Dallas Mavericks · Franchise era 2 of 5
The lost decade and Triple J: the Dallas Mavericks story
Franchise era
1990–91—1997–98
The lost decade and Triple J
Dallas Mavericks
The story in one sentence
A prolonged collapse produced a gifted young trio, but injuries and conflict prevented it from becoming a lasting foundation.
Talent without stability
Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn and Jim Jackson gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for dirk's climb to the title.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1990–91
What came before
Dallas drafted aggressively, reached the playoffs by year four and pushed the Showtime Lakers to seven games in the 1988 conference finals.
1990–91—1997–98
The lost decade and Triple J
A prolonged collapse produced a gifted young trio, but injuries and conflict prevented it from becoming a lasting foundation.
After 1997–98
What came next
Nowitzki became an MVP and perennial contender, then completed one of the sport's great redemption runs with the 2011 championship.
The core