Rebound: My Life as a Basketball Junkie

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

2011-12-29T10:30:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-29T10:01:00.000-06:00

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.

2011-12-29T09:58:00.001-06:00

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

2011-10-27T10:32:00.001-05:00

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!

2011-10-27T10:14:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-13T14:33:00.005-05:00

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!

2011-06-13T14:15:00.004-05:00

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!

2011-04-25T17:58:00.001-05:00

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

2011-04-20T16:14:00.004-05:00

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

2011-04-20T16:12:00.002-05:00

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

2011-04-08T16:17:00.005-05:00

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

2011-02-25T17:51:00.003-06:00

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??

2011-02-23T17:53:00.002-06:00

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

2011-02-22T17:51:00.006-06:00

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

2011-02-22T17:42:00.003-06:00

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

2011-02-22T14:32:00.004-06:00

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

2011-02-22T14:25:00.003-06:00

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

2011-02-22T10:12:00.004-06:00

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!

2011-02-09T14:11:00.005-06:00

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...

2011-02-09T14:08:00.001-06:00

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!

2011-02-09T01:09:00.006-06:00

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

2011-02-08T16:27:00.002-06:00

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....

2011-02-07T14:24:00.008-06:00

"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

2011-01-19T14:04:00.005-06:00

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

The Bucks Stop Here (And So Did the Streak)

2010-12-17T17:08:00.000-06:00

Milwaukee 103, Dallas 99

Sometimes in basketball, as in life, things just don’t add up. Take the Miami Heat, for example. Between D-Wade, LeBron, and Chris Bosh, basketball fans and talking heads alike just assumed that Miami would win it all, awarding the Heat the championship before the season even began. And then the season started, and the Heat looked mediocre at best, struggling to a 9-8 record to start off the year.

That’s kinda what happened to the Mavericks when Milwaukee came to town last week. Before the game even began, even though the Mavs were owners of a 12 game win streak, I had a bad feeling about it. It’s not that Milwaukee is an exceptionally good team (they aren’t) or that Dallas was playing poorly (they weren’t). It might have been the fact that Dallas was playing for win #13, on the 13th, or that Dirk had just been named Western Conference Player of the Week for the 13th time in his career (and the second this season) that set off my superstitious senses. But that annoying little voice in the back of my mind warned me that you can’t win ‘em all, and sooner or later, my Mavs would lose…and for some odd reason, it felt like it would be against the Bucks.

Things started out great, and the Mavs jumped out to as much as a 20 point lead early on. And then, slow and steady, Milwaukee made their comeback, leaving the Mavericks playing from behind during much of the final frame. And when it came down to crunch time, the Bucks stole a move from former head coach Don Nelson’s bag of tricks, employing the Hack-a-Shaq technique, only this time, it wasn’t Shaq, but the Mavs’ own Brendan Haywood on the receiving end of several intentional off the ball fouls. Haywood missed all four free throw attempts, which didn’t help the Mavs’ cause in the least.

But the blame for this loss doesn’t fall solely at the feet of Haywood. This was most definitely a team loss. Just like they had done against Utah two nights prior, Dallas got too comfortable with their lead and started playing to keep their lead, rather than playing to extend it. Anytime you have your opponent down by double digits, it’s time to push your foot down on the gas pedal and play harder, not let up and relax like the Mavericks did against Milwaukee.

Unlike in the Utah game, Dallas was unable to hold on for the win, thus seeing their amazing win streak come to a very disappointing end, once more in front of their home crowd. Of their five losses this season, only one (at New Orleans) has been on the road; the other four have all been here at the AAC, which is another cause for concern in a season where the Mavericks haven’t given their fans much else to be concerned about.

Wednesday night, the Portland Trailblazers made their first trip to Dallas this season, and the Mavs had the chance to start another streak, hopefully in the W column.

Dallas Dominates During 12 Game Win Streak

2010-12-15T14:22:00.000-06:00

Here's the thing: no matter what I do, or how hard I try, I can't keep up, nor even catch up, with all of the buzz that has surrounded my marvelous Mavericks since the Thanksgiving holiday. Every time it looks as if I'm making headway, something happens, be it at work, at home, or just my life in general. And as my dear sweet Rickey reminded me last night, this blog is not a job. It doesn't pay the bills, it earns me no special favors, and very few people even acknowledge its existence, aside from my circle of family and friends. But the sole reason I continue my blog is simple: because I want to.

That being said, I’ll make this easy on you, my handful of semi-faithful readers, as well as myself. Between November 29 and December 11, although they faced different opponents in different arenas, every game had the same end result: Mavs won! Dallas went on an amazing 12 game win streak, which included an emotional matchup against old friends and mentors (former Maverick Devin Harris and ex-Mavs’ coach Avery Johnson); a surprising blowout in Salt Lake City, where the Mavs have traditionally struggled; a nailbiting, down-to-the-wire finish at Arco Arena against a young athletic Sacramento team; and an unbelievably hot shooting first quarter at home against the Jazz, in which Dallas hit seven three pointers in as many minutes and jumped out to a 29-4 lead, leaving Utah wondering what the hell happened. (Props to the Jazz, however, as they managed to get back in the game and tie it at 89 all late in the fourth quarter. I only mention this because it becomes relevant when discussing what happened when the Mavs faced Milwaukee at the AAC last Monday night).

For the better part of twelve games, Dirk played like the perennial All-Star that those of us in Dallas know him to be. J-Kidd, while he struggled with his shot at times, still managed to be the grease that kept the Mavs’ machine running. Jason Terry led the charge off the bench and Caron Butler proved to be an acceptable Robin to Dirk’s Batman. And the newest Mavs’ working man’s hero, DeShawn Stevenson, who is quite possibly the most underrated player on the roster (aside from J-Kidd, who, IMO, never receives proper recognition for his total awesomeness), proved he was much more than just an add-in afterthought in the Josh-Howard-for-Caron-Butler trade that took place over the All-Star break. Stevenson was given the unenviable task of defending the opponent’s top player(s) more often than not, and did a remarkable job. DeShawn has also made his way to the top of the league in three point shooting percentage and continued to build his reputation as a dangerous shooter from long distance.

For twelve straight games, Dallas looked like the best team in basketball. And then Milwaukee came to town.

