PLAYOFFS ROUND 1: #4 DAL (4-2) vs #5 UTA (2-4) |

[mvossman]

We are a better team minus KP and plus Dinwiddie.

Aside from Luka we are a better team than last year because DFS is playing better defense and offense. He has improved. Brunson is playing better defense and offense. He has improved. Green is playing better defense and offense. He has improved. Bullock is on the team. Powell is healthier. 

All these things have improved our team. 

Yes Hardaway is injured. But the guys who are taking his minutes are as a group significantly better. 

Guys, Dallas was tied for the BEST record in the league after the ASB. The pace was a 61 win season. Why are some here acting like we are not contenders?

This is all true.  I think the biggest reason this team was better post trade is Luka's play.  He really struggled the first couple of months of the season, but has been playing like a true superstar since.  Some of that is being out of shape, some of it is probably the funk that most of the team was in the first couple of months (possibly due to different ball) and some of it is probably due to relief of not having to deal with KP anymore.

Its tough for folks to see this team as a contender because we have been watching guys like Brunson, DFS, Powell, and Maxi for years and saying we have too many folks in the 5-8 range on a contender and we need more starters, while that group has quietly moved into more of a 3-6 range.  

Personally, I feel like we could still use one more quality starter and we are too thin in the frontcourt right now.  That being said, with Booker being out, if we get Luka back to full health in time I can see us making a legit run at it.