I Know What It ISN'T

Something is definitely ailing my Mavericks of late, and I can't quite put my finger on it. But for a team that was 22-10 ending 2009, a three game losing streak and an 8-8 record in 2010 is disappointing, to say the least. Although the Mavs are still clinging to a two game lead over the Spurs as the Southwest division leader, if they continue to play this haphazard style of basketball, they will likely find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.

One of the problems is their defense, or lack thereof. The underlying principle behind playing good defense is effort, plain and simple. Defending an opponent requires concentration and hustle, a willingness to do the little things that don't always show up in the box score. It's the things like diving for a loose ball, sacrificing your body as the enemy comes flying full speed in your direction to take the charge, and pounding the backboards after every shot to assure your team every possible opportunity to score. While individual players can be excellent defenders, such as Kobe Bryant (ouch, that was painful), defense is primarily a team endeavor, and right now, these Mavericks aren't really playing like a team.

Dirk is forced to shoulder the offense more nights than not, Jet has jumped from sixth man to starter (a role he has flourished in), Dampier is in one game and out the next due to the continual issues with his left knee, and Josh Howard feels like everyone is ganging up on him. Like every other team during the course of an 82 game season, the Mavs have been plagued by their fair share of injuries, resulting in an everchanging starting lineup. The Mavs have played 12 of their last 18 games on the road, and aside from a three game home stand in early January, have not played back to back games in the same city since Christmas week. Although the Mavs are still one of the best road teams in the league, it is quite possible that the continual travel has worn them down and started taking its toll on the team.

As I've mentioned before, I am a bit obsessive when it comes to my Mavericks; I feel the sting of a loss and the thrill of a victory just as strongly as if I suited up and stepped on the hardwoods with my boys in blue. I live and die with my team, and as a result, I have been known to be a little superstitious and have the audacity to believe that somehow, something I do can change the outcome of a game. I'll run to the closet and put on my special edition Mavs adidas or throw on a second ball cap or clutch my "Dirty 41" necklace in both hands in close games, hoping and praying that somehow, I can will the Mavs to victory. I wore my Wheaties shirt to the Spurs game in San Antone, and we won the game, so I declared it my lucky shirt. I wore it the following week to the Lakers game, and we lost. And at the Jazz game last month, as we faced a double digit deficit, I swiped the cap off my Dad's head, putting it on top of my Mavs cap and facing backwards, making my headgear look like an old Sherlock Holmes hat, but we lost again. I've definitely done my part, but the results have been less than stellar so far this year.

I may not be able to pinpoint the problem when it comes to the Mavs, but of this I'm certain: it isn't me.