Second Verse, Same as the First (Only Worse!)

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse (on the court) than it did in our blowout loss to Miami, I was once again proven wrong. A young athletic Denver team came into our house and again handed us a horrible loss. I let myself have a glimmer of hope while watching the first quarter as both teams traded baskets early on and kept it close. But towards the end of the first twelve minutes, the Nuggets went on the first of three ridiculous runs and pulled away, leading to a 69-42 halftime hole for the Mavs. My first reaction was sound the horns, red alert, this season is going to suck big ones. But being the LOYAL fan that I am, and always have been, I couldn’t give up on my time.

As Coach Carlisle said all last season, this is a process. And much more so in this work stoppage shortened season, with virtually no training camp or exhibition games, and barely time for a practice in between the games that count. Dallas revamped nearly half of their team, and there are definitely going to be some growing pains involved. But that doesn’t mean people should count the boys in blue out, as so many have already decided to do. They may look rough now, but given time to gel and more chances to learn each other’s games, strengths and weaknesses, and discover their new defensive identity, there are plenty of viable veteran pieces in place that could have a legitimate shot at repeating their playoff success from last year.  The key is just being able to MAKE the playoffs. And being patient – with each other, with the system, with the whole process.

Watching last night, fans in the AAC were booing so loudly I could hear them over my television at home. I was flabbergasted. How could these same fans that turned out in droves to see the banner raised to the rafters, clapping and cheering, be booing this same group of guys 24 hours later? Granted, there are times when, watching from my recliner, I get so aggravated at the team that I scream and curse a blue streak and maybe boo just a little. But I would never dream of booing my boys live and in person! Because there’s one thing I have learned about this team over the past few years: they may not have the best players, the most talent, or the biggest name in basketball, but the one thing they do have, unquestionably, is heart. And they leave it on the floor, night in and night out.

That was especially true for late addition Sean Williams, formerly of the New Jersey Nets, who literally lost his lunch while sitting on the sidelines.  But more memorable than his projectile puking was the time he actually spent on the court. In only 11 minutes, he had 12 points and four rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot. But what I found most impressive was his energy and ability to move up and down the floor. I was talking to my mother-in-law and had only been half paying attention to the game when I noticed an unfamiliar face literally soaring through the air, high above the rim. The more I watched, the more I liked him. Sean Williams, or "Crabman" as Skin Wade so dubbed him (as in My Name is Earl), was playing his tail off in game that was already a lost cause. In a game with few bright spots, Crabman shined the brightest. 

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People are already talking, media and former Mavericks alike, already writing off my team ass if there is no hope of Dallas defending their title. But I strongly disagree. It may not look like it at the moment, but as long as the Mavericks muddle their way through the season and can find their way into the playoff picture, all bets are off. Because one thing I've learned from watching sports so many seasons: anyone can make a title run given the opportunity. You don't always have to be the best team to win the title; you simply have to be the hottest.

I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE!!

GO MAVS!

One Moment in Time, 31 Years in the Making

It was such a great feeling to set foot back inside the AAC in anticipation of real live NBA basketball once more! Dad and I said our hellos to friends, grabbed a bite to eat, and made it to our seats a good bit before the banner ceremony. I can’t speak for Dad, but I was like a kid in a candy store, just happy to be there, awaiting the awesomeness that would soon be surrounding me. Looking around the arena, I was a bit disappointed to see so many empty seats – especially in the lower deck – for such an important game. What’s worse, I saw quite a few Heat jerseys in the mix – including the one on a prepubescent little bugger in the row behind us (I’ll revisit him later on!)

But nothing would dampen my spirits on this momentous day. (Well, not until the game actually started anyway.) First, the Heat were escorted off the arena floor – which was a real bummer, because I was itching to watch the “Big Three” be forced to stand there and watch us celebrate kicking their superstar behinds this past summer. The military guard carried the trophy out to midcourt, and Commissioner David Stern stepped into the spotlight amidst a sea of boos. (While I didn’t boo him, I definitely shared the sentiment; not so much because of his history as anti-Cuban and, consequently, anti-Mavs, but due to his purported role in the lockout.) Stern said a few words, represented the trophy to Cuban, and then Mark and Dirk and a few others spoke. Coach Carlisle, to me, was the classiest; he made a point first and foremost not only to thank the behind the scenes folks, but the players who helped earn the title that have since moved on: DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, Corey Brewer, Caron Butler, J.J. Barea, and Tyson Chandler.

Once the speeches were over, the team gathered around the black tarp thingy which concealed the banner and on the count of three, unveiled the championship banner in all its glory. And while there were cheers, it was not nearly as loud as I felt like it should be, given what the team had accomplished and how long true fans like Dad and I had waited for this moment in time. Regardless, years from now when I look back, all I will remember is the sheer beauty and the awe I felt being a part of that moment, 31 years in the making.
***********************************************************************

The game itself was…well, ugly. There’s no nice way to put it. Miami apparently felt they had something to prove (maybe they do) and LeBron and D-Wade lashed out at the Mavericks from every angle imaginable. At halftime, we were down by 20 some odd points, and a large portion of the crowd had already begun heading for the exits. Unfortunately, the aforementioned misguided adolescent boy in the LeBron James’ jersey behind us was NOT one of them. He was annoying, obnoxious, and irritating as teenage boys are wont to be. Not to mention loud. Although I did find it entertaining that every time Miami had the ball, all he could say was “Give it to Wade!” Apparently, even he had no faith in King James. What’s even funnier is that I turned to look behind us and saw the kid’s Dad sitting two seats over from him – proudly wearing his Mavs’ blue and looking virtually as annoyed with his son as I was.

About halfway through the 4^th quarter, when Miami finally felt secure enough in their lead to sit their starters, Dallas’ third string unit had actually started making a run, cutting what had at one point been over a 30 point deficit in half. At the dead ball timeout after the 6 minute mark, I decided (and Dad agreed with me) that we would stand shoulder to shoulder for the remainder of the game, effectively blocking the Heat kid from seeing the action. Yes, I admit, it was childish, but dang it, it made me feel better. And the kid’s dad knew what we were doing and just laughed it off too. Somehow I doubt that dad will be bringing his son back to a Mavs vs. Heat matchup anytime in the near future.

In the end, yes, we lost the game, and lost it badly. But it was only game 1 of a 66 game season, and it was an emotional day to boot. And years from now, when I look back on this Christmas, none of that will matter. All that will remain is my memory of watching my beloved Mavs finally get the recognition they deserved and having my Dad, who first got me interested in all things Mavs way back when, standing right by my side. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Best. Christmas.Ever.

Let me begin by saying, THANK YOU, players and owners, for giving me the best gift of all: another season of my beloved NBA basketball, no matter how short and squished it might be. And I’m sure all of my friends, family, and colleagues are just as happy as I am, if for no other reason than Mandi – NBA basketball = MISERY. Not just for me, but for everyone else who should be unfortunate enough to come into contact with me on a daily basis!

As soon as the NBA schedule was released, I was stoked to see the Mavs vs. Heat Christmas day game still on tap, and even more jazzed at the slim chance that I would actually be in attendance at the game. But first there were a few hurdles which Dad and I had to clear. Being as the game was on Christmas day, both Rickey and Mom had to be okay with us missing family time in favor of our favorite sports team. Amazingly, we got the okay but then came the bigger problem: obtaining tickets.

