Dirk Nowitzki
1. Dirk Nowitzki enters his 20th season with the Dallas Mavericks, joining Kobe Bryan as the sole members of the NBA’s 20-year, one team only club. He’s always said he’s wanted to play “at least” 20 seasons. At 39 years-old this could very well be Dirk’s last, or next to last, season with Dallas. According to Nowitzki, it will hinge on his ability to stay healthy throughout the season. Enjoy him while he’s here. There will never ever be another Dirk.
2. Nowitzki is one of six players in the NBA’s 30,000-point club. He led Dallas to the team’s first-ever 60-win season in 2002-03, first NBA Finals appearance in 2006 vs Miami Heat, a franchise-high 67 wins in 2006-07, and the organization’s first NBA championship in 2011.
3. Nowitzki is a 13-time NBA All-Star, 2006-07 NBA MVP, and 2011 NBA Finals MVP.
4. Nowitzki needs to play in at least 68 games to move into the top five all-time in career games played. He currently sits eighth with 1,394 games played. Fun fact: Jason Terry is 12th with 1,359 games played and Vince Carter, the oldest active player in the NBA at age 40, is 13th.
5. Nowitzki has left more than $200 million on the table for the sake of the franchise.
6. Nowitzki’s bond with Mark Cuban.
7. Dirk Nowitzki continues to be the best interview in sports.
Dennis Smith Jr.
8. We’re officially entering a new era of Dallas Mavericks basketball.
9. Dennis Smith Jr. is the real deal.
10. The Mavs will play fast with Dennis Smith Jr. at the helm.
11. Dennis Smith Jr.’s dunks are nasty and they will only get nastier!
Another look at Dennis Smith Jr's dunk during his 17/7/6 night vs the Magic
Full Highlights: https://t.co/osdhj8chxp pic.twitter.com/wpijdw2wpr— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 10, 2017
12. Dennis Smith Jr. is a real candidate for 2017-18 Rookie of the Year. His colleagues agree.
13. Despite an ankle injury scare, DSJ is ready to go for the season.
14. It’s OK to start freaking out about Dennis Smith Jr.
15. Can Dennis Smith Jr. be another Baron Davis?
16. Dennis Smith Jr. has a believer in God Shammgod.
17. No drama at starting point guard position. Carlisle is giving the 19 year-old Dennis Smith Jr. the keys to the offense and he’s got the green light to do what he wants.
18. The Mavs dynamic at point guard.
The Best Owner In Sports
19. Mark Cuban may be president one day. He’s reportedly seriously “considering” a 2020 run; therefore, watch the (future) president’s team.
20. Mark Cuban vs President Trump. Some people hate it. Some people love it. Either way, it’s always in the news.
Free Agency
21. Dallas could become a destination city for NBA free agents.
22. The way too early Mavs 2018 free agent watch. The Mavs will have the cap money to make a run at some big-name free agents including Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Avery Bradley, Zach LaVine, Clint Capela, and Jabari Parker.
New and Improved Mavs Roster
23. Mavs new roster. Mavs have added Dennis Smith Jr. (Draft), Jeff Withey (FA), Josh McRoberts (Trade via MIA), Gian Clavell (FA), Maximilian “Maxi” Kleber (FA), Johnathan Motley (FA, two-way), Jameel Warney (FA), Maalik Wayns (FA), and P.J. Dozier (FA). The Mavs lost Nicolas Brussino (Waived), Brandon Ashley (Waived), A.J. Hammons (Trade to MIA), and DeAndre Liggins (Trade to HOU).
24. Undrafted University of Florida alum Dorian Finney-Smith has a much-improved jump shot.
25. After acquiring Josh McRoberts for a second-round pick in exchange for center A.J. Hammonds, we will find out where he fits, if at all, with the Mavs.
26. German Maximillian “Maxi” Kleber, the new stretch-four for the Mavs, hails from Dirk’s hometown. Kleber played two seasons for German club Bayern Munich, averaging 9.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during the 2016-17 campaign.
Mavs Storylines
27. Mavs look to improve rebounding, after finishing dead last in the league with 38.6 rebounds per game last season.
28. Can Jeff Withey make a significant impact? Last season with the Utah Jazz, Withey’s statistics per 36 minutes were 12 points per game with 10 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.
29. Nerlens Noel looks to prove himself after reportedly declining a four-year, $70 million offer from Mavs this season; instead choosing to accept one-year, $4.1 million qualifying offer.
