regular part of the plan.
None of that means Kidd didn’t have a strong run in Dallas. He did.
But with the Flagg era beginning and the Luka Doncic era ending, the Mavericks needed a new voice. There was reasonable doubt about whether a college coach could make that jump, especially given how few have succeeded in recent NBA history.
So far, though, May has looked adaptable, confident and like a natural fit.
It’s too early to say he has fully surpassed Kidd. But after five games, it’s hard to argue against the idea that May is the better match for this roster - and that he’s already helping shape the culture around it.
In Other News...
Mavericks Finally Answered Houston With The Kind Of Win Fans Needed
The Mavericks finally got the response they were looking for at American Airlines Center, outlasting the Rockets 116-111 and handing Houston its first loss of the season. It was the kind of win Dallas needed after a rocky stretch, with Kyrie Irving taking control and Cooper Flagg giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about in a game that had the feel of an early measuring stick.
Irving poured in a season-high 35 points, while Flagg added 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a performance that showed just how much Dallas can lean on its top-end talent when the pressure rises. Houston still had its chances behind Kevin Durants 28 points, but the late moments tilted Dallas way, and the Mavericks also had to navigate a tense finish with Daniel Gafford battling through a rolled ankle. [Read more 🡒]
Zaccharie Risacher Is Giving The Mavericks Something They Suddenly Need
Zaccharie Risacher has given the Mavericks a jolt on the defensive end early this season, the kind of wing presence that can change the feel of a second unit. His activity has stood out in the box score and on film, and Dallas has also liked what it has seen from his offensive efficiency, especially when he is spotting up and letting the shot come to him. Teammates and coaches have noticed the energy, effort and buy-in, which matters for a roster trying to find reliable two-way minutes wherever it can.
Risachers early impact is especially important because the Mavericks are looking for more stability from their bench, and he has already started to carve out a useful role. The organization has clearly seen enough to invest in his future, a sign that this stretch is being viewed as more than a hot start. For now, the bigger question is how far his development can go from here, and whether the current version is only the beginning of a more complete player. [Read more 🡒]
Dwight Powells Next Move Will Hit Mavericks Fans Hard
Dwight Powells next chapter is taking shape overseas, and for Mavericks fans it comes with a little extra sting. After Dallas waived the longtime big man before the regular season, Powell is now moving toward a new opportunity with Fenerbahce, one of the EuroLeagues more established powers based in Istanbul.
Powell spent nearly his entire 12-year NBA career in Dallas, becoming one of the most familiar faces of the franchise over that stretch. Fenerbahce also offers a high-level stage, with a roster that includes several former NBA players, but the move marks a major change for a veteran who built his reputation in Dallas and is now set for a very different kind of basketball environment. [Read more 🡒]