You might remember - we hope you don't - we were among the few who tried really hard to look on the sunny side of things when last season began.

A mix of all-star veterans, a new fella named Cooper Flagg and a few months of healing from the Luka trade had us feeling unexpectedly positive about the season, although we weren't predicting the club would truly compete for a title.

But even our tempered, slightly tosy view took a quick, sour turn as the season seemed never to start for the Mavs.