Dallas Mavericks: Why the Mavs are a top 5 team in the West

With the NBA season just two weeks away, many experts are wondering just how good are the Dallas Mavericks?

Last season the Dallas Mavericks finished as the 7th best team in the Western Conference. While the team lost in the first round of the playoffs, there was still so much for the team to get excited for. In just his second season, Luka Doncic gained plenty of playoff experience and stamped his footprint on just how good the Mavericks can be in the future.

While the future is bright, the team must focus on the present. Going into the 2020-2021 NBA season, all of Dallas is wondering just how good the team is and how do they compare to the rest of the Western Conference?

The Stacked Western Conference

The Dallas Mavericks finished just four games back from third place in the Western Conference. The loaded West had five teams separated either a game and a half back or four games from each other. And to tell you the truth, things are not going to get any easier next season.

The defending Western Conference Champions, Los Angeles Lakers got even better this offseason. They added two of the top six man contenders in Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell. Not to mention they signed former Defensive-Star Marc Gasol. Everyone already knows they are going to be the team to beat.

Like the Lakers, contenders like the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets also improved. The Clippers signed defensive warrior Serge Ibaka and the Nuggets signed forward JaMychal Green to replace Jerami Grant. Both players have tremendous upside and can provide a defensive spark.

Oh and who can forget the undefeated bubble team, the Phoenix Suns. The Suns also got better by adding veteran All-Star Chris Paul and two-man guard Jae Crowder.

If it does help, playoff teams like the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder may have taken a step back. Houston traded Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for John Wall, whose status is still unknown. Oklahoma also digressed by trading away some of their valuable assets.

But What about the Mavs?

Dallas well, they got better too. They fixed their defensive holes by adding defensive guard Josh Richardson and black belt champion James Johnson. Both players add a defensive presence the team has not seen since their 2011 playoff run. It will be interesting to see how both players fit in and how much they contribute until Kristaps Porzingis comes back.

And who can forget the youth the team added by drafting rookies Josh Green and Tyrell Terry. Green was the team’s first round selection out of Arizona University. The 6’6 guard averaged 12 points per game in college last season, but most of his presence was felt on the defensive end of the ball.

So where does the team compare to the rest of the West?

The answer is simple. Luka and friends are a top five team in the West and there is no question about it. Yes they lost Curry, but they added players that can make them better. If you ask me for my prediction as to what number the team will finish at, I will have to say’ just wait till the season tips off. In other words, who is excited to see Luka’s new friends James Johnson and Josh Richardson post up Lebron James on Christmas Day?

Next. Dallas Mavericks offseason analysis: How much better are they now?. dark

While the excitement can’t wait, seeing the Dallas Mavericks blossom into a top five team in the West will be worth watching.

Published on 12/03/2020 at 13:01 PM
Last updated at 12/03/2020 at 11:09 AM

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