Since coming into existence in the 1980-81 season, the Dallas Mavericks have had their shares of extreme highs and extreme lows. Take for instance, their 11-71 season in 1992-93, which certainly qualifies as a low point. Then there is the only NBA championship in team history, which was won during the 2010-11 season. Since 2000-01, they have registered 12 50 plus win seasons. They are in the midst of a retooling currently, but are building a nice foundation for the near future. Meanwhile, here are the top five players in Dallas Mavericks history.
5) Steve Nash
Steve Nash became a two time MVP in Phoenix, however he cut his teeth in Dallas prior to that. Nash spent six seasons with the Mavs, four of which as the primary point guard. He was a two time All Star, averaging just under 18 points and more than seven assists per game both of those seasons. He gets the nod over Jason Kidd and others at number five on the top five players in Dallas Mavericks history list.
Accolades in Dallas: Two time All Star, two time All-NBA
Stats in a Mavericks uniform: 14.6 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, 7.2 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game. 47% from the field, 42% from three, 90% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 6th in made three pointers, 5th in assists, 5th in three point FG %, 2nd in assists per game, 5th in player efficiency rating, 9th in true shooting %, 10th in effective FG %, 9th in offensive rating, 7th in offensive win shares, 8th in win shares, 7th in win shares per 48 minutes, 1st in offensive box plus/minus, 9th in value over replacement
4) Michael Finley
At number four on the top five players in Dallas Mavericks history list is Michael Finley. Without a doubt, the best years of Finley’s career were played in Dallas. He spent a total of nine seasons with the Mavericks. Both of his All Star appearances were in a Mavs uniform. During five of his nine years there, he averaged over 20 points per game. He was a solid all around player as well during his time. Another interesting fact is he led the league in minutes played per game three times in Dallas.
Accolades in Dallas: Two time All Star
Stats in a Mavericks uniform: 19.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game. 47% from the field, 38% from three, 82% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 5th most games played, 3rd in made three pointers, 5th in rebounds, 8th in assists, 4th in steals, 5th in points, 4th in points per game, 5th in steals per game, 7th in player efficiency rating, 3rd in offensive win shares, 10th in defensive win shares, 5th in total win shares, 5th in offensive box plus/minus, 3rd in value over replacement
3) Mark Aguirre
Most remember Mark Aguirre as a member of the Bad Boy Pistons. He was, in fact, traded to Detroit from Dallas during the 1988-89 season. During the prior eight seasons however, he was a three time All Star with the Mavericks. In the 1983-84 season, he averaged 29.5 points per game, which is incredible. Aguirre certainly was a dynamic scorer, but he was also a solid all around player. Therefore, he fits well at number three on the top five players in Dallas Mavericks history list.
Accolades in Dallas: Three time All Star
Stats in a Mavericks uniform: 24.6 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game. 49% from the field, 74% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 9th most games played, 6th in rebounds, 9th in assists, 9th in steals, 3rd in points, 10th in FG %, 1st in points per game, 3rd in player efficiency rating, 8th in offensive win shares, 7th in total win shares, 8th in box plus/minus, 2nd in offensive box plus/minus, 6th in value over replacement
2) Derek Harper
Coming in at number two on the top five players in Dallas Mavericks history list, is Derek Harper. Harper spent 11 seasons as the Mavs point guard before being traded to New York during the 1993-94 season. Harper played a 12th season in Dallas three years later. He averaged over seven assists per game five times. Additionally, he averaged over 15 points a game seven times. On top of that, he was named to the NBA’s All Defensive team twice.
Accolades in Dallas: Two time NBA All Defensive Team
Stats in a Mavericks uniform: 14.4 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, 5.9 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game. 47% from the field, 35% from three, 75% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 3rd most games played, 5th in made three pointers, 1st in assists, 1st in steals, 4th in points, 4th in assists per game, 4th in steals per game, 4th in offensive win shares, 2nd in defensive win shares, 3rd in total win shares, 6th in offensive box plus/minus, 2nd in value over replacement
1) Dirk Nowitzki
Number one on the top five players in Dallas Mavericks history list is quite obvious. Of course it is Dirk Nowitzki, who else? Dirk should be appreciated more for what he has done on a larger scale in the NBA. He is, quite simply, one of the 25 best players to ever play in this league. He helped revolutionize the way seven footers play in the NBA. His ability to shoot the three and stretch the floor at his size was incredibly rare during his first few years. Nowitzki has been a very good rebounder and passer as well. Let’s take a look at the numbers.
Accolades in Dallas: 13 time All Star, 12 time All-NBA, 2006-07 NBA MVP, 2010-11 Finals MVP, 2010-11 NBA Champ
Stats in a Mavericks uniform: 21.2 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, 0.9 blocks per game. 47% from the field, 38% from three, 88% from the free throw line
Franchise Ranks: 1st in games played, 1st in made three pointers, 1st in rebounds, 4th in assists, 2nd in steals, 1st in blocks, 1st in points, 2nd points per game, 8th in rebounds per game, 1st in player efficiency rating, 10th in true shooting %, 1st in offensive win shares, 1st in defensive win shares, 1st in total win shares, 3rd in win shares per 48 minutes, 2nd in box plus/minus, 4th in offensive box plus/minus, 1st in value over replacement
Last Word
These are the top five players in Dallas Mavericks history. Several other players were heavily considered for this list, however the five that made the cut certainly stood out the most.
Others considered: Rolando Blackman, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn
Stats acquired at: https://www.basketball-reference.com/
Main Image: Embed from Getty Images