30. Is the Mavs’ relationship with Noel beyond repair?
31. Could Noel be eyeing a move to Los Angeles with Lebron James?
32. Noel is expected to come off the bench and play starter minutes with Dirk starting at center. How long will that last last in that role?
33. Seth Curry is in a contract year. After averaging 12.8 points and 2.7 assists on 48 percent shooting, the 27 year-old Curry is in the last year of a two-year, $5.3 million bargain deal as he enters the prime years of his basketball year. However, he remains out indefinitely with a stress reaction in his left tibia.
34. Impact of Seth Curry’s injury. Will that give DSJ an opportunity to step up? And, don’t forget Yogi Ferrell.
35. Yogi Ferrell’s Encore. Last season, Yogi Ferrell put Linsanity to shame. From a 10-day contract, to the Mavs starting point guard, Ferrell was name Western Conference Rookie of the Month for February 2017. Ferrell went on to average 10.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 26.0 minutes in 46 games (29 starts) with Brooklyn and Dallas, earning 2017 NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
36. Mavs vs NBA’S Elite. Melo and Paul George in OKC, D-Wade in Cleveland, Kyrie in Boston, CP3 in Houston. While the rebuilding Mavs aren’t in the same category as them, it’s a good measuring tool, especially for Dennis Smith Jr.
37. Will Curry and Noel commit to the Mavs long-term?
38. Will the NBA’s Draft Proposal truly curb teams from tanking?
39. Dwight Powell has a much improved his three-point stroke, shooting 8-of-20 (40 percent) during the preseason.
40. Dwight Powell continues to pay tribute to Justin Anderson with pre-game handshake.
41. Harrison Barnes is better than you think. He’s not the star that’s going to grab headlines, but he’s the star that you want on your team. He’s coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 19.2 points on 47 percent shooting. Oh yeah, and he’s only 25. While DSJ will capture all the headlines this season, Barnes remains a consistent cornerstone.
42. You may have forgotten, but just a few seasons ago Wes Matthews was regarded as of one the top two-way shooting guards in the NBA. The time is now for WesMatt.
43. But, could Wesley Matthews could get traded?
44. Devin Harris mentors Dennis Smith Jr. He shares a lot of similarities to DSJ when he was drafted with the fifth pick in the 2004 in the NBA Draft with his size and quickness. He’ll play an important role as a mentor for DSJ.
45. J.J. Barea looks to bounce back this season after a nagging calf injury limited him to just 35 games. He recorded a career-best 12.2 per game before going down with the injury.
46. Salah Mejri. How can the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship MVP fare in season three with the Mavs?
47. Will the Mavs sellout streak continue? The Mavs currently hold the longest sellout streak (6,237) among the four major pro sports leagues (10/30/01).
48. Mavs home cooking. Since moving the American Airlines Center the Mavericks have posted a home mark of 465-183 (.718) during the regular season.
49. Will Mavericks continue to dominate the Lakers? Dallas swept the 2016-17 season series with the Lakers, winning all four games by double digits and an average margin of 21 points. Last season, the Mavericks extended their winning streak against the Lakers to 14 games. Lonzo Ball may change that.
Mavs Coaching Staff
50. Rick Carlisle enters his 10th season as head coach.
51. Carlisle is the winningest coach in Mavs history (413-309, .572).
52. Carlisle remains one of the top coaches in the NBA. Last season, he passed Mike Fratello to move into 19th place on the NBA’s all-time wins (414) list.
53. Carlisle’s highly regarded coaching assistants. Coaches Caleb Canales, Melvin Hunt, Darrell Armstrong, Jamahl Mosley, Larry Shyatt, and Mike Weinar.
54. Michael Finley. Findawg is Assistant VP of Basketball Ops.
Mavs History
55. Mavs are entering their 37th season as a franchise.
56. Mavs are 13th all-time with 50.7 percent win percentage, 1,515 wins and 1,471 losses.
New NBA Rules
57. Fewer timeouts = better flow and excitement. Last season, teams had 18 total timeouts. This season that’s cut down to 14, including just two in the final three minutes as opposed to three in the final two minutes.
58. Earlier season start on October 17. Mavs open the season at home vs the Atlanta Hawks.
59. Preseason games were cut by approximately a third.
60. Less back-to-back games.
61. Earlier trade deadline. The deadline has been moved up to 10 days before; meaning a genuine, rumor-free All-Star Break.
62. Two-way contracts. A two-way contract allows players to rotate between the NBA and their G-League (formerly the NBA D-League) affiliate for up to a maximum of 45 days on the NBA roster.
