Mavericks load up for playoff run

Look out, Los Angeles and Sacramento. There could be a new sheriff in the Western Conference thanks to Mark Cuban's unlimited pocketbook.

The Dallas Mavericks made the Denver Nuggets' loss their gain as they acquired Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz on Thursday. Along with Van Exel and LaFrentz, Dallas received Avery Johnson and Tariq Abdul-Wahad in exchange for Juwan Howard, Tim Hardaway, Donnell Harvey, a 2002 1st round pick, and one million dollars. The Mavericks gained the Nuggets two leading scorers and a vastly improved lineup.

Dallas now has Steve Nash and Van Exel to orchestrate a two point guard system, Michael Finley as the shooting guard or small forward, Dirk Nowitzki as the power forward, and LaFrentz as a much better center than Shawn Bradley or Evan Eschmeyer.

The bench looks better as well with Johnson and Abdul-Wahad added to Bradley, Eschmeyer, Eduardo Najera, Johnny Newman, Wang Zhizhi, and Danny Manning.

The biggest problem for Dallas may be that there are not enough basketballs to go around. Van Exel and LaFrentz were used to being the key guys in Denver. Now, it's Nowitzki, Nash, Finley, Van Exel, and LaFrentz all looking to play big parts in the Mavericks' playoff run.

Another problem for the Mavericks could be Van Exel. Is he willing to take on a lesser role with this team?

It is also interesting to note that Del Harris, Dallas' top assistant coach, has a very troubled history with Van Exel dating back to when they were both with the Lakers in the mid '90s.

What about the Nuggets? What did they get from this deal? Basically, less migrane headaches and a team well into contention for the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft.

Denver did absolutely nothing to improve their team in this deal. Hardaway will now start in Denver, as will Howard. Scott Williams comes off the bench to replace LaFrentz at center.

The Nuggets now await a return by their franchise player Antonio McDyess from a season-long injury, which will happen in the next week or two.

As for the Mavericks first game with Van Exel and LaFrentz, they defeated the Sacramento Kings, the best team in the NBA, 111-97. Van Exel had eight points and eight assists in 30 minutes and LaFrentz had 14 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes. Both players did not start. As for the regular Mavericks, Nowitzki had 26 points and 21 rebounds, Nash had 28 points and eight assists, and Finley 15 points and seven assists.

If Saturday's game was any indication of what is to come for the Mavericks, they might be hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time in club history.