The last time the Dallas Mavericks stepped on the court for a playoff game, nearly everything about the team was different.
The then six-seeded Mavericks gutted out a season led by Dirk Nowitzki and a hodge-podge collection of journeymen. Looking back, willing those Mavericks to the playoffs and a swift gentleman’s sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder ranks among the more impressive achievements in the 20 year Nowitzki Era.
Fast-forward to the 2020 playoffs. Dallas has rebuilt on the fly following three seasons in the lottery, parlaying draft assets into another generational European superstar in Luka Doncic as well as landing Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks in a blockbuster trade.