By the Numbers: 5+4+3+2=1

2010-12-09T16:55:00.002-06:00

Here is where the Mavericks’ story begins to get interesting, when we apply my newly created Mavericks mathematics: 5 nights + 4 games + 3 different cities + 2 sets of back to backs = one helluva week for Dallas, as they manged to sweep every single game¸ marking only the third time in franchise history they had done so. Dallas ended the week on a five game winning streak, after taking out the overhyped and underacheiving Miami Heat. Here are a few highlights of a week that the Mavs, along with their fans, were most definitely thankful for:

Mavericks 88, Pistons 84

Dallas jumped out to a quick 11-0 lead, and I screamed at my TV for the shutout, knowing it was virtually impossible in the NBA. But a girl can dream, right? Dallas took a large lead out of the gate, ending the first quarter with a 24-17 lead. But the Mavs stunk it up in the next twelve minutes, allowing Detroit not only to catch them, but to head into the locker room at the half, leading Dallas, 42-38. So Dallas did what they do best: they turned to their leader, their hero, the face of the franchise – the big German. Dirk was hot from everywhere (again except for the free throw line, where he was a mediocre 3-of-6), nailing all three of his three-point attempts and ending the game as Dallas’ leading scorer with a whopping 42 points, as well as top rebounder, with 12 boards.

Although the Mavs’ shot just 38.5%, they did manage to hold on the ball, committing a season-low eight turnovers. Dallas fought back from a five point deficit heading into the final frame in what would be the first of three consecutive comeback victories in four nights. Tonight marked Jason Kidd’s 1200th NBA game played, making him the leader among active players, and moving him into 22nd place all-time in games played. After watching Dirk in all his awesome glory lead the Mavericks to victory yet again, I was left with just one burning question: when the hell did Tracy McGrady wind up in Detroit??

Mavericks 111, Thunder 103

After the lengthy and amazing performance put on by Dirk against the Pistons the night before, some would have thought there would be no spring left in his step, no gas left in his tank. And those people would have been absolutely, positively wrong. Because Dirk did it again, leading all scorers with 34 points and sparking the Mavs back to life on an incredible and rare four point-play, hitting both the three-pointer and free throw which resulted form him being fouled on the shot attempt, late in the fourth quarter. Dallas was down by three after one quarter, down by just one point at the half, and went into the final frame facing a four point deficit. Midway through the final frame, after being down 90-83, Dallas went on a 10-0 run to take a lead which they would not relinquish.

Although the Triple J Trio (Jet, J-Kidd and JJ) struggled with their shot yet again, going a combined 8-of-30 from the floor, Dirk still had a little help from his friends, as Kidd finished with 12 assists and the Mavs only turned the ball over 12 times. Tyson Chandler was a beast on the boards, bringing down 18 rebounds to go along with his 17 points. As Coach Carlisle pointed out after the game, this was a great win for this team.

“We have never quit on a game,” Carlisle said. “We just look for good things to happen.” And if the old adage is true, and the best things actually do come to those who wait, then maybe an NBA title is somewhere in the near future for these Dallas Mavericks.

Mavericks 103, Spurs 94

I saw a tweet on Friday night, and although I can’t remember who it was from, I couldn’t have agreed more: All Mavs-Spurs games should be broadcast nationally. And they should, because barring catastrophe or major injury, there is not a better rivalry in the league (Lakers-Celtics is older, but not more interesting, nor entertaining) than the one that exists up and down Interstate 35. Even if it had been Dallas’ seventh game in as many nights, no matter how tired they should or would have been, this team would have been fired up to face the Spurs. And because Dallas came in riding a three game win streak, and the Spurs rode in on a league-best 12 game winning streak, we all knew this was going to be a great game.

Neither team disappointed in the opening quarter as the lead changed hands, ending with the Spurs up by a bucket, 29-27. Interestingly enough, over the second and third quarters, both teams managed to score exactly 44 points, which meant the Mavs headed into the final period still trailing San Antonio, 73-71. Jason Terry and Shawn Marion helped propel the charge of the Mavs’ bench, joining forces for 19 points and four assists over the final twelve minutes. Marion shot 75% from the floor (8-for-12) to go along with three rebounds and a steal. Tyson Chandler came up big yet again, with 19 points (13-of-16 from the charity stripe) and eight rebounds. As a team, however, Dallas struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 20-of-31, or 64.5%.

Oddly enough, Dirk, who led Dallas with 26 points, did not attempt a single free throw. He didn’t need to, however, as he shot a blazing 85.7% from the floor, nailing 12 of his 14 attempts. Nowitzki also pulled down eight rebounds and handed out five assists as the Mavs came to town and snapped the Spurs’ twelve game winning streak, while continuing to extend their own to four games.

Mavericks 106, Heat 95

Everyone was so excited to see the new James Gang – oops, I mean the Miami Heat – come to town to take on the Mavericks. Except me. Because I despise Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat, and everything they stand for – especially now that “his highness” King James has come to town. I have hated the Heat since they stole our championship (with the help of Bennett Salavatore and David Stern, IMO) back in 2006, and I revel in giddiness every time we have defeated them since (that would be every time our teams have met). And this, the fourth game my Mavs had played in five nights, would prove to be no exception, regardless of the Heat’s supposed “new and improved” roster.

Through the first quarter, both teams seemed to be evenly matched, as the score was knotted at 26. And at the half, Dallas had the slight advantage, up by a basket, 51-49. But Dallas was ready to pounce coming out of the locker room as they went on a 13-0 run and built a lead as large as 18 points, ending the period up, 82-66. Caron Butler was a big factor, with a dozen of his team high 23 points coming during the pivotal third quarter. Tyson Chandler was again a rebounding machine, pulling down 17 boards in 36 minutes. And JJ Barea, whose shot had all but disappeared of late, was on fire from the floor, hitting 5-of-7 shots for 13 points. Dirk was Dirk, dropping in 22 points, snagging six rebound, dishing out four assists and coming away with two steals.

There was no looking back for the Mavericks after they set foot on the court for the second half, although Miami did manage to make the game a bit of a nail biter as the final few minutes ticked off the clock. The “Big Three” led the way for the Heat in scoring (James 23, Bosh and Wade 22 each), rebounds (Wade 8), and assists (Wade 5), but the Heat were not hot enough, nor improved enough, to tackle the streaking Dallas Mavericks on this night. Not in our house, not again.

And to top off one amazing week, the following Monday, Dirk Nowitzki was named Western Conference Player of the Week for his outstanding performances in all four games. It doesn’t get any sweeter than this, right?

