Did You Know...

The Dallas Mavericks did pretty well in the 2006-07 season, winning the Southwest Division, but head coach Avery Johnson has set his sights on bringing home the championship in 2007-08. While some are excited about the addition of Eddie Jones to the roster, the key change this season is new assistant coach Paul Westphal, who will provide a much needed shot in the arm to the Mavs’ defense. Get your tickets to American Airlines Center and see if the Dallas Mavericks can dominate in the 2007-2008 season.

Professional basketball arrived in Dallas in 1980 when the NBA granted an expansion team franchise to real estate developer Donald J. Carter. The Mavericks began NBA play in the 1980-81 season. After a dismal debut season, typical for an expansion club, the Mavericks' administration soon built a competitive team. The Mavericks' draft picks in their first seven years yielded talented players such as guards Rolando Blackman and Derek Harper; forwards Mark Aguirre, Detlef Schrempf, and Roy Tarpley; and center Sam Perkins. However, the Mavs fell off during the 1990's, and they fell under the radar. In a city known for its football fans and the Dallas Cowboys, who play in Texas Stadium, the Dallas Mavericks were all but forgotten.