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Iztok Franko

Iztok Franko

StrongSide Contributor

Iztok Franko covers the Mavericks for StrongSide. He is an analyst that uncovers stories hidden in NBA data and basketball film, a contributor to Mavs Moneyball, and regularly dissects Mavericks games on Twitter.

Stories by Iztok Franko

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The Mavs’ Next Two Games Will Show Us Their Soul

The Kings beat up the tiny Mavs in their first two games this season. Then the Mavs got bigger.
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What Have We Learned About P.J. Washington, the Mavs’ Talented Conundrum?

The 25-year-old is an unusually versatile player who is already doing good things in Dallas. That doesn't necessarily make him the easiest fit long term.
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How Much Better Did the Mavericks Get at the Trade Deadline?

P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford bring a lot of qualities that Dallas needs. The question is how much those add up to.
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The Mavericks Have the Same Old Problems But a New Blueprint For Fixing Them

Dallas is still small, and still gives up too many points and rebounds. But a trio of young, long athletes offer hope for a better way forward alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
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Dereck Lively II Is Breaking the Mold—And My Brain

Teenage big men aren’t supposed to be anywhere close to this good in their first NBA games. What else could be in store for the most exciting bright spot of the Mavericks season?
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Stories by Iztok Franko

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The Mavericks’ Defense Is Awful, Again. Is There Any Hope For Better?

If it feels like I write this column every year, that's because I do. But that doesn't mean all is lost, either.
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The Mavericks Are Running Their Way to the Top

Picking up the pace has led to an 8-2 start to the season. But can they keep it going?
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The Five Most Important Mavericks, and the Question Each Must Answer in 2023-24

Dallas' season tips off tonight. How successful it becomes depends on this quintet's progress.
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‘We View Him as a Spanish Boy’: Luka Doncic’s Return to Madrid

He was born in Slovenia, and he became a superstar in Dallas. But the Spanish capital is where the 24-year-old came of age. Here's what it looked like to see him come home again.
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Meet Sasa Doncic, Luka’s Dad, Coach, and Prototype

The 49-year-old gave his son his size, skill, and sense of humor. Maybe most important, he taught Luka how to compete—on the court and off. The lessons continued this summer.
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