Midseason grades vs championship expectations

[dirkfansince1998]

Taking the comparison to 2011 further really highlights where the Mavs need to get better. It's no secret, you have to look at upgrading the frontcourt. DFS, Powell and Kleber are the pieces you have play with. Probably Brunson too, because of the contract. 

Luka (Kidd) - advantage Luka
KP (Dirk) - big advantage Dirk, but KP is no slouch when healthy
Brunson (JJB) - can do
Bullock/Green (Stevenson) - can do

Powell (Chandler) - Mavs have to find a starting center, or move KP to five and bring in a banging power forward.

THJ (JET) - Hardaway has been terrible. He's playing with no confidence, something JET never lacked. But he can be better. I just don't think you can afford to trade him unless it's a clear 1-1 upgrade.

DFS (Marion) - I love Dorian but he's no Matrix.

Kleber (Cardinal) - Can you get value here to upgrade your top-6?

Not sure if this is what you are trying to do but recreating a team that won more than ten years ago probably isn´t the smartest approach. The game evolves, rules changes, schemes that used to be great become obsolete.
Comparing the talent level makes sense to get an idea how much more the Mavs need to get back into the contender conversation. As much as I like the 2011 team. Just looking at the individual talent they are not comparable to some of the 2-3 star player powerhouses that are dominating the league right now. Under normal circumstances it probably takes even more to win in the current NBA.