We think highly of the Dallas Mavericks, but only to a point. This is a team that could win more games than it did last year, but still stall in the playoffs if matched up against the Spurs or Lakers. For the most part, our users agreed. Here are some of the better responses we got on the Mavs and our Summer Spotlight question: Has this team gone about as far as it can with this personnel, or can things get better? Here are your answers.

Your Mavs Feedback
I do not believe the Mavericks have peaked yet. In fact, I don't think they have even scratched the surface. Once they got over playoff jitters, they were able to shut down the Jazz in the playoffs (remember the 30-point victory in Game 4), and the loss to the Spurs was just a mirage. It was evident that players such as Michael Finley, who has led the league in minutes played the past few years, and Steve Nash just did not have any energy left. With the signings of Adrian Griffin and Danny Manning, the problem of depth is getting solved so fatigue won't be a problem in this year's playoffs. Look for the Mavs to finish at least in the Conference Finals.

Royce
Mesquite, Texas

Hell no, this team hasn't gone as far as it can. Despite the All-Star snub, Dirk Nowitzki

	Fans love Finley, but even they admit it'd be nice to have a big man.

showed he is one of the most dangerous players in the league, and he is only 22 years old. People say similar things about that guy in L.A. Finley and Nash are going to continue to be outstanding, especially against the zone defenses. Now that Juwan Howard is getting a full training camp and season, he should be considerably better than he was last year and give the Mavs a low post scoring option. Shawn Bradley still stinks, but he will clog the lane on defense. This team only scratched the surface of its potential last year. This year they will challenge the Lakers.

Johnathan
Arlington, Texas

The Mavs surely are a talented team, but I think it'll be unlikely that they show the same kind of intensity as last season and improve much on last year's result. It is mostly due to having much less to prove since they have come very far. Nonetheless, they do have a solid core and bench so they should at least place sixth in the West.

Doorey Chung
Plainsboro, NJ

I think the Mavericks can improve on their regular season record, but with a softer middle than a wet piece of bread, they are no better than No. 4 in the West behind L.A., Sacramento and San Antonio. That means a similar fate as last year: a quick exit in the Western Conference semifinals.

Dallas could have really used a physical presence like Antonio Davis. Dale Davis is on the block and maybe he could add some toughness to that frontline. Of course, the Mavs still have Bradley, who can't keep post position against shooting guards then whines to the referees about it.

Phil Wilson
Las Vegas

Absolutely, things can get better. Look what the Mavs did in just one year! What will year two of this (now improved with Manning) nucleus bring? The Mavs are in the same class with the Spurs and should challenge for the division crown. It is hard to see them getting past the Lakers at the moment, but Rome was not built in a day. One step at a time, I think the Mavs have a shot at a title or two in the next 4-5 years. Cuban is too good of an owner and Nellie is too good of a coach.

Rob S
Euless, Texas

When I saw the Mavs play the Spurs in the playoffs last year, the final game really sticks out in my mind. Seeing Dirk work so hard in the playoffs was amazing and it reminded me of another person with a young team that fought hard but lost in the playoffs. Yes, that's right, Michael Jordan. We may be looking at the birth of a new superstar. Sure, Dirk may not have the defensive ability right now, but it normally takes time to adjust from playing in some no-name European league to the NBA.

P.S. If the Bulls can win with Luc Longley, then the Mavericks can win with Shawn Bradley.

Spencer Day
Greer, SC

I really like the Mavs, but let's look at a few things. This team has gone as far as it should go with this personnel. They really need to get tougher on the inside. Howard is such an underachiever it is not funny. Interestingly enough they still have the scoring power to beat lots of teams and move even further in the playoffs if things come together at the right time ... but will they???

They did nothing this summer other than sign Finley. A good move but what about trying to steal a true power player from some team. There was help out there for getting more power on the inside: Other than making a run at Chris Webber. There was/is: Nazr Mohammed, Todd MacCulloch, Anthony Mason, Maurice Taylor, just for starters. I guess signing Adrian Griffin was a good move but it only seems to marginally address their needs.

Finally, with the changing of the rules, outside shooting appears as if it will be more important than the last few years. If teams are playing zones then being able to knock down long and medium range jump shots may just be the benefit Dallas needs to go one step further.

However, in my opinion they are still no better than a second-round playoff exit.

Chuck
Atlanta

The Mavs are definitely on the rise; they have not peaked yet. Last year was supposed to be their learning year, and when the playoffs started Don Nelson told his players to learn something from the playoffs because it takes experience to build a championship-caliber team. If they were able to get to the second round of the playoffs based on talent and determination, imagine what a little playoff seasoning will do for them.

Brian Jones
Duvall, Wash.

As a true fan of the Dallas Mavericks, I've put up with Terry Davis, Shawn Rooks (on repeated occasions), Fat Lever, Tony Dumas, and years of poor drafting and busted trades. I think everyone knows that the Mavericks can win now. Bradley is clearly a back up center and his mantis style of play doesn't really cut it. As a Mavericks fan I would love to see them go all the way. Recently, I e-mailed Mark Cuban about what potential acquisitions he thought he needed to make but mid letter I realized that besides maybe Alonzo Mourning, Arvydas Sabonis, Tim Duncan, and sometimes Dikembe Mutombo nobody can really stop Shaq. It will be interesting to see where all the pieces fall for San Antonio but Duncan and a worn out Robinson dominated the Mavericks with great ease and then Shaq and Kobe dominated the Spurs with ease. The fact of the matter is that while Shaq is up and running the rest of the league will be chasing in the distance. While the Mavericks improved greatly this past season, they will most likely remain a second-round playoff contender at best.

Stephen Vogel
Dallas, Texas

Dallas' future depends on its ability to shoot the three. Look at the stats for their playoff victories and compare it to the stats of the playoff losses. The one BIG difference you will see is their much improved 3-point percentage in the victories. With no dominating inside presence, their only hope is to win with it from behind the arc. Give the team another year of experience, and perhaps those clutch threes will begin dropping more. If they continued their season-long 3-point percentages into the playoffs then Dallas would have appeared dominating.

I think the Mavs could go onto the conference finals this year, which would be an improvement. But in order for them to really make a bid to win it all, look for them to trade some of their depth for a superstar. It is not likely that any big men will be available before the trading deadline, but there will possibly be a few shooting guards. Imagine Nash, Finley, Nowitzki, Howard and a great shooting guard as a starting lineup in the playoffs. Who would need a dominant center?

Brad
Huntington Beach, Calif.