The Dallas Mavericks look a lot different then they did last year. After failing to get DeAndre Jordan last year, Mark Cuban knew he wasn’t going to leave this offseason empty-handed. He went out and signed Harrison Barnes to a maximum offer sheet and traded for Andrew Bogut. Mark Cuban quietly went out and got himself two starters from the team that went 73-9 in the NBA season and went to the NBA Finals. With Barnes and Bogut ready to join Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams, the Mavericks are hoping they can make their own playoff run.
At the tender age of 38, Dirk Nowitzki is still no question the leader of this team and Harrison Barnes knows that. That being said, Barnes will be taking up a lot of the shots Dirk is used to taking, but the young UNC product knows he’ll have to prove it. According to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News:
“Out of respect, this is Dirk’s team,” Barnes said. “He’s put in the years and won a championship. But I have to go out and earn that. People assume that just because you get paid a lot of money and have a lot of attention that all of the sudden you’re guaranteed this many shots. I have to prove that every day in practice. I have to prove that to the coaching staff, and ultimately, if I’m going to be the guy taking shots, I’ve got to prove it to Dirk.
“You have to have that balance of scoring and playmaking, and learn how to be a closer. I think that’s the beauty of it, that I get to learn from one of the best to ever do it in Dirk Nowitzki. You talk about guys closing games, he’s got to be top-five all time. I’m just looking forward to learning from that guy.”
Barnes will be the center of attention next year in Dallas. The $94 million dollar man will have to prove his worth not only to Dirk Nowitzki, but to all Mavericks fans. The last time a small forward came into Dallas on a big contract was Chandler Parsons and he didn’t end up the superstar they thought he would be. Mark Cuban has taken a risk on this young talent in Harrison Barnes and he and all of Dallas are hoping it is going to pay off.
