West rivals shooting for Mavs

The NBA is back from vacation as teams open training camps this week. And while the playoffs aren't even a speck on the horizon, it's never too early to use history as an indicator of what's ahead for the Mavericks.

Mainly, the San Antonio Spurs.

If there is one thing the Mavs know as they convene for training camp, which starts Tuesday in Denton, it's that the Spurs will be waiting for them. The team down south plans to make sure of it.

"Dallas is the team to beat," former Mav Michael Finley, who starts his second season with the Spurs, said last week in San Antonio before the team left for training camp in Europe. "We no longer hold that reign as the team to beat. They're the team that represented us in the NBA Finals. So now, they're the team that everybody in the West is out to beat."

Added Tim Duncan: "Whether you call it a chip on our shoulder or extra motivation or just thinking the right way, we're going to have it."

The Mavericks beat the Spurs in the second round of the playoffs last season, then whipped Phoenix in the Western Conference finals before losing to Miami in the NBA Finals. The Mavericks' goal is to get back to the Finals and, as coach Avery Johnson says, "finish."

But defending the West crown will be tough. The Spurs are among six teams that can legitimately claim to have improved themselves during the off-season.

Houston picked up Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier, two potentially ideal complementary pieces if Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady stay healthy. Phoenix gets back Amare Stoudemire, who missed most of last season after knee surgery.

New Orleans is just about everybody's pick for most-improved team with newcomers Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler and Bobby Jackson joining reigning rookie of the year Chris Paul. The Spurs added Francisco Elson, Eric Williams and Jacque Vaughn. Denver acquired Reggie Evans, J.R. Smith and Joe Smith to go with emerging superstar Carmelo Anthony and the return of Nene from injury.

And, of course, the Mavericks feel like they improved by getting Anthony Johnson, Austin Croshere, Greg Buckner, Devean George and rookie Maurice Ager.

This doesn't include teams like Minnesota, the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State, Utah and Sacramento, all of whom are optimistic about improving on last season. And the Mavericks are facing a tough season for another reason: They are the favorites, and opponents will treat the team to beat differently.

The top seven players remain the same, and the Mavericks feel they added enough depth that they can again handle the more-rugged-every-year West. That they have some young players who are still improving and have the benefit of experience from their trip to the Finals won't hurt, either.

"We got the opportunity to go to the Finals, a place where this organization has never been," Erick Dampier said. "It was a learning experience for all of us. We know now what it feels like to be there. And I think everybody worked hard [in the off-season] to get back there and hopefully try to win."

The jungle is waiting for them. They start chopping through the trees this week with two-a-days.

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