Dad and I tried everything, from pre-sales to the Trading Post, where season ticket holders can resell their seats, according to the site, often at more than face value. Tell me about it! The absolute cheapest seats we found were over $130 EACH way up in the rafters! And as much as I was dying to see my boys RAISE THE BANNER, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t justify spending that much money. So we had resigned ourselves to watching the game on the big screen from the comfort of Dad’s couch.

And then, on December 23, a Christmas miracle happened. “Santa” texted me, asking if I had tickets, and offering to get us some good terrace level seats for about $50 each. Un-freaking-believable. I quickly called Dad, who was all for it, and we regained official clearance from our spouses, and it was a done deal: Dad and I would be inside the AAC  to witness the raising of the 2010-2011 NBA Championship banner! Merry Christmas to us!

This is My Brain...This is My Brain without NBA Basketball

It’s official: I have lost my flipping mind.

I found myself in a deep dark funk yesterday upon hearing the news that Game 6 of the World Series had been postponed.

I, the self-proclaimed hater of the American national pastime, have become two things I said I would never be: a baseball freak AND a bandwagon fan!

With my beloved NBA in jeopardy of having no season at all, I had to find something or someone to throw my passionate fandom into. Who better for me to get behind than our hometown Texas Rangers, who have endured even more years of title-less irrelevance than did the Dallas Mavericks?

Yes, you read that right. This lifelong basketball junkie has shifted sports and been welcomed with open arms by the multitude of Rangers’ fans in the Metroplex.

It has been exceptionally easy for me to join the legion of local Ranger fans because I can sympathize, as well as empathize, with their plight. I spent over 25 years as loyal, long suffering Mavericks fan before I was finally able to see my team achieve the pinnacle of the sport, winning the NBA title, this past June. Having been through it all before with my team, it was only logical for me to make the switch to the Rangers. (Plus, this is what happens when there’s no @#$%^& NBA!)

Initially I was just killing time, keeping up with the MLB playoffs while still clinging to the hope that the NBA would work something out. But at some point, and I’m not really sure when it happened, I actually became fascinated with the Rangers and their brand of baseball. I started watching the games, reading the box scores, and last week, I even sat in the car – willingly! – in the driveway listening to Game 2 of the World Series on the radio because all the TV’s in the house were tuned to something else. I had only ever listened to baseball on the radio once previously, and that was only because it was to be immediately followed up by a preseason Mavs vs. Spurs showdown. But what I realized this past weekend is this: I would rather watch Ranger baseball than Cowboys football, than any NFL football actually. And even if the Mavericks were playing, I would have chosen to watch Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday night over my Dallas Mavericks! Never in my life did I think I would utter (well, type) those words!

I have a special affection for the Rangers now, and it actually dates back to their World Series run last fall. I don’t know how to explain it really, but as I watched the Rangers advance through the playoffs and finally establish real relevance in their sport, something in the back of my head just told me that 2010-2011 would finally be the Mavericks' year as well. There was no logical connection, it was just a gut feeling. Now virtually every year since the Fairy Godfather (you might know him as Mark Cuban) bought the team and brought my Mavericks out of basketball oblivion, I start as an extreme optimist, believing Dallas has a chance to win it all. But this past year, it was something different, I could just feel it. And for me, that intuitive belief began when I saw the Rangers go where they'd never gone before. It was almost like they had so much good mojo or juju or whatever you wanna call it that they spread it around to the Mavericks -- who turned it into their first championship.

So tonight, as I will sit at work listening to what will hopefully be the final game of the 2011 World Series, I sure hope the Mavericks can return the favor and send good champion vibes all the way to St. Louis. Nothing, aside from the end of the NBA lockout, would make me happier.

LET'S GO RANGERS!!

Play Ball!

My beloved NBA has turned into nothing but a giant joke, and it’s no longer funny. How long is it going to take for the millionaires (players) and billionaires (owners) to sit down, shut up, and get something done? Did we learn nothing from the lockout in 1998? Or more recently, from the complete cancellation of the 2004-2005 NHL season? Is that where we are headed? Sadly, it’s really starting to look like it.

Not being privy to the meetings and the actual negotiations, I can’t speak knowledgeably in favor of one side or the other. I have little sympathy for the owners, who get paid regardless of if there is a season, and not much more for the players who are, let’s face it, all extremely overpaid for what they do: entertain. What I keep thinking of is the little people employed by the NBA, its teams, and the arenas where they play, and wondering how many of them have gone without paychecks. How many have had to find temporary work, or dig into their savings, or make cut backs in their daily lives as a result of the greed on both sides of the negotiating table? I have friends who work for NBA teams and I keep hoping and praying they will remain unaffected, but my gut says it’s just a matter of time before they, too, are looking for work elsewhere.

One thing I am certain of is this: the NBA is slowly but surely alienating its fans. I have been a fan of pro basketball, particularly my Mavericks, since I was in 5^th grade – trust me, it’s been a LONG time. But lately, I have become so disgusted with things that I have seriously considered giving up my NBA fandom altogether. Me, the Dallas Mavericks self-proclaimed #1 fan! And it pains me that the thought has even crossed my mind, but I can’t ignore it much longer.

What drives me even more insane is the fact that all this is happening now, when my Mavericks are the reigning NBA champions! Yes, I know this sounds self-centered (ok, team-centered) and probably crazy to anyone out there who isn’t a live-and-die-with-my-team fanatic like myself, but it kills me that the good guys aren’t really getting to fully enjoy their time on top as they should be. It took three plus decades for the Dallas Mavericks to FINALLY win the title and be Numero Uno, and they can’t even bask in the beauty of it all season long…especially since there may not even be a season.

It is utterly ridiculous to me that a group of grown men can’t sit down together and come to a compromise that equally benefits and injures everyone involved, even with the aid of an experienced mediator like Cohen. When the master negotiator gives up, I can’t help but feeling that any prospect of an NBA season this year is completely hopeless.

So where does that leave us??

Cuban is a Class Act

It's no secret I adore Mark Cuban. The man who brought basketball back to the Metroplex is near and dear to my heart. Not only is he the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, he is their biggest fan...except for yours truly, of course!

Last night, Cuban once again showed what a classy guy he can be. Rather than having NBA Commissioner David Stern present him with the Larry O'Brien trophy, a moment I'm sure he has dreamed about for at least a decade, he asked that the award be handed to Donald Carter, original owner of the Dallas Mavericks. As much as he must have wanted to lay hands on that gleaming golden statue, he deferred and allowed the original man behind the Mavericks to have his once in a lifetime moment instead.

Another thing I love about Cuban is that he genuinely cares about his team. Unlike many owners, he doesn't just see the players as an investment; he sees them as a sort of second family, people he cares for off the court as well as on it.

And as much as he loves his team, he loves his fans, too. Cuban has done a great many things to show his support and love of Mavericks' fandom over the years, from lowering ticket prices to thanking the fans for sticking by this team. And to top it off, Cuban said he didn't feel the citizens of Dallas should have to pay for the Mavericks' victory parade; instead, he offered to pay for the whole shebang out of his own pocket. All he cares about is sharing this special moment with us, the fans, both the new and the long-suffering loyal ones alike.

It's actions like that which make Mark Cuban the best owner in the sports kingdom, hands down. Jerry Jones could learn a thing or two from Mark Cuban. In some ways, maybe we all could.

WORLD CHAMPIONS, BABY!

Although I never really doubted my team, I still can't believe this is real.

But it is.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Dallas Mavericks are the 2010-2011 WORLD CHAMPIONS!

