Dallas Mavericks: Monta Ellis Thinks They’re 20 Wins Better Than Last Year

By Danny Webster | Oct 25, 2014

Oct 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) shoots against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m all for optimism and reaching for the stars. If you have a goal, go all in. Monta Ellis‘ latest goal might be a bit of a stretch, though.

Ellis was a guest on the Ben and Skin Show on Thursday to talk about the new-look Dallas Mavericks roster with the season right around the corner. Monta has had the tendency to say things that make people go, “What?!?”

Much like this comparison between him and Dwyane Wade.

So he’s had his share of moments, and that continued on Thursday, on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas when Monta said that the Mavericks, fresh off a 49-33 season a year ago and finished as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, can not only do better than last year, but give the 1996 Chicago Bulls a run for their money.

Yes, you read that right.

"“Everybody just wants to win,” Ellis said. “Our bench is way deeper than last year. The experience on our team is way better than last year. So, I would think that this team should be at least 20-plus games better than last year if we all come in like we have been in training camp and come in and compete, night in and night out.”"

You can listen to the interview in its entirety here, and while Monta is saying this, Jeff “Skin” Wade gives the same reaction I do: Wow.

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Monta isn’t shy on bold predictions. He’s never shied away from the big stage when he’s gotten a chance to be on it.

But 20-plus wins? After a 49-win from a year ago? Really? Let’s pump the brakes for a minute.

Expectations for the Mavericks, at least coming from myself, are a 54-56-win season and at least a top-4 seed in the Western Conference. That would be ideal and would be a great season, especially with how talented the West is.

Around a 69-win season, though? While I think this Dallas team is more talented all across the board than the 2006-07 roster that won a franchise record 67 games (and we won’t go any further than that), it’s too difficult to do anything like that in today’s NBA.

If the Mavs were in the Eastern Conference, then maybe I’d give them a shot to get close. It was only a couple of years ago when the Miami Heat had the quietest 66-win season of any team in NBA history, but they also had the best player in the world on their roster.

If Dallas had LeBron James on its roster, I’d go ahead and pencil the Mavericks for about 68 wins. But that’s not happening.

Make no mistake, this Mavericks team is more talented than any team since the Don Nelson era. It’s certainly more talented than any team Rick Carlisle has had for the time he’s been in Dallas. Avery Johnson would’ve killed to have the talent this Mavs team has, all because Erick Dampier is nowhere to be found on this roster.

I think this Mavs team can make a big run in the West, if they stay healthy and Dirk Nowitzki is still playing at an All-Star level. More on that next week.

But a 69-win season? I’ll hold off on that until further notice.

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