The Mavericks are good. Really good. They haven't made their mark where it counts, in the postseason, but what appeared to have the makings of a nice young club last year built around Dirk and Steve and Mike has a legitimate chance at the league's best record.

"We're a team that's made the playoffs once in 12 years," said owner Mark Cuban, plowing the high road. "We haven't done anything yet."

The Stars are average. Really average. The record may say they are five games above .500, but in a screwy league where one team can win a game and its opponent can tie, 10 out of 15 teams in the West are above .500.