1 Dallas Mavericks

Last summer, when the Mavericks signed free agent DeSagana Diop--then a 7-foot, 310-pound project who had spent the previous four seasons rooted to the Cavaliers' bench--few figured he would make an immediate impact. Though he was being paid $6.48 million over three years, the doughy Diop hadn't even accepted the idea of basketball as a full-time career. "People here dream about being in the NBA," says Diop, who grew up in Senegal and only started playing hoops at 14. "It still wasn't the biggest deal to me."

Once in Dallas, however, Diop (pronounced Jopp) became a big deal. He shed 40 pounds and discovered newfound quickness and agility, and by midseason had earned the starting nod at center over veteran Erick Dampier; the team promptly went on a 13-game winning streak. "We just explained to him what his role would be," says coach Avery Johnson, "and it kind of evolved from there."

The Mavs improved from 14th to seventh in scoring defense and made their first trip to the Finals, thanks in part to Diop's 7'6" wingspan: His 4.59 blocks per 48 minutes ranked seventh in the league, and in the conference finals he was fairly successful in stepping out on the Suns' Steve Nash on the pick-and-roll. This summer Diop lost the remaining baby fat on his body and tweaked his offensive game. After averaging just 2.3 points last season, he added a 15-foot pick-and-pop jumper and a pair of new post moves. Now he might be able to make a dent on the offensive end as well.

Projected Starting Lineup with 2005--06 statistics

Record: 60--22 (2nd in West)
Points scored: 99.1 (9th in NBA)
Points allowed: 93.1 (7th)
Coach: Avery Johnson
(third season with the Mavericks)

DeSagana Diop

POS. C
PPG 2.3
RPG 4.6
APG 0.3
BPG 1.80
SPG 0.54
FG% 48.7
FT% 54.2

Dirk Nowitzki

POS. PF
PPG 26.6
RPG 9.0
APG 2.8
BPG 1.02
SPG 0.72
FG% 48.0
3FG% �40.6

Jason Terry

POS. SG
PPG 17.1
RPG 1.25
APG 47.0
SPG 2.0
FG% 3.8
FT% 41.1
3FG% 80.0