This Dallas Mavericks team is more talented than 2013-14

The current Dallas Mavericks roster hasn’t played a regular season game together yet, but they are already more talented than the 49-win 2013-14 team.

For all of you Mavs purists out there, this one might sting just a little bit. The Dallas Mavericks team in the 2013-14 season was one of the most exciting and entertaining teams of the decade…but they are just not as talented as the current roster.

For those who don’t remember, the 2013-14 Mavericks team went 48-34 in the regular season, grabbing the 8th seed in the Western Conference. This happened three years after the historic title run from Dallas, so naturally it was a team full of one-and-done Mavericks.

That said, this is one of the most beloved teams, not because of their regular season record or their playoff results, but because of how the playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs played out. With one of the most incredible plays in Mavs history, Vince Carter hit a corner three in game 6 to push the Spurs all the way to a game 7 in a 1 vs. 8 matchup.

But, that’s not why we are here. Despite a great season with a fun team, the 2013-14 Mavs roster overperformed in a big way. The roster consisted of: Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Devin Harris, Jae Crowder, DeJuan Blair and Brandon Wright playing a majority of the season.

On this roster, the Mavs have: DeAndre Jordan, Harrison Barnes, Dennis Smith Jr., Luka Doncic, Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, Dwight Powell, J.J. Barea, Devin Harris and more that will contribute to the team. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is much more talented than that Mavs team in 2013-14.

Looking at it matchup based, the Mavs have the clear cut lead at point guard, center, and I believe small forward as well, as Marion was already 35 at the time of the 2013 season. That leaves Dirk vs. Luka with an easy advanatage to Dirk even at 35, and Wesley Matthews vs. Monta Ellis where Monta gets the edge.

At that point, I believe the current roster has the advantage on the bench and both teams have the advantage at head coach.

I write this, not necessarily to give hope for the Mavs playoff chances, but to help people realize that this roster paired with Coach Carlisle can do some incredible things. The Western Conference has gotten stronger every year since then and it is going to be incredibly difficult to make the playoffs for any team. But not impossible.

This Dallas Mavericks team is going to be talented, it is going to be exciting and it is going to grow throughout this year. It will be a great season.