Mark Cuban Suggests There's No Way the Mavericks Are Tanking This Season

Despite what critics have to say, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is sticking by his team.

The Mavericks have struggled a great deal this season, riddled by injuries and having dropped eight straight prior to Sunday's 91-81 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Sports fans have suggested that tanking this season might fare best for the franchise in the long run.

However, Cuban isn't having it. He told ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon he insists the team is competing, even given the dire circumstances of late, which will teach the young players winning habits in the long run:

"

If you're competing when the league is better, like it is this year, if you don't do well, you'll be in a position to get a good pick. ...

We have so many young guys on this team, we want the games to mean something. Not to be, 'OK, who are we going to pull in the fourth quarter so we can lose this game?' That's not how teams develop good habits.

"