Mavs Fly into Atlanta, Soar Over Hawks

2010-12-09T14:31:00.000-06:00

After being hammered on the glass in Friday night’s home loss to the Bulls, Dallas was bound and determined to grab every rebound within its grasp. And despite a 20 rebound effort from the Hawks’ Al Horford, Dallas did outrebound Atlanta, 40-37, and Dallas did win the game, improving their road record to 4-1. Although Dirk was a mere 8-of-22 from the field and again missed two free throws, he ended the game as Dallas’ leading scorer with 21 points.

For once, Dallas had a balanced offensive night, with five players scoring in double digits (Dirk 21, Jet 15, Stevenson and Butler each with 13, and 12 from Shawn Marion). Marion provided great energy and help off the bench, also leading the team in rebounds with 10. And DeShawn Stevenson, who played an extended 18 minutes, was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, including a big 3-of-3 from behind the arc, with 11 of his points coming in the third quarter as Atlanta tried to eradicate an 18 point deficit. Dallas took a nine point lead, 77-68, into the final period, but Atlanta still refused to give up without one last push, and they made it a one point-game, 94-93, before first Jet and then Dirk each nailed a pair of free throws to seal the victory for Dallas.

No Bull Here: Dallas Drops Another Game at the AAC

2010-12-09T14:28:00.001-06:00

Mavericks 83, Bulls 88

Trying to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Hornets and avoid their first losing streak of the season, the Mavs returned home to take on the Chicago Bulls and hopefully reinstate their reputation as an excellent home team. The Bulls, however, had other ideas, as the dynamic duo of Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson dominated the glass, snagging 35 rebounds (one more than the entire Mavericks team!) and turning them into 25 second chance points.

As a whole, Dallas was terrible from the opening tip, managing only 13 points in the first quarter and trailed Chicago 28-17 after the opening frame. At the half, the Mavericks had only managed to up their total to 35 points, and they still trailed the Bulls, 39-35. Dirk was the only thing going right for Dallas, as he scored 10 of the Mavericks’ 13 first quarter points. Dirk was so good (or perhaps the rest of the team so bad) that with 2:56 left in the third quarter, Dirk had 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting, while the rest of the Mavericks had only accounted for 27 points on 9-of-31 shots. The Triple J Trio (Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and JJ Barea) had an especially tough night, shooting a combined 4-of-26 from the field, connecting on only two of 13 three point attempts.

Although Dirk finished the game with a team-high 36 points, it still was not enough to pull this one out for the Mavericks, who could not seem to keep the Bulls off the offensive glass. And even as great as he was, literally carrying the team the entire night, even Dirk was uncharacteristically out of sorts, missing half (three) of his six free throw attempts. The Mavericks’ poor shooting (15-of-49, not including Dirk) and inability to stop Chicago on the glass and in the paint is what really lost this game for Dallas, sending their home record to a miserable 4-3 at the AAC, compared to 3-1 on the road. Luckily for the Mavs, their next game would be on the road, taking on the Atlanta Hawks the following night, and it would be the start of something special.

Back to the Blog

2010-12-07T16:18:00.002-06:00

With the Thanksgiving holiday, dental and doctor’s appointments scheduled on nearly every day off, and trying to prepare our house for the holiday season, my blogging has fallen by the wayside. Although I have still been actively watching every game (even if it be time delayed on the DVR) and keeping up with my beloved Mavericks, I haven’t had much time to put pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard, as it were – and share any thoughts, review and analysis. Since work has finally started to slow down, and I have to do something to keep myself from snoring at my desk, I figured this was as good a time as any to try and catch up on my back blogs.

With as many games as I am behind as of today (a complete dozen), for the sake of saving time, space, my keyboard, and my sanity, I’ll break ‘em down into a few mini-blogs, rather than trying to cover every game individually. And hopefully, after this, I’ll be able to keep up with my blogging as well as the Mavs have been able to keep up their winning ways. But as always, I make no guarantees, because, unlike my boys in blue and white, I’m only human…

Home and Home, Take Two: Mavs vs. Hornets

Game 1, AAC: Mavericks 98, Hornets 95

Heading into the first of back to back games between Dallas and New Orleans, the hornets came in riding a league best eight game win streak and were, as of yet, undefeated. And through the better part of three quarters, New Orleans played with that swagger, knowing that they were the team to beat. The Hornets led through the majority of the game, until the fourth quarter, when the shorthanded Mavericks, who were without the services of Caron Butler due to back spasms, finally turned up the heat.

Over the final twelve minutes, the combination of Dirk, J-Kidd, and Jason Terry (who had a rough shooting night, hitting just 5-of-14 through three quarters) dropped in 27 of Dallas’ final 29 points. The trio were perfect from behind the arc, knocking down six three pointers in the final frame (Kidd 3, Terry 2, Dirk 1). And Jason Terry, who has often been known for his ability to perform under pressure and hit clutch shots, pulled through for Dallas once again, sinking what would turn out to be the winning shot with 35 seconds left.

Unlike Dallas, the Hornets’ shot disappeared in the fourth period as their starters combined for 1-of-13 shooting. Although New Orleans held a double digit lead nearly halfway through the quarter, a 21-8 run by the Mavericks, jumpstarted by consecutive Jason Kidd three pointers, helped spur Dallas to victory, snapping the Hornets eight game winning streak.

“For three minutes at the end of the game,” said Jason Terry, “we just said ‘Who wants it more?’ and tonight, we were that team.”

Game 2, New Orleans: Mavericks 97, Hornets 99

After losing their first game of the season at the hands of the Mavericks, the Hornets should have been out for blood when the two teams met again 48 hours later in Hornets’ territory. However, over the course of the first 24 minutes, New Orleans looked completely discombobulated as they headed to the locker room at the half, down by double digits, 52-42.

Aside from the locale, the only thing that changed from Monday night was the fact that Caron Butler was again on the court for Dallas, although he really had little to no impact. It was again Dirk, with help from Kidd, Jet, and former New Orleans Hornet Tyson Chandler, who almost led this Mavericks team to victory. But in the second half, New Orleans started playing with pride, paying more attention on defense, and pulling out all the stops to ensure that their first TWO losses of the season would not both come at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.

