Fansided

Top 50 sports franchises in the world

By Brad Weiss

NEW YORK - APRIL 14: A logo honoring the New York Yankees 27 World Series titles is seen on the dugout during their game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 14, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 14: A logo honoring the New York Yankees 27 World Series titles is seen on the dugout during their game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 14, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 25: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a shot against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on October 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 25: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a shot against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on October 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
47

Dallas Mavericks

, NBA

The Dallas Mavericks have only been around since the 1980-81 season, but with team owner Mark Cuban roaming the arena, it seems like they have been around forever. While the Mavericks have seen some great success in recent years, it certainly started off shaky for the franchise. Their first ever draft pick, Kiki Vandeweghe refused to play for the team, and had to be traded to Denver. With their compensation for Vandeweghe, the Mavs got Rolando Blackman, who ended up being a legendary player for them.

In fact, Blackman is one of only two players to have his jersey retired, although it is a certainty that a third will be joining the rafters very soon. Since coming over from Germany, Dirk Nowitzki has become an all-time player for Dallas, and has even led the team to their only NBA title. Nowitzki plays with a skill set like we had never seen, and for the past 20 seasons, he has been one of the more consistent scorers in the NBA.

The Mavericks have won three division titles since their inception, and have went to the Western Conference Finals twice. Their win against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in NBA history, as they beat a team loaded with talent in Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Since buying the team from the Ross Perot Group back in 2000, Mark Cuban has made the franchise into a winner, and while he may be unorthodox at times, players love to play for him.

Nowitzki is coming to the end of the line, and it still remains to be seen who will take over as team leader in Dallas. They did make a nice pick in Dennis Smith Jr., who appears to be well worth his spot in the first round. This is a solid franchise, and with a billionaire owner, you know there will always be a good product on the court.

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