There's a lot to look forward to as an NBA fan in the upcoming 2019-20 season but one of the most anticipated is undoubtedly the Dallas Mavericks debut and return of Kristaps Porzingis from almost a two-year layoff. Hyping his return is a regular stream of photos showing his new and improved physique from a rail-thin feature-less giant to a ripped muscle-bound athletic specimen that conjures comparisons to Rocky Balboa's infamous boxing nemesis Ivan Drago.

On the most recent batch of pictures, the Mavs director of athletic performance Jeremy Holsopple mentioned how much weight the “Unicorn” exactly put up.

https://twitter.com/tamarajolee/status/1176615176763858947

It appears the weight distribution is entirely on the Latvian's upper body, part of the Mavs' rigorous plan of making Porzingis more tougher and well-equipped to withstand the battles of an entire 82-game (and postseason) run. Even more so after he signed a lucrative five-year, $158 million pact, ensuring that he will be part of the franchise plans at least until Luka Doncic is up for his own extension.

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The 7-foot-3 forward hasn't been the most durable since his rookie year, missing a combined total of 132 games the last three seasons, including the entire 2018-19. This led to what once was an untradable permanent fixture of the New York Knicks to being shipped out in a salary-clearing deal to the Mavs highlighted by just Dennis Smith Jr. and some future first-rounders.

The Mavs, however, are banking on Porzingis fully recovering and fulfilling their vision of a dynamite one-two punch with fellow European and reigning Rookie of the Year Doncic.

And judging from these photos, that may very well be the case.