5-0

50 for 41

I wrote the other day as the Dallas Mavericks clinched a playoff spot, that I do not take for granted their success despite my opinion that their team -- in spite of it all -- is still second tier.

The Mavericks toyed around with the Minnesota Timberwolves last night in a 104-96 win. With it, the Mavericks notched their 50th win, the 11th straight year to reach that milestone.

It still impresses and awes me. The fact is, the Dallas Mavericks -- just as an all-around franchise, as currently constructed in the Mark Cuban-era -- are the second-most successful franchise in Dallas-Fort Worth sports history.

Let me put this in some perspective. Little doubt that the Dallas Cowboys of the 1970s and 1990s were great. I mean, beyond successful. G-R-E-A-T. They were historical. What Tom Landry did with those 1970s Cowboys was, by far, the greatest franchise in this area's history.

However, the 1990s Cowboys burned hot for a while and then dissapated. The Dallas Stars had some good runs. But not as long as what the Mavericks have done.

Wins by decade:

358 -- 1980s
246 -- 1990s
548 -- 2000s
105 -- 2010s (and counting)

The Mavericks have had 13 50-win seasons. Eleven have come since 2001.

Fifty wins in the NBA is still nothing to sneeze at. To maintain their current roll is almost impossible with teams' abilities to get pretty good, pretty quickly. A marquee free agent, a trade or a strong draft could alter a team.

Ironically, the Mavericks -- generally -- have stayed pretty much the same and you can almost guarantee 50 wins until the day Dirk Nowitzki's leg falls off. If nothing else, it is testament to his greatness.