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Playoff Picture: Dallas Mavericks

By Luke Duffy

Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; The Dallas Mavericks prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; The Dallas Mavericks prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (20) and forward Richard Jefferson (middle) and center Amar’e Stoudemire (right) sit on the bench during the second half after the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (20) and forward Richard Jefferson (middle) and center Amar’e Stoudemire (right) sit on the bench during the second half after the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Verdict

This team is going home in the first round, but that speaks more about the depth of talent in the Western Conference than anything else. In years gone by this was definitely a team that could get to the second round and beyond. There’s also no way they’d be a seventh seed. They won 50 games this season and everything. But these are the times we live in.

The future is a little more concerning, however. Owner Mark Cuban went all in for winning now with the last couple of years of having Nowitzki. It was great to see, to reward Dirk’s loyalty by chasing another ring hard. But the talent assembled, and it is talent, just doesn’t stack up against some others in the West.

When Nowitzki is gone, and that’s coming sooner rather than later, will Dallas be as attractive a place to play? The future is uncertain, and while we know what this team is right now, we also know it’s not stacked enough to go all the way. It’s a tricky situation to be in.

Then again, some probably said the same things in 2011, and if you can shut down James Harden you’ve always got a chance to advance, right?

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