Dallas Mavericks Season Preview – NBA Predictions
The Mavericks are coming off their first ever NBA title, but can they repeat? Good question. The Mavs are not getting any younger, they lost on of their key players from last season, but they did make a great pick up in the off-season.
Odds to win NBA title: +1300
Odds to win Western Conference: +500
Odds to win Southwest Division: +100
Dirk Nowitzki was the MVP in the finals last year and is geared up for another big season and he will be the key, once again, for the Mavs. However, Dallas lost Tyson Chandler, who had a big season and gave Dallas a legit inside presence. His loss may be HUGE, but we shall see.
The Mavs lost Chandler, but also J.J. Barea, Caron Butler, and Rudy Fernandez and Barea and Chandler came up big in the playoffs last season. Still, Dallas picked up 6th Man of the Year Lamar Odom from the Lakers and now with him and former 6th Man of the Year Jason Terry Dallas may have the best 2nd unit in the league. Odom will give the Mavs scoring and rebounding, which is especially key with the loss of Chandler.
There are 2 other big questions in the Big D this season, which are does Vince Carter still have any gas left in his tank and can C Brendan Haywood give the Mavs what Chandler did last season? Carter averaged less than 14 ppg last season, but with he and Dirk in the backcourt they will be one of the best shooting teams in the league. Dallas thought Haywood was their answer in the middle before Chandler came aboard, but that was not the case and he will have to step up this season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Jason Kidd is not the player he once was, but he can still dish out the rock and he shot well in last season’s playoffs. He is 38 years old, but can still run the offense and get help from Terry. Shaun Marrion did not get much credit for the Mavs’ title run last season, but he is solid and averaged 12.5 ppg and almost 7 rpg.
Odom may be the key for the Mavs repeating an if he played like he did for the Lakers last season I think Dallas has a legit shot. I think the Lakers will really miss Odom and all he brought to the table. Teams will gun for the Mavs this season as the defending champions and repeating is never easy. Still, Dallas has the main cogs that won it all last season and with Dirk on the team you can never count them out.
Dallas Mavericks Projected Starting 5
PG Jason Kidd 7.9 ppg 8.2 apg
SG Vince Carter 14 ppg
SF Shawn Marrion 12.5 ppg 6.9 rpg
PF Dirk Nowitzki 23 ppg 7 rpg
C Brendan Haywood 4.4 ppg 5.2 rpg
Who’s In
Vince Carter (from Suns)
Delonte West (from Celtics)
Brandan Wright (from Nets)
Brian Cardinal (re-signed)
Lamar Odom (from Lakers)
Andy Rautins (from Knicks)
Who’s Out
J.J. Barea (to Timberwolves)
Caron Butler (to Clippers)
Corey Brewer (to Nuggets)
Tyson Chandler (to Knicks)
Rudy Fernandez (to Nuggets)
Outlook: The Mavs have many new guys, but their corps is in tact and they will make the playoffs. However, I think Chandler’s loss will cost them and they will not repeat as NBA champions.
Projected Win Total: 45 (Out of 66 Games)
