Stories by Iztok Franko
Basketball
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.
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
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.
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
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.
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
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.
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
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?
By Iztok Franko
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Stories by Iztok Franko
Basketball
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.
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
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?
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
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.
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
‘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.
By Iztok Franko
Basketball
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.
By Iztok Franko