The Mavs came very close last year. Get this gents, The high powered Mavs minus Dirk were up 13 with 10 minutes to play in Dallas. A win would have forced a game 7 in that SA. From then all hell broke loose as those GD spares went on like a 32-10 run and ended the Mavs season. They had those fuckers on the ropes and a win would have really changed the momentum since they were down 3-1 when Dirk got hurt.
I don't think the team was mismanaged last year. They just play a different game then everyone else and the lack of a defense really hurt. That little prick Steve Kerr had 4 3's in the last 10 minutes that did them in.
This year the chemistry is just totally screwed and now their reward is probably a first round matchup with the Lakers.