NBA Playoffs Seeding Predictions for the 2016-17 NBA Season

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Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are still a good basketball team. They have managed to always make the NBA Playoffs year in and year out. Despite injuries, age, attrition, and having to rely on an aging yet highly productive star in Dirk Nowtizki, Rick Carlisle has managed to facilitate talent being around his leader on the Floor. There is also a lot of good things going for this new Mavericks team. Dirk is still giving you double digit scoring numbers and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

This year the Dallas Mavericks Roster has been revamped with some much needed youth and versatility. The lack thereof such youth and versatility did them in versus the Oklahoma City Thunder just a season ago. The first amazing thing their front office did was acquiring Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut from the Golden State Warriors.

This move gave them two players who will improve their defense and give more scoring and play-making on Offense. More Importantly, Barnes is only 24 years old. He is a capable all-around scorer who is steadily improving and could possibly turn into a star with better consistency.

Dallas has a good system that will get Harrison Barnes open looks and allow him to also run in transition (his major strength). This and Bogut being a good rim-protector, help defender, and play-maker are going to put Dallas in better position than they were last year. There is no doubt they will be in the Playoff picture at least as a comfortable eighth seed or maybe an even higher seed.

Next: Western Conference Seed no.7: Houston Rockets

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