David West, whom many Mavs fans may remember as “that dude who got up in Dirk’s grill” during the Mavs’ first round playoff loss (that eventually cost the Little General his job) to the Hornets a few seasons back, was again a thorn in the Mavs’ collective side. He stole the ball not once but TWICE in the final three seconds, when the Mavs would have had the chance to take the lead and ultimately win the game. With 2.7 seconds left, West swiped the ball from Dirk (who finished with a team high 29 points and 10 rebounds), got fouled, and split the free throws, before stealing Tyson Chandler’s inbound pass with two seconds left, sealing the victory for the Hornets.

Holding Court: Mavs Need to Win at Home

2010-11-21T15:59:00.000-06:00

Since 2005, the Mavericks have consistently made their home court one of the toughest places to play in the NBA. Dallas had single digit home losses over the course of each season between 2005 and 2009, and in the '06-'07 season boasted their franchise best 36-5 home record. Last season, however, the Mavericks ended up with only one more victory at the AAC (28) than they had on the road (27), finishing with their worst home record in several years. Heading into the 2010-2011 season, all the Mavs could talk about, from Coach Carlisle to Jason Terry, was how important it was for the team to get back to their winning ways at home this season. So far, it's not looking so good.

For starters, Dallas lost its second game of the season to the Memphis Grizzlies, 90-91, at home. It was a game where the Grizzlies stayed too close for comfort much of the night, and in the end, Memphis was able to pull off the upset win. Dallas' next home game (and next home loss) came a week later, when they faced Denver on the second leg of a home-and-home series. Dallas had won the first game in Denver, squeaking out a one point victory, and the Nuggets came here looking for revenge -- which they got by earning the W. Two days later, the Mavericks had a near miss with the Boston Celtics but were able to pull off the win and restore their home record to an even .500.

Things were starting to look up as the Mavs proceeded to win their next two home games against Philly and New Orleans, handing the previously undefeated Hornets their first loss of the year. But on Friday night, when Dallas let Chicago walk away victorious in what could only be called an ugly game, it again left fans (and perhaps the team and coaching staff as well) wondering, Why can't the Mavericks win consistently at home?

For Dallas, who plays 17 of its first 26 games at the AAC, finding a way to win at home is crucial to their overall success this season. The Mavericks really need to take advantage of this scheduling situation and not only beat the teams they are supposed to beat (that means you, Memphis) but also beat the teams they aren't expected to beat -- the contenders, such as the Celtics and the Lakers. Between February and the end of the regular season in April, Dallas will only play 14 out of 35 games here, in front of their home crowd. The Mavs really need to go into the home stretch with an outstanding home record and make the AAC once again a place where other teams dread coming to play.

For all their talk about home court advantage, the Mavs' need to get out on the floor and prove that it really does matter. They need to do it not only for themselves, but for their legion of loyal fans like myself, who love nothing more than to see their beloved Mavericks rack up another W here at home. As a super rabid Mavs' fan, I can definitely say that it matters to me. Let's hope it really is a matter of pride for our boys in blue as well.

Love & Basketball

2010-11-21T09:58:00.000-06:00

No, I’m not referring to the movie, but to real life for a couple of NBA superstars, Tony Parker and Steve Nash. Let’s start with the complete and total moron, that lovely little Frenchman Tony Parker. After being one of the luckiest men on the planet and spending the past seven years in a relationship with Eva Longoria, he is now on the receiving end of divorce papers. Rumor has it (and Longoria confirmed it) that Parker was sending and receiving multiple "sexting" text messages from Erin Barry, the wife of former teammate Brent Barry. Nothing against Erin Barry – I’ve never laid eyes on the woman – but come on, Tony, we’re talking about Eva Freakin’ Longoria! Are you NUTS?? Longoria also mentioned that Parker had indeed cheated on her early on in their relationship, and he continued to maintain a Facebook friendship with the other woman.

When speaking of their split, Longoria chose the high road, noting how much it hurt to dissolve their marriage and how she still loves Tony and wishes him happiness and all the best. Personally, I just want to know – Tony, what were you thinking? You were happily married to one of the most beautiful women not only in Hollywood but anywhere in the world. Eva is kindhearted, talented, and highly successful – what on Earth could prompt you to look elsewhere? Oh wait, maybe that’s it…maybe Eva was stealing too much of your glory and your spotlight. Maybe you’re the kind of guy who can’t stand it when your woman is more successful and loved and adored than you are?

By NBA standards, Tony Parker, you’re an All-Star, but in this instance, you’ve proved to be nothing but a bonehead.

*****************************************************************************

We had it all planned out, Holly and I. We weren’t exactly sure how or when it would happen, but we were going to run into Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash somewhere in the greater Dallas area, and when we did, I would make my move on Dirk and she would throw herself at Steve. We watched Mavs’ games all season long just to watch our two favorite guys. Then reality sunk in, and I realized my husband Rickey would kill me if I ever chased down Dirk. Not to mention the fact that the whole encounter would probably end with me behind bars for stalking Dirk and doing something silly, like stealing 17 pairs of his tube socks. As for Holly and her crush on Steve Nash, she was heartbroken to learn that he was involved in a serious relationship with Alejandra Amarilla, who in 2005, would become his wife.

I was shocked and saddened recently to read that Nash and his wife were divorcing, because both they and their twin daughters Lola and Bella had seemed like such a beautiful picture perfect family…at least as far as the general public, like myself, could tell. But Nash’s announcement of their divorce came on the heels of the birth of the couple’s first son, Matteo Joel Nash, just 24 hours earlier. How difficult it must be to celebrate the new addition to the family, while at the same time facing the dissolution of that same family.

Since he first graced the court in a Mavericks’ uniform years ago, I have been a big Steve Nash fan. Not only is he an unbelievable player, but during his time in Dallas, local fans like myself were privileged enough to learn what a great guy Steve is off the court as well. I wish Steve Nash all the best as my heart and prayers go out to Steve and his family during this difficult time.

Show Me Some Love..Kevin Love, That Is

2010-11-13T23:50:00.005-06:00

First, it was Paul Millsap sticking it to the much hated Miami Heat that captured my attention and reminded me there are 29 other teams full of talented athletes playing in this league. On Friday night, my attention was drawn to the Target Center in Minnesota, where Kevin Love of the Timberwolves put on one helluva clinic, schooling the New York Knicks in post play and rebounding. Love finished the night with 31 points and 31 rebounds, a feat that had not been accomplished in nearly 30 years, since 1982, when the great Moses Malone managed a 30-30 night.

