(09-26-2023, 09:14 AM)SkenfromLMF Wrote: IF there is a silver lining to that question it is that the starting lineup boasts 2 All-Star starters who have yet to show chemistry in a game setting. So theoretically a 50% improvement (say 55 wins) could be feasible.
That is a huge jump, but if they hit anything other than rock bottom last year there is a chance.
Kyrie and Luka posted a 9-16 record since Kyrie started playing for the Mavs, which is around 30 wins season. So a 50 % improvement is roughly 45 wins
. 50 % improvement is big.While Mavs had 38 wins last season, their record with Kyrie (not saying it is Kyrie fault) was really bad and the starting point is actually really low.
(09-26-2023, 11:07 AM)WildArkieBoy Wrote: Wasn't the idea verbalized last year that adding at least one playmaker and a serviceable center to luka/kyrie would thrust the Mavs into the top 4 in the division? I thought "we" were on the verge of the playoffs last year until the announced two game tanking at the end.
Mavs ended 6 wins behind 6th best record in the West, so those last two games didn't matter anything with regards to the playoffs. There was a slight chance it could get them to play-in (but other results showed it wouldn't happen even if Mavs won both games).
Edit: and btw, I am not convinced Mavs added a serviceable center and at least one (decent) playmaker. Might be wrong, but I rather take a more careful approach with the regards to what I hope for.