And their fans, both old and new, couldn't be happier. Hell, the folks in Cleveland (former home of LeBron James) are so happy they're even thinking about throwing the Mavs a parade too! Surely this is the first time in NBA history THAT has happened, right?

I'm still riding the emotional roller coaster that has been the 2011 playoffs. We're up, we're down, we're hot, we're cold. We got the lead. They made a run. But here we come, fighting our way back into it. Again and again and AGAIN. This postseason, for the Dallas Mavericks and their loyal fans, the NBA really is where amazing happens!

There are a million things running through my mind right now, so much I want to say. But right now, in this moment, words are eluding me. The sheer joy and excitement and pride I feel as a Mavs fan right now is so overwhelming I can't even begin to describe it. One minute I'm cheering and I can't seem to stop smiling. And the next, I'm tearing up and I can't seem to stop crying. This ride has been nothing short of amazing, and it's sweetened all the more by the fact that I've been behind my boys in blue for the long haul. Through the highs and lows, the personal achievements, the failures and now the ultimate success. And I want to say THANK YOU, Dallas Mavericks, for bringing me along for the ride!

While I haven't been here since the inception of this team back in 1980 (cut me a little slack, I was only four!), I have been a tried and true blue Mavs fan for a quarter of a century. I wore my team colors proud back in the day when Uwe Blab and Bill Wennington were a part of the team known as The Chairmen of the Boards, just as much as I did through the dark Dallas decade known as the 1990s, when the Mavericks were the worst team in all of professional sports. And on that infamous day in 2006, when Miami stole away the championship on our floor, crushing the dream for players and fans alike, I was crying right along with my team.

But that nightmare is a thing of the past, forever erased by the fact that, now, the rest of the world can see Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks organization the same way I have always seen them: as true champions.

When the Going Gets Tough..Get Chandler on the Court!

I said it after Game 2, when Mavs’ fans everywhere were celebrating and ready to call it a series: Dallas just did what they were supposed to do – win on their home floor. And this past weekend, that’s exactly what Portland did, too. Only in Game 4, having been down by 23 points with just over 90 seconds left in the third quarter, winning the game is the one thing Portland was not supposed to do. But in a tragic and preventable scenario all too reminiscent of Dallas’ colossal collapses in postseason play in the 2006 Finals and the 2007 series against the Warriors, the Mavericks allowed Portland to not only get back in the game, but essentially steal the victory right out from under them.

It was evident on Dirk’s face a few minutes into the fourth quarter, when he was already wearing the mixed mask of defeat and disbelief. It was obvious when Jason Kidd turned the ball over and Jason Terry started jacking up jump shots – the Mavs had already decided, even before the final buzzer sounded, that they let this one get away. It’s like Dallas, aside from Tyson Chandler, who again couldn’t remain on the floor as much as anyone – especially Tyson – would have liked, had mentally checked out and moved on to Game 5 here at home.

It breaks my heart to say this, since I love and adore Dirk more than probably anyone on the planet, aside from his family, but it all begins with the big German. More than anyone else on the 2005-2006 team that went to the Finals and failed, Dirk felt the sting of the lost opportunity. And it has haunted him ever since. I know that sounds like an odd thing to say about a superstar of his caliber, a former MVP, a ten time All-Star, and undoubtedly the most gifted player to ever don a Mavs’ uniform, but it’s the honest truth. Sure, Dirk has still been able to perform at amazing levels on a consistent basis, continuing to be one of the top players in the world. But on some level, in the cobweb filled recesses of his mind, the Miami (and even Golden State) series play on an endless loop, serving as an around the clock reminder of how close he (and his teammates) were to reaching their ultimate goal. And when things start moving in the wrong direction, that video loop starts moving to the forefront of Dirk’s mind, and before anyone realizes what has happened, Dirk has already admitted defeat to himself, unwittingly leading his teammates down the same mental path.

Jason Terry, as the only other holdover from the ’05-’06 Mavericks, also remembers the feelings of anger, frustration, and sheer panic that took hold of the team as Miami moved ever closer to stealing away their championship, one game at a time. Rather than look defeated, however, Terry tends to revert to the ways of the pre-Tyson Chandler Mavericks, who thought jacking up one jumpshot after another would solve and every problem the team might face. Should Dallas somehow not make it out of the first round of the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years, I can’t imagine Cuban doing anything other than blowing this team apart. And this time, I’d almost have to agree with that decision.

The one player, for the Mavericks, who has the potential to turn this series around and help Dirk and Jet get over their past failures and move forward on a winning path is Tyson Chandler. He is the key, the lynchpin, the glue that has the power to hold this team together when times get tough. Having come into Dallas for a fresh start, not having been a part of any of their recent string of early postseason exits, Chandler doesn’t suffer from the same defeatist mentality that his comrades in arms do. He believes they can win, and if he could just stay out of foul trouble and on the floor, he could be the vocal, emotional, wearing his heart on his sleeve type of leader that could take this team to the promised land of NBA glory. But he has got to be out on the floor, in the thick of the battle, or his voice will go unheard. Simply cheering his teammates from the bench isn’t enough. Tyson has to be on the court, because without his determined and defensive presence, these Mavericks just don’t have the mental mettle to make it out of the first round. And although I survived the hellhole that was the 1990s as a Dallas Mavericks fan, and have thoroughly enjoyed the roller coaster ride that has been the Mark Cuban era, including 11 straight 50+ win season, the thought of seeing my beloved Mavericks go through another exercise in postseason futility is more than even I can stomach.

So I’m begging you, my Mavericks – please don’t let me down. I’d hate to have to become a fan of that other team in Texas…you know, the Houston Rockets.

Dallas Does It Again, Takes 2-0 Series Lead to Portland

Dear Tommy,

Happy early birthday! Hope you enjoyed the game.

Sincerely,
Your Dallas Mavericks

That’s the text message my father received right after the Mavs upped their series lead to 2-0 against the Portland Trailblazers. No, it didn’t really come from the team – I’m the one who sent the message. But I’m sure Dad appreciated the sentiment nonetheless. As we exchanged texts and reveled in the beauty of another Mavericks’ postseason victory, a nagging little voice in the back of my head kept interrupting my celebration. What are you so excited about? the annoying monotone drone asked. All your beloved Mavs have done so far is exactly what they were supposed to do: protect their home court.

And as much as I hate to admit it, the voice was right. These two games mean nothing if Dallas can't go into Portland and walk away with at least one more victory.

Sure, it was another fantastic game, and the Mavs found ways to improve on defense. And even facing the officiating horrors of Dan Crawford, a nationally known Mavs killer, Dallas still managed to walk away with the W. (Which now makes us 3-16 with Crawford in the house, and 48-41 under everyone else in the postseason since 2001). Dirk had another off game – amazing how 33 points is an “off night” for the big German – and Jason Kidd played out of his mind yet again, finishing with 18 points on 7-11 shots, including 3-of-6 from behind the arc. And Peja Stojakovic, the “Serbian Sniper” (thanks, Mark Followill!) did exactly what the Mavericks brought him here to do: he made the enemy pay for leaving him open, drilling 8-of-13 shots (5-for-10 on three pointers) for 21 points. And Blazers’ Coach Nate McMillan’s bellyaching about the officiating in Game 1 even paid off, as Portland attempted one more free throw than Dallas this time around.

