Roundtable: Record Predictions

Give me your record for the Dallas Mavericks and why!

Ryan: The early season absence of Kristaps Porzingis will undoubtedly cause a tough start to season. But once he returns and finds his groove next to Luka Doncic and an improved Mavericks team, I’m optimistic about this teams ceiling. Josh Richardson looks like the truth, I’m really bullish on the bench group and Doncic is going to win the MVP this season. I’ll take the Mavericks finishing with a 44-28 record.

Ritik: 43-29. The Mavericks have improved overall as a team, but I think many of their improvements will translate to post-season success as opposed to regular season wins. The crazy nature of this season makes for some high-variance situations, and KP’s absence/limited games, COVID positive tests, and the increased strength of the Western Conference overall means that I think the Mavericks will have only a modest win % improvement. (.597 vs .573 last season).

Clint: Between Luka Doncic hopefully taking another step in his progression, the additions of Josh Richardson, James Johnson and Wes Iwundu, and a great draft, I have high hopes for this season. I don’t want to be overly optimistic, but I think the Mavericks will go 72-0 in the regular season, and then follow that up by going 16-0 in the playoffs.

Ben: It’s been overlooked due to the constant turmoil of the last year, but the Mavericks had a lot of injuries last season. I think they get better luck this time around. Luka Doncic will be more experienced, and the compressed schedule will favor teams with young stars. The Mavericks will surprise the NBA by going 48-24 and challenging for the number one seed.

Tim: 47-25; last regular season 20 of the Mavs’ 32 losses were by 5 points or fewer. You have to imagine, with experience and the addition of Josh Richardson in the closing lineup, that this Mavs team will clean up some of their clutch woes of the past. The western conference is difficult, but when you have a top 5 player in the NBA, you have a chance to win every game. KP’s health is a big factor to watch as well. February will be the best opportunity for the Mavs to climb up the standings with 10 of their 14 games at home.

David: Between a condensed season adding an increased possibility for injuries/rest games (with creative ways to say Luka or KP are hurt to rest them) and the uncertainty of when players could be out because of COVID, the Mavs might end up with a few less wins than we expect them to. When they are fully healthy, expect to see a clear leap forward. However, health/availability is a big “if” and given the circumstances of this season, you have to predict that factor to take a few off the win total. I see them finishing 42-30. I hope they prove me wrong.

Iztok: This season is going to be wild, with condensed schedule, only 72 games and a lot of COVID related uncertainty. This is why I see teams that have continuity and strong system in place, performing better. In the West. teams like Dallas, Portland, Denver and Utah are running the same system with the same coach and players for a while now, and I see them in the top 6 of the conference (together with both Los Angeles teams). For Dallas, Porzingis health will be the key, if he’ll miss less than 10 games, then I see them going over 42 wins, in the 43 range. However, I believe Dallas will be conservative with KP, so I predict 41-31.

Sam: If we give the Mavericks the same winning percentage as last season, they’d win about 41 of the 72 games, but like Tim, I too think the team will solve some of their clutch time woes and nab a few extra wins from that. Given that the team got better and deeper, I think they can weather KP’s absence. Once he comes back… look out. Mavericks will finish with a .611 winning percentage, good for a 44-28 record.

Jordan: I could make arguments for the Mavericks winning 40 games. I could make arguments for them winning 50. That’s what will make this season so exciting. As an exercise I went through the games currently scheduled and had them at a .648 win percentage. That would put them at a 46-26 record (53 wins in a normal season). I’m not sure I’m there yet. With these predictions I usually err on the side of caution, but give me 44-28.

Matt: I was going to pull a Price is Right with the “what’s the highest prediction? One more win than that.” But Clint already out-meme’d me. Assuming his prediction is thrown out when it’s revealed he’s using performance enhancing drugs (for bloggers, that’d be Vitamin D supplement, CBD, and anything else that pushes someones mood above the threshold of “miserable,”) I’ll say 49-23.

Kirk: The problem with putting this together is that I always write my part last. I’m always the grump but I feel high as hell on the Mavericks right now. 50-22. LET’S GO. As for my reason? Well, Luka Doncic is good and this roster connects. It’s going to be a great year.