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.