The champagne isn't quite dry and the NBA lockout is just getting started, but how good does it sound to be already talking about the defending champion Mavericks?
Once a soft, underachieving team that nobody outside the Metroplex gave a dang about watching, the Mavs are now national hoops darlings. With Tuesday's release of the 2011-12 schedule, Dallas is featured 30 times on national TV to match the Boston Celtics for most appearances.
The Mavs begin the season by raising their championship banner Nov. 1 at American Airlines Center against the Chicago Bulls on TNT, and will host the Miami Heat on ABC as part of a marquee triple-header on Christmas day.
In all they play 10 games on ESPN, 10 on TNT, seven on NBA TV and three on ABC.
2011-12 Dallas Mavericks schedule.
Enjoy.