Dallas Mavericks Highlights to Get You Pumped Up for 2014-15 Season

The Dallas Mavericks have had a very eventful offseason. But you already know that.

You've heard all about the newcomers. Hundreds of thousands of words all across the web have been written about this new team, and the season is just around the corner. The offseason is winding down, and the team is about ready to take shape.

What better way to welcome in the new NBA season than with some exciting highlights. The prognostication and analysis is all well and good, but sometimes it's just much more fulfilling to see a Maverick jam on Blake Griffin.

Now as to exactly which Maverick that is, well that will have to remain a mystery for the time being. But the mystery is guaranteed to be worth the wait.

Raymond Felton Turning Back the Clock

It's not hard to be down on Raymond Felton.

Last season he looked out of shape, disinterested and sometimes even lazy. He looked like a guy who'd be out of the league in two years. It got bad.

But the Mavs obviously saw something in him. They do love their "fallen angels," and if Dallas can rejuvenate Felton like it seemingly healed Monta Ellis, then Rick Carlisle has himself quite the player.

Just a year ago, Felton was a dynamic point guard. He was quick, yet strong. He was a decent shooter and excelled when he had a head of steam attacking the rim. He was dangerous.

Hopefully, the Mavs can see some of that this season. After all, it wasn't that long ago when his 27 points and seven assists propelled the Knicks to a convincing regular season win in Miami.

Of course, he'll have to battle back from a recently suffered high-ankle sprain, which might hinder his early season progress. But don't give up on him. He might just be a diamond in the rough.

Jameer Nelson Breaking Ankles

Sure he might be 32, but Jameer Nelson can still cross people up.

Just ask Paul Pierce.

It's been a while since someone in a Mavs uniform has made someone look that bad on defense. Monta Ellis is quick, but he doesn't often make someone fall flat on their back.

Obviously as a veteran point guard, Jameer Nelson won't run out there with a street ball routine looking to break ankles first and foremost. Although that would be fun to watch, he's a smart basketball player who will be trusted to run the offense on a nightly basis.

But even at 32, the potential is there for him to make a defender, and your jaw, drop to the floor.

Dirk Nowitzki's Signature Fadeaways

Just in case you haven't gotten a chance to go to Italy and see the Coliseum or take in the awesome spectacle that is the Grand Canyon lately, here's 14-and-a-half minutes of Dirk Nowitzki fadeaways.

Are they as beautiful as the Grand Canyon and the Coliseum? Probably not, but they're beautiful nonetheless.

At age 36, Nowitzki won't be as dynamic as he once was. Though he was never a supreme athlete as far as running and jumping goes, he won't be the same player now that he's in his mid-thirties.

But that's okay. He can still be incredibly effective as we saw last season. He can still be the primary scorer on a playoff team in the Western Conference, which is pretty unbelievable.

And it's largely thanks to all those quirky, sometimes even awkward-looking yet beautiful fadeaways.

Enjoy.

Monta Ellis Doing Monta Ellis Things

Monta Ellis has come a long way since joining the Mavs last season.

He's cut back on the outrageous shots, calmed down on offense and played a much more focused game. All things that turned him into the second-best offensive player on the team and a key cog in a seven-game series with the Spurs.

That being said, Monta can still be Monta.

Every once in a while he'll have a play where coaches just shake their heads. Like a 360 reverse layup.

It's pretty remarkable to do that once in a career. But Monta has done it numerous times. He did it in Golden State, again in Golden State and, of course, in Milwaukee as well. It's kind of his thing.

Some old habits die hard, and for the fans, hopefully this is one of them.

Brandan Wright Dunking on Blake Griffin

If you guessed that Brandan Wright was the Mav who dunked on Blake Griffin, then you really know your team.

Though Wright doesn't make a habit of going up and over defenders, as a 6'9" athlete with a 7'5" wingspan he's certainly capable of jamming on someone when he has to.

Normally he saves his athleticism for the defensive end. He's made a habit of blocking lots of shots, including some that no NBA player should ever be able to get to. Which allows him to have games like the one against Houston a couple of years ago, where he tallied seven rejections.

Blocks are great and all but, sometimes, for a fan posterizing someone is much more satisfying. Especially if it's a star of a Western Conference foe, who has made something of a career out of dunking on half the league.

Though it probably won't be a regular thing, it's nice to know the Mavs have someone who can join in on the poster fun.

Chandler Parsons Making Posters

Wait, Chandler Parsons dunked on Blake Griffin, too? 

Oh yeah he did. Parsons dunked on him, and he even gave Griffin a little stare down, too.

Parsons might be more known for his well-rounded offensive game but don't let that fool you. The guy is a great athlete. As a 6'9" wing, he's more than capable of making those "wow" plays.

And believe it or not, that Griffin poster isn't the only one Parsons has in his back pocket. There's this one on JaVale McGee, this one on Serge Ibaka, this other one on Chris Kaman and this one on, well it's essentially on the whole Knicks team.

Obviously there will be plenty of highlights of slick passes, fancy finishes and clutch threes from Parsons. Those are more regular from a guy of his skills.

But don't forget about those posters. He's got a nice list of NBA bigs on whom he's jammed and expect that list to grow with his time in Dallas.