1) Dallas Mavericks
Despite last season’s first-round failure, the Mavs remain an exceptional regular season team.
In fact, from a talent standpoint, they field one of the deepest offenses in the league, and have steadily improved their defense under Avery Johnson’s tutelage.
The only thing keeping the Mavs down is their collective penchant for wilting under adversity.
Dirk Nowitzki’s midrange jump shot is the purest in the league. Josh Howard is an athletic two-way player who’s only improving. Jason Terry is an unstoppable scorer in screen/roll situations. Devin Harris is lithe, quick, and able to jet past any guard to the hoop.
Too bad they all melt in the clutch.
And Howard, Trent Hassell, Devean George, and DeSagana Diop are the only above-average defenders on the squad.
If, and when, their hearts are in it, maybe the Mavs will match the physicality and intensity of the 2006 Heat and 2007 Warriors. Maybe they’ll be able to use their talents to win that elusive championship ring.
Or maybe they’ll collapse yet again.
Another top seed in the Western Conference is a given. But the regular season won't determine whether or not Dallas’ psyche has been successfully rewired.
The next five months are little more than an extended preseason for the Mavericks. And if Dirk and company can’t win this year, they probably never will.
2) San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are the pinnacle of the NBA.
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