Not that it mattered. Last night, aside from Brendan Haywood’s continued poor free throw shooting (has there ever been an NBA player with a worse percentage than Haywood this season?), Dallas did everything right. They spread the floor, they got good shots, and quite surprisingly to many people, the Mavericks played some killer defense. In fact, their defense was so good late in the fourth that it prompted former-Maverick-turned-TV-analyst Derek Harper to repeat the oft quoted mantra, “Defense wins championships.”

While I’m not ready to hand the NBA title over to the Mavericks just yet, as a lifelong Mavs fan and eternal optimist when it comes to my boys in blue and white, I’m heading in that direction..one game at a time. Should the Spurs and Lakers continue to play as lackadaisically as they did on Sunday (which unfortunately I don’t really think they will), the road out of the West might be even easier than anyone previously expected. A girl can dream, right??

**The picture is of Dad's name on the scoreboard for the birthday announcements just prior to tipoff.***

Chandler, Terry Recognized for Outstanding Efforts

Jason Terry almost did it again. Already named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year once before, Jet came in second overall in the voting, behind this year’s winner, LA’s Lamar Odom. Speaking from a sheer statistical standpoint, Terry’s scoring average (15.8) and assists per game (4.1) were higher than Odom’s totals (14.4 ppg and 3 assists), so the award could have easily gone either way.

Earlier this week, the NBA announced that Dwight Howard had become the league’s first three-peat Defensive Player of the Year. Fantastic for Howard, whom I love and adore (see, I can be a fan of great basketballers, even when they sport the wrong colored jerseys!), but what I found even more exciting is that the Mavericks’ own Tyson Chandler came in THIRD in the voting. I, along with legions of other loyal Mavs’ fans, have definitely noticed the change in attitude and the trend toward playing more complete defense that has come to this team in the form of Tyson Chandler. But I’m thrilled to see that Chandler’s impact has been recognized not only locally, but at the national level. The difference he has made in this team is unmistakable, and it’s great to see the media acknowledge Chandler’s efforts.

And while I’m sure both Jet and Tyson may feel a twinge of disappointment at not winning their respective awards, basketball isn’t now nor has it ever been an individual sport. More than any other professional sport, basketball is all about the team. And besides, the only real hardware I think any of these Dallas Mavericks are hoping for, plain and simply, is a championship ring.

The REAL Reason for the Mavs' Struggles

I did a favor for a friend, and in return, I was given not only two lower level tickets to Wednesday night’s game against the revamped Denver Nuggets, but also two postgame passes which would get me down on the floor after the game. Not to mention, it was the Dirk and J-Kidd Future Hall of Famer double bobblehead giveaway. Needless to say, I was more excited than usual as Dad and I made our way to the arena. And then the game started…and it was all downhill from there, as the Mavs lost yet again.

As a tried and true blue Mavs fan, I’ve been very disheartened of late, especially since the second half debacle that took place against the Lakers. In a game we needed to win, not only did we lose, we lost in the worst possible way…and then followed that up with two more losses, this time to inferior teams. Then we add in another loss, this time against a potential playoff opponent, and it’s no wonder I’m bummed and had to take the day off work yesterday. (Ok, honestly, it was just exhaustion catching up with me – at least that’s what I’m telling myself!)

Normally, I’m not one to play the blame game when it comes to losing. I figure it is what it is, a failure, and many people had a hand in it. But after watching my beloved Mavs fall apart yet again and continue in their current process of backpedaling into the playoffs, it’s time for me to step up and start pointing the finger (no, not that finger!) at all those responsible for the Mavs’ sudden decline at the most inopportune of times:

1. For Wednesday night’s loss to Denver, I blame Dad. For the first time that I can remember, he did not wear a Mavericks’ shirt of some shape or sort to the game. True, he does get credit for his Mavs hat, but just as Dallas fell short, so did my Dad’s game day attire.

2. I blame my Mom. No, she didn’t even go to the game, but as we were leaving work, she noted how I would be “so happy” when I returned to work on Thursday because the Mavs would win the game. Erhh, wrong answer. Predicting a win somehow always seems to end in defeat….kinda like how the Mavs always seem to lose once Charles Barkley decides to jump on their bandwagon.

3. I blame my friend Jay, for being upfront and honest with me. He told me before the Mavs went on their recent six game West Coast road swing that he had “a bad feeling” about this. Being the eternal infernal optimist, I felt compelled to defend my boys and disagree. There’s so much egg on my face right now I could whip up an omelet. Next time, if you’re really my friend, lie to me, please!

4. Enough of the ridiculousness. Although I’m rarely one to criticize the coach when a team fails, primarily because he is not out on the court when it counts, after Wednesday night, I can keep quiet no longer. The only question is, where do I begin? How about with the starting lineup? Why in the world, in a game with potential playoff implications, would you “rest” Jason Kidd? True, Kidd’s legs aren’t as young and fresh as they once were, but there are three straight games coming up against non-playoff teams, and any one of those would have been a better night to rest Kidd. Besides that, it was Kidd-Dirk bobblehead night, an evening to honor the future Hall of Famers, and people came to see Kidd play. So why disappoint the fans?

Secondly, starting Roddy B at point guard is just plain dumb. First of all, the Mavs’ coaching staff seriously needs to quit trying to make the poor kid be something he’s not. Beaubois, by nature, is not a point guard, yet Dallas insists on throwing him in that position. Granted, Roddy is quick and athletic, but he’s much more of a slasher than a distributor. He’s a natural two guard, but the Mavs are increasingly reluctant to give him meaningful minutes – or any, actually – in his rightful position. If you’re gonna sit J-Kidd, only one of the best point guards in the history of the damn game, don’t do it in favor of Roddy. It puts too much pressure on a kid who isn’t ready to handle it, and likely never will be. If you must start someone else, why not Barea? He may be undersized, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in heart. He is fearless on the floor, unafraid to mix it up with the big men in the paint, and unafraid to fling his body to the floor if he thinks he can draw the charge. Plus, as evidenced by his double digit assists on Wednesday, Barea knows how to distribute the basketball.

Thirdly, Coach Carlisle needs to learn how to use Dirk and Peja together more effectively. When teams double down on Dirk, Peja needs to be open on the perimeter, prepared to sink the three or the open jumper which have become his trademarks over the years. But against the Nuggets, every time Carlisle put Dirk in the game, he pulled Peja our or vice versa. Again, the coach was not making the most of the weapons he had available to him. In the postgame presser, I overheard Carlisle talking about how his playoff rotation is “still wide open.” Say what?!? We’re ten days from the freaking playoffs, and the Coach has no idea who he plans to play when it really counts? Nevermind the fact that the players have been consistently shuffled in and out of the lineup (Terry, Stevenson, and Marion); the Coach needs to know where he intends to go with this, and Carlisle seems essentially clueless.

I’m starting to think maybe Dad’s right. Maybe the real problem with Coach Carlisle is...

5. …his lack of hair. Maybe like Samson’s superhuman strength, Carlisle’s amazing coaching abilities will only reappear when his hair grows back, and he once again looks like a Jim Carrey impersonator.

For the sake of the entire organization and Mavs’s fans everywhere, let’s hope it’s not the hair, because the playoffs are a week away, and unless someone substitutes Miracle-Gro for Carlisle’s shampoo, we’re all in a world of hurt.

The Life and Times of Uber Sports Fan Chick

I was driving around town the other day listening to Colin Cowherd’s show on ESPN when I heard something that, in the words of the old Pace picante commercial, really chapped my hide. Colin and his cronies were talking about their turn-offs when it comes to women, which I found somewhat interesting in the beginning. Jokingly, Cowherd listed fourteen cold sores and an eye patch as his deal breakers. Then one of the other guys piped up and said, “Uber Sports Fan Chick!” and Cowherd readily agreed.

