01-27-2021, 11:37 AM
(01-27-2021, 11:25 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: If we believe Luka is a true MVP candidate (I do), and the Mavs have found a good enough running mate in KP (I do), then the Mavs are true contenders already no?
Well, it's fine if you believe they're contenders, but my opinion isn't really related to those factors.
I'm just looking around the league and seeing how much TALENT some teams have. The Mavs have lots of interesting players and most of them are still improving. I just can't envision a team built around a 21 year old beating a great team with loads of playoff experience that's built around a star or stars who are 28-36. Those teams are just in a different league.
IMO, the contenders are: LAL, LAC and BRK. Maaaaybe MIL (doubt it). I don't see how the Mavs have any chance in a 7-game series against any of those teams, so I don't consider them to be contenders. Boston should be up there, too, on talent alone, but THEY are still too young, imo, even though they have loads of playoff experience relative to the Mavs. I can see the Mavs beating Denver, Phoenix or Portland in a series, but I think those teams are all ahead of them, too.
I strongly believe that the Mavs are the one of the best teams in the league building around someone as young as Luka (2nd to Boston, probably). Please understand that I don't mean this as a criticism of the team. I enjoy this building period, personally. It's like we're waiting in line at Six Flags.