The Mavs are good and have just as good a shot to win the title as Miami does. The Mavs has Josh Howard who has improved his game every single year since he has been in the League and he made is first All Star game last year. Devin Harris is young and if he improves just a little bit he is border line all star material. He is already an elite defensive point guard. Terry is a good combo guard. He is not a pg but he is too small for a starting sg. He is moving to the bench as our new 6th man. Great offensive weapon to pull off the bench.
We have a solid bench too. Dampier/Diop, whoever doesn't start, can bring interrior defense. Jones and Stack are both old, but they are great guys to have as your 7-10 guys. Both former all stars who, if limited in minutes, can bring some offense in spurts and hussle on defense. Deavon George and Buckner are nice options to play some hussle defense (no real offense for either guy). If we add Webber and/or Posey to that list then we are just getting deeper and all the older vertrans can split more minutes and stay fresher for a deep playoff run.
We also have a lot of nice prospect kids. Pops Mensa Bonsu tore up the D-League last year. Jose Juan Barrea had a very nice Summer League, and for a short, non-athletic guy he does have potential to be a very good back up point guard in the next year or two. Rashawn Terry is a great athlete and could grow into a Bruce Bowen level defender. Plus he can make shots and score inside, although he is way too tenative on offense. Nick Frazekas is a very smart player. He runs like Forrest Gump in the leg braces, and that sucks but he is large, has great range as a spot up shooter (NBA 3 point range for sure), can rebound, has crafty post moves, great hands, can pass, and blocked a good number of shots in collage. In a few years he could develop into a Brad Miller type player. DJ Mbenga can run the court. He was injured most of last year. Great athlete but not sure what to think of him. We also sign Brandon Bass. He is a bull dog, but a bit short for a power forward. He had a nice summer league too.
We need to clear a couple spots out. I would not be suprised to see Buckner and a young prospect shipped out in exchange for a decent role player (espcially if we don't land Webber and/or Posey/Pietrus/etc. We just have too many bodies on the roster. I would not even be suprised to see us trade players for future draft picks or just cut one of the rookies.
Oh yeah, I never even mentioned Dirk. The reigning MVP. I know his last two play off series were bad. I watched the games. I know that. I also watched the San Antonio series in '06, and the Pheonix series in '06 when
he went off for 50 (yeah 50) points in the Western Conference Finals and lead the team from behind to rally in the 4th quater and win. I have watched Dirk and Tracy McGrady
combine for 101 points (Dirk with 53, TMac with 48 Mavs won). I watched 80 of the 82 mavs games last year and watched Dirk lead the team to 67 wins.
I know we got embarrassed in the playoffs. I also know we have some flaws (post scoring, we have two great defenders as centers but no one to score down low), our offense can get stalled especially if our jumpers aren't falling. We need another guy to create and find other guys for open shots, but we have just as good a shot at the title as Miami. Wade is phenominal, but he is coming off a shoulder surgery. Shack is past his prime. His contact is enourmous as well. He is still a force but he is not dominate anymore. I don't see alot else to be afraid of from the Heat. They have a good team (if Wade is 100%) but they are not vastly greater then Dallas. Its a toss up at best. I think Dallas as has legitament chance at a title for the next 2-4 years, even with nothing except what they have right now.
NBA draft
who knows
Linear Mode
