Timberwolves ranking in Western Conference – Part One

Feb 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard

(5) shakes hands with former teammate Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) after their game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks won 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

12. Dallas Mavericks

Oh, poor Mavericks. It looks as though Rajon Rondo has sunk the ship.

If I had told you last year in December that the Mavs would be in the bottom-third of the Western Conference, you would have mocked me and went on your way. Well, here they are, and there’s no mocking for you to do anymore.

Similar to what happened in Portland took place in Dallas, with the exception of a certain DeAndre Jordan circus show. The Mavs lost three starters (counting Rondo) from last season, including Monta Ellis, who was arguably their best player a year ago.

To replace those guys, Mark Cuban called up Wesley Matthews (coming off of a torn Achilles’), Deron Williams (released by the Nets after playing like 2014 Raymond Felton — wait, isn’t Felton on the Mavs too?), Zaza Pachulia (a guy that would be the third-string center on a contender), JaVale McGee (do I even have to say anything about him?), and rookie Justin Anderson.

In the process of replacing their losses, Cuban and the front office found out what it was like for a teenager to change their mind — okay, it was DeAndre Jordan, but what difference does it make? Jordan’s flip-flop decision burned the entire city of Dallas while the rest of the NBA shook their heads and moved on. (Actually, nearly every non-Maverick fan had a hearty laugh over the situation, but that’s besides the point.)

Head coach Rick Carlisle is a mastermind, but with the lack of talent on this roster, it’s hard to see him producing anything even with his schematic genius. Expect a rocky season to commence.

Next: #11 - Roster Turnover Around an Enigmatic Star