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While twiddling my thumbs waiting for the Mavericks – or anyone – to make a significant, deadline-beating NBA trade, I wondered just how good Dallas has been this millenium. Calculator + 10 minutes + elbow grease = Yahtzee!
Answer: Damn good. Second-best good.
From the beginning of owner Mark Cuban’s reign at the start of the 2000 season through last week’s All-Star break, the Mavs have won more regular-season games than every team except – you guessed it – the San Antonio Spurs.
Too bad it’s been 8, 1-year sprints rather than 1, 8-year marathon. Because it’s close.
How close?
If this were a 10-year race for Team of the Decade, the standings would look thusly: (Of course, I guess you’d have to grudingly factor in the Spurs’ three championships as well.)
Most NBA regular-season wins from 2000 through 2009 All-Star break:
1. San Antonio Spurs: 504
2. Dallas Mavericks: 480
3. Detroit Pistons: 443
4. Los Angeles Lakers: 442
5. Phoenix Suns: 418
6. Sacramento Kings: 406
7. Utah Jazz: 389
8. Boston Celtics: 377
9. Indiana Pacers: 370
10. New Jersey Nets: 364