"My dad always said if you can't get close enough to the basket, throw it up there and grab the rebound like Moses Malone," Love said after the game, noting the irony of repeating Malone's 30 point, 30 rebound accomplishment. Love singlehandedly outrebounded the entire Knicks' team on the offensive glass, pulling down 12 offensive rebounds to only 11 for New York. Love snagged fifteen of his rebounds in the third quarter, helping spark the T-Wolves recovery from a 21-point deficit. Despite Love's 31 point effort, it was teammate Michael Beasley who led the Wolves in scoring with 35.

"K-Love just whispered in my ear and said, 'I'm going for 30 tonight,'" Beasley mentioned, of a third quarter exchange between he and Love as they sat on the bench. "I was like 30 what?" Beasley said, unaware at the time that Love had already pulled down 18 rebounds.

The Beasley-Love duo was primarily responsible for giving the T-Wolves their first pair of consecutive wins since last February, as Minnesota claimed an awesome 112-103 comeback victory over the Knicks, losers of three of their last four games.

Little Man Comes Up Big: Barea Leads Mavs Past 76ers

2010-11-13T13:50:00.004-06:00

Mavericks 99, 76ers 90

Maybe I made a mistake. (Ok, so it’s highly unlikely, but I guess there’s always that remote possibility.) Maybe I jumped the gun and misjudged these Mavericks. Coming out of the gate, it looked like once again, their game plan was going to be all about Dirk. Get Dirk the ball, have Dirk knock down the jumper, post Dirk up in the low block, and so on. Let Nowitzki, who has been not only the franchise player but has become the franchise itself, shoulder the load and lead this team in its journey toward the promised land. But if the last two games are any indicator, perhaps Dallas has finally realized what loyal Mavs’ fans have known all along: as amazingly talented, dedicated, passionate and committed to winning as Dirk is, he still can’t do it by himself. Other players are finally stepping up and providing that much needed help, and spurring the Mavericks to victory in the process.

“Our balance has been very good the last two games,” said Mavericks’ head coach Rick Carlisle. “It’s something we talked about heading into the season that was part of defining who we are as an exceptional team.”

Balance was definitely key last night, as six Mavericks (Barea, Nowitzki, Marion, Terry, Chandler and Kidd) scored in double figures, led by 19 points from J.J. Barea. Easily the smallest man on the floor, Barea has always played with oversized heart, and last night it really showed up on the hardwoods at the AAC. He was 7-of-14 from the field, a perfect 4-of-4 from the line, and provided a fiery spark off the bench when the game had seemingly begun to lull not only the fans but the players themselves to sleep.

Dirk, Terry and Shawn Marion scored six points apiece in the opening frame, and Brendan Haywood was a beast on the backboards early on, pulling down 10 rebounds in nine minutes and ending the night with 17 rebounds (in just 22 minutes!), nine of them on the offensive glass. Tyson Chandler was a force to be reckoned with on the boards as well, posting another double-double of 12 rebounds and 11 points before fouling out. Chandler was on the receiving end of several highlight reel plays, including the alley-oop lob pass from Jason Kidd which marked Kidd’s 11,000th career assist. Kidd is #2 in assists in NBA history, behind Utah great John Stockton. J-Kidd, aside from his poor shooting night, really filled up the box score, posting 10 points, eight assists, four steals and two rebounds. And although Dirk and Jet shot a combined 10-of-30 (33%) from the field, Dallas was still able to pull out the victory, all because of their balanced approach, not only to scoring, but to the game in its entirety.

With last night’s victory, Dallas has improved its home record to 3-2, its overall record to 6-2, and earned their first three-game win streak of the season. If Dallas can continue to find balance between their offense and defense and spread their scoring around effectively, they may truly be, in the words of Coach Carlisle, “an exceptional team” come playoff time.

Dallas’ next test comes in the form of a home-and-home series with Chris Paul and the currently undefeated New Orleans Hornets as the AAC on Monday night, followed by game two in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Revenge is Sweet as Dallas Remains Undefeated on the Road

2010-11-11T16:06:00.004-06:00

Mavericks 106, Grizzlies 91

“No!” I screamed at the television, jumping up off the couch and covering my mouth with my hands. “No, no, no, Dirk, NO!”

As my hero lay squirming on the court clutching his ankle and the play continued at the other send of the floor, all I could do was stare wide-eyed in horror, hold my breath, and hope and pray it wasn’t as bad as it looked. For as durable as dirk has been over the past decade and change, (missing only 29 games in ten seasons), his ankles are the one thing that have continually caused him problems. Please, please, Lord, don’t let him be hurt. The grimace of pain that covered Dirk’s face as the camera flashed on him and the whistle finally blew seemed to tell me everything I needed to know: that he wouldn’t be returning anytime soon. Yet as Mavs’ athletic trainer Casey Smith rushed to Dirk’s side, an amazing thing happened: Dirk not only rose to his feet, but managed to put pressure on his ankle, pacing up and down the baseline, as it appeared he was seriously going to try and walk it off. You have GOT to be kidding me, I thought, staring in amazement as he finally headed back to the locker room of his own accord. Somehow, some way, the German Wunderkind had managed to astonish me yet again with his dedication, durability, and sheer toughness. How so many others – be they media, athletes, or even a select few Mavs’ fans, can’t see it and don’t appreciate what we have in Dirk Nowitzki is beyond me.

Although Dirk did return in the second half and played a total of 29 minutes, this was a game where the Mavericks really didn’t need him to be his superstar self in order to pull of their double-digit victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. Still stewing over the Grizzlies’ one-point victory at the AAC less than two weeks prior, Dallas came into Memphis ready to seek revenge. And avenging their first home loss of the season is exactly what the Mavericks did, dominating the Grizzlies throughout the game, resulting in their highest scoring effort of the season, with a 106-91 victory over Memphis.

“We have a very talented team,” said Shawn Marion, who moved into the starting lineup in place of the injured Caron Butler and responded with a season-high 20 point scoring effort, which included shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the field in the second half. “Everybody is capable of going out there and having a big night,” he added. And on Wednesday night, Jason Terry did just that, coming off the bench and leading all scorers with 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Terry also led the Mavs in steals, with three on the night. Even though he saw limited playing time, Dirk led Dallas with 10 rebounds. And Kidd, who only logged 26 minutes on this night, still managed to dish out double-digit assists, finishing with a team-high 12 dimes. DeShawn Stevenson, who replaced Terry in the starting lineup, was hot from behind the arc, knocking down 3-of-5 three pointers. Brian Cardinal, in twenty minutes of extended playing time, nailed a three pointer, dove for a loose ball, grabbed two rebounds, and added one assist and two steals.

