Dallas Mavericks
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The Dallas Mavericks are a National Basketball Association team based in Dallas, Texas. They are owned by Mark Cuban.
Contents |
Current Record
60-22--------0.366
- 2nd in Southwest Division.
- Streak - Lost 1
- Seed - 4th (3 games behind Spurs)
- Next - vs. Memphis Grizzlies (April 23, 2006)
(Last Updated: April 20, 2006) Playoff 2006 starts Sunday April 23 at American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Home arenas
- Reunion Arena (1980-2001)
- American Airlines Center (2001-present)
Franchise history
Beginning as an expansion franchise in 1980, the Mavericks didn't fare well at the outset finishing 15-67 in their first year. In the next few years surprisingly were in playoff contention. The Mavericks finished 28-54 in their second year. In 1983, the Mavericks finished 38-44 and made the playoffs with a sixth-place finish, thanks to draft picks Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper and Jay Vincent, as well as journeyman Brad Davis. In 1984, the Mavs finished 43-39. In 1985 and 1986, Dallas finished 44-38 and in 1987, the Mavericks finished 55-27 and pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to seven in the Western Finals.
By 1988, they had become a Western Conference power going 53-29 and gave the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers all they could handle in the conference finals, but Lakers were at height of their run, defeating the Mavs on their way to a second consecutive championship.
However, that was the end of their successes for a while, as Roy Tarpley's suspension for drugs as well as the refusal of Adrian Dantley to report to the team after being traded and injuries to key players left the Mavs out of the playoffs. Despite a playoff appearance in 1990, the next few years were horrible for the team, as Tarpley continued to have troubles and was banned for life. The team came close to setting the record for worst record in NBA history two years in a row. Despite having draft picks of Jim Jackson, Jamal Mashburn and Jason Kidd, they still were unable to find the right chemistry, although they at least climbed out of the bottom of the league. Media has termed the big three as "Triple J" with commercials ads pertaining to the three players. Image:Dirk Nowitzki.jpg The 1996–97 season brought a number of changes to the team that formed the foundation of their later success. Michael Finley arrived in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, and Don Nelson was hired as general manager. The additions of Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash in 1998 seemed unspectacular at the time, but it was the combination of those two and Finley that propelled the Mavs to their first playoff appearance in eleven years in 2001. The trio, known as the "Big 3" by the media, formed the nucleus of what was then the best offense in the league, but defense was still the problem as they crashed out of the playoffs that year, as well as the next three.
Nash left for Phoenix at the beginning of the 2004 season, but Dallas was still able to compete thanks to defensive improvements and the increased scoring of Nowitzki. Unfortunately for Mavericks fans, that year happened to be Nash's breakout year, being named MVP and leading the Suns to the Western Conference Finals, defeating the Mavs along the way.
The 2005-2006 season has brought many changes for the Mavericks; Avery Johnson, the Mavs' head coach as of March 2005, has focused on defense this season and has propelled the Mavs from an all-offense team. The absence of Michael Finley on the roster has given room for Dirk Nowitzki (a contender for the MVP title this season) to shine, as well as relatively new talent, including Josh Howard and Devin Harris. As of April 13, 2006, the Mavs are the second place with the San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the Southwestern Division and Western Conference.
Current roster
Players of note
Basketball Hall of Famers:
Not to be forgotten:
- Mark Aguirre
- Shawn Bradley
- Derek Harper
- Jim Jackson
- Jason Kidd
- Jamal Mashburn
- Eduardo Nájera
- Steve Nash
- Detlef Schrempf
- Michael Finley
- Cedric Ceballos
- Hubert Davis
- Popeye Jones
- Nick Van Exel
- Don Nelson (coach)
- Dick Motta (coach)
- Fat Lever
- Mark Cuban (owner)
- James Donaldson
- Dennis Rodman
Retired numbers:
- 15 Brad Davis, G, 1980-92
- 22 Rolando Blackman, G, 1981-92
External links
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