The new Dallas Mavericks resemble a familiar team from the past

The current offseason has been a rollercoaster for the Dallas Mavericks. So far, the team has gained two big men in Christian Wood and JaVale McGee, while losing second-leading scorer Jalen Brunson.

The Mavs also gained some youth by drafting Jaden Hardy. Luka Doncic and company are also getting somewhat of an extra addition in Tim Hardaway. The 6-5 shooting guard missed the final four months of the season with a foot fracture.

But, with the season just a couple of months away, it isn’t too early to break it all down.

Could the 2022-2023 Dallas Mavericks be a resemblance to a team from the past?

18 years ago the 2003-2004 Mavs lost their second-best player in free agency. That former Mav Steve Nash would go on to win two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and make six all-star appearances.

Fast forward to the 2004-2005 season and Dallas was left trying to find a suitable partner for Dirk Nowitzki. At the time, the Mavs were stacked with a variety of shooting guards from Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, and Josh Howard.

Ring a  bell?

Currently, the team has a mixture of shooting guards, such as Reggie Bullock, Tim Hardaway, and Spencer Dinwiddie. Not to mention there are similarities between shooting forward Keith Van Horn and Davis Bertans. There is no comparison that Van Horn was more versatile, but both players can shoot the ball from long range.

Other comparisons include the fact that both Nowitzki and Doncic were seen as the cornerstones of the franchise. After the 2004 offseason, Nowitzki would go on to make 10 all-star appearances, four All-NBA first-team selections an MVP award, and an NBA championship.

At this stage in his career, Doncic is on pace to eclipse the German’s status. Some of his accomplishments include three all-star appearances, three All-NBA first-team selections, and an NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

The biggest hurdle will be: Can Doncic get over the Dallas Mavericks playoffs woes without Brunson by side?

For Nowitzki, this was something he faced for the longest. After Nash left it took him seven seasons before he won his first title.

Over the past two seasons, Doncic has lost both Brunson and Kristaps Porzingis. (two of the Mavs’ top leading scorers)

With new additions, Dallas will rely heavily on Doncic’s leadership to get back to the promised land. The year after Nash left, the Mavs advanced to the second of the playoffs before getting ousted by Nash’s Suns.

While there are some similarities between the 2004-2005 Mavericks, the biggest difference will be Christian Wood and JaVale McGee. At their best, both players can be a step up from Erick Dampier and D.J. Mbenga. If they play up par, then Dallas should have no problem solving their rebounding woes.

As it stands, the Mavs are on the right track. Coming off a Western Conference appearance, the team will have a lot of shoes to fill.

Are they better than the 2004-2005 Dallas Mavericks? Only time will tell. If you ask they are definitely on the right track.