Defense was a big factor in this game as well – particularly Memphis’ lack of it. Although going into this game, the Grizzlies led the league in forced turnovers (22), Dallas managed to do a great job of handling the ball, only coughing it up 10 times. None of those turnovers occurred during the crucial third quarter, when Dallas went on an 18-5 run, stretching a five point halftime lead to an 18 point advantage at 73-55. Memphis also averages a league high 12.5 steals per game, but managed only four against the Mavericks. The Mavs made their fair share of layups and easy baskets, accounting for their 54 points in the paint. Dallas shot 54% from the field, but managed only 45.5% on free throws, primarily thanks to Brendan Haywood, who went 0-for-5 from the line.

Wednesday night at the FedEx Forum, the Mavs feasted on something much tastier than the famed Memphis barbecue: sweet revenge, as they handed Memphis a 106-91 loss while boosting their own road record to an unbeaten 3-0.

MAVERICKS: Mavs Fans On Tour

2010-11-10T00:35:00.001-06:00

I think I was adopted and these are my REAL parents. What I wouldn't give for this type of amazing opportunity! This couple, in celebration of their 30th anniversary, has decided to follow along on the road with their beloved Mavericks this season, visiting each of the thirty arenas that plays home to the 30 teams in the NBA. Check out their story and follow along on their amazing adventure as the season progresses!

MAVERICKS: Mavs Fans On Tour

Dirk Does It Again as Dallas Defeats Boston

2010-11-10T00:19:00.007-06:00

Mavericks 89, Celtics 87

It was a sight that Mavs' fans have become quite familiar with over the past decade at the AAC on Monday night: Dirk Nowitzki drilling the dagger, sinking the shot that would seal the Mavericks' last second victory yet again. With 17.4 seconds remaining and the game knotted at 87, Dirk did what he does best, taking the team on his shoulders and willing them to win. Not only did he hit the game-winning shot, but Dirk was also responsible for 10 of the Mavs' last 13 points as they defeated the reigning Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics.

Although Boston did jump out to a six point lead, 80-74, (their largest of the game) in the third quarter, their hot hand turned icy over the next few minutes, missing six straight shots and 11 of their last 14 attempts. During the Celtics’ third quarter push, Dallas committed turnovers on several consecutive possessions, including a rare five second call, when Jason Kidd was unable to get the ball inbounds for the Mavs. Despite their sloppy third quarter play, Dallas was in control for the better part of 48 minutes, amassing as much as a 14 point advantage over the Celtics. Boston took over 25% more shots from the field (91) than did Dallas (66), yet the Mavs shot an even 50% from the field while Boston only hit its field goals at a 41.8% clip. Boston was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line, as was Dirk; as a team, the Mavs shot 85%, or 17-of-20 from the charity stripe. Speaking of perfection, Tyson Chandler was 5-for-5 from the floor, finishing the game with 12 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and one steal, and notching his first double-double as a Maverick.

Coach Carlisle inserted DeShawn Stevenson into the starting lineup, giving the Mavs’ more of a defensive presence and also allowing Jason Terry to jump start the Mavs’ reserves. Jet responded with a solid 17 point performance, which included the rare four-point play that took place in the second quarter when Boston’s Marquis Daniels (a former Maverick) fouled Terry behind the arc and Terry not only nailed the three but the subsequent free throw. Terry knocked down the three-pointer that tied the game with a minute and a half to go. He was also responsible for a heads up defensive play, fouling Ray Allen with 1.5 seconds left in regulation, which reset the clock as the Mavs still had a foul to give.

J.J Barea also provided some much needed help off the bench during a stretch spanning the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter, scoring nine straight points for Dallas. Barea hit a three-point shot at the first quarter buzzer that gave the Mavericks a 23-19 lead over Boston. Although he was a scoreless 0-5 from the field, Jason Kidd managed 10 assists and two steals. Dallas displayed a good solid team effort, with five players finishing in double figures: Nowitzki (25), Terry (17), Chandler (12), Butler (11) and Barea (11).

Dirk, who has often been criticized by the media as well as other NBA players (most notably Dwyane Wade) as not having the ability to truly lead a team, proved on Monday that even though he is soft spoken and mild mannered, there is still a fire in his eyes and a passion in his gut that drives him to win games. After the game, Nowitzki noted, “We came together in that final timeout and said, ‘This is our game, let’s go out and get it.’”

And then Nowitzki did just that. Just like he’s done so many times before.

Millsap Torches Heat; Pacers Blow Up Basket

2010-11-10T00:02:00.010-06:00

Paul Millsap is my new hero. I got much love for anyone who can singlehandedly will his team to victory over the much hated (at least by me) Miami Heat, which is exactly what Millsap did on Tuesday night. Finishing the night with a career-high 46-point performance, Millsap dropped in 11 points in the final 29 second of regulation to tie the game at 104, sending it into OT. Utah eventually won the game, 116-114, despite a triple-double from the self-proclaimed "King James" and a 39-point showing from Dwyane "I-can't-spell-my-name" Wade. Utah, who was down by as many as 22 points early in the game, handed the Miami Heat their first home loss of the young season.

Millsap, who had only made two three-pointers in his NBA career, was 3-for-3 from three-point territory, with all three shots coming during the crucial fourth quarter run by the Jazz to send the game into an extra five minute frame. Millsap made 19 of his 28 shots, but according to Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra, "It's not about Millsap's threes." On that note, Coach, we'll have to agree to disagree. Without Millsap's incredible shooting effort, the Jazz would never have had the chance to win in it in the extra period.

Let me be the first to submit Paul Millsap as a candidate for Western Conference Player of the Week. Heck, while we're at it, let's make him an All-Star in 2011!

************************************************************************************

In other hot handed news, the Indiana Pacers scored a whopping 54 points in the third quarter of their Tuesday night matchup with the Denver Nuggets, winning 144-113 at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers hit their first 20 shots from the floor to start the second half, finishing the quarter by shooting at a 92.6% clip on 20-of-21 field goals. Their only miss came on a Josh McRoberts three-point attempt with three seconds left in the quarter. Indy was hot from anywhere and everywhere in the third, hitting layups, mid-range jumpers, and making a living behind the three-point arc. The Pacers went 8-for-9 from three-point range and managed to extend their advantage from 10 points at the intermission to as much as 37 points, at 113-76. Mike Dunleavy lead the franchise record setting third quarter charge, shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the field, with five of those shots from three-point land.