Being an Uber Sports Fan Chick, especially when it comes to my Mavericks, I took instant offense. And the more I listened, the angrier I became. The men justified their annoyance with Uber Sports Fan Chick by stating that: 1) she overcompensates for being female by trying to act like she knows more than men do about sports (speaking from experience, sometimes she does); 2) the guys like women because they have curves and smell good and therefore should do more girly feminine things, not just be one of the guys; 3) and that, being men, their masculinity was, of course, not threatened in any way by a woman who knows her sports. (If you buy that, I have some ocean front property in Arizona I’d like to sell you!)

Colin went on to explain that he and his wife had “both settled” on her being an NFL and NBA fan, and that when she watched games with him, she would still “ask questions” rather than act like she knew everything that was going. He said she was a passionate Bulls fan, having grown up in Chicago, and a casual football fan, and they were both ok with that.

By the time I pulled into the parking lot at work, my blood was boiling, and if I had a little more time, I would have called the show and given Cowherd an earful. (This particular radio bit reminded me why I quit listening to his show awhile back; if I’m on “sports talk radio,” I wanna hear sports talk, not “Why I Hate Uber Sports Fan Chick” from a middle aged white dude!) But since I couldn’t, I decided to vent my frustrations here, in my own forum.

That being said, there are several things that I, Uber Sports Fan Chick, take issue with:

1. Why does Colin Cowherd have any say in what sports his wife likes? Why is it ok for her to be an NBA and NFL fan? What if she liked soccer and lacrosse too, would that be an issue?
2. Why, if a woman is watching sports alongside men, should she have to “ask questions” and feign ignorance, even if she is a fountain of knowledge on the sport?
3. If a man is truly not insecure, and his masculinity not threatened, why would he be annoyed by a woman who was educated about and took a passionate interest in one or more sports?
4. If a man can get a manicure or pedicure and still be considered manly, why can’t a woman paint her face, wear team colors, and scream at the refs from the sidelines? (They make pink jerseys for women nowadays, you know!)
5. It is possible for a woman to both be feminine and be Uber Sports Fan Chick. Just because she wears team colors on game days doesn’t mean she doesn’t dress up the other 200+ days a year. (I’ll be the first to admit, I am not a prime example of a feminine Uber Sports Fan Chick – I’m much more of a tomboy; I prefer jerseys and sneakers to skirts and heels any day of the week!)

Listening to Cowherd and cronies’ comments did get the little hamster wheel in my head spinning though, as I wondered if most men really feel the same way, but just don’t voice their opinions. Are men really threatened by Uber Sports Fan Chicks like me? In my mind, I always figured guys would think it cool and appreciate a woman who was into sports every bit as much as they were. Having always been “one of the guys,” that has pretty much been my experience. But perhaps when a man is looking for a woman to spend the rest of his life with, he doesn’t want one with the same interests. Maybe he just wants to keep the sports side of his life to himself; I am not a man, nor do I claim to be able to think like one.

But I am curious, guys: does it bother you when a woman is an Uber Sports Fan Chick? Does that assign her the “cool friend” tag and prevent her from ever being seen as anything more than that?

What do YOU think?

Trade Talk: What Were They Thinking in Utah??

First, the Jazz lost their leader when Jerry Sloan resigned after 23 plus years as Head Coach. Now, they’ve lost their on-the-court leader, All-Star point guard Deron Williams, who is rumored to have run Jerry Sloan off the bench and out of town.

In a deal no one saw coming, Utah sent Williams to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for former Dallas Maverick Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and first round draft picks for the next two years.

If the allegations against Williams are true and he is a “coach killer,” then Karma has kicked him in the butt by shipping him to the veritable basketball wasteland known as New Jersey. (This is my personal theory, especially since I adored Jerry Sloan – I find it much easier to make Deron out to be the bad guy!) If Williams thought he had it rough and was too reined in under Sloan, just wait ‘til he gets to Jersey and works under Avery Johnson. Devin Harris could teach Williams a thing or two about playing for “The Little General”, seeing as how he was forced to do it not once, but twice. Harris was drafted by the Mavericks, playing for Johnson until he was traded to the Nets in exchange for Jason Kidd. Poor Devin must have thought he had served his time; imagine his shock (and likely dismay) when Avery Johnson was named as the Nets’ new head coach this past offseason! Devin Harris is the biggest winner in this deal, if for no other reason than he has once again been released from Avery Johnson’s grasp.

While I am happy for Harris, and the impish side of me is thrilled that Williams was banished to Jersey, I have to wonder what on God’s green Earth the ownership and management team in Salt Lake City is thinking. They let Sloan leave, conceivably siding with Williams and choosing the ‘future of the organization’ over its ‘storied history’, only to cut Williams loose a week later? Maybe if Utah is really lucky, Sloan will return to the bench now that Williams is gone but if I were him, I sure wouldn’t.

One thing is certain: the balance of power in the NBA is shifting itself from the Western conference to the East coast, and it should make for a fun, fascinating, and fantastic final few months of the season.

And until the 3pm trade deadline tomorrow, the plot can still continue to thicken.

Stay tuned…

Trade Talk: 'Melo Moves East

Carmelo Anthony finally got his way. After months of whining, wheeling and dealing, and much ado, 'Melo landed himself in a Knicks uniform late Monday night.

In a blockbuster deal, the Nuggets sent 'Melo, Chauncey Billups, Antony Carter, Renaldo Balkman, and Shelden Williams to the Knicks. In return, New York gave up Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, a 2014 first round draft pick, two second round picks in 2012 and 2013 (via the Knicks' prior trade with the Warriors), plus $3 million cold hard cash.

Will this trade make New York better? Undoubtedly. As for Denver? Well....not so much, especially in the beginning. I feel for the Nuggets because they lost a proven commodity, a classy leader. No, I'm not talking about 'Melo...I'm talking about Chauncey Billups. Even George Karl, the Nuggets' head coach, lamented having to lose a veteran leader like Billups just to alleviate the team of the Carmelo cancer.


Thank God we finally got that thug-punk-coward 'Melo out of the Western conference. Now we only have to see him twice a year.


Mama always said, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. So in the words of Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."

All About All-Stars, Part Three: They Got Game

Overall, NBA All-Star 2011 was fan-freaking-tastic! The Rookie-Sophomore game on Friday night was a high scoring affair, as always, with the Rookies besting the Sophomores, 148-140. One thing that made the game more exciting was the unbelievable play of Washington’s John Wall, who finished the game with a record-setting 22 assists. Perhaps not all young players have the “all about me” mindset so common among the Kobe’s and LeBron’s of this league. And some of the passes that Wall, the game’s MVP, made were beyond incredible…and had showed up on YouTube before the game was even over!

Saturday, even before the All-Star events got started, TNT presented a fascinating hour long program, The Lost Dunks, which chronicled some of the most remarkable slam dunks ever made, going all the way back to Dr. J in old ABA dunk contests. It was fun to revisit the glory days of the dunk contest, when Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan went head to head. I also enjoyed some of the more forgettable dunks, those which were wildly missed or took multiple tries to get right. After watching that, I couldn’t wait for the Slam Dunk contest to begin to see what new and inventive ideas the participants had developed.

