Or so we thought. In their 11th consecutive season of 50+ wins in the regular season, the Mavs finally won their first championship. Their construction by Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson has been so painstaking - over such a long time - it was all too easy to overlook how great they had become.
Let's look at the franchise, just like it was built...piece by piece.
- Peja Stojakovic (FA, 2011) may not have played well in the Finals, but he was able to avenge Sacramento's 2002 loss to the Lakers, as a part of the historic 3-pointer barrage in the clinching game 4.
- Brian Cardinal and Ian Mahinmi (FA, 2010) are journeymen willing to do the dirty work - drawing charges, hustling after loose balls, taking hard fouls - that every championship team needs.
- Tyson Chandler (trade with CHA, 2010) did in fact change the team's postseason DNA; his defensive energy and attitude are essential. He also ended an embarrassing run of overpaid, ineffective centers (Shawn Bradley, Erick Dampier, DeSagana Diop).
- Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson (trade with WAS, 2010) were part of the Caron Butler deal, which brought the first overt presence of "toughness" to the Mavs.
- Shawn Marion (sign and trade with TOR, 2009) was lost in both Miami and Toronto; his stats were no doubt inflated in Phoenix's open system. This postseason, he was a stunningly effective player in all phases.
- Jason Kidd (trade with NJ, 2008) seemed like a desperate knee-jerk reaction to the Pau Gasol trade. Somehow it payed off three seasons later. Kidd brings calm leadership, offensive genius, and a knockdown 3-point shot after years and years of refinement.
- Rick Carlisle (2008) isn't merely a scheme runner, or a disciplinarian, or a master motivator. He simply does whatever is necessary to ensure his players are in a position to succeed.
- J.J. Barea (FA, 2006) takes and makes shots that swing the momentum of games and series. His effectiveness, at his underwhelming stature, must be demoralizing to the opponent.
- Jason Terry (trade with ATL, 2004) is a completely fearless scorer and competitor. He is no sixth man...but he is possibly the most unlikely 2nd option on an NBA champion ever.
- Mark Cuban (bought team in 2000) is as passionate about his team, his fans, and his league as any owner in professional sports. His antics may overshadow it, but he's also one of the smartest as well.
- Dirk Nowitzki (draft via trade with MIL, 1998) best exemplifies what the Mavericks are all about. He could have remained satisfied with being a perennial all-star and max-contract player. After the Finals loss of 2006, he decided that good wasn't good enough, and worked relentlessly to improve every aspect of his game: his post-up moves; his unguardable fadeaway; his ability to read defenses and make the right decision with the ball. He just completed his finest season at the age of 32 and shows no signs of slowing down. He might be the most efficiently versatile scorer in the history of the game.
What jumps out from the list above is that everyone has been disregarded, and/or outright discarded, at some point(s) in their careers. Individually or collectively, they could have easily given up and decided to try something else. Instead, they stayed the course and continued to slowly and surely work towards their ultimate goal. It is nice to see that their long-term vision has been achieved.
