Dallas Mavericks 2011 NBA Champions? AKA: A Gambler's Road To The Jackpot

In the 2009-10 NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks fielded a team that won 55 regular season games and garnered a 2nd seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Only to lose in the 1st round to an aging San Antonio Spurs team that wasn't afraid to give significant minutes to rookie DeJuan Blair and sophomore George Hill. These players played a huge role and made a difference in the series. Expect for the same type of chance to be given to their new rookies, Tiago  Splitter and James Anderson, this year.

The Mavericks employ one of the most talented starting lineups in the NBA. Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson have done their best to put the pieces in place to be a contender.

In Jason Kidd they have a future Hall of Famer and triple-double machine that does far more for a team than stats can show, including coming up with clutch plays at critical times.

Although playing out of position at the 2, Caron Butler provides defensive hustle and the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, as well as an All-Star pedigree.

Shawn Marion, also a past All-Star participant, provides the toughness, defense, and rebounds that this team needs at the small forward. He's a smart player that passes well and shoots over 50% in his limited offensive role.

2007 MVP Dirk Nowitzki is a perennial All-Star that is an underrated defender and can score on anyone in the league.

Brendan Haywood should provide a near nightly double-double and a couple of blocks in under 30 minutes a game.

A great starting five, right? But theirs no upside here. They're not going to get any better, or younger. So if the team wants to improve to a championship level they have to look elsewhere. The answer is right in front of our eyes, it's on the bench.

I believe the Mavs have the talent, or potential talent, on the bench to make this team a championship contender. The question is, will they give their young players a chance to develop throughout the regular season to a point where they will be able to contribute in the playoffs?  Will the Mavericks stick with the tried and true rotation that won 55 games in the regular season? Or will they roll the dice on youth at possibly the expense of a few games and a lower seed in the playoffs?

The future is now.This is why the Mavericks have to take the ultimate gamble. This is where they should take a page from the Spurs play book and get the most out of what the team has to offer by developing young players, even rookies, in the regular season. The three players that come to mind are Rodrigue Beaubois, Dominique Jones, and Ian Mahinmi. That's right, Ian Mahinmi. 

I know this may be a source of tension and anxiety for coach Rick Carlisle, but it's a fear he has to get past if he wants to bring the big gold ball home to Dallas. The problem is the Mavs have such a deep roster. They have proven regular season performers in Jason Terry and J.J. Barea that will have to give up minutes to facilitate the development of unproven talents. But these same regular season assets were anything but in the playoffs.

Some may say that giving regular season minutes to Ian Mahinmi is a huge risk. I believe it's a risk worth taking. Where will he fit in you say? We have Team USA participant Tyson Chandler backing up Haywood at center. Backup power forward is the answer. Dirk is 32, and could stand to have his regular season minutes reduced to around 30 per game. Other than Marion, there is no other backup PF on the team. The 6'11" Mahinmi didn't show much offensively in the summer league. But he showed toughness and defense against highly touted DeMarcus Cousins, holding him to 1 of 12 shooting while obviously getting under his skin. And Mr. Mahinmi shot over 60% from the floor in his limited minutes with the Spurs. He should be given a chance as the backup PF.

The next big gamble in Carlisle's lineup is rookie guard Dominique Jones.

Carlisle play a rookie? If he wants to win a ring, I say go for it. Double down.

He's got the NBA ready body, Carlisle said so. And DoJo had a great showing in Summer League. He's what the Mavericks need. A long, strong, slashing scorer who can get to the free throw line. And he's the quick, tough minded, gritty defender that the Mavs have been missing off the bench at guard. Put him in coach.

Then we have the electrifying talent that is Rodrigue Beaubois. . He broke his foot practicing with the French National Team. The diagnosis, a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metatarsal. They have elected to have a pin inserted surgically in hopes that it will prevent future injury. He should be back around the start of the season.

Beaubois should have gotten enough playing time last year to be ready to start by now, but he didn't. Mainly featured as a shooting guard, he had a couple of big games in the regular season and one amazing 20 minute performance in the playoffs. But Roddy had a lackluster showing in the summer league. It was a crash course in facilitating an offense made up of guys that had never played together, with most of them hoping to make the D-league. Instead of being let loose as a speedy, creative scorer, he was asked to put the brakes on his high performance motor. Continuing Education courses should be taught, with "Coach Kidd"at SG,  in the finer aspects of team leadership and play calling during this regular season. Carlisle has already slated him to get more playing time this year. But what does Carlisle mean by more playing time?  My vision dictates at least 25 minutes a game.

This is a team that is extremely versatile with a high rate of fluidity. Many players can play more than one position and my dream depth chart, with minutes included, will show that. This should change throughout the season with Roddy B getting a few starts in place of and/or alongside Kidd.

Here it is:

PG:  J Kidd(20), R Beaubois (15), D Jones (8), JJ Barea (5)

SG:  C Butler(10), R Beaubois (10), J Kidd (8), D Jones (8), J Terry (12)

SF:  S Marion (24), C Butler (20), D Jones(4)

PF:  D Nowitzki (30), Ian Mahinmi (14), S Marion (4)

C:    Brendon Haywood (26), Tyson Chandler (22)

The cards the Mavs have been dealt are on the table, but there's many ways to play them. Some would play it safe and get minimal gains.

I think it's time the Mavericks bet the hog farm. That's right, ALL IN! And I believe that playing this line-up could make the DALLAS MAVERICKS 2011 NBA CHAMPIONS.