Once again, the players didn’t disappoint. From tiny tots with teddy bears to choirs with Kias, this was one of the most fun-to-watch contests in several seasons. Although the Clippers’ Blake Griffin won the title (thanks in large part to the fan vote) for his dunk over the hood of a shiny new Kia, I was more impressed with the Washington Wizards’ Javale McGee, who first dunked two balls simultaneously in side by side goals and later dunked THREE balls at one time – two he had in hand as he leaped off the floor, plus a third passed to him by teammate John Wall. Now that, to me, was truly amazing!

Sunday night, the game itself was a little boring in the beginning, as the West seemed to be taking the game seriously (while still enjoying themselves) and the East seemed more concerned with flashiness and showmanship than playing basketball. The West actually played defense throughout the game, and I’m crediting their coach, Gregg Popovich, for that. In all the years that Pop has led the Spurs, they have been known for their defense, and in a game where traditionally little to no defense is played, it was nice to see steals and blocks coming at the hands of Western Conference All-Stars!

Even though I never have been (and never will be) a Kobe Bryant fan, I was quite impressed with what the old man was able to accomplish in this All-star game: 37 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. I, too, texted in my vote for Kobe as MVP, as much as it pained me to do so. And I got a kick out of seeing Kobe school LeBron – and then smack him on the butt! I think that was my favorite part of the whole game – seeing LeBron put in his place and reminded that, talented as he may be, he is still not the best player on the court. If he was, he wouldn’t have waited until the fourth quarter to take the game seriously and actually focus on winning, rather than showboating.

LeBron finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking only the second triple-double in NBA All-Star game history. The first, of course, came at the hands of Michael Jordan, the man who LeBron claims he wants to be like. Kobe Bryant is no Michael Jordan, and on this night, LeBron James was reminded that he is not even a Kobe Bryant.

As for Dirk, who played a mere 14 minutes and change, his stats aren’t nearly as impressive in the box score. Nowitzki’s line included six points, five rebounds, an assist, a steal, and no turnovers. But again, to Dirk, it’s never been about the numbers, nor personal glory and recognition, but all about the game. Just one more reason I love me some Dirk…

All About All-Stars, Part Two: Dirk Deserves Better

Speaking of class acts, perennial All-Stars, and my beloved Mavericks, I was thrilled when Dirk was named to his 10th straight All-Star team. I love seeing Dirk get honored not only because he is a phenomenal basketball talent, but because he is a good guy off the court as well. But the one thing that eats at me is how Dirk is always named as a reserve, never a starter (aside from the one year he was substituted in for an injured starter). That simple fact tells me that while the coaches around the league recognize Dirk’s talent and realize how truly amazing he is, aside from a small throng of crazed Mavericks/Nowitzki fans such as myself, the average NBA fan doesn’t appreciate Dirk; they never have, and most likely never will.

Maybe being a lifelong Mavs fan and watching Dirk on a regular basis over the past decade, I’m not the most objective person when it comes to Nowitzki. But even the casual NBA fan should be able to recognize what Dirk has done for not just the Mavericks, but the NBA. He was one of the first European players to really make his mark in this league. Before Dirk, (and not counting Larry Bird) how many seven footers can anyone remember sitting outside the three point line, knocking down daggers? Who else in this league provides as much of a defensive challenge, not for individuals but for entire teams, as does Dirk? In 2007, when Dirk became the first ever European born MVP, he virtually cemented his place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Yet, because his style of play is nontraditional, because he is not flashy and egotistical and because he puts the team ahead of himself, NBA fandom (outside of Dallas) is reluctant to embrace the big German.

And the fact of the matter is, Dirk doesn’t really care. He doesn’t play for fame or notoriety, fortune or endorsement deals. Unlike LeBron James and Kobe Bryant (who spent the better part of the All-star game trying to one up each other) Dirk Nowitzki plays purely for the love of the game. Truth be told, he would rather avoid the crowds and the spotlight than be in the center of it all. Which only makes those of us who appreciate and respect Dirk adore him that much more. He may never be voted an All-Star by the NBA fandom, but Dirk Nowitzki will always be an All-Star – both on and off the court.

All About All-Stars, Part One: Kobe Gets a Star

Every year, I look forward to the month of February, not only because it brings with it the “unofficial” halfway mark of the NBA season, but because it marks another year that I get to enjoy the All-Star festivities. Of course, being here in Dallas, last year was the best so far, but the 2011 All-Star weekend certainly didn’t disappoint, with one exception: How in the world did Kobe Bryant receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Seriously, Kobe “I swear it was consensual” Bryant is the first professional athlete to get a star on the Walk of Fame? Once again, bad behavior is rewarded. What’s wrong with you, California?

Granted, Kobe is an unbelievable basketball player, one of the best to ever set foot on the court. But there are hundreds of other athletes who would have actually been deserving of such an honor. Why not an actor turned athlete, such as football star Fred Dryer (who played the title role on Hunter) or Merlin Olson (who starred in Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy) or former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who has had a fairly lucrative film career?

Heck, even keeping it in the pro basketball/Los Angeles Lakers realm, why not Magic Johnson, who had his own talk show, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was a legendary player, has been in multiple movies, and been involved with countless charities? Why, Los Angeles, did you choose to honor Kobe Bryant, an alleged rapist and infamously arrogant a-hole?

Because in your crazy mixed up world, character doesn’t matter anymore. All that matters is winning.

Call me old-fashioned (so what if I am?) or call me a loser, but that, my friends, is why I can never be a Lakers fan. Because in my world, in the real world, character means something. My beloved Mavericks may not be the reigning world champs, but they have something that the Lakers, particularly Kobe, will never have: integrity and dignity, both of which are priceless. Take dat wit chuuuuu!

Injustice for All: Jerry Sloan Calls It Quits

Plain and simple, it was a bad week to be a beloved basketball figure with 23 years of devoted and dedicated service to a single NBA team. First, Dallas Mavericks’ TV analyst Bob Ortegel was cast aside in favor of a “younger fresher feel” on the broadcasts, and then, just two days later, Jerry Sloan, who at the time was the longest tenured coach in professional sports, resigned as Head Coach of the Utah Jazz. Which left this lifelong basketball fan wondering, What in the hell is happening in the NBA?

Sadly, I’m scared I already have the answer – I just don’t want to accept it. To this out-of-the-official-loop-yet-still-searching-for-information Mavs chick, it seems that, from top to bottom, the NBA (as a whole) is doing everything in its power to promote its young talented athletes to a younger hipper crowd; however, in the process, not only has the league managed to alienate its true class acts (such as Sloan and Ortegel), but loyal lifelong fans such as myself.

Last Monday, the Jazz announced that Jerry Sloan had signed a one-year extension on his current contract, and all seemed right with the world, at least in the public perspective. But after an alleged heated halftime exchange between Sloan and budding All-Star point guard Deron Williams and an extended discussion between Sloan and Jazz General Manager Kevin O’Connor after the game, Sloan’s future suddenly became murky. As old school as Jerry Sloan can be at times, he is nothing if not a man of his word. So something drastic had to take place for him to sign a contract extension on Monday and be speaking at a press conference announcing his resignation 72 short but chaotic hours later. A gentleman and class act, Sloan chose to take the high road, and rather than going into detail of what happened or laying blame on anyone in particular, simply say it was time for him – and the Jazz – to move on. Remember, Sloan is the man who returned to coaching (when many thought he would quit) after his wife passed away. Jerry Sloan wasn’t just the coach of the Utah Jazz; he was the Utah Jazz.

