DALLAS -- Look on the bright side, Mavericks fans: The upcoming lottery is supposed to be absolutely loaded with talent.
Dallas certainly seems destined for that unfamiliar territory, with the Mavs limping, all too literally, out of the gates by losing nine of their first 11 games. They sunk to a new low Friday without injured veterans Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams, J.J. Barea and Devin Harris, narrowly avoiding a franchise record for scoring futility during an 80-64 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
As painful as it is to watch, this is probably best for a franchise that has been stuck on the mediocrity treadmill owner Mark Cuban was so determined to avoid when he decided to strip down the roster following the 2011 championship run and ensuing lockout.