D-Wade Does It to Dallas...AGAIN

Am I the only one who was disgusted and pained at the idea of watching Dwyane Wade receive yet another trophy here in Dallas? Does David Stern really despise Mark Cuban, the Mavericks, and the people of Dallas-Fort Worth that badly? Was it really necessary? The short answer: absolutely not.

Nothing went according to plan all weekend long, beginning with a foot of snow on Thursday and ending with an easily avoidable victory by the East on Sunday night, which resulted in Wade's being named MVP of the All-Star Game. What is it about him that makes him seem so untouchable when he plays here in Dallas? At this point, after the 2006 Finals debacle, it has to be simply that he has gotten inside the heads of Jason Terry, Erick Dampier, Dirk Nowitzki, and anyone else who was a member of the 2005-2006 Dallas Mavericks.

I had hope going into the All-Star weekend that the West would win, Dirk would be named MVP, and all would be right with the world. Things started out great with Jason Kidd being named to the West team and George Karl having the presence of mind to move Dirk into the starting lineup in front of his home crowd, something not even the fans were able to do. Dirk hit two quick jumpers to start the game and it looked like he might be well on his way to becoming the MVP, until Carmelo Anthony decided to play keep away with the ball, taking several shots and creating multiple plays for himself. He took it upon himself to try and be the superstar from the West, totally snubbing Dirk in front of his home crowd. Not that I was too surprised, considering the complete lack of character and integrity that Anthony has shown since joining the NBA in 2003.

The game was a little lackluster in spots but the fourth quarter, particularly the last five minutes, really heated up and made it in intense and interesting, albeit exhibition, game. When the West was down, 137-135, I was thrilled to see Coach Karl run up a play to put Dirk in position to be the hometown hero and knock down a three pointer to secure the win. However, the ref actually called the foul, and since Dirk had already dribbled the ball inside the arc, the call resulted in only two, rather than three, free throws. Dirk nailed them both, as expected, but there was still 7.7 seconds left, way too much time in the game of basketball. Bosh was fouled and hit both free throws, but there were still just over three seconds remaining when the West got the ball back, again with a chance to claim the victory. But the ball inbounded to Anthony, who bobbled it lazily before throwing up an off-balance three that had no shot of going in and clanged off the rim. And then, to top it off, that classless jerk 'Melo just laughed. Maybe it wasn't a big deal to him, or maybe it wouldn't have even been a big deal to Dirk to hit the winning shot, since Dirk is not one to cherish being in the spotlight. But it would have meant the world to Mavs fans, not just here in the Metroplex, but around the world, to see their man Dirk get the accolades and recognition we all feel he deserves but is continually denied. For just one moment, it would have been awesome if the rest of the basketball world could have appreciated Dirk the way so many Mavs fans (like myself) have for so long.

I had to turn my TV off when Wade was hoisting that MVP trophy, talking about how he just had to come out and be aggressive, as it was eerily reminiscent of the 2006 Finals, a moment I would rather not revisit. D-Wade waving around a trophy is a sight I hope never to see again, but especially not here, not in my town. Save the trophy lifting for the good guys, my beloved Mavericks, because eventually, their time will come. Let's just hope it's sooner, rather than later...