Quipped Pacers' head coach Jim O'Brien, "That was as much fun as you can have on a basketball court."

No, Dirk, NOT THE HAIR!

2010-11-09T12:24:00.005-06:00

Oops, he did it again.

Even after asking his Twitter followers their opinions, and receiving hundreds of "No, no, NO!" responses, Dirk once again commenced with his seemingly annual buzz cut. Much to the chagrin of many of his loyal female fans (including myself), he chose to shear off his golden locks rather than just trim them.

*Sigh.*

It really shouldn't surprise anyone, though, as it seems to be the way Dirk does everything in life: all or nothing, no in between. That fire, intensity and passion is what fuels Dirk and makes him who he is once he sets foot on the court: one of the best to ever play the game. So while I'll miss seeing the long lovely locks of the Blonde Bomber bouncing around his broad shoulders, I'm thankful for that intense passion and commitment, because it makes him who he is.

A silly little superstitious part of me wants to equate Dirk buzzing his hair off to the Biblical story of Samson losing his strength when he shaved his head, but if last night's game against Boston was any indication, it appears Dirk and the Dallas Mavericks will be just fine. With the new 'do, Dirk and the Mavs are officially 1-0 and have gotten back to their winning ways.

Let's see how long it will last!

GO MAVS!

Denver Drowns Mavs, 103-92, By Raining Threes

2010-11-07T17:57:00.000-06:00

Dallas 92, Denver 103

It’s hard enough to beat any team on any given night in the NBA. But it’s even harder to try and beat the same team in two games in a row, which is what the Mavericks set out to do on Saturday night when they faced the Nuggets here in Dallas for the second game in a home-and-home series. (Game one was on Wednesday night in Denver, where the Mavs squeaked by with a 102-101 victory). And even though statistics show that the team who wins the first game in a home-and-home loses the second game the overwhelming majority of the time in the NBA, the Mavs still had quite a few factors working in their favor.

For one thing, the Nuggets, who defeated the Clippers 111-104 on Friday night, did not arrive at the team hotel here in Dallas until after 4:00 AM on Saturday morning. In fact, the start time of the game had to be pushed back thirty minutes to comply with league regulations regarding rest periods between games. Dallas, on the other hand, had not played since defeating Denver on Wednesday, giving them fresher legs and more energy heading into the game – in theory. Nene’, who missed Wednesday’s matchup, was in street clothes yet again on Saturday night, giving the Mavs the upper hand when it came to size. If Dallas could just exploit the smallness of the Nuggets, primarily with Nowitzki, the way they had done on Wednesday, they could have walked away with a pair of wins against the Nuggets.

But they didn’t.

The first half was fan-freaking-tastic, an up-and-down, back-and-forth competition. Both teams led at different points and the game was ultra competitive. Denver, who torched Dallas from behind the three-point arc all night long, did not look like a team lacking in energy. Jason Terry was playing on a level I don’t think I’ve ever seen him at before, finishing the opening half with a team high 23 points while shooting lights out from the floor at 90% (9-of-10, including 2-of-2 on three pointers). Terry’s second three pointer came with just seven seconds left in the first half, cutting Denver’s lead to one, 53-52, heading into the locker room. And even though Denver (yes, the whole damn team) was all up in his jersey, Dirk still managed to add 14 points on 3-of-6 shots in the opening half. (At one point, Mavs TV analyst Bob Ortegel noted, “This is a physical game out there.” Well, duh, Bob – it is the Thuggets, after all!)

Although the Mavs have been a great ball handling team in recent years, Dallas did turn the ball over 10 times in the first half. With 7:30 left in the third, Dirk made a beautiful mover, spinning away from the second defender and dropping down a Thunder Dirk dunk to make it a 66-60 Dallas lead. On the other end of the floor a few plays later, Tyson Chandler and J-Kidd jointly stripped the ball out of Williams’ hands as he moved through the lane, causing us to wonder, is there such a thing as half-steal? Carmelo Anthony got the Nuggets backing the game after being down by double digits by dropping in three three-pointers during the third quarter alone. Denver killed the Mavs’ from the three-point line, knocking down 13-of-21 shots for a ridiculous 62%. By the end of the third quarter, the game was knotted at 79 and appeared to be building toward another amazing finish.

And then, the fourth quarter started and a funny thing happened: the Mavs fell apart. Missed free throws, forced turnovers, stolen balls – it was nothing but ugly. And it pains me to do this, but I have to give Denver some credit, as their defensive intensity picked it up a notch in the final frame. The Nuggets had six steals and eight forced TO’s in the last twelve minutes, setting the tone for their decisive victory. They were also able to shut down not only Dirk, but the Jet as well – the two combined for just one point in the fourth quarter. As a team, the Mavericks only managed 13 points in the final frame.

Aside from the Matrix, Dallas received very little help off the bench. The Nuggets’ reserves outscored the Mavs by a total of 40-19. Shawn Marion was a bright spot, however, finishing with 12 points, nine boards, a steal and a block. Jet led the way for Dallas with 26 points, 23 coming in the first half, which was a career high for a single half for the Jet. Caron Butler had a double-double, 13 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds, to go along with his team-high three steals. Dirk dropped in 23 points, including a perfect 9-of-9 from the stripe, but was singlehandedly responsible for seven of Dallas’ 21 total turnovers. Dallas had more turnovers (21) than they did assists (12) in the game, continuing a recent disturbing trend of turning the ball over 20+ times per game.

If protecting home court is as important as Coach Carlisle and the 2010-2011 Mavericks claim, they need to prove it by not only defeating but dominating the Boston Celtics when they come to town on Monday night at the AAC.

Dallas Drops Denver, 102-101

2010-11-06T16:55:00.002-05:00

Dallas 102, Denver 101

It would figure that on the one night I’m so exhausted I can’t see straight from a long “weekend” (which included driving 500+ miles in less than 48 hours) would be the one night that the Mavs’ would pull out a nail biter of a win over that punk ‘Melo and the Denver Nuggets. We made it home after the start of the second half, but I did manage to watch a good bit of the third quarter. After seeing the Mavs’ push their lead to double digits at 73-63, I decided to call it quits and head to bead, hoping their lead would hold up. I left Merenda and Trystan, my Mavs-fan-in-training, watching the game, and asked T to let me know who won in the morning.

