NBA Playoffs 2011: Is This the Mavericks' Last Chance to Win It All?
Year after year, the Dallas Mavericks are looked upon as a great regular season team that will pose no threat to win a title. Even this year, as a No. 3 overall seed, they were not expected to go past the first round of the playoffs.
History has made a name for the Mavericks. Most of the criticism towards the franchise in the last few years is well supported by constant letdowns in the postseason.
Regardless of history and what the critics have to say, the fact is this team is still a championship contender.
To be more exact, they are as much of a championship contender this year as they have ever been.
This is hands down the best Dallas Mavericks team to step on a basketball court in the Dirk Nowitzki era, and possibly in franchise history. Yes, the Mavericks did make an amazing trip to the NBA Finals in 2006, showcasing a young, athletic, and well balanced team. But in 2006, the competition was not as steep as it has been this year.
Although this might be the best Mavericks team the NBA has seen, it will not last for long. Some might argue it won’t even last past this season.
Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd, among a few others, are on the wrong side of 30. While their abilities are undeniable and they are players who have mastered the art of taking care of their bodies, age is a factor that will exponentially influence a player.
The latest victim of such exponential decay was the San Antonio Spurs, who were ousted in the first round last week.
Age is not the only issue with the Mavericks. Three of their main players helping them significantly this season through stretches, Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler and Peja Stojakovic, are free agents that will likely be coveted in the offseason by other contenders.
With this being said, is this the last chance for Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks to win an NBA title?
The quick answer to this question is no. The anchor of the Mavericks is Dirk Nowitzki himself, and as long as he is playing the Mavericks will most likely be in the postseason. Mark Cuban will spend whatever it takes to put a solid supporting cast around Nowitzki to at least stay competitive.
A better answer to the question comes in the form of another question: Is this the Mavericks best chance at winning a title?
The obvious answer to this question is yes. Not only because they have the best team they’ve had in years, but also because of the way the West is stockpiling talent.
This year, all playoff teams in the Western Conference have been extremely solid. Next year, it will be even scarier. The Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, OKC Thunder and even the Houston Rockets have been absolutely amazing for long stretches. They are all extremely young and will only get better. And let’s not get started on the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors.
The Dallas Mavericks will have a fighting chance in the Western Conference for a few more years as Dirk Nowitzki nears retirement, but this year is clearly their best chance to win it all.
They won’t be younger next year, they are not guaranteed to keep the core together, and the rising teams in the Western Conference are not taking baby steps towards stardom anymore. In fact, they are stampeding forward.
