Dallas Mavericks: 30 Teams in 30 Days

2008 Statistics

Finished 50-32, third in Southwest Division, sixth in Western Conference

Postseason

First Round: Beat San Antonio Spurs, 4-1

Semifinals: Lost to Denver Nuggets, 4-1

Key Additions

Shawn Marion via free agency, Rodrigue Beaubois via draft, Ahmad Nivins via draft, Tim Thomas via free agency, Drew Gooden via free agency, Quinton Ross via trade, Kris Humphries via trade, Nathan Jawai via free agency, Greg Buckner via trade

Key Losses

Ryan Hollins via free agency, Jerry Stackhouse via trade, Brandon Bass via free agency, Antoine Wright via trade, Devean George via trade

As you can see by the additions and losses above, the Dallas Mavericks are really trying to win a championship. The Mavs had one of the busiest offseasons with a number of signings and trades, the biggest being a signing of former Toronto Raptor forward Shawn Marion.

The Mavericks will be Marion's fourth team in a span of two years. He was traded to the Heat from the Suns in the 2007-08 season, after a disappointing season with Miami he was traded halfway through the 2008-09 season to the Raptors, and now he might finally have found his home in the heart of Texas. He has not been able to find his niche that corresponds with his particular style of offense, but Dallas could be a good fit with it's high-octane offense.

Dallas had its ninth straight 50 plus win season, but once again had another disappointing end to its postseason. This time it came in the semifinals, as it lost in five games to the Denver Nuggets. Critics bring Dirk Nowitzki's leadership into question when the postseason rolls around and whenever Dallas is in the postseason, Dirk proves them right.

Dallas does have the talent and the coaching to be an NBA championship caliber team, but what it is missing is a strong-willed leader. Year after year, the Mavericks have to deal with a long offseason after missing out on near chances to advance further into the playoffs.

The 2008-09 season was no different.

The upcoming season seems different to the city of Dallas though. The team has stacked up on talent from across the NBA, and did not lose many impact players in the process.

The addition of Drew Gooden will also help the team, and most importantly stack an already strong bench.

Having Gooden and his 12 points and eight rebound career averages off the bench will greatly impact the team.

Marion as well will most likely be coming off the bench along with Gooden.

Dirk Nowitzki is coming off of another all-star caliber season averaging 26 points and eight rebounds per game. Nowitzki will be leading his Mavericks team to another 50 plus win season, and a guaranteed postseason appearance.

The team can also rely on the veteran leadership of Jason Kidd at the point guard spot.

Like most of this team, Kidd has had near chances to win a championship only to come away empty. Kidd is coming off of a sub par season where he averaged a career low nine points.

He was still able to average nine assists and six rebounds in his first full season with Dallas.

Dallas can also thank its regular season success to sharp shooter Jason Terry. Terry was the team's sixth man last year averaging 20 points, while shooting 37 percent from three-point range.

While the Mavericks did little to bolster it's already talented starting lineup, it's bench is now stronger than ever with the likes of Gooden, Marion, and Jason Terry now as the team's supporting cast.

The Mavericks have gone through postseason heartbreak year after year, whether it's a near championship or losing in the first round to an eight seed.

Dallas should have high hopes for the 2009-10 season as this could be it's best chance to win a championship since the 2005-06 season. Talent is not an issue to the team, but leadership is a necessity.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jason Kidd

SG-JJ Barea/Jason Terry

SF-Josh Howard

PF-Dirk Nowitzki

C-Erick Dampier

This is part six of a 30-day series of 2009-10 season previews of each NBA team. My profile will contain every other team that has been previewed before.