If the Mavericks aren't exactly overflowing with joy after their 5-1 start, there are a couple reasons. Because even though the quick start equals the best in the club's history, the Mavericks claim they haven't played that well.
"We haven't really played our best basketball yet," Dirk Nowitzki said.
There's also the subtle reminder that the only other Mavericks squad to start 5-1 ? in 1995-96 ? lost its next seven games. That's not a forecast for a slide anytime soon, but a reminder that the Mavericks have higher goals for this season's squad.
"What's high? I have high expectations for this team," Michael Finley said. "When it comes down to it, I'd like to be 82-0. But that's already impossible."
Finley said he has a goal for the Mavericks in what is supposed to be a relatively easy November, but he isn't ready to share any numbers yet. Even though the Mavericks have nearly completed a three-game homestand, coach Don Nelson is firm in his insistence that he hasn't set any goals and isn't even looking as far as tomorrow.