“Tanking” isn’t a word that’s in the vocabulary of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Cuban adamantly told Tim MacMahon of ESPN on Sunday that the team will not tank. “One little roll and it could all be different,” said the outspoken billionaire, drawing attention to the fact that they’re just 5 1/2 games out of the playoffs with 67 games to go.
The incentive to bottom out is definitely there for the 3-13 Mavs. Dirk Nowitzki looks like a shell of a shell, Harrison Barnes is being relied upon as the primary scorer, and the point guard position is an infirmary (not to mention that the 2017 draft class is loaded with dynamic PG talents). But though Dallas is in possession of their own pick this year, the draft lottery is always a crapshoot, and even if a high selection is obtained, there’s no guarantee that the player chosen will be a star at the NBA level.
The 58-year-old Cuban has always been one to defend the integrity and the honor of his team, and it looks like that will continue through what could be a very long season for the Mavericks faithful.
