After Monday's practice in the basement of the Mavericks' fabulous new digs, Don Nelson rounded his players up for what amounted to a group hug.

Still, on the eve of the season opener, he challenged them.

"Collectively," he said, "you have to get better from here on out."

Question: How much better can they get?

The Mavericks won 53 games last year. They made it all the way into the second round of the playoffs after a decade of aimless wandering.

What more could you want now?