How about them boys! Seems like the Mavs win a few of the games they're suppose to lose. It was a lackluster start to the game, but seemed to heat up as time went on. The Mavs actually had a little vim and vigor--or in some areas piss and vinegar.

Later in the first quarter, the second, and part of the third AD seemed like he had a bit of P & V, but he seemed to wind down as the game wound down.

Gafford only played 19 minutes? Seemed like more. I'm not going to say he seemed like a tasmanian devil in there but he played pretty good.

Cooper Flagg had an off night but he still contributes in other ways.

Marshall played...not too bad. I was surprised at some of the paint shots he missed. Normally he is dead eye on those.

Klay Thompson also had an off night, but he was there!

Brandon Williams--old lightning and flash. I'm not saying that as a bad thing. Sometimes the Mavs need a change up in the game. Measured by some of the plodders in the game he does that.

I saved my best for the last. Max Christie. It was great that Max went to the basket with authority. It was also great to see him hit those threes with regularity. Dirkie worthy? Hell yeah.

Stashing this here for reference. 
As of December 30, 2025, the **Dallas Mavericks**' draft picks over the next 7 NBA drafts (2026 through 2032) are as follows, based on current obligations from past trades (including the Kyrie Irving trade to Brooklyn in 2023 and others). 

### First-Round Picks

1. - **2026** — Own (unprotected)
   
2. - **2027** — Likely owed to Charlotte Hornets (protected 1-2; extremely unlikely to be protected)
   
3. - **2028** — Own, but Oklahoma City has the right to swap (OKC can take the better of their own or Dallas')
   
4. - **2029** — Likely owed in a complex swap involving Houston/Brooklyn/Phoenix (Dallas' pick is part of a group where Houston gets the best two, Brooklyn the worst); **plus** incoming unprotected from Los Angeles Lakers (from the Luka Dončić trade)
   
5. - **2030** — Involved in swap with San Antonio (complicated; Dallas may end up with the worse of their own or San Antonio's in some scenarios)
   
6. - **2031** — Own (unprotected)
   
7. - **2032** — Own (unprotected)
   

• If the team stays the course its rolling the dice on AD's ability to stay on the court + Kyrie's unknown post-injury level. 
  
• If the Mavs switch timelines from aggressive win-now plan to 19 year old baby coop build it has to find at least one and preferably two NBA all-star caliber or capable to get back on track with the post-Luka intention.  
  

Gafford already looking good after AD was traded. At least I´ll pretend that happened after the Kings announcer said we are missing Kyrie and Lively. Kings announcer has already forgotten AD.

I really like to understand why Keon Ellis never played.

Night and Day difference between tonight and last night. The basketball gurus will have to analyze the size/quickness difference to tell us why. My eye test says "poor effort" last night, and "house on fire" tonight. The Nuggets kept coming back and I figured the game was over. What the hell! The Mavs fought back. And of course they won.

Anthony Davis played a good game. Dirkie worthy on most nights.

Naji Marshall continued his "the Little Engine Who Could" impression.

Cooper Flagg played a high 39 minutes and came very close to a triple double. Dirkie worthy? Why hell yeah!

Honorable mention to Ryan Nembhard. While he didn't set the house on fire, he did provide a few matches. This underlines the importance of someone who can set the table and dish out some of the "food." Yes, yes, yes. He is too small.