Even without Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks appear formidable on paper. Anthony Davis is fully healthy, and Cooper Flagg is the new sensation in town. The Mavs also enjoyed a successful offseason, cementing their sights on the championship. However, there are still some old mistakes that have to be rectified.

“I didn’t know this until they told us yesterday, first day of camp, that we were 30th in rebounding,” AD said about last season. The dynamics are a little different this season. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II being fit allows Davis to shift to his natural power forward position. Moreover, the Mavs, in general, have a tall lineup.

By those measures, a rebounding problem doesn’t seem to exist. But Anthony Davis knows even the slightest of errors can’t be left unattended. And he outlined exactly what Nico Harrison would have expected. Rebounding and defense need more than just skill.

“There’s been a lot of focus on not watching the ball as it goes to the rim, but turning and finding a body and boxing out, and then going to locate the ball. We are a really good defensive team, but defense—you have to try. It’s a mindset,” he told Dallas Hoop Journal. That’s going to require a group effort, and Davis is taking the reins as the leader of the team.

He understands the talent the Mavericks have. Notably, AD feels that only the Lakers’ 2020 championship team had comparable talent to the current Mavericks squad. Likewise, their aim is to compete for a championship, regardless of when KAI returns. Anthony Davis is going to be key in the proceedings.

While Anthony Davis was limited to just nine games with the Mavericks following his February trade, the advanced metrics from that brief stretch hint at what’s coming. For the first time since his New Orleans Pelicans days, this will be his team- no longer sharing the spotlight with LeBron James.

In those 266 minutes last season with Dallas, Davis quietly flashed elite defensive instincts. His 6.4% block percentage ranked as the second-highest of his career, trailing only his sophomore season in New Orleans.

Even though his defensive win shares dipped to a career-low 0.4, context matters- the Mavericks were cycling through unstable lineups and system changes during the late-season stretch. With a full, healthy training camp and a defined team identity, those numbers are bound to swing upward.

What stood out most, even in that small sample, was his aggressiveness and usage. His 21.7 Player Efficiency Rating, while below his career average, reflected the rust of an injury return rather than a drop in form. Expect that number to rise with a larger workload and more offensive responsibility.

For the Mavericks, the upcoming season marks a pivotal transition: Davis as the defensive anchor, offensive fulcrum, and emotional leader, surrounded by shooters and secondary playmakers. If his health holds, the version of AD that once dominated both ends in New Orleans may finally resurface- this time in Dallas blue.

Moreover, he is also going to see a change in his role.

The Mavericks have the same vision for Anthony Davis as JJ Redick

Even though LeBron James stood in front of him, Redick saw the promise inside Anthony Davis. His objective was to make him an offensive hub. However, the Lakers couldn’t provide AD with the ideal conditions. He was forced to play center for the past few seasons, eventually leading to his trade to the Mavericks.

But Jason Kidd sees the same things as Redick. Notably, the Mavs hired Jay Triano, who previously worked for the Sacramento Kings. He revamped their offense to operate around Domantas Sabonis. It led to the Kings having the best offense that season. And Davis is already noticing his impact during training camp.

“We have a lot of guys who love basketball and can playmake. So the emphasis has been getting to our spots on the floor, opening up lanes for everyone, and then attacking the basket. … With Jay Triano coming over and kind of how they used Sabonis as the hub, kind of the same thing. And guys just playing off of that,” Davis added.

AD could see the ball flow through his hands heavily this season. Having lost Luka Doncic and being without KAI, the team needs an offensive fulcrum. D’Angelo Russell is also expected to play a significant role till the starting point guard returns from injury. But most of all, this is the season the Mavericks have to capitalize.

Their shortcomings last season rewarded them with Cooper Flagg. The rookie sensation instantly provides them with a player capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.

Furthermore, he is also versatile, allowing Kidd to shift between a variety of lineups and manage players. The franchise also has the obligation to their fans, who have been enraged since the Doncic trade. With the resources to fulfill those promises now available, it’s time for action to follow.