Hollinger's Team Forecast: Dallas Mavericks

[GermanFan120]

Prediction: 45-37, 4th in Southwest Division, T-6th in Western Conference

Do you agree with him?

[GermanFan120]

Outlook
Between the panic trade for Kidd, the crazy Diop deal and the weird infatuation with fading veterans, the Mavs, as an organization, appear to have lost much of their mojo over the past two years. In particular, the staggering depth they held in previous seasons isn't nearly as imposing, and the offensive firepower that made them such a daunting defensive challenge is now mostly confined to Howard, Nowitzki and Terry.
That said, they had a long way to fall. Dallas still had the point differential of a 56-win team a year ago, and they still have the best forward combo this side of Boston. Even with all the questionable personnel decisions, it's hard to imagine this team falling out of the top seven in the West. Nowitzki is too good and Carlisle too smart for that to be likely.

If they do slip, age in the backcourt will be the likely cause. The Kidd-Terry combo looks rock-solid on paper, but old guards can lose it fast, and when teams collapse suddenly that's often the cause.

More likely, they'll end up as one of the "tweeners" in the West -- far better than the bulk of the conference, but not nearly good enough to challenge the likes of Houston, Utah and the Lakers for supremacy.

If so, let's just hope it doesn't lead to any more panic moves.

[dirkforpres]

I find it hard to believe we wouldnt win 50 games, even though I do agree that it will probably get bus 6th or 7th in the conference.

[TsunamiZC]

I love how Houston is a top 3 now, despite having not made it past the first round or staying healthy an entire year in what ??? I dont know how long, I dont tend to keep up with that smelly city ...

[JES12]

Predictions before we see a team lead by Kidd with a full training camp AND/OR this team without Avery are hollow predictions.

[mffl_14]

Not sure I agree with the record but being a 6th seed this year would be a real accomplishment here. What happened to the hopes of going to the finals .... my how time flies

[Teffer10]

I tend to agree with that forecast.

I think this Kidd-led team will be as good as any for the first 45 minutes. Its the last 3 minutes of the game when the pace slows that will be a problem for this team.

50+ wins should happen but I'd be surprised if there is any success in the POs with this current roster.

[catalyst]

I have always like the unloved mavs predictions with hur feelings. They never come true, and mavs have bested them. This is also pre playoff failures.