NBA 2006-2007 Preview: The Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks
Coach: Avery Johnson, 3rd Season (76-24; 18 games in ’04-’05)
General Manager: N/A (owner – Mark Cuban)
’05-’06 Record: 60-22, 2nd Southwest Division
Postseason: eliminated in NBA Finals, Lost to MIA (4-2)


Projected Starting Lineup (’05-’06 Stats)

PG – Devin Harris (9.9 ppg., 2.2 rpg., 3.2 apg.)
SG – Jason Terry (17.1 ppg., 2.0 rpg., 3.8 apg.)
SF – Josh Howard (15.6 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 1.9 apg.)
PF – Dirk Nowitzki (26.6 ppg., 9.0 rpg., 2.8 apg.)
C – Desagna Diop (2.3 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 0.3 apg.)


Key Additions: PF Austin Croshere (trade – IND); PG Anthony Johnson (trade – IND); SF Devean George (UFA – LAL); SG Greg Buckner (UFA – DEN)

Key Subtractions: SG Marquis Daniels (trade – IND); PG Darrell Armstrong (trade – IND); SF Josh Powell (trade – IND); SF Adrian Griffin (UFA – CHI)


2006 NBA Draft
Round 1 – SG Maurice Ager (28th overall), Michigan State University
Round 2 – N/A


Positional Breakdowns

Guards
It was interesting last season to see the maturing of Devin Harris. He was a player who wasn’t in the favor of Coach Avery Johnson at the beginning of last season, but you could definitely see him get more comfortable. As that happened, Harris was able to get more confidence in his game and more importantly in the fact that his teammates would support him and help him get better as a floor leader. This season is another opportunity for Harris to continue to allow his NBA game to get better and to make better decisions. The guy is just fast on the court. He will get the ball and get behind the defense before you even know. Harris is just one of those guys who looks as though he has another gear that no one else has on the court. When he looks for it, Harris can put up some points as well. He’s a good defender who is learning and still adjusting to the league. Harris needs to be able to take on more responsibility for the Mavericks this season because they will count on him more to lead the offense.