Dallas Mavericks: Should the Mavs fear the play-in tournament?

Are the Dallas Mavericks actually a team that should fear the play-in?

There are very real reasons for any team with heavy playoff expectations to fear the play-in tournament. The Mavs are a team with those very expectations. In fact, this writer himself projected the Dallas Mavericks to finish second in the Western Conference’s win totals.

Needless to say, the Mavs won’t find themselves anywhere close to that lofty rank, but legacies are on the line when it comes to the playoffs. It’s important to avoid thin margins for error when everything is on the edge like this.

Still, Luka Doncic can build his legend even through a play-in appearance, and the Mavs can continue to craft their story through this challenging season. They started 2020-21 off poorly, with next to no time to prepare for the campaign after a late end to last year’s COVID-suspended season. They had multiple players held out due to COVID infections, healthy and safety protocols, had games postponed because of a historic and catastrophic winter freeze, but have the opportunity to overcome it all in the most difficult season in NBA history.

It would be nice if things were a bit easier for them, but that wouldn’t fit the narrative of the 2020-21 Dallas Mavericks. They should embrace the situation and whether Mark Cuban regrets his vote in favor of the play-in now or not, this team remains one that can make noise in the NBA playoffs regardless of the seed they find themselves in.