What I find so disappointing – and disturbing – is the unfortunate trend that seems to be taking place in the league over the last several years. As a new crop of “superstars” emerges in the NBA, coaches and veteran players are cast aside, rules are bent (or even broken), and everyone is expected to cater to these “elite” players, i.e. LeBron James, Deron Williams, etc. More and more, the veteran leadership, wisdom, and experience of the older generation is being overlooked or forgotten, while the self-proclaimed reigning royalty of the NBA (Wade, Kobe, LeBron and friends) are hailed as heroes and their highlights shown nightly on SportsCenter. The league has become one of flash and show, all about me and less about team, where men of substance and character are becoming harder and harder to find. Frankly, I’m tired of it.

Whether or not Sloan and Williams butting heads was the final straw in Utah, we may never really know. But the one thing I’m certain of is that the people of Utah – players and fans alike – have lost not only an amazing coach who has always managed to do something with nothing, but one of the few good guys who remained in the NBA. Jerry Sloan, you have always been a class act, and even in your unfortunate resignation, that is one thing that didn’t change. You will surely be missed, not only by the team and the people behind it who had become your family over the past two plus decades, but by anyone who is truly a fan of the game of basketball.

Bye Bye, Bob O!

For the past ten days, Dad and I have exchanged text messages throughout the Mavs' TV broadcasts that all went something like this:

Where is Bob Ortegel?

Did Harp (Derek Harper) take his place?

Have you heard anything more about Bob?

Wonder why he isn't on the broadcast?

Yesterday, I finally got some answers, and as a Mavs fan, I was extremely unhappy with the news I received: Bob Ortegel's last official broadcast as the Mavericks' TV color analyst was on January 27th, when Dallas defeated the Houston Rockets. Apparently, according to news reports, Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban felt the TV broadcast needed a newer look and a fresher voice. Ever heard that old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"? I've got news for you, Mark: It wasn't broke!

For the past 23 season, I have watched, learned, and listened as Bob Ortegel explained any and every facet of the game of basketball. Rules that I previously could not comprehend became clear to me under Coach Bob's television tutelage. Every time I turned on the tube and saw his familiar face, I felt like I was sitting next to my all-knowing grandfather, who would eagerly answer my basketball questions, sometimes before I could even voice them aloud. Other announcers came and went (Jim Durham, Allen Stone, Matt Pinto) but Coach Bob and his sweet smiling face were always there, like a comfortable pair of shoes. Losing Bob on the broadcast feels like I’ve lost an old friend. As Dad said, “It’s a crying shame.” He must be right, because I literally feel like crying.

Cuban is said to have offered Ortegel the opportunity to continue working with the Mavericks in the capacity of color commentator on the radio broadcasts, but Ortegel politely declined, at least for the time being. When asked about the situation, Ortegel simply said, “I'm grateful and I'm thankful for the 23 years that I've had with the Dallas Mavericks' organization.'' Now that’s a true class act.

Last year, as part of my experience as the HP Insider, I was fortunate enough to meet Bob Ortegel in person. Although he was seriously ill with a nasty cold/flu, he was still just as polite and friendly as could be. And on the bus ride back from the arena to the airport in San Antonio, I actually sat next to Bob. Again, even though he clearly wasn't feeling well, he talked to me the entire trip. It breaks my heart to think that Iwill no longer be able to turn on a Mavs game and see that old familiar face smiling back at me, or listen to the analysis of the man who knows more about the game of basketball than anyone I have ever known.

Although I am usually a big supporter of Mark Cuban and the decisions he has made as owner of the Dallas Mavericks (let’s face it, he put basketball back on the map in north Texas), this time, he couldn’t be any more wrong. Mavs’ fans don’t want a fresher voice or a newer face; what we want is someone who knows the team, knows the game, and brings years of insight, wisdom, and experience along with him. Mavs’ fans want the man we have come to admire, respect, and even adore over the past two plus decades; we want Coach Bob, back on the broadcast, where he belongs.

Former Mavericks Brad Davis (road games) and Derek Harper (home games) will sit in for Bob for the remainder of the season. But as much as I love Brad and Derek (two of my all-time favorite players, both genuine down-to-earth guys, whom I have met on numerous occasions), they still aren’t Bob. And although they may be able to fill his seat, no one will ever fill Bob Ortegel’s shoes…

Who's Bad? Almost Dallas...

Mavericks 99, Cavaliers 96

As good as the Mavericks have been this season (aside from Dirk’s and Caron’s injuries), they have not been without their ugly moments, and Monday night was definitely one of them, as Dallas eked out a meager 99-96 victory over the cellar dwelling Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland, who came in riding a league worst 24 game losing streak, should have been an easy matchup for the Mavericks, who entered Monday’s game on an eight game win streak of their own. But as they have done so many times this season, Dallas played not to the best of their abilities, but to the level of their opponent – which in this case, was definitely a step backwards.

One thing that has puzzled me about this team virtually all season long is how they can play so well against the best teams in this league and so poorly against the mediocre or even (sorry, Cleveland) straight up bad teams. For instance, the Mavs have beaten virtually every championship contender at least once (Lakers, Spurs, and Thunder) and swept the season series from both the Celtics and the Heat. Heck, they even blew the Jazz out in Utah, something the Mavericks had been unable to do in quite awhile. But if you look at some of their losses (again, not counting during the time they were without Nowitzki and/or Caron Butler), you can’t help but come away scratching your head. How on Earth has Dallas lost twice apiece to the likes of Memphis, Milwaukee, and Chicago, not to mention barely squeaking out victories against the Kings and the King-less Cavaliers? The only answer I have been able to come up with is that the Mavericks are playing to the level of their competition, and that is a dangerous trap to fall into, especially when playing a team like Cleveland, who is simply hungry for any victory it can get to end its record-breaking 25 game losing streak.

To me, the story of the game was told in the final three seconds, as Cleveland had a chance to tie the game and force overtime, but blew it. The camera flashed to Cavaliers’ Coach Byron Scott, standing on the sideline looking smug as always, appearing as if he couldn’t have a care in the world. And then the shot panned to the face of former Maverick Antawn Jamison, hands clasped over his head in sadness, shock, and awe, clearly feeling the pain of setting the record for the NBA’s all-time longest losing streak, at 25. As much as I can’t stand Byron Scott (and as hilarious as I find it that LeBron didn’t re-sign with the Cavs after Scott accepted the head coaching position), I sincerely feel for Jamison, who was nothing but a class act during his tenure in Dallas.

The Mavericks, in the end, proved they were the better team on Monday night, but not by much. If Dallas wants to be taken seriously as a championship contender, the team is going to have to play like it, regardless of what jersey their opponent is wearing on any given night.

Check Out the HP Insider's Award-Winning Video!

Like I said before, being the HP Insider was the gift that just kept on giving. Last year, I got to be a part of the team that worked on a video campaign which summed up the HP Insider experience. The video was fantastic, and not only did it include pictures from the whole week 9including one I took myself) but it was also narrated by yours truly. I received a copy of the DVD in the mail after all was said and done, but had never been able to figure out a way to post it online for all my friends, family, and followers to see.

However, yesterday, as I was mindlessly surfing the Internet, I came across a copy of the video online, where anyone and everyone can check it out. As it turns out, the video actually won an award! It was a Bronze Award winner, but it is amazing to think that I was able to be part of that as well!

