2017–18 NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks

One of the most bananas games of the entire 2016–17 NBA season involved the Dallas Mavericks. They absolutely destroyed the Chicago Bulls, 107–82, and it wasn’t nearly as close as the score suggested. They were 3–13 entering that game.

Ultimately, Dallas finished the year a ho-hum 33–49, so really close to .500 basketball after that first massive batch of ugly to start the season.

There were reasons for the Mavericks to be so bad. They had roster issues, centered around some massive injuries. They also had a bunch of players that no one ever heard, didn’t play, or were significantly beyond their prime.

There were also a whole series of bright spots. Dirk Nowitzki further cemented his legendary status, crossing the 30,000-point mark. Seth Curry became something other than the brother of Steph Curry, kind of. Yogi Ferrell went off and got himself a guaranteed deal.

After an ugly start, it got a lot better for Dallas, but they were never destined to compete in this elite Western Conference, and they won’t do it again this year.

Dirk is back, and for that we should all be thankful. He’s a special player that does weird things and makes them look normal (example: look at any shot he has ever taken). He’s also getting quite old by NBA standards and he’s reached the stage of his career that Kobe Bryant was at when he decided to call it quits. His mind is there, but his body is ready to call it a day. I only hope that as his sun begins to set, he turns into as much of a lunatic gunner as Kobe was during his final stretch of games. I want the man screaming in German at the top of his lungs after every shot he makes. Oh, and he’s the center on this team. I’m here for this.

Curry played most of his NBA career just last season, and he’s a really good 3-point shooter. He took just over 75 percent of his career 3-point attempts last season and he connected on 42.5 percent of them.

Dallas also amassed a few players that might play a significant role in the coming season with Nerlens Noel returning on a qualifying offer after not coming to terms on anything lucrative or long-term with the Mavs last season or over the summer.

The rookie Dennis Smith, Jr. is an exciting prospect who “fell” all the way to Dallas in the draft, but will open the season as one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year. He’ll have ample opportunity to get minutes and production from the start, surrounded by some established and skilled players and not facing any serious competition for the starting job as the other guards on the roster are either there to fill minutes or play off ball.

Harrison Barnes is the man of the hour, just like he was heading into last season, and what he was hyped as in his limited role with the Golden State Warriors for several seasons prior.

With a salary north of $23 million, Barnes will be looked to for more production than just the 19.1 points he put up last season.

The Mavericks offense isn’t Golden State, even if they do have a Curry to pair him with. The injuries that were wreaking havoc on Dallas last season should also subside this season, giving Barnes more time to work with the players that will fill the starting and bench roles for the team this year. I’d expect that even if his 3-point shooting and overall scoring numbers don’t improve, his assist numbers will jump and the team will be more cohesive around him in general on both ends of the floor.

I don’t know if Barnes will ever be worth $23 million, even in the age of steadily rising salary caps, but he’s going to be good. Maybe not as good as everyone from Zach Lowe to Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux gushed about — I also hoped he was going to be something more than he’s shown so far — but that’s going to be okay.

There’s something quite amusing about the idea that Barnes escaped Golden State only to find himself again the shadow of a Curry. Sure, this is an overstatement, but here’s to hoping. Some NBA narrative and chaos that everyone can enjoy.

After their awful start last year, Dallas was better as they regained health and found the right role players. Vegas has them at 35.5, 2.5 wins above their actual total last season. I’m going to buy this. I don’t believe in the playoff chances of this team, but a healthy roster this season, continued great perimeter shooting from Curry, a slightly better Barnes, and the addition of Smith, Jr. make me believe in three more wins than last season.

Barnes can’t escape a Curry, but that might be a good thing.