The Dallas Mavericks are the best team that no one is talking about.

[Who]

The Mavs in many ways are everything that is wrong with NBA thinking.  They have a ton of offense, and arguably offense that compliments itself pretty well.  However, they've always been a mediocre-to-poor defensive team, which is why they'll likely never win a title with this group. 

In many ways, "best team on paper" often means best looking statistical team.  And most defensive contributions are quantified in stats. 

Really?  They have a defensive minded coach, and a lot of very good defensive players.  Kidd has lost a step, but is still a decent defender, Haywood is a very good defensive center, and Chandler is one of the best in the league when he is healthy.  They have Butler, who is an excellent defender as well, and Marion is still very good.

Agreed -- Dallas is very talented defensively.

In fact, I believe the reason Dallas doesn't have a chance at winning a title is their offense. Not their defense. Their over-reliance on Dirk for go-to scoring and inability to create easy shots for him when teams are defending him tightly.

The Mavs have enough defensive talented to be a top 5 defensive team -- if their players are used correctly ... and if not, they should still be a top 10 defensive team.

  They haven't been in the top 10 in the last 3-4 years. They might be able to crack the top 10 but that's not really a given.

• Tyson Chandler = summer addition = one of the best interior defenders in the league
• Brendan Haywood = mid-season addition last year = very good defensive center
• Shawn Marion = acquired last summer = had his best defensive season in about four years last season. After Thabo Sefolosha and LeBron James, I thought Marion was the next best wing defender in the league last season.
• Roddy Beaubois = draft pick last year didn't play much as a rookie = above average defensive PG who plays strong man-to-man defense at the point (first since Devin Harris left)

Those are the reasons why Dallas should improve defensively over where they were last season + why they should be, at the very least, a top 10 defensive club.

Anything less than a top 10 finish defensively is a coaching issue. Not player personnel.

[Chris]

The Mavs in many ways are everything that is wrong with NBA thinking.  They have a ton of offense, and arguably offense that compliments itself pretty well.  However, they've always been a mediocre-to-poor defensive team, which is why they'll likely never win a title with this group. 

In many ways, "best team on paper" often means best looking statistical team.  And most defensive contributions are quantified in stats. 

Really?  They have a defensive minded coach, and a lot of very good defensive players.  Kidd has lost a step, but is still a decent defender, Haywood is a very good defensive center, and Chandler is one of the best in the league when he is healthy.  They have Butler, who is an excellent defender as well, and Marion is still very good.

Agreed -- Dallas is very talented defensively.

In fact, I believe the reason Dallas doesn't have a chance at winning a title is their offense. Not their defense. Their over-reliance on Dirk for go-to scoring and inability to create easy shots for him when teams are defending him tightly.

The Mavs have enough defensive talented to be a top 5 defensive team -- if their players are used correctly ... and if not, they should still be a top 10 defensive team.

  They haven't been in the top 10 in the last 3-4 years. They might be able to crack the top 10 but that's not really a given.

• Tyson Chandler = summer addition = one of the best interior defenders in the league
• Brendan Haywood = mid-season addition last year = very good defensive center
• Shawn Marion = acquired last summer = had his best defensive season in about four years last season. After Thabo Sefolosha and LeBron James, I thought Marion was the next best wing defender in the league last season.
• Roddy Beaubois = draft pick last year didn't play much as a rookie = above average defensive PG who plays strong man-to-man defense at the point (first since Devin Harris left)

Those are the reasons why Dallas should improve defensively over where they were last season + why they should be, at the very least, a top 10 defensive club.

Anything less than a top 10 finish defensively is a coaching issue. Not player personnel.

Don't forget Butler who is also a very good defender (although I suppose Howard was also, so that may be a wash).

[BDubs]

I TOLD YOU SO. . .

[LB3533]

I think when Caron went down and then Dirk got hurt, the Mavs went unnoticed for a while.

[CelticSooner]

I TOLD YOU SO. . .

Yes. TP

[JoT]

I TOLD YOU SO. . .

Wow you were right all along. I hope they win this year though. Sad Caron can't play which I wonder can he play this year at all?

[Celtics18]

I TOLD YOU SO. . .

Fine, but begrudgingly I give you the tommy point.  Good call.  But, you make it kind of difficult with the "I TOLD YOU SO" and the begging for TPs.

Go Mavs.

[indeedproceed]

Go Mavs.

Nowitzki deserves a ring, so does Jason Kidd, domestic criminal acts notwithstanding.

[zerophase]

Well, Dirk gets to find redemption against DWade in a 2006 Finals rematch so we know he'll be motivated. I just don't know how the Mavs are goin to stop the LBJ train though, but I'll be rooting for them.

[indeedproceed]

Well, Dirk gets to find redemption against DWade in a 2006 Finals rematch so we know he'll be motivated. I just don't know how the Mavs are goin to stop the LBJ train though, but I'll be rooting for them.

Shawn Marion, even in his lessened physical state, is as good as anyone could hope.

[Change]

With all the attention on the Miami Heat's new Big three and some of the best quality role players in the league (Miller & Haslem got to be the best 6th and 7th man combo in the league), The Lakers shot at a three peat, Chicago's championship contending move for Carlos Boozer (remember I said that he's going to be the difference to them getting over the hump this year), The Bucks quietly building a team around Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut, Amare in New York, Al Jefferson in Utah, and Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, and Yao Ming always able to will a team to 50 wins no matter how anonymous their teammates are.  The team with the best shot at dethroning the Lakers in the west and in my opinion the team that has done the best job of creating a team capable of matching up well with the Lakers, Heat and Celtics are. . .  

The Dallas Mavericks. They are two deep at each position with High quality players, have the offensive talent to score in the 100's on any night, good individual defenders at the center and small foward position, the length to contend with Bynum and Gasol, the defenders to make things difficult for Lebron and Wade, and the depth and savy leadership (Kidd and Terry) to possibly outlast the Celtics if both teams were to make it to the finals.  Resigning Haywood, getting Chandler for three bad contracts gives them a great combo at center to give them 48 minutes of high level shot blocking and rebounds.  Keeping Dirk Nowitzki one of the best scorers in the league, Marion and Butler having more time to fit into Rick Carlise's system, and the improvement of young gunner Rodrique Beaubois to give them a little more athleticism if they choose to go that way.  Their lineup is championship worthy if they stay healthy.

C:   Brendan Haywood / Tyson Chandler
PF:  Dirk Nowitzki /
SF:  Shawn Marion /
SG:  Caron Butler /    Rodrigue Beaubois
PG:  Jason Kidd /      Jason Terry

bump I didn't see this one coming. So TP to you. I underestimated the impact Tyson Chandler would make on their D. Tyson transformed their Defense KG like. And JJ Barea (Who) for stretches playing like the best player on the floor. This word gets thrown a lot but JJ was unguarable most of the playoffs. no body was capable to keep him out of the lane. The rare occasion they do, he nailed 3pointers. Tyson & JJ were Mavericks X-Factor

[ManUp]

I knew Dallas was legit after they beat us the second time in the rs.

Amazing that the OP called it in July.

Definitely deserves a TP.