A repeat of last season could be in the cards for the Mavericks as well as another seventh place finish in the highly competitive Western Conference. They pretty much have the same team from last year so picking up fifty wins should be no problem.
This time around Jason Kidd will have played a full year with the Mavs. And as the season progresses the chemistry can grow stronger. With a strong go to guy in Dirk Nowitzki, that just provides a solid 1-2 punch. Look for the former MVP of the Association to have a strong season as per usual, putting up 20 and 8 on the regular. Other constants do remain with Josh Howard returning and has proven that he has gotten better since joining the Mavs back in 03-04. Right there that is a solid backcourt, along with the versatile Nowitzki. Down low Eric Dampier is a solid big man, but can be a better player. So far in Dallas he hasn’t shown that.
Overall the Mavs have a good team, but there is only one problem. As solid as the Mavs are, the team has lost too many important games together with the same old faces, ever since losing in the 2006 Finals to the Miami Heat in six. The Mavs have bowed out in the first round of the playoffs the last two years.
This Mavs team needs to get blown up, but not striped bare. The team has valuable veterans they can trade such as Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse and Eric Dampier. Build around Josh Howard and Antoine Wright. With Rick Carlisle, who is a proven head coach, right there is a good start. If it were me, I would trade Nowitzki who is in his prime and get young talent and high draft picks. The thing is owner Mark Cuban doesn’t want to go through losing seasons or start a rebuild of the team. He is a winner and hates to see his team lose. Even if the Mavs do make the playoffs, which they will, don’t expect them to go far.
POSITIVE --> NOWITZKI, KIDD AND HOWARD. EXCELLENT PLAYERS.
NEGATIVE --> THE EXPEREINCE OF LOSING BIG GAMES HAS HAUNTED THEM AND WILL AGAIN. THE FRONTCOURT, NOT THE GREATEST.
X-FACTOR --> JASON KIDD, WHO WILL BE LOOKED AT AS ANOTHER LEADER OF THE TEAM, AND WILL TAKE THE BURDEN OFF NOWITZKI.
SLEEPER PICK --> REALLY DON’T SEE ONE.
PREDICTION --> 50+ WINS, PLAYOFFS IN THE 5-8 SEEDS, AND ANOTHER EARLY EXIT.
OVERALL --> THEY WON’T BE AN EASY TEAM TO FACE AND WILL PUT UP A FIGHT.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
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