Could this Mavs team win the title with fill-in-blank in place of Dirk?

[LRB]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

When it comes to Stackhouse specifically...granted, you are running into some problems inasmuch as they play similar (at least) positions. But I think you sell Stackhouse way short if you think his effort level would be less if Kobe were here instead of Dirk. Stack is a feiry competitor, and when it comes down to it I doubt you would hear him say that he defers to Dirk's leadership at that. Stack looks to me like a leader every minute he's on the floor.

Stackhouse is human. Sure he'd try to win no matter what, but would he put as much effort into the team concept being pushed by Avery? I seriously doubt it. The current mavs feed off each other, throw a rotten apple in the mix and the chemistry is bound to have a measurable negative effect.