We have made it to the top three guys that will be the guys that everybody will count on. Of course we know who #1 is and how valuable he is, but where do the other two guys stand with this team? The guard from the Indiana Pacers may be more important than you think and the Matrix will be the main guy that everyone will look for on the defensive end.
#3- Darren Collison (G)– Collison will be entering his 4th year in the NBA and this year he will be playing in Blue and White. He will be the starting point guard for this team after trading for him from the Pacers. He replaces Jason Kidd who in a matter of minutes changed his mind to sign with the New York Knicks instead of Dallas. I believe this year will be his breakout year with the Mavericks playing along side Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki his stats should go up from what they were last season. He averaged 10.3 points and 4.8 assists per game last season. Like it or not Collison will be the “quarterback” for this team this season and if he does have the breakout year that I am predicting then he may be hard to stop. I mean he did help the Pacers as far as the Second Round of the NBA Playoffs losing to the Miami Heat in six games.
#2- Shawn Marion (F)– The one player that coach Rick Carlisle said that should have been a mention as defensive player of the year last season, Marion, will still be the key defensive guy that the Mavs will turn to. He may been the only player during the lockout season that had consistency all season long. Marion makes players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant work hard for their points. If Marion is anyhow is injured during this season then the Mavericks will have a hard time competing in the West. If Marion is healthy for most of the season then the Mavs will be part of the playoff picture and they should be able to compete with the San Antonio Spurs for the Division title. Also if Marion is able to bring up his scoring average and be a scorer like he was with the Phoenix Suns then the Mavericks will be a whole different team with the Matrix’s scoring and defensive skills. We will just have to wait and see when the season begins.
#1- Dirk Nowitzki (F)– There is no surprise here on who the #1 guy is on this team. Nowitzki will yet have another season without a superstar helping him out. Dirk is not the guy that will walk into the front office and demand a trade. It’s just not going to happen. However, with the guys they were able to acquire like Darren Collison, Chris Kaman, O.J. Mayo and Elton Brand and if rookies Jae Crowder and James Bernard are a big help this season then Dirk may have enough pieces to work with to help the Mavs to their 13th consecutive playoff appearance. If Dirk shows yet again that he can carry this team without another superstar that might actually help in next year’s off season by showing other big name guys that maybe Dallas is the place to be to have a chance to win a NBA Championship.
RANKING THE MAVS #4-6, #7-9, #10-12, #13-15
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