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ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has been one of the most notable voices in sports media for the better part of the last two decades. More news: Lakers Star Gets 5-Year, $150 Million Contract Projection Smith recently claimed on NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony's podcast, 7 PM in Brooklyn, that a dark-horse Western Conference team might just have what it takes to be NBA champions this year. "If Kyrie Irving comes back healthy, and Anthony Davis is healthy, I think Dallas should be the favorite to win it all," Smith said. The Mavericks are preparing for their first full season without superstar Luka Doncic, after trading him for Anthony Davis — among other pieces — last year. Something that has improved the mood of an understandably bitter fan base was winning the NBA Draft lottery this spring, en route to eventually selecting Duke phenom Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick this past June. Nine-time All-Star Dallas point guard Kyrie Irving is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last March, but there is optimism he can be back by January, per ESPN's Shams Charania. More news: Lakers Receive Huge Update on Austin Reaves’ Future Davis is coming off another All-Star campaign, averaging 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game across his time with both the Lakers and Mavs last year. Something Smith brought up is that Davis will be back playing the power forward position, something he was not only doing when he helped the Lakers win a championship in 2020, but openly prefers over playing center. The Mavericks have Dereck Lively II to play center, coming off a productive, but injury-riddled season. Daniel Gafford, another seven-footer, is coming off a career-high 12.3 points per game average during his first full season in Dallas last year, and can be more than capable of backing up the center position. A Loaded-If-Imbalanced Roster Flagg, although a small forward at Duke, has been experimented with at point guard in Irving's absence this preseason and has a legitimate chance to log some minutes running the offense this season. Dallas' height and talent can very well silence the doubters this season — but as Smith mentioned, it all depends on if they can stay healthy. More news: Warriors Shockingly Cut Ties With Steph Curry’s Brother Ahead of Regular Season
