The Mavs are a strange group. They could flame out in the first round again, or go all the way. They remind me a lot of the Sonics of the early-to-mid 90's. And unlike that team, there's no 72-win Bulls squad standing in their way. Plus they've shown they have the Spurs' number when healthy. I voted yes, within a couple years. I could definitely see it happening with a few breaks.
I think they have a legit chance to win one but whether they do or not I cannot say. This season you would have to include them with SA and Pho as legit teams with a chance. Before any of the Rocketeers come hammer me for not including their team I must say that I'm not convinced they (Rockets) have a legit shot THIS year. I don't believe that a team can win 4 playoff series in a season right after not making out of the first round in a previous one. Plus the Rocekts have such a new team most other clubs with similar turnover on thier roster usually don't win the NBA championships in their first seasons.
If Dirk is the best player on the team, then not likely because his game does not elevate under intense pressure.
I wouldn't say never cause...they could end up with another superstar like a Kobe, Lebron, or whoever...you just never know. And they almost did have the championship last year....should've won. But they just didn't have what it takes to win....look at reasons why got owned....even punked by GS. Pretty much the same reasons why they lost to Miami.... 1. Unable to play championship calibur defense at crucial times in game. 2. No post presences on offense or defense, which sort got them to finals because Nowitzki was starting changing his game a bit, while Diop and Dampier were decent defenders. 3. Mentally defeated.....after blowing game 3 and losing the next 2, they lost that series in game 5...while GS sorta set up the embrassment before the playoffs started. (Even with GS surprise upset....I truly believe if they faced any of the other 60 win teams from the last ten or 15 years, they would've just be another 8th seeded team who were barely in any of the games). The Spurs would've swept Warriors. Seeing that the Jazz really didn't have trouble with them. The Warriors probably would've made the series interesting with Suns...they wouldn't beat though. Against Rockets....I think we would've squeaked by Warriors in 6 or 7 games. With healthy T-Mac and Yao playing against lax and undersized defenses (compared the Jazz). They would both average over 25 ppg. Dallas needs another superstar or killer-instinct type player.....Kobe, Wade, or even a Ben Gordon. Someone who will keep them in games when their shots are not falling....this is why I would take both T-Mac and or Yao over Nowitzki. He's great jump shooter and does a little dirty work at times. But, he doesn't command same type of attention those two do. They both can keep team in series or game, by getting aggressive and getting to the basket. Another thing that doesn't bode well for Dallas is that all the teams that have won a championship in the last 25 years had one of following things: 1. A great all around big man (Shaq, Olajuwon, Duncan, and Kareem)....they changed every teams game plan offensively and defensively...another reason why Nowitzki is not quite up to snuff with Garnett and Duncan. Critics and analysts keep saying that big men no longer matter because of the rule changes...but really it's all smoking mirrors. If you put one of the 5 greatest centers of all time in their prime on just about any team right now. That team would instantly be favorite for the NBA title. (Imagine putting Olajuwon or Wilt on the current Hawks or Bobcats team....you have team, especially in the East, that could almost run away with title. 2. Michael Jordan....can he still give about 15 to 20 mpg....he could probably help the Mavs get over the hurdle....even the one that played with Wizards could show Nowitzki and Co. how to win. 3. Two bona-fide superstars (Jordan & Pippen, Kareem & Magic (with Worthy), Olajuwon and Drexler, and Shaq and Kobe) - Top 5 to 10 players. 4. Deep rosters (sorta without superstar or maybe just one) with a great coach who can command his team to play stifling defense (80s Bad Boys, Spurs, and 04 Pistons). But those Pistons teams still had some great individual players (Laimbeer, Rodman, Thomas, Dumars, Aguirre, Dantley)....4 of those players averaged over 20 ppg at some point in their career...while 4 were among top defensive players in the league at time. 5. These are reasons why I think Houston has better chance of winning a title compared to Mavs, Suns, and Jazz. Out of those four things above, I think we already have or are capable of having 1,3, and 4. 2 would be impossible right now. We have a great all-round big man, capable of playing defense (even with some many new players, and we have deep rosters. With T-Mac and Yao, it is more of matter of been able to go that extra mile. I thought even last year we could give teams like Mavs, Suns, or Spurs trouble in series, but we couldn't beat them. I think it's good to take Yao out of post at times, but not too much...I think you start to mess with what already works....he is about the best post center/power foward in the NBA today. He's almost like a poor-man's Shaq or Wilt who can has wider shooting range with great free throw skills. While being slightly better defender (effort) than Shaq, and not being quite as good as Wilt. I think he can go from being barely mentioned as the league's best player into the best one without any question. I actually think both of players will either raise their scoring average or stay about the same with FG% per game almost shooting up, because of the added help. IF either on player is on, or even playing sort average....most teams....no most playoff teams don't really have answer for them. Outside of maybe Kobe and Lebron, I think our two horses can get points quicker than most other players.
If there is any justice in the world, the Mavs will win the 'chip the year after Mark Cuban sells them.
I believe they'll win a championship eventually, but I'll probably be using a walker when it happens...
I believe if they don't win this season. They are going to go real hard after another super star next season, because Dirk can't do it on his own, or they might just blow everything up and trade Dirk
