Dallas Mavericks Entering Elite Class

Mavericks win 16th in a row, improve to 51-9

After going up 2-0 in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, the Dallas Mavericks seemed to have everything in order. That was until the superhero "Flash," better known as Dwayne Wade cut, slashed, and willed his Heat to victory.

Two things are for sure though, the 2006-07 Mavericks have not forgotten and have their sites set on the number 70. Seventy wins has only been eclipsed once and that was by Michael Jordan's 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who finished the regular season 72-10 and then cruised to another NBA Championship.

After disposing of the New Jersey Nets 102-89 Tuesday night, the Mavs extended their current winning streak to 16 games, and their home-winning streak to 23 games. The current 16 game-winning streak is their third of 12 games or more this season. In the process, they clinched a playoff birth on March 6th with an astonishing 22 games remaining. The Mavs are more than capable of surpassing 70 wins since they have won 37 of their last 39 games and have more firepower than the opposition can handle.

Starting with MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs have five players making huge impacts including Nowitzki that are former first-round draft picks. Nowitzki was drafted 9th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and is averaging 25.4 points per game, while grabbing close to 10 rebounds a contest. Another first-rounder and major steal of the class of 2003 is Josh Howard. Howard was drafted 23rd overall by the Mavs out of Wake Forest and continues to display his versatility night in and night out by averaging 19 points a game, and snatching seven rebounds. Following in Howard's versatility is former no. 10 pick, Jason Terry. Terry has been on fire of late increasing his average to 16 points per, while dishing out 5 assists and shooting close to 43 percent from 3-point range.

In case Terry needs a break, the Mavs have two super players coming off the bench in former 2004 5th overall pick, Devin Harris from Wisconsin, and the ever consistent Tar Heel Jerry Stackhouse. Stackhouse and Harris provide ample bench play by averaging right around double-digit points (Harris 9.7, Stackhouse 11.1). Stackhouse rounds out the five former first-rounders who are making a major impact on this squad by being drafted 3rd overall in 1995 by the 76ers. (It should be noted that the Mavs are responsible for drafting only Josh Howard and acquired the other four via trade or free-agent signing. This further demonstrates the great organization the Mavs have become from top to bottom)

With this amount of scoring possibilities it is hard to believe that the Mavs will let up anytime soon. They are simply on a mission: to get back to the NBA Finals, but this time win it in convincing fashion.

Through 60 games, Dallas is tied for the 4th best record in NBA history at 51-9. Only the Chicago Bulls of 1995-96 (54-6) and 1996-1997 (53-7), and the Philadelphia 76ers of 1966-67 (52-8) hold better records through 60 games. Also, the Mavs have lost only two times since December 12th, while reigning Coach of the Year, Avery Johnson has composed a mind-blowing regular season record of 111-31 in his first two seasons with the club. That record of 111-31 translates to a 78 percent regular season winning percentage, which is simply incredible.

Now, I am not trying to say that the Dallas Mavericks are by any means better than Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls' teams, but I am saying that the Mavs can win 70 games this year. If they do so they will join a list of two: the Chicago Bulls and the Dallas Mavericks.

However, with a superb regular season comes the highest of expectations. A failure to win the NBA title and the Mavericks could soon be labeled "a team that couldn't win the big one," much like a football player.

Yet, there is something in this 2006-07 squad that makes you think otherwise. May be it's the fact that they could taste victory last year. May be it's because of their offensive firepower. Better yet, may be it's in the fiery head coach, Avery Johnson and charismatic owner, Mark Cuban. Whatever the case may be, these Mavericks are set to soar to new heights in 2006-07 and imprint their names in NBA history.