Dallas Mavericks: 5 New Year’s resolutions for 2019

1. Build an identity

Teams with an identity usually fare better than those without one. The Houston Rockets are known for hoisting up loads of 3-pointers, ranking first in the league with 42.6 attempts per game.

Other teams build their identity around their superstar player, putting complementary pieces around them. The Milwaukee Bucks have put floor-spacers around Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Denver Nuggets run their offense through playmaking center Nikola Jokic. The Bucks and Nuggets are in first place in the Eastern and Western Conference, respectively.

Throughout the 2018-19 season, the Dallas Mavericks have been a middle-of-the-pack team. They rank 18th and 14th in offensive and defensive rating, respectively. Last season, the Mavs ranked 24th and 17th in those same categories.

Dallas is exceptional at getting to the free throw line and is second in the league with .242 free throws per field goal attempt, per Basketball-Reference. They are third in both free throws (20.8) and free throw attempts (27.7).

The Mavericks should also do what the Bucks and Nuggets have done, and build around Luka Doncic, their best player. Him and DeAndre Jordan lead the team with 5.9 and 4.1 free throw attempts per game, and both players shoot above 70 percent from the free throw stripe.

Being aggressive and physical, especially in the paint, could build an identity of toughness and help Dallas in its efforts to make the playoffs in the future.