Dallas Mavericks: Biggest Winners of the Lockout En Route to Another Title
The Dallas Mavericks used to be the aging team with an awkward German superstar. Rick Carlisle was the coach who simply could not win the whole thing. Jason Kidd was the point guard who came close, but never close enough.
Tyson Chandler was the center who hopped around the NBA with a reputation as an injury-prone overpaid player. J.J. Barea was an unwanted little point guard from Puerto Rico. A handful of washed-up and unwelcomed role players accompanied them.
After months of ups and downs, injuries and surprises, the Dallas Mavericks knocked off the unbeatable Los Angeles Lakers, the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder and the hyped Miami Heat on their path to their first NBA Finals championship this past June.
Five months removed from that glorious June run, the lockout is through, confirming another NBA season. Hands down, this lockout and shortened NBA season benefits the Dallas Mavericks more than any other team.
First, age is a huge factor and the Mavericks are lucky to walk a fine line. They are able to keep their team together for another year while playing only half the season. The regular season is short and meaningless, and the playoffs run the show. Now, Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki can be even healthier and better-rested for another long playoff run.
Likewise, in a strange sort of way, it gives the team a reduced chance for a devastating injury to one of their stars, whether it be Dirk, Caron Butler or the oft-injured and semi-proven Roddy Beaubois.
Additionally, what sets the Mavericks apart from the other veteran teams is the stability that Dallas brings into this season.
Starting with the Lakers, there are a lot of questions and concerns regarding the personnel and new starting head coach, Mike Brown.Their collapse last season, an aging Kobe Bryant, an untrustworthy Andrew Bynum and a questionable Pau Gasol all lead to more concerns than answers for the Lakers.
The Spurs have a similar proposition after they had their worst season in the last ten years last year with an aging and almost worthless Tim Duncan, an injured Manu Ginobli and a playoff upset to the surging Memphis Grizzlies.
Moving to the East, the perennial old-school power remains the Boston Celtics who will use this season as the final shot with their trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce.
All in all, of the aging teams that have accounted for the vast majority of the previous 10 NBA Finals appearances and championships, the Dallas Mavericks have the best shot of making a serious run to an NBA title.
The new kids on the blocks are certainly formidable and pose the biggest threat to the seasoned Mavericks this season. The Chicago Bulls, led by Derrick Rose, and the Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, are the prepared to be the faces of the NBA. The favorite team to pick remains the Miami Heat with their collection of superstar talent.
This season, the Mavericks have an early Christmas present by being able to skip the first three months of the season. Come June, the Mavericks will again play host to the Miami Heat and will again come out on top.
