Sizing Them Up: Part II

Overview: 67-15 record... Lost to the Warriors 4-2 in the first round of the 2007 playoffs... Dirk Nowitzki won 2006-2007 MVP... 4th highest regular season win total...

Subtractions: Traded rights to Mikolan Rakovic to Orlando Magic for Reyshawn Terry...

Additions: Received Reyshawn Terry from Orlando Magic for rights to Mikolan Rakovic... Signed Nick Fazekas... Signed Brandon Bass... Re-signed Jerry Stackhouse... Re-signed Devean George... Signed Eddie Jones...

Thoughts: After being run out of the building by the Warriors in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, it was clear that the Mavericks needed to find a hardnosed utility player to plug their defensive holes. They went out and signed FA Jones as their version of Matt Barnes, but I don't think he'll be the answer to the Mavs' problems. At most he'll be another scoring option off the bench.

Re-signing Stack to a $21 million/3 year deal was questionable. In contrast, the Jason Kapono, another 3-point shooter, signed with the Toronto Raptors for about $24 million/4 years. In addition to being younger, Kapono shoots a higher FG% than Stackhouse. Although Stackhouse provides a legit scoring threat off the bench (see game 4 of the Warriors/Mavs series), he does not provide much else.

Re-signed Devean George was one of those meh moves. He doesn't add much, nor does he taketh away.

I'm not sure why the Mavs haven't addressed their gaping hole at PG yet. Devin Harris is the closest they've got to a true PG, and after that, nobody else. Jose Juan Barea is decent, but his height makes him a liability at times. The Mavs also don't have any quality backup swingmen after Jerry Stackhouse. Rumors have it that they are interested in the Warriors' Pietrus. Despite his countless mental mistakes, he is an ideal athletic swingman for the Mavs who also provides some perimeter defense.

In summation, the Mavs haven't done much in the offseason. I suppose Mark Cuban thinks that last season's team, flawed as it was, is good enough to go all the way this season.

Threat Level (1 being sugar-glass, 5 being adamantite): 2.5-3 - As Mike Krukow would say, we have ownage over the Mavs. Nellie knows too much about the Mavericks and Avery's tendencies and flaws.

Next up, the team that is home to drama queen Kobe Bryant: the Los Angeles Lakers.