Pick Your Five: Dallas Mavericks Fans Debate Ultimate Starting Lineup of Past 25 Years Featuring Legends, Stars, and Iconic Performers

Pick your five: Dallas Mavericks since 2000 ✨. That’s the challenge and the joy of revisiting the last 25 years of Mavericks basketball, where some of the most unforgettable players in NBA history have suited up in Dallas blue. From the smooth brilliance of Steve Nash to the generational dominance of Dirk Nowitzki, from the creative wizardry of Luka Doncic to the electric scoring bursts of Jason Terry, the Mavericks have built an identity as one of the league’s most consistent and entertaining franchises. The task is simple on paper but nearly impossible in practice: build your ideal Mavs starting lineup by selecting from arguably the top four players at each position across the past quarter century.

At point guard, the Mavericks’ history since 2000 has been remarkably blessed. Steve Nash brought his vision and shooting touch to Dallas in the early 2000s, creating one of the NBA’s most devastating one-two punches alongside Dirk. Jason Kidd’s return later in his career steadied the Mavericks into a championship-winning squad in 2011, his veteran savvy and defensive brilliance balancing out the roster. Luka Doncic has since emerged as a transcendent superstar, one of the game’s most creative and dominant players, a triple-double machine who can take over against any opponent. And then there’s Jalen Brunson, whose time in Dallas showcased flashes of brilliance before his breakout in New York. If you’re picking a lineup, do you go with Nash’s pure floor-general brilliance, Kidd’s championship poise, Luka’s unmatched scoring and playmaking, or Brunson’s toughness and leadership? Most fans will find it impossible to leave Luka off, but Nash and Kidd’s fingerprints on the franchise are impossible to ignore.

At shooting guard, the choices reveal the different eras Dallas has gone through. Kyrie Irving may still be writing his Mavs story, but his dazzling ball-handling and clutch scoring ability make him one of the most gifted guards to ever put on the jersey. Monta Ellis was a fearless scorer in his prime Dallas days, bringing an edge and aggression that carried the Mavericks through transitional seasons. Jason Terry, “The Jet,” is the obvious fan favorite and forever tied to Dallas glory thanks to his unforgettable role in the 2011 championship run, hitting big shots when it mattered most. Tim Hardaway Jr. has been a steady scoring presence across multiple playoff pushes, giving Dallas valuable spacing and energy. Choosing between Terry’s clutch gene, Kyrie’s superstar artistry, Monta’s relentlessness, and Hardaway’s reliability feels like a debate that reflects personal preference—heart versus skill, nostalgia versus current firepower.

At small forward, it’s about versatility, grit, and memorable impact. Michael Finley was the face of the Mavericks in the pre-Dirk era and a loyal, productive star who bridged generations. Josh Howard was an All-Star in 2007 and a big part of the mid-2000s squads that went deep in the playoffs, his slashing and rebounding helping define that era. Shawn Marion, “The Matrix,” was a defensive genius and an irreplaceable piece of the 2011 title team, guarding multiple positions and hitting timely buckets. And then there’s Klay Thompson, a new addition to the Mavericks who has yet to play a game in Dallas colors but whose championship pedigree and shooting ability are undeniable. If you’re building a five, Finley’s leadership, Howard’s two-way game, Marion’s versatility, and Klay’s shooting all bring different dynamics, making this choice particularly difficult.

At power forward, it almost feels unfair to even pretend there’s a debate. Dirk Nowitzki stands tall above all others, the greatest Maverick of all time, the man who redefined the power forward position, and the unquestioned heart of the franchise. Dirk’s loyalty, his one-legged fadeaway, his MVP season, and most of all, his 2011 Finals performance that delivered Dallas its first and only championship make him an automatic lock for any starting five. Still, the Mavericks have had solid contributors at this position too—Dorian Finney-Smith brought defensive intensity and hustle, Kristaps Porzingis had flashes of brilliance as Luka’s running mate, and Harrison Barnes served as a steady scorer and professional presence during a transitional period. But make no mistake: every all-time Mavericks lineup since 2000 starts with Dirk at power forward.

At center, the options are interesting and reflect the ever-changing role of big men in Dallas. Erick Dampier was a rugged rebounder and defender during the mid-2000s playoff runs. Tyson Chandler was the missing piece that turned Dallas into champions, anchoring the defense, protecting the rim, and bringing an edge of toughness that perfectly complemented Dirk’s offensive dominance. Daniel Gafford, a recent addition, has already shown how his energy, rim-running, and shot-blocking can help Luka and Kyrie flourish. Shawn Bradley, while remembered for his height and shot-blocking, had a more limited impact but still brought moments of defensive presence. Most fans will immediately pencil in Tyson Chandler as the center of choice—his role in the championship run makes him almost untouchable in this conversation.

Now comes the fun part: actually building the ultimate five. For many fans, the dream Mavericks starting lineup of the past 25 years might look something like this: Luka Doncic at point guard for his generational scoring and playmaking, Jason Terry at shooting guard for his clutch shooting and championship DNA, Shawn Marion at small forward for his versatility and defense, Dirk Nowitzki at power forward as the unquestioned cornerstone, and Tyson Chandler at center to anchor the defense. That five combines scoring, playmaking, defense, rebounding, and most importantly, championship experience. It’s a lineup that could compete with the best teams across any era.

But others might argue differently. Some will say Steve Nash’s chemistry with Dirk was too magical to ignore and that Luka could slide into the shooting guard spot. Others might want to pair Kyrie Irving’s creativity with Luka for a backcourt unlike anything in franchise history. Some fans might even prefer the steady professionalism of Michael Finley over Marion’s chaos, or take Monta Ellis for his fearless scoring bursts. That’s the beauty of this exercise: there is no wrong answer, only different flavors of Mavericks greatness.

What’s remarkable about looking back over the past 25 years of Mavericks history is how much success and talent the franchise has enjoyed. Few teams can boast of a top-10 all-time legend like Dirk, a modern-day superstar like Luka, and championship heroes like Kidd, Terry, and Chandler. Add in beloved veterans, promising new arrivals, and unforgettable role players, and the Mavericks’ story since 2000 reads like a tapestry woven with skill, heart, and resilience.

This lineup challenge is more than just an entertaining “pick your five” game—it’s a reminder of how the Mavericks’ identity has evolved while staying true to its core values. From the free-flowing offense of the Nash and Dirk years, to the veteran toughness of the 2011 champions, to the Luka-led modern era where creativity meets firepower, each generation of Dallas basketball has left a unique imprint. Fans building their five aren’t just selecting players; they’re also choosing which version of the Mavericks they love most.

In the end, perhaps the ideal Mavericks five is less about assembling the perfect on-paper team and more about celebrating the collective journey of the franchise since 2000. Each name on the list carries memories—buzzer beaters, playoff battles, heartbreaking losses, and ultimate triumphs. Whether your lineup leans toward nostalgia with Finley, Nash, and Terry, or toward the present with Luka, Kyrie, and Gafford, the exercise reflects the richness of Mavericks history.

So pick your five, debate it with friends, and imagine the possibilities. Because one thing is certain: when you look at the past 25 years of Mavericks basketball, there’s no shortage of legends to choose from, and the future remains just as exciting with Luka and company leading the charge.