Team by Team: Dallas Mavericks
2010-2011 Finish: 59-23
What went well
It was a magical season for the Dallas Mavericks, one where two stars and group of no names almost did the unthinkable. Besting better teams week in and week out, the Mavs edged out the OKC Thunder to win the Western Conference first seed. But how did this rag tag group do so well? Did they have chemistry? Did they bribe the officials?
After a rough 2009-10 season, GM Smokey made some tweaks to the team during the free agency period. While Matt Barnes and Mike Miller left, Derek Fisher and Hakim Warrick decided to stay. But Warrick and Jarrett Jack were soon sent to the Chicago for
Nicolas Batum and Brandon Bass. The Mavs also grabbed guards Raja Bell and
Wesley Matthews via free agency, but the Clippers matched Matthews' offer sheet and wrested him back.
All the league pundits didn't predict the Mavs would make it far. Sure,
Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker are among the league's best, but a starting lineup featuring
Patrick Patterson and Donte Green isn't exactly going to set the world on fire. But then the Mavs starting winning....and winning....and winning. They proved unstoppable, charging into the playoffs, ready to win it all.
What went bad
After flattening the upstart Blazers in the first round 4 games to 1, the Mavs finally lost in a tight series against Greenmig and the Los Angeles Lakers. John Salmons and Gilbert Arenas proved too much for this Mavs team, sending them home fishing and ending a magical series.
Stars
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Carmelo Anthony, F-
Although Melo is likely to re-sign with the Mavs, there is a slight chance he will hit the free agent market. Smokey should throw as many GM pts as needed at his star to keep him in blue and white. He is one of the best small forwards in the league and the identity of this team.
- Tony Parker, G-
Parker is also up for a new contract, but he has already declared his intentions of returning to Dallas. Bringing him back is a mere formality and combined with Melo, makes this one of the most tandem of players in the entire league.
Looking to the future
The Mavs currently have about $30 million in free cap space, but all of that is going to Melo and Parker. That means they are likely to play with the same charmed team as last season. Unfortunately, lightning never strikes in the same place twice and the chances of repeating the same success with that squad are minimal.
Anderson Varejao, who only played 21 games last season, will be back, giving the team a decent center. Brandon Bass is a decent forward and could start there. The team does need a starting shooting guard. One option is move Batum, who will cash in next season and is redundant with Melo at the 3, and get a starting SG. Of course, Smokey may just play Melo out of position again. Bell and Fisher are good off the bench and retaining Spencer Hawes would deepen the team, but big men are hard to come by and he will likely be looking to cash in.
The draft won't help them much either. Drafted at 29th, Nikola Mirotic will stay overseas for a few years and season in Europe. Second-rounder Jon Diebler can shoot, but not much else. Watch for him to make the team but not contribute much.