Trying to Assess the Mav's Ledger

[soog]

Better than they were last year, maybe. Not for sure, and some would say that's unlikely, but it's possible. 

Better than what we expected during the wonderful, carefree time between the Wood trade and this awful disaster? NOOOOOOO.

So it depends on how we judge how good they were/will be.

Will they go deeper in playoffs? Unlikely, because a lot has to go right. A lot went right last year even though they were a flawed team.

Next year their strength of guard play should be slightly less strong, but remember, this is where you have one of the best players in the world filling that role. On the other hand their front court will be significantly stronger, shoring up a big shortcoming of last year's team.

I expect their advanced stats to be better and for them to have a better record, though I do think it is very possible they miss the WCF.