Your Dallas Mavericks Are Different. But Are They Better?

The answer to the headline is, obviously, yes. But how much better? Since their collapse in the 2006 NBA Finals, the Mavericks have won one playoff series. After last spring's first-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs, another 55-win regular season amounted to nil. And now, another off-season has prompted...

By Richie Whitt

July 20, 2010

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The answer to the headline is, obviously, yes. But how much better?

Since their collapse in the 2006 NBA Finals, the Mavericks have won one playoff series. After last spring's first-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs, another 55-win regular season amounted to nil.

And now, another off-season has prompted not another re-tooling but another re-booting.

With Brendan Haywood and Tyson Chandler, the Mavs have their best big-man tandem in franchise history. But is the tweaking enough to close the gap on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers?

Or, for that matter, merely a berth in the second round?

Think we're better?

Point Guard: Jason Kidd/ Roddy Beaubois/ J.J. Barea

Shooting Guard: Jason Terry/ Dominique Jones

Small Forward: Caron Butler/ Shawn Marion

Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki/ Tim Thomas

Center: Brendan Haywood/ Tyson Chandler

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