2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks Preview

2008 Record: 50-32, 3rd in Western Conf. Southwest Division, lost in Conf. Semis.
Head Coach: Rick Carlisle, 2nd season
Key Additions: F-C Drew Gooden, F Shawn Marion, F Tim Thomas
Key Losses: F Brandon Bass, F Devean George, G-F Jerry Stackhouse
1st Round Draft Picks: G Rodrique Beaubois
2nd Round Draft Picks: G-F Nick Calathes, F Ahmad Nivins

2008-'09 Mavericks Review:

After getting blasted out of the playoffs in the Spring of 2008, the Dallas Mavericks faced the prospect of drifting downward in the Western Conference pecking order. But after their most recent campaign, things are suddenly looking up in Dallas. First-year coach Rick Carlisle helped create a turnaround in Big D, as the spunky and spirited Mavs fought their way to a 50-win season and a deeply satisfying first-round playoff series win over bitter rival San Antonio. With role players such as Juan Barea and Brandon Bass providing energy and production, the likes of Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki didn't have to shoulder the load themselves.

If Dallas shrank from the mortal combat of playoff basketball in the previous two seasons, the Mavs regained at least some of their swagger in their '08-09 odyssey. If on-court officials had properly called a foul on Mavs guard Antoine Wright at the end of Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals against Denver, perhaps the Mavs would have been able to extend that series to six or seven games. As it was, owner Mark Cuban had to appreciate the forward strides made by his franchise.

2009-'10 Mavericks Preview:

This could get interesting.

For so many years, Shawn Marion tormented Dallas as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Now that he's on Mark Cuban's club and playing for a sharp sideline boss in Carlisle, Marion will make the Mavs a very difficult team to defend. Dallas seemed to be playing two-on-five basketball for much of last year's Western Conference Semifinal loss to the Denver Nuggets, but with Marion now in the fold alongside fellow newcomers Drew Gooden (from San Antonio) and Tim Thomas (Chicago), Dallas might be able to free up the floor for Nowitzki and Kidd. The center spot is still a liability (how is Erick Dampier stealing over $12 million per season--ah, the NBA...), but at the other four spots on the court, this team now possesses a little more quality and depth than it used to. Bass's brawny interior play will be missed, but the net effect of the team's offseason moves has given the Mavs a roster that's more experienced, but still skilled enough to receive blended contributions.

The biggest key to the Mavs' season, in light of their multiple transactions, is Josh Howard. The veteran from Wake Forest--who was the team's most difficult matchup during its run to the 2006 NBA Finals--endured a horrible 2008-'09 season that, while partly affected by injury, was in many ways sabotaged by Howard's balky brain. The 29-year-old, who has admitted to occasionally using marijuana in the past and has had a few low-level skirmishes with law enforcement, got himself into hot water before last season when he filmed himself speaking harshly about the Star-Spangled Banner. No, Howard didn't take steroids or father a child out of wedlock--his "crimes" have been crimes of stupidity more than anything else, and have not acquired the seriousness of the offenses committed by the likes of a Michael Vick or a Donte Stallworth. Just the same, however, Howard's poor decision making off the court revealed a frail individual who needs to be mentally tough in order for Dallas to play its very best basketball. If Howard can max out the way he did in the team's best seasons (2005-2007), the Mavs will become a legitimate Western Conference title contender. If not, they'll still play into May, but will find it hard to fight past the Lakers, Nuggets and Spurs.

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By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

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