ESPN Projects Mavericks Miss Playoffs, Have Losing Record

 

 

This morning, ESPN released their 9th annual Summer Forecast which took a selection of “experts” on a panel and produced projections as to where each team will finish at the seasons end. Without further ado, here is where the Dallas Mavericks fell:

 

 

I always find this projection amusing based on a number of key factors. The biggest one of them all would be the fact that no 2016-2017 NBA schedule has been released for any of the teams as of yet. Is there a tough stretch of the schedule the Mavericks have at some point? How many back to backs do they have? Will there be a mid-season trade at some point? How will the other teams handle age, injuries, and potential rough patches?

 

I also find ESPN’s explanation a little off as well. Age is a factor? Clearly we all know that our stud is 38 years old, but to mention age as an issue, because Deron Williams is 32, Wesley Matthews WILL be 30, and Andrew Bogut WILL be 32 as a problem, I’m just not sure that’s accurate. They got far younger with some of their moves this summer in grabbing Harrison Barnes (24), Seth Curry (25) and Quincy Acy (25). They have Justin Anderson (22) looking for a much larger role in his upcoming sophomore campaign, and Dwight Powell (25) looking to finally make a permanent footprint on this franchise. Age is a factor? I’m not so sure on that folks.

 

It’s also worth noting that ESPN went big on some of their projections. They have the obvious top three being the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers. Then, things get a little weird.

 

4. Portland Trailblazers

5. Utah Jazz

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

7. Memphis Grizzlies

8. Houston Rockets

9. Dallas Mavericks

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

 

While a case could be made for some of these, what are we basing this off of? Yes, the Jazz had a good off-season, but good enough to go from 9th in the Western Conference last season all the way up to 5th? The Thunder have some serious question marks after losing Kevin Durant, trading away Serge Ibaka, and now letting Dion Waiters slip through their fingers.

 

All in all, it’s just too early to go around projecting end of season standings, but we applaud the effort. We may not like where they project our beloved Dallas Mavericks, but if we can take one positive from it all, it means the start of basketball is getting closer once again.