DeJuan Blair has circled the Dallas Mavericks' matchup against his old team, the San Antonio Spurs, next season, and Mark Cuban senses determination in his new forward.

“DeJuan already knows when we’re playing the Spurs,” Cuban said. “We already know what DeJuan is going to do to the Spurs. It’s going to be a beautiful thing.”

Blair was adamant recently that he believes the Spurs would have won the NBA championship last season had he played in the Finals against the Miami Heat.

The Mavericks expect Blair to provide a strong inside presence.

“DeJuan was a really important acquisition for us because Elton Brand didn’t return,” Rick Carlisle said. “We need that physical (butt)-kicker to put out there and be an enforcer for us.”