Mavericks: Do They Have What It Takes?

          As the 2010-2011 basketball season comes in full swing tonight, many are already anticipating which team will be the highlight of the season.  My personal favorite happens to be from my hometown once again.  The Dallas Mavericks, for the past couple of years, seems to be on the edge of making it to the top.  A lack of focus and team support has led them towards the path of self-destruction for the past couple of years.  I can personally remember in the 2005-2006 season, after winning the first 3 games against the Miami Heat, Mark Cuban put a design as the front page of The Dallas Morning News.  What was this design you might ask?  It was none other than the pathway that was to be traveled after winning the fourth game, winning a Championship Title.  As many of you all know, the Mavericks never did win that fourth game.
           This type of mentality is what has kept the Mavericks from winning the NBA finals.  Don't get me wrong, I am an avid fan of the Mavericks, but it is hard to have hope when all the eggs are put in one basket, or counted before they hatch. 
          There is an obvious need for a great basketball team in such a large city, and was once rated the seventh most valuable basketball franchise in the United States by Forbes Magazine in 2008.  Everyone obviously sees the potential that this team has, and that potential is greatness.  Do the Mavericks have a great arena to play in?  Yes, the American Airlines Center is the best arena to hold basketball games in the entire city of Dallas.  Is the team filled with talent?  Absolutely, key players such as Dirk Nowitzki, averaging 25 point per game, and Jason Terry, averaging 16.6 points per game, only break the surface of the talent that is on this team.  For some reason, it just seems that with this team, pressure does break pipes. 
          This tirade however is backed up by frustration in following the Mavericks throughout my entire life.  I have been there through the bad, the embarrassment, the frustration, and yes, some good.  It is just hard to constantly be so involved in a team that has lost in the first round of playoffs three out of the past 4 years.  That one year that was the exception only gave us a little longer until we were defeated in the conference semifinals by the Denver Nuggets.
          The 2010-2011 basketball season might prove change for this team.  Sports Illustrated ranked the Mavericks 5th for preseason power rankings.  Although it is always great to be number one, number five lets us start out with a modest, yet successful ranking that leaves room for improvement.  I personally cannot wait to see what the Mavericks are going to do out on the court tonight, and can only hope for the best.  Maybe it is the Mavericks time to put all false connotations to rest considering this teams talent and ability.  Just as the football and baseball seasons come to a close, I knew there was something I could look forward to. 

UPI Photo/Ian Halperin