Dallas Mavericks: Is Mavs' Roster Good Enough to Win the Western Conference?

Let's be honest.

You were surprised when the Dallas Mavericks upset the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs last year. Heck, you were surprised when the Mavericks beat the Portland Trail Blazers in the playoffs last year. Anyone outside of the beloved city of Dallas didn't give the Mavs a chance to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, much less the Miami Heat.

But this is the NBA. This is where, as we're told, anything can happen. This is the league where on any given night one superstar's thirst for validation, one team's lust for respect, one owner's quest for revenge can overcome all odds. This is the league where any team can win a title, any group of players, if mixed right, can step onto the hardwood and win an NBA championship.

The Mavericks did that last year. This team wasn't supposed to make it out of the first round. Now? Now they're the defending world champions.

But as soon as Tyson Chandler signed on the dotted line in the Big Apple, the questions arose. Could this Mavericks team make it back to the Finals? Heck, could they make it back to the playoffs? With this shortened season, could Mark Cuban's assembly of expiring contracts and aging veterans have any chance to keep the trophy in Dallas?

A 1-4 start propelled everyone to assume the obvious: no. There was no chance for this team. However, the Mavericks enter February having won seven of their last 10 (with two of those loses coming on game winning shots in L.A.). Slowly, this group is starting to mesh with each other and learning how to play Mavericks basketball. Will it be enough to keep the Larry O'Brien trophy in the American Airlines Center?

With this shortened season, and the versatility this Mavs roster brings, there shouldn't be any reason to think that Mavericks couldn't defend their title this year. Look at the type of game the Mavericks play.

They're one of the few teams in the league that don't run any set plays on offense. Rick Carlisle has enough trust in this team and Jason Kidd that he allows them to freely run around the court to get their own shots. This complements the new players brought in by Mark Cuban. Vince Carter in his heyday was known for creating his own shot off the dribble. Kidd, while aging and probably a few months away from retirement, is still a capable passer, able to set up nearly any player to take a good shot. Don't forget that Carter and Kidd played together in New Jersey and fared decently well during their time together.

While Carter's days as a superstar are behind him, he's able to knock down the shot and still drive the lane. Vince-sanity is able to put up quality numbers and can still start at shooting guard when called upon.

Another key addition was Delonte West. To me, West has always been an underrated player. Most people remember his, um, situation with LeBron's mother, but West has always been an underrated defender and shooter. He's capable of guarding the quicker point guards when Kidd is unable to and brings somewhat of a swagger to the Mavericks.

West usually has started at the shooting guard spot and has filled in some time at the point with Kidd's latest injury. He's capable of pitching in a handful of points here and there and is a surprisingly good passer.

The biggest addition, and the biggest question mark, is Lamar Odom. Odom has struggled here at the beginning of the season. Being a product of the triangle offense for so long, Odom has clearly struggled to grasp Carlisle's free-flowing system. Sensitivity is also part of the issue here, as Odom felt betrayed by the Lakers' efforts to stick him in New Orleans. Will Odom ever mesh well with this team? That remains to be seen.

When he's on his game, Odom is one of the best sixth men in the league, and throwing him out on the floor with another bench master in Jason Terry could be very, very scary for Western Conference opponents in the playoffs.

The best thing about this Mavs roster is their versatility. On any given night, they can start four new players alongside Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki and still have a bench that is unparalleled. Let's not forget the Mavericks still have Rodrigue Beaubois and Ian Mahinmi, two players who are finally getting their chances and are playing hard.

Look at the Western Conference this year. In this shortened season, the Thunder are the cream of the crop, there is no denying that. But the Mavericks have proven to match up well with them, losing one of their two match ups this year by a ridiculous game winner by Kevin Durant.

The Lakers? Clearly struggling. The Spurs? Aging. The Clippers don't seem ready yet, although they'll be a very tough out in the playoffs. The Mavericks roster gives them the chance to compete and match up well with almost any team in the league.

With this shortened season and the type of players Cuban decided to bring in to town, there should be no reason to think the Mavericks can't compete with any team in the Western Conference and have a chance to defend their title in the NBA Finals. With many teams struggling out of the gates with their complex offensive systems, Carlisle's free-flowing game is best suited for this group.

If this team can mesh as the season progresses, which it seems they've started to, the Mavericks could enter the playoffs on a hot streak and under the radar. Which, as evidence by last year, is just the way they like it.