I guess Trystan was too excited to wait, because about 45 minutes later, I heard her faint tap-tap-tapping on my bedroom door and climbed out of bed to open it.

“Mavs won!” she said, jumping up and down excitedly.

“We did?” I asked, giving her a high five to celebrate. “What was the score?”

“Um, it was good,” she said, and trotted her happy little behind back into the living room.

Merenda, who heard the whole exchange from the living room, hollered out, “You missed it – it was a good game, 102-101.”

Well, hell. Of course I missed it. That’s just the way the ball bounces for me so far this season. But I did jump online Thursday morning and check out the highlights, and I checked the box score and saw that, had Dirk not been Dirk, Dallas would not have been in position to win this game like they were.

Don’t get me wrong here, I adore Dirk as much as anyone, probably more so than most. But realistically, he is advancing in age, and if Dallas has to keep riding him for extended minutes just to eke out one-point wins, especially starting this early in the season, is he going to have any gas left in the tank, say, even by the time we hit the All-Star break? Neither Mavs’ fans, nor players, nor the coaching staff can or should expect the big German to put up 35 points and pull down 12 boards night in and night out. And as hard as he can sometimes be on himself, I don’t even know if Dirk expects that much out of his aging body.

Jason Terry dropped in 20 points (16 in the third quarter, when he got hot from behind the arc) and Caron Butler had 16, but Dirk has got to get more help if the Mavs want to continue their winning ways deep into the postseason. So far this year, he has been nearly unstoppable from anywhere on the floor, his FG percentage well over 50% through the first four games. But, like all mere mortals do, eventually, Dirk is bound to have an off night. Isn’t he?

Mavs Sink Clippers, Gain First Road Win

2010-11-06T16:29:00.002-05:00

Mavs 99, Clippers 83

It’s the start of a new Mavs’ season, and I hate to admit it, but I haven’t quite gotten my bearings and jumped back into the swing of things just yet. I’m trying my darnedest to get my butt in gear but as I’ve said before, sometimes life just gets in the way. For instance, I brought three Mavs’ pocket size schedules home with me from their season opener last week. That same night, when I threw my jeans in the washer, I absentmindedly left not one or two but all three of them in my pocket; alas, I had none, aside from the magnetic schedule I had taken to work and slapped on my file cabinet. So on last Saturday night, I was shocked when I started reading tweets from Matrix31 and DallasMavs talking about being in LA. Why are the Mavericks in LA? I asked myself, thinking that their next game was not until Wednesday the 3rd in Denver. And amazingly, my dear husband Rickey-the-misguided-but-lovable-Spurs-fan knew the answer I sought: the Mavs were scheduled to play the Clippers in LA on Halloween Sunday afternoon.

“Didn’t you see at the end of the broadcast the other night, they were saying the Mavs’ next game was Sunday in LA?” he asked innocently. “Oh wait, you couldn’t have…you were at that game!” Well, duh, but still shame on me for not knowing when my boys in blue would be hitting the hardwoods.

Halloween Sunday was inconvenient for me personally to have the Mavs playing, but of course, the schedule maker neglected to consult me, darn it. First and foremost, my work schedule has changed yet again, and my “new and improved” weekends now come on Tuesday and Wednesday, rather than Saturday and Sunday. Not so bad, except that I play in two fantasy football leagues (for money, mind you) and now all I can do is watch the points rack up on my computer rather than enjoying the games themselves. Secondly, World Series baseball was being played here in Arlington for the first time…well, EVER. So even though I am a self-proclaimed anti-baseball junkie, I was still on the Rangers bandwagon, savoring every minute of their unlikely ride towards a championship, in hopes that maybe if they could do it, then my Mavs could finally win their title, too. I’m not really superstitious, but what harm could there be in trying to promote some local sports karma among the fandom? Lastly, my hapless, hopeless Cowboys were also playing on Sunday, and I had planned to listen to them on the radio, but forced to choose between the two, of course my Mavs came out on top.

So as I sat at my desk clickity-clacking away on my ancient keyboard with its letters rubbed off after years of abuse at my fingertips, I tried to listen intently to the Mavs as they appeared to handle the Clippers rather easily. Unfortunately, the only part of the game I heard in its entirety was the final 37 seconds, because by that time I was in my car, away from overly chatty colleagues, and able to truly focus my attention on the game itself. I wish I had more insight to offer on the Clippers game, but in the end, the Mavs did what they had to do, stomping on the bottom-dwelling Clippers and rebounding from their sad showing against Memphis two nights earlier. The one thing I did notice – and really wished I could have seen, rather than heard – was Jason Kidd’s ri-dic-u-lous shot from behind the top of the key on the Clippers’ end of the court that swished through the Mavs’ basket on the other end of the court to end the first half, giving the Mavs a 52-50 lead, which they would hold onto for the remainder of the game.

Dirk (16 points in 30 minutes) didn’t have to play 40 minutes and score 30 points for Dallas to win this game; the bench was a big boost, particularly Brendan Haywood (10 points on 5-6 FG, to go along with four offensive rebounds) and Shawn Marion, who brought great energy to the game, finishing with 12 points, two boards, two assists, a block and a steal. How’s that for some help off the bench?

Fortunately for me, the Mavs won’t play another Sunday afternoon game until January 2, 2011, when they will face the King-less Cavaliers in Cleveland. (I almost want the Cavs to win, just to burn LeBron’s booty…notice I said almost.) By that time, even if my work schedule hasn’t changed, the Cowboys will be so far out of the NFL playoff picture I won’t be distracted by them anymore and I can focus solely on what matters most: my Dallas Mavericks.

Whatchoo Talkin' Bout, Willis: Mavs Drop One to Memphis, 90-91

2010-11-06T15:16:00.002-05:00

Mavs 90, Grizzlies 91

A simple text message I received from Dad after the final buzzer sounded at the AAC on Friday night summed up my feelings: “HOW exactly did we lose to MEMPHIS?”

Good question. And judging by the befuddled looks on the many faces still standing on their feet, lingering at their seats long after the final horn, I wasn’t the only one at a loss to explain this Mavericks’ loss.

The simplistic answer is that the Mavericks’ were their own worst enemies in this game. They played sloppy basketball (20 turnovers in the game, nine of them in the final frame) and made poor decisions, like fouling