The 6 Biggest Questions Facing the Dallas Mavericks in 2012

In just four days, the NBA season will finally kick off its 2012 season (yes, the first week is in 2011) after an ugly lockout that delayed the season and left many fans with a sour taste in their mouths.

However, many fans will be willing to forgive once their favorite team steps onto the court for another chance at an NBA title.

Last year's NBA champions, the Dallas Mavericks, will be one of the teams to watch this season as they get set to defend their title.

Here are some of the biggest questions that face the Mavericks this season, on their quest to repeat.

1. Can They Do It Again?

This is the most obvious question surrounding the team all season. Can they once again shock the world and win the NBA championship?

The Mavs return the majority of their roster from last year's squad, including the most important piece to return to the NBA Finals—Dirk Nowitzki.

However, the Mavs aren't getting any younger, and their are young teams such as the Heat, Bulls and Thunder who are looking to break through as this year's champions. Not to mention, other veteran teams like the Lakers and Celtics still have championship aspirations.

The Mavs flew under the radar for the majority of last season, due in large part to their inability to get it done in the playoffs in the past. But now that they have won it all, there is nowhere for this team to hide.

While the Heat and Lakers still might get more attention, the Mavs will be hunted by the rest of the league, and only time will tell if they are up to the task at gaining their second ever NBA championship.

2. How Much Will They Miss Chandler and Barea?

The Mavs will of course miss former All-Star Caron Butler, whom they lost in free agency. But the Mavs were able to win the NBA title without Butler stepping onto the court, so it is the other two key pieces they lost, backup point guard J.J. Barea and Center Tyson Chandler, that will hurt them the most. 

Barea provided a great spark off the bench last year with his great quickness and ability to score in traffic despite his lack of size. He provided key minutes backing up Jason Kidd, and even started a few games in their playoff run.

Chandler was the team's defensive leader on the court last year. In my opinion, he should have won defensive player of the year and was all over the paint for Dallas, turning them from a team who just tried to outscore their opponents, to one that could actually win games because of their defense.

Barea moved on to the T'Wolves and Chandler signed with the Knicks, so the Mavs will have to find production in other areas this season without two of their most important players from last year's championship team. 

3. How Good Can Their Bench Be?

The Mavs post a formidable starting lineup with Kidd, Vince Carter, Shawn Marion, Nowitzki and Brendan Haywood, but it may be their bench that is the real strength.

Dallas had one of the best benches in the league last season and that will likely continue this year, which is a key factor for a team with a lot of veteran players.

The main reasons the bench can be so good is Jason Terry and Lamar Odom.

Terry, a former sixth man of the year, is the Mavs' second-best player and has been Robin to Nowitzki's Batman since joining the team.

He hit clutch shot after clutch shot in the playoffs last year, and there is no doubt even though he starts on the bench, he will always be in the game come crunch time.

Odom, another former sixth man of the year, was acquired in the offseason from the Lakers for draft picks and he will bolster the Mavs front line.

Odom is capable of scoring on the inside and out and was a key part of the Lakers' last three championship teams. 

Joining them on the bench will be Delonte West, Rodrigue Beaubois, Brandan Wright, Brian Cardinal and Ian Mahinmi, making up a complete roster one through twelve. 

4. Will This Be the Year Their Age Finally Catches Up to Them?

While they still are one of the most talented teams, the Mavericks have without a doubt one of the oldest rosters in the Western Conference this season.

Kidd is 38, Marion 34, Carter 34, Nowitzki 33 and Haywood 32—and that's just their starting lineup.

The Mavs don't have many young players on the roster and especially considering the fact they had to play an extra-long season last year making it to the Finals, it is possible guys like Kidd, Marion and Nowitzki could wear down as the season goes on and become prone to injuries.

For the future, the Mavs need to start building up some younger players, but for now they will stick with the veteran squad that won them the title—and hope it doesn't come back to bite them. 

5. Can Anyone Stop Dirk Nowitzki?

While that may not be a question the Mavs are asking, it certainly is one that is being asked around the league.

Just ask the Blazers, Lakers, Thunder and Heat, who saw what Nowitzki could do when he is playing at his best in the postseason.

Nowitzki has been a Top 10 player his entire NBA career, but his performance last season, especially in the playoffs, was the best he has ever had.

At 7 feet tall, Nowitzki is unguardable considering his remarkable shooting touch. In the past, physical defenders could get into his head, but now that he has toughened up and matured physically, Nowitzki has become much more than a jump shooter. He has shown the ability to drive around defenders and finish at the basket consistently.  

While the attention still might go on guys like LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, Nowitzki is in a class right with them—among the best players in the NBA. 

6. Will the Mavericks Be as Hungry for a Second Championship?

Winning a championship in any major sport is hard enough, but repeating that championship is one of the most difficult things to do in sports.

That is the task the Dallas Mavericks face this season as they try to repeat as NBA champions.

But the question must be asked: Will this team still desire that championship as much now that they already have one?

Last year, the Mavs were a team compiled of former All-Star players who had yet to win an NBA championship, and they played so well as a team to finally earn future Hall of Famers Kidd and Nowitzki that much-deserved NBA ring.

But now that they have one, are they just a one-hit wonder?

We already talked about the Mavericks' age, and with many of those guys certainly on the decline, it will be difficult for them to match the desire they played with last season, when they knew that could be their last real chance to win a championship.

Personally, I see the Mavs overcoming this as the season goes on although they may start slow. However, it has happened plenty of times before, so it is something for Mavs fans like me to at least be cautious of as they go to defend their title.