2011 NBA Playoffs: Are the Dallas Mavericks the Worst Playoff Team of All Time?

The Dallas Mavericks have been a model of consistency for nearly 10 years.  The Mavs are typically good for 50-plus wins and an early exit from the playoffs.

The Mavs have won between 50 and 67 games throughout the past decade and have yet to close in on that NBA championship they so eagerly want.

Potential Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki has been paired with a variety of lineups, coming up short every time. 

Why can this team not capitalize?  Is it the rugged Western Conference slate?  What about the 2006 NBA Finals?

Like I said to begin with, the Mavericks have remained consistent.  Consistently unable to close out games and series is starting to become Dallas' forte. Last night was just a small look into the aura that surrounds Mark Cuban and his beloved Mavericks. 

Dallas headed into the fourth quarter with an 18-point lead and proceeded to allow no-legged Brandon Roy to torch them.  Extremely reminiscent to the show Dwyane Wade put on during Game 3 of the 2006 NBA Finals.

Personally, you have to take a look at Nowitzki.  He has been the mainstay throughout all of these collapses.

He's an amazing talent—there's no questioning that.  But how else do you explain this phenomenon?  Now, the Mavs could go on to make a run this year, and it couldn't come at a better time.

All I'm saying is that this is the year Dallas has to do it.  With the Lakers and Spurs looking as vulnerable as ever, this is their best opportunity in years.  If they don't pounce on this opportunity, Cuban, Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and others with have a lot of explaining to do.

Then again, they should be explaining this mystery to us already.