Rebuilding a Winner
63. The NBA D-League is now the G-League, as part of a multi-year partnership with Gatorade.
64. Developing players with the Texas Legends, the sole affiliate for the Dallas Mavericks.
65. Rebuilding season. While many will frown at another developmental season for the Mavs, it’s times like this that make the 2011 Championship so special. Enjoy and remember this ride, you’ll appreciate it more when the Mavs make it back to the top and the Mavs will make it back to the top.
New Look
66. Mavs have a new and improved state-of-the-art locker room.
68. New season, new MFFL gear.
Mavs Broadcasts
69. Mark Followill enters his 13th season as the television play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports Southwest telecast.
70. Former Maverick great Derek Harper is back for his seventh season on the telecast as the team’s color commentator.
71. Jeff “Skin” Wade enters his ninth season as an analyst.
Schedule
72. Five nationally televised games on ESPN and TNT on November 1 vs the Clippers, December 12 vs the Spurs, December 14 vs the Warriors, January 24 vs the Rockets, January 31 vs Suns, and February 23 vs Lakers.
73. Mavs play the 2016-17 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors at home twice this season on October 23 and January 3. They’ll head to Oakland on February 8. Mavs are 79-72 all-time vs the Warriors.
74. Mavs vs LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and the Cleveland Cavaliers on at home on November 11, and away on April 1. Mavs are 33-38 all-time vs the Cavs.
75. Mavs host in-state rival San Antonio Spurs at home November 14 and December 12, and away on November 27 and December 16. Mavs are 67-105 all-time vs the Spurs.
76. Mavs host in-state rival Chris Paul, James Harden, and the Houston Rockets on January 24 and March 11, and head to Houston October 21 and February 11. Mavs are 81-90 all-time vs the Rockets.
77. Five under-the-radar games to watch this season vs Sacramento Kings (October 20), Philadelphia 76ers (October 28), Milwaukee Bucks (November 18), and LA Lakers (January 13).
American Airlines Center
78. Dallas Mavericks ticket giveaways through Inspire with Sports.
79. Here’s what you should wear (and shouldn’t wear) to a Mavs game.
80. Ticket sales from the Mavs October 25 game vs Memphis Grizzlies will go to support hurricane relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
81. Mavs halftime shows. From Dancing Darth Fader to Simon Sez to dog shows.
82. Dallas Mavericks Whataburger High Five Line.
84. Mavs Fan Pass. The perfect way for Mavs fans to get great last-minute seats at a discounted price for Dallas Mavericks game.
85. Mavs College Pass. The perfect way for college students to get great seats at a discounted price for Dallas Mavericks games.
86. Mavs Super Fan Don Knobler. You can catch him courtside at every Mavs game wearing the most extreme outfits that only he could pull off.
87. Seats For Soldiers Night at the AAC. Originated by season ticket holder Neal Hawks, Seat for Soldiers Night is easily the best night at the AAC every season. For one game, every season in December, Mavs season-ticket holders donate their tickets to allow soldiers injured in combat from the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and allow them to enjoy a Mavs game from some of the best seats in the house.
Mavs Entertainment Team
88. DJ Poison the Ivy. Simply the best DJ in the business, she became the Dallas Mavericks’ first female team DJ in franchise history, and is the second female DJ in NBA league history.
89. Mavs ManiAACs. Did you know they got their stars on American’s Got Talent?
90. MavsMan and Champ. I mean how many teams got two mascots?!
91. The Mavs Drumline. Founded in 2003, often imitated, never duplicated.
92. The Dallas Mavericks Dancers. They’re the best dance team in the NBA. Be sure to check out their road from auditions to training camp to their 2017 Calendar and Digital Calendar.
Exclusive Dallas Sports Fanatic Media Coverage
93. Dallas Sports Fanatic halftime reports with Madie Clinard.
94. Live Q&A’s with credentialed media writer Zack Cunningham.
95. Exclusive video and behind the scenes coverage by Noe Gonzalez.
96. Exclusive photos and media coverage by Michael Lark.
97. Amazing gameday graphics from Damian Jackson.
98. Mavs Fanatic Podcast by Taimon Turner, Mike DuPont, and DeShaun Walker.
99. Wall to wall, season-long coverage from over 15 talented Dallas Sports Fanatics writers including co-owner Ryan Wilson, Robby Lewis, Trevor Peele, Dillon Hemmle, Jeffrey Cooperstein, Michael Mulford, Reese Konkle, Paolo Pascual, Tim Moungey, Tim Tibbles, and Dorothy Gentry.
100. Because you’re an MFFL!
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