For those of you who would like to finally see the video, here it is, in living color. Scroll down to the Bronze Winner on the lower left hand side of the page and enjoy! http://adage.com/hispanicawards2010/article?article_id=146294

Forget the Face of the Franchise:Chandler is the Heart and Soul

Speaking of all things All-Star, Dirk Nowitzki was just named to his 10th straight All-Star team as a reserve. While I am beyond thrilled for my beloved Dirk, there was never a doubt in my mind that he would once again be selected. However, I feel that both the coaches and the Commissioner made a critical error by not including Dallas' Tyson Chandler on this year's All-Star team. While Dirk may be the face of the franchise, Chandler is most definitely its heart and soul. There is no better center in the Western conference (sorry, Kevin Love), statistically speaking nor otherwise. And no one on this roster can get this team fired up the way Chandler does. Chandler brings toughness and emotion to the game, and makes the players around him better just by being on the court with them, similar to future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, albeit in a different manner.

Tyson Chandler is the vocal leader the Mavericks have needed for so long. Sure, Jason Kidd is a leader on the court, and Dirk sets the example by practicing long hours and playing through the pain, and Jason Terry can bring the crowd to its feet, but not since the exit of Nick van Exel has there been a single voice in the locker room that had the ability not only to unite but to motivate this team the way that Chandler does. Tyson Chandler is the fire under the Mavericks' proverbial behinds, the spark of passion that gets this team going when things get tough. The man played through the flu, returning for the second half after losing his lunch during the opening half of a game, for crying out loud! Tyson Chandler is the tough as nails, heart on his sleeve, show his emotion kind of leader the Mavericks have needed for so long now. Chandler is the antithesis of Erick Dampier, who, although he was a genuinely nice guy, was essentially a stoic when it came time to play.

While I wasn't the biggest fan of Chandler before the season began, I freely admit I was wrong, wrong, wrong about Tyson; he isn't just another silly off-season move to make fans think the team would actually go somewhere in the playoffs this year. Tyson Chandler is the missing piece of the championship puzzle, the man in the middle the Mavericks have never had in the Dirk Nowitzki era. Until now.

I, for one, can’t wait to see where he will lead these Mavericks…but I have a sneaking suspicion this ride is far from being over!

Mavs are Movin' on Up....

"Who's the most dangerous team in the NBA right now?" Dad asked as I dunked another overcooked French fry into a bowl of gravy in a futile effort to improve its flavor.

My gut instinct, of course, was to say the Mavs. (Not that I'm a homer or anything). But my gut instinct had also order the French fries, so I simply played along with Dad.

"I don't know, who?" I asked, trying to drown the taste in my mouth by chugging my root beer.

"The Mavs!" Dad said excitedly, looking at me as if a green horn had suddenly sprouted from the center of my forehead. "Nobody wants to play the Mavs right now," he added, and I nodded in agreement.

Unlike the days leading from late December to mid-January, the two week span bridging the months of January and February has been nothing but good for my Mavericks. Not only are they owners of the league's longest win streak with eight straight victories, including their recent sweep of a three game road trip through the Eastern conference, but they have actually pulled ahead of the Lakers by a half game to reclaim the #2 spot in the West. And while they still sit seven games behind the Spurs (who have yet to have even ONE of their starters suffer any real injury), the Mavs have many other reasons to celebrate and look forward to the home stretch of the season after the All-Star break.

For starters, Jason Terry recently eclipsed the 15,000 point mark, becoming only the 124th player in league history to do so. Dirk Nowitzki reached the 22,000 point plateau, moving him into 24th place among the all-time NBA leading scorers, which I find even more amazing, given the fact that just over a year ago, I was there in person at the AAC as he scored his 20,000th point against the Lakers. In just over a calendar year, Nowitzki has racked up 2,000 more points! Assuming he hadn't been injured and missed nine consecutive games between the end of December and mid-January, there's a good chance he would have reached that milestone in less than twelve months. Now that's what I call an All-Star!

An Open Letter to the Dallas Mavericks

Dear Dallas Mavericks,

From the very first game I attended with my father back in 1987, I have been a lifelong Mavericks fan. Aside from my freshman year in college, when Mavericks’ games were not carried by the local TV station, I have spent the best years of my life being devoted to you, my beloved Mavericks. I eat, sleep, and breathe Mavericks basketball; my blood runs blue and white and I live and die with my team, just as I have for almost a quarter of a century now. And barring some crazy panicky move – like shipping Dirk Nowitzki to the Lakers in exchange for the amazingly talented but ethically challenged Kobe Bryant – I will remain a Mavericks fan until the day I die.

I remember what it was like in the ‘90s, when no one cared about basketball here in Dallas, including the players. (Does anyone remember how long it actually took to get Jim Jackson in a Mavs uniform?) I remember the days of owners who didn’t care about the team or its fans (the few of us who remained loyal), just the real estate development opportunities (thanks so much, Ross Perot Jr.). I recall the likes of Donald Hodge, Randy White, Jim Cleamons and Quinn Buckner. Through it all, no matter how bad things got, I never lost hope and never gave up on my Mavericks. And I don’t intend to now, either.

Although thinking about what could have – and should have – been during the Mavs’ 2006 title run still brings a tear to my eye, I’m not the kind of fan who takes 10 straight winning seasons for granted. True, Dallas still doesn’t have an NBA championship under its belt, but then again, neither do a lot of teams. Every year since 2000, Dallas has been relevant, not only in the regular season but in the playoff picture as well. Like everyone involved with this group of guys, I have thoroughly enjoyed the ride; however, unlike many of the “fair weather fans” who have quietly jumped off the Mavericks’ bandwagon, I’m still here. Hell, I’m the one driving the bus!

For the past three weeks and change, it has been uncomfortable, even painful at some points, to watch my Mavericks, the great guys I know and love, get outhustled, outwitted, and ultimately outplayed nearly every night. I keep watching, waiting, and hoping that you will snap out of it and remember who you are, both individually and as a team, and how you got off to such a great start this year. Yes, you have stumbled of late, but given the circumstances – playing without your best player for more games than he’s probably missed in his entire career, then losing your second best player for the remainder of the season 24 hours later – anyone would have difficulty continuing to win. Rather than make excuses, however, you guys continue to battle and lay it all out on the hardwoods every night, and I applaud your effort and unwillingness to throw in the towel.

While it’s difficult for me to grasp the extent to which this team has fallen, all hope is not lost for you guys, by any means. The way I see it, there have been two different and distinct entities who have donned the blue and white jerseys so far this season. The first group, the guys who Chuck (Barkley) himself referred to as “the best team in Texas,” even though the Spurs held a better record at the time, was unstoppable. They had the league’s best road record and pulled off an amazing feat, winning four games in five nights in convincing fashion. That team beat “The Chosen Ones,” aka the Miami Heat, not once but TWICE, sweeping the season series. When they played together as a team, there was nothing those guys couldn’t handle.

The second group, whom we’ll call the post-M*A*S*H unit, has been the exact opposite. Battling without their leader, this same group of guys has struggled just to put points on the board. Their offensive flow has disappeared, along with their confidence and swagger. It no longer seems fun for them to play together, but more like a grind, something that is surely as unenjoyable to participate in as it is to watch.

In my mind, I cannot reconcile the fact that these two starkly different teams are actually ONE AND THE SAME: my beloved Dallas Mavericks. Which leaves just one question: Which team ARE you guys, in actuality?

In my heart, there is only one answer…

YOU ARE THE DALLAS MAVERICKS!

Now get out there and play like it.

Sincerely yours,

Mandi Smith
Your #1 Fan,
Today, Tomorrow and Always