Dallas Mavericks: Can Dirk Nowitzki Lead Them to The Finals?

There's not many things that Dirk Nowitzki can't do.

A 7-footer who regularly strokes it from the outside, an outstanding free throw shooter, and a better rebounder than most give him credit for, the European big man has really left his stamp in the NBA.

Nowitzki's arrival in the league signified a turning point in history and changed the power forward position forever.

However, for many years Nowitzki's talents were wasted in Big D because Mark Cuban and Co. failed to put a team around him that could realistically succeed in a stacked Western Conference.

Now, the Mavs are re-loaded, playing together, and for the first time in a long while, are playing as a team.

With the powerhouse Lakers and surprising Spurs as the Mavs' two most likely threats to representing the West in the championship, Dallas can most certainly make some postseason noise.

With perennial All-Star Jason Kidd running the offense and a reborn Tyson Chandler manning the middle, this Mavs team is very much for real.

Possessing more depth than they ever have, the boys are cashing in their chips and plowing full steam ahead for a chance at the title.

Will they outlast the Lakers in a postseason series? They have a better chance this season than they have the previous five, but that doesn't make it likely.

If this team wants to win the championship, they're going to have to display more heart, passion, and fire on the basketball court than the opponent.

And while you might see Nowitzki with that fire in his eyes, it won't be until his teammates can get on that level until the Mavs will be taken seriously as a legitimate contender.