But he signed with the Hornets on the same day. Did the Mavs even try him out? A lot of lesser known yet younger players could reproduce George’s numbers and defensive plays. These alibi signings of well-known yet mostly washed-up veterans to fill up the roster has to stop (see recent article about Magloire in Ball Don’t Lie http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie). I thought the Mavs were on the right track releasing all the useless PFs of the last season. Yet this signing seems to be a lateral move at best and not something that will make us better in the playoffs.

PG:

Kidd
Upside: he fits in better with a complete offseason and training camp, gets on the same page with Josh, stays on the same page as Dirk and Damp, develops chemistry with Gerald Green and Diop and adds to Bass’ improvement
Downside: he is too old, washed out, and injuries start to take a toll

Barea
Upside: his speed, passing, shooting and age provide a valuable asset to the team in keeping Kidd fresh and healthy, and his size advantage isn’t exploited on defense
Downside: he’s nothing better than a 3rd point guard on most teams and we find that out quickly

Terry
Upside: he doesn’t have to play the point because Kidd and Barea are healthy and effective; as a 2 off the bench, his shooting stays hot and he continues to bring quality 6th man performance to this team
Downside: we have to count on him as our starting PG at some point this year

SG:

Gerald Green
Upside: he finds a way to mesh with this team and builds on his 2006 campaign, providing quality defense, scoring and athleticism while fitting in very well with Kidd’s passing; he eventually becomes a starter here
Downside: he never blossoms and/or takes entirely too long to get it going

Terry (see above)

Eddie Jones – hope he’s traded or released

Stackhouse
Upside: he is used as our 8th man off the bench and provides scoring and a good all-around game, plus clutch free throw shooting at the end of games, a tough aspect to the team and veteran leadership
Downside: he’s injured or used too much (as a starter)

Antoine Wright (unsigned?)
Upside: backs up the 2/3 positions and provides aggressive defense and the ability to get to the basket; he begins to flourish and picks up more playing time as the year goes on, giving this roster a much-needed infusion of youth in combination with Green

Devean George
Upside: he’s traded.
Downside: not bad here – he sticks on the roster while Jones and Stackhouse are traded and provides veteran leadership, defense and a little bit of shooting off the bench

SF:

Josh Howard
Upside: realizing he’s much better than the last 2 playoff series and the final month of last year, he pulls it together mentally and gets onto the same page as Kidd and Dirk and provides above average scoring, tough defense and the ability to rebound and pass. he takes it to the hole a little more than he did last year, but keeps his shooting touch
Downside: he keeps unravelling and never gets it together

Reshawn Terry
Upside: he provides youth, energy, above average defense and shooting off the bench to spell Howard
Downside: he takes too long to pick things up or isn’t given the chance

PF:

Dirk
Upside: he continues dominance with Kidd feeding him, and builds on his illustrious career. his leadership begins to really take root, and Carlisle utilizes him in as much of a Bird-like fashion as he can, and he dominates in the post-season.
Downside: injuries.

Bass
Upside: he builds on improved 2007/2008 season and continues to score, posterize and defend with a passion. (note: he is the one player on this team I have seen completely take Duncan out of his game, and the primary reason I think, all other things considered, we are a better team than the Spurs next year)
Downside: he’s traded or fails to produce for Carlisle

C:

Damp
Upside: he continues to play great offense (relatively speaking) with Kidd in the game, and keeps his rebounding (especially offensively) prowess up; refreshed by Diop’s return, he remains healthy all year
Downside: injuries, age catch up to him

Diop
Upside: he steps right in where he left off, keeping Damp out of foul trouble and playing aggressive, quality defense. he develops a semblance of an offensive game with Kidd at the helm
Downside: we rely on him as our starter due to Damp injury

I know there is a lot of information here. The way I look at 2008/2009 is that there is extreme upside, which is unlikely to happen (but I see each individual scenario working out), there is extreme downside, which is unlikely to happen (but would be very applicable if we were discussing the Texas Rangers), and there is somewhere in between. I honestly believe the key to 2008/2009 being a special season are three things: health, unity under Carlisle and Josh Howard. I feel that if each of those things works out in our favor, we can be just as competitive as the top 2 or 3 teams in the West and have a shot at the Finals again. Anything short of that, and it would take a miracle to get past the 1st round again. And if it all falls through to the gutter, look at the bright side – Kidd and Stackhouse come off the books, and we have youth in Green, Wright, R. Terry, Seibutis, Foster, Bass and Diop to go with an MVP and another All Star. All we’d need is an impact PG. Say what you will about finding one, but being one piece away from an extended future of success isn’t a bad way to go.