This is the second part of a series breaking down the Lakers’ potentially troublesome Western Conference opponents.

Team: Dallas Mavericks

Lakers’ record versus Dallas last season: 2-1 in regular season, lost 4-0 in Western Conference semifinals

How Mavericks fared last season: NBA champions

Why Dallas is a threat to the Lakers: They won the NBA title after all, so of course Dallas would immediately be involved in the conversation as one of next season’s title favorites. The Mavericks’ championship run also illustrated the team featuring many assets the Lakers lacked.That included clutch shooting (Dirk Nowitzki), handling adversity (six fourth-quarter comebacks), consistent inside presence (Tyson Chandler) and a consistent bench (Jason Terry, J.J. Barea).

WIth the Mavericks finally clearing the psychological hurdle of imploding in the postseason, they have the confidence and talent to match up with any team, including the Lakers. Plus, Caron Butler will be fully healthy.

Why the Lakers are a threat to Dallas: As talented as the Mavericks are, many of the Lakers’ shortcomings against them proved to be self-inflicting. The Lakers’ problems included a lack of clutch shooting from Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol’s disappearing act, Ron Artest’s inconsistent defense and a spotty bench surely won’t be as egregious as it was in the 2011 playoffs. The Lakers’ fatigue, injuries and motivation will also improve.

Meanwhile, Dallas captured lighting in a bottle during its title run. As talented as Nowitzki is, it’s unrealistic to think he can replicate the 27.7 points per game playoff average, including 10.3 in the fourth quarters. As durable as Kidd proved to be, it’s possible he will retire. As much of an inside threat Chandler proved to be, he’s given strong indications he might not re-sign with Dallas. As much as Barea bolstered his bench, he may not return either. Owner Mark Cuban developed a reputation for spending whatever necessary to retain top talent, so every effort will be made to keep the team’s core roster. But part of Dallas’ success last season points to being underestimated, a luxury it won’t have next season.

Verdict: The Lakers-Mavericks matchups will prove to be competitive, but the Lakers will soon reclaim their superiority over the defending champions.

RELATED:

Western Conference Scouting Report: Oklahoma City Thunder

Dallas’ 2011 championship team featured many assets the Lakers lacked

J.J. Barea interested in the Mavericks — or the Lakers, Heat or Knicks

–Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com.

Photo credit: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Through parts of the mid-1990s, Dallas Mavericks rotation players Popeye Jones and Tony Dumas were stuck with the gig of reviewing films (without any attention to spoilers, as was evident in their approach to discussing “Old Yeller”) while wearing breakaway pants and home Mavericks uniforms. None of it holds up, which is the point of this post.

Today, for no particular reason beyond the fact that there isn’t much to write about regarding the NBA, we’ve decided to showcase their take on the Farrelly Brothers’ “Dumb and Dumber.” And while Eric Freeman is BDL’s eminent cinephile, I think Popeye and Tony’s take is … actually, no. I can’t. It’s pretty awful.

But watch!

The unfortunate irony behind a player telling his viewing audience that he knows who is “dumb” and “dumber” on the 1996-97 Dallas Mavericks, while adding the caveat that “we ain’t sayin’ no names,” is hopefully not lost on any of you. And by “you,” I mean people like “me” who could enlighten their lives and broaden their intelligence after work every night with books and periodicals, but instead spend their hours chasing down old “SCTV” clips on YouTube until well past midnight.

Also, they watched “Clueless.”

And “Batman Forever.” It’s a pretty good take. Not as good as “Kiss From a Rose,” but a more entertaining review than the movie itself.

Related: Dallas Mavericks, Video, Lockout videos

NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki(notes) has no doubt had an enjoyable summer. After all, it’s nice to be wanted. Reportedly, teams from around the globe have been interested in signing the 33-year-old Dallas Mavericks forward.

Now the rumor is that a team in China, the Zhejiang Lions, is ready to shell out $1.5 million a month to bring the 7-0 Nowitzki to the Far East. This comes courtesy of the German newspaper Bild, according to FOX Sports.

Nowitzki, a 10-time All-Star and the NBA’s MVP in 2007, averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and 2.6 assists per game last year.

What are you waiting for? Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: FOX Sports

Related: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

After the Dallas Mavericks claimed their first ever NBA championship, Dallas owner Mark Cuban mentioned that he might forego getting the team championship rings.

Luckily for the Mavericks that wanted rings, the Bazooka candy company decided to step in and create their own brand of edible bling:

“Bazooka Candy Brands, the iconic confectionary company and manufacturer of Ring Pops, believes that the Dallas Mavericks should be rewarded for all their hard work and their NBA finals win,” the company said in a statement that was posted on CBSSports.com. “That is why they will be stepping in and saving the day, creating Swarovski-encrusted Ring Pops in the team colors of Blue and White for the team to wear to celebrate their feat. The Ring Pops will be shipped to the team shortly.”

Nothing says victory in the NBA Finals like licking a ring-pop with Swarovski crystals on it!

***

Dallas Mavericks Get “Candy Championship Rings” [That NBA Lottery Pick]

So this is what Mark Cuban meant when he said he planned to give the Dallas Mavericks something different than the typical NBA Championship rings.

Via KDonhoops

Bazooka sent the Mavericks championship Ring Pops. We’ll assume the real things are coming later, and expect them to be ridiculously blinged-out.