After facing the physical Ivica Zubac in Round 1, Gafford will have the challenge of matching up with Chet Holmgren in the Western Conference semifinals.
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, left, and forward P.J. Washington celebrate a basket by Gafford in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.— has already had a significant impact on Gafford’s career despite the limited amount of time with the franchise. Gafford described how Kidd has made him a better player after Monday’s practice.“I would say trying to give me as much confidence as he possibly can,” Gafford said.
Gafford averaged just 6.2 points and 3.5 rebounds on 46% shooting from the field in six games against the Clippers. It was a disappointing outcome compared to his regular season averages of 11.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game with a 72% field goal percentage. Gafford was also limited by injury, but he said his main takeaway was to come out with an increased level of physicality and energy from the moment the ball is tipped into the air.
“I try to forget the second one because I missed my Wilt Chamberlain record,” Gafford joked. “In all honesty, I just go out and do my job at the end of the day. With as much attention and gravity that Luka and Kyrie pulls toward them, it opens the floor for anybody out there. I would say it’s going to be a really good series for the bigs to just go out and try to set the tone, physically. Once we set the tone physically, I feel like we’ll be in a good place.
Dereck Lively II and either Markieff Morris or Dwight Powell will also be key to manning the inside for Dallas’ thin frontcourt without Maxi Kleber, who the Mavericks will be without for a minimum of three weeks“It just gives everybody else the opportunity to step up in his place and pick up where he left off,” Gafford said. “He went down tough. It’s really just tough to even think about it because the last two games of the Clippers series, he was really big. ...
, Mavericks Beat Writer. Mike is the Mavericks Beat Writer for The Dallas Morning News. Before his arrival at the DMN, he spent two seasons covering the Detroit Pistons at The Detroit News. Mike earned his bachelor's degree in Communications from Tennessee State University and received his master's degree in Media and Communication from Middle Tennessee State University.Mavs’ big men, specifically Daniel Gafford, will have increased opportunity vs.
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