2012 NBA Playoffs

Dallas, TX

Mark Cuban believes his Dallas Mavericks have a legit shot to win the Western Conference playoffs despite finishing the regular-season on a losing note, the owner indicated Friday.

Cuban claimed great regular-season performance means nothing if teams don't play well in the postseason.

"Like I've said all year long, the regular season means next to nothing," Cuban told ESPN Thursday. "Every single team, even the Spurs for a period there when they go through a tough part of their schedule, struggle. There was nobody that was overly impressive. So we'll see what happens."

The 53-year-old owner also insisted the veteran nucleus of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Jason Kidd with the addition of Delonte West and Vince Carter will make the Mavs again a serious contender in the playoffs.

"We've got veterans and we've gone this way in the playoffs," Cuban told ESPN. "Our guys are strong-willed, strong-minded. You don't last in the league as long as Dirk, J-Kidd, Trix [Marion], Vince. You don't last as long as those guys and have the success that they've had without being strong-minded."

The Mavs will begin their title defense against the team they beat in last year's Western Conference finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and super-sub James Harden will lead a group of young and talented players as they go up against the seasoned Mavs starting Saturday 9:30 pm ET at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

 

 

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