Dallas Mavericks Fan Favorite Bracket Challenge

The Dallas Mavericks franchise played its first game at the beginning of the 1980-81 with a rag-tag squad led by Jim Spanarkel and Geoff Huston. Although neither of these guys lasted as Mavs for long, they helped take off a franchise that the fans would look forward to seeing every year.

There have been a number of players to put on the Dallas Mavericks blue (or green) and white over the past 38 years. Some of them have been forgettable, tallying just a season or two here without making a major difference for the team. Others will forever be hated by Mavs fans. But there is also a large group of players who made their impact (whether big or small) on the court or on the Mavs fans themselves. These are the guys we will be talking about today.

Some of these names you will recognize right away. The Mavs were at their best from the year 2000 on and so most of these players were active during those years. Still, others came from the era of Mavs basketball that was less notable. Some of the names you see in the rafters at the American Airlines Center, but some you may just have to google.

Regardless of the names you do or do not recognize, these are some of the fan favorites for the Dallas Mavericks since the start of the franchise. Many have their place in our hearts for one reason or another, whether they were high-energy players, smooth scorers, or just memorable for one big play (see Wang Zhizhi).

The bracket is set up just like the NCAA March Madness tournament, with 64 players, seeded based on my own personal opinion. Upsets are inevitable and we want to see where your upsets come into play. Be sure to follow us on Twitter throughout the tournament as we work through the bracket based on fan votes.