I know we can't nail this down because LOTS of moves could be made between now and then. As is, the Mavs would win their typical 50 games and get bounced from the playoffs.

As is the spurs would win 45-50 and get bounced from the playoffs.

houston with yao back would crack the playoffs as well but I don't think they have much in the way of making a run either.

So...what does your team need to do to beat the other 2 Texas teams and get to the next level.

My Mavs will no doubt with Cuban try and do something crazy trying to figure out somehow someway to lure Lebron or Wade here in a sign and trade. I think it even gets interesting, but in the end he inks somewhere else. Honestly I would be so disinterested if the Mavs end up with some minor move. I don't know what else you can put with Dirk to help him any more than he has had.

Predict what is going to happen with your team and where they will end up next year.

Do you really think the Mavs will make a push for one of the big 3 (Wade, Bron, Bosh), or do you think this is more of a pipe dream of the fans?

Personally I think it is a pipe dream.

If the Spurs can replace Bonner and Mason with more effective players, I expect them to be about as good next year as they were this year. No more, no less (barring injury of course).

Wade is the only one I see as a remote possibility for the Mavs. Now Joe Johnson on the other hand...

Regardless of offseason moves, I see the Mavs finishing with the best regular season record, then Spurs then Rockets. Even if the Spurs have the guns (big if), they will take it easy during the regular season to save legs.

However, the Mavs will probably again melt in the playoffs unless they can make a big offseason splash (Big 3 or maybe Bosh -- I don't know if Joe Johnson makes them any more of a contender). Too many unknowns at this point.

I expect the Spurs to be able to upgrade from Bonner and Mason without much trouble, so they shouldn't be any worse than this year (barring injuries). However, they need more than that to be a serious contender, which probably depends on finding a taker for Jefferson's contract and/or trading Parker (which could be a huge hit or a huge blunder).

The Rockets will clearly be better than this year and might even have a chance to win a playoff series.

So as far as playoffs, probably Spurs then Mavs then Rockets, with none of them making the WCF unless a major move is made.

[This message has been edited by moorehead01 (edited 5/12/2010 3:43p).]

There is so much moving and shaking to be done this offseason this question is nearly impossible to answer.

Going off current rosters + best speculation about roster changes + disregarding potential injuries:

quote:

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Do you really think the Mavs will make a push for one of the big 3 (Wade, Bron, Bosh), or do you think this is more of a pipe dream of the fans?

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It's Cuban, what do you think? He will make an honest attempt at someone, the pipe dream is thinking we'll land one. We won't. Maybe we'll get lucky with one of the quieter FA's like Al Jefferson, who could be a decent fit. Can't see Wade or LBJ. Maybe Bosh, but again unlikely. If Cuban goes after Joe Johnson I'm going to cry, especially after watching him "show up" in the playoffs.

Can see the Rockets actually being a very good team if Yao can stay healthy long enough and he hasn't lost too much of his game sitting around eating egg rolls all year. There's no reason Brooks Martin Ariza Scola Yao can't win 50 games.

Spurs are going to be interesting to watch. The big 3 nucleus won't miss the playoffs. I can't see Parker leaving or anyone taking RJs contract. As long as Blair gets more PT and GHill develops a little more the team will make it to the 2nd round.

Way-to-early prediction:
Spurs: Lose in conference semis
Mavs: Lose in 1st round
Rox: Lose in 1st round

The best Texas team next year argument is way to early to talk about it with a lot of stuff yet to go down, but I do think we may see two of the three make a big move.... my money is on Dallas making a hard push for Wade and I still believe Houston is going to make a big time move as well, I think the moves this past year collecting these valuable draft picks was in preparation for a sign and trade deal. I really think they are going to go after Bosh hard.... sign and trade give Bosh a max deal. Now the trade would probably have to involve Battier, Jeffries (salary wise to stay under the cap)probably either Buddinger or Hill with this year's first round pick which 98% chance it will be the 14th pick which is really a worthless pick if you look back at what teams have been able to get with the 14th pick (I think the best 14th pick the last decade has been Brewer)and you would probably have to give up one of the picks you received from the Knicks, probably the more valuable one which is the 2012 1st rd. pick, I believe is only protected if it's number one overall. A lot to give up in exchange for Bosh but the numbers work out and Battier has some value still, Jeffries would just be a salray dump to make the numbers work, Buddinger or Hill showed some upside last year, more so Buddinger who seems to be worth more, and 2 1st rd. picks.

Rockets

Do I think Lebron or Wade is a pipe dream? Yes. For every NBA team it's a pipe dream. I didn't say we would do it, but Mark Cuban will cause them to think about it. In the end we don't get either one, but I think you will hear the Mavs name surface this summer because Cuban will make it interesting some how some way. He can't stand to keep this team as is right now because he knows it's going nowhere.

quote:

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If the Spurs can replace Bonner and Mason with more effective players, I expect them to be about as good next year as they were this year

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why wouldn't they be better if they have better players? your hypothesis is flawed

Rockets will not have the best record, but they will be in the playoffs and have a chance at a run. They will have all the pieces even with no more additions. We would have the (hopefully healthy) dominant center, scoring PF, shooting SF, scoring SG, and scoring PG.

The only thing holding the team will be defense, but we should be able to out score most teams.

Its hard to even try and estimate what will happen in the playoffs. The West will continue to be so strong that anyone could get to the second round outside of the team playing the Lakers.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the West this off-season. Of the top 12 teams (8 playoff + 3 other SW division + Clips), which of those teams is going to take a step back?

Clippers, Rockets, NOLA, and Memphis all should be better either because of age or injuries or both.

Perhaps the Nuggets and Jazz take a step back, and maybe the Spurs break down, but I think the West gets even more competitive next year. Right now there is no reason to think that the Lakers, Blazers, or OKC to take a step back. Who knows what will go down in Phoenix.

Blazer will be much better I would assume just becuase of health issue, good team and good coach.