The Dallas Mavericks are two years removed from winning the NBA title, but besides Dirk Nowitzki the current Mavericks' roster barely resembles the championship team. Two key contributors to that championship team are gone with the departure of guards Jason Terry and Jason Kidd.
The Mavericks have brought in Elton Brand, Chris Kaman, O.J. Mayo, Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones. Chris Kaman was a great signing if he can stay healthy. He was an All-Star three seasons ago and has averaged double figures every season since the 2004-05 season.
The projected starting five of Collison, Mayo, Shawn Marion,Nowitzki and Chris Kaman have enough talent to get the team back to the playoffs, but injures and age are major concerns. Vince Carter and Elton Brand will be a great assets coming off of the bench, but are also on the decline.
According to NBA 2K13, the Mavericks will fall hard this season dropping to last place in the western conference and entering draft lottery territory. The game predicts that the team will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 campaign and will be ranked 30th in points allowed per game.
Dirk starts the season injured and misses the first month of the season. Without their star the team stumbles out of the gate losing 7 straight games at one point. Nowitzki also only averaged 18.9 points per game the lowest of his career since his second season in the NBA. Free agent signing Mayo will not have as big of an impact as Dallas had hoped. The team also loses Marion for most of the season with a torn MCL.
Here is how the game simulates the Mavericks' season:
Regular Season Record: 28-54 last place in the Western Conference
Top scorers: C Chris Kaman 14.2 PPG, SG O.J. Mayo 16.4 PPG, PF Dirk Nowitzki 18.9 PPG
Leading rebounders: SF Shawn Marion 5.6 RPG, PF Dirk Nowitzki 8.1 RPG, C Chris Kaman 8.6 RPG
Assist Leader: SG O.J. Mayo 2.7 APG, SF Vince Carter 3.9 APG, PG Darren Collison 7.3 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Did not qualify
Round 2: Did not qualify
Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets
