Leaning on Dirk: Mavs' Hopes Are in Nowitzki's Hands

The Mavericks are one of the best teams in the NBA, but they can't win a title.

Here's why:

The Mavs are one of the softest defensive teams in the history of basketball.

How do you have a 2-0 lead in a Finals series and lose four in row—or better yet, how do you have one of the best records in the league and lose in the first round to an 8th-seeded Warriors team.

And where was Dirk Nowitzki, by the way?

In the past two years, Dirk has failed to show up when it counts—in the playoffs.

Dirk isn't a leader yet—but he has the potential to become one if he delivers in the clutch.

And however you cut it, the Mavs' future is in Dirk's hands.

Not that the rest of the team is immune to criticism. Jason Terry isn't always consistent, Devin Harris is a question at point guard position, and DeSagana Diop and Erick Dampier need to be more physical in the paint.

My two cents: The Mavs need a player of the caliber of Kevin Garnett, Ben Wallace, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, or Kobe Bryant to complement. There have been talks the Mavs are interested in a certain Laker superstar—and if they land him, a title may well be in the cards.

In any event, Mavs will still rely on Dirk to be the man in "Big D," but he needs to be more determined to drive to the paint—and to be a true big man instead of a 7-footer with a nice stroke.

That's great, but you win championships by being an all-around player.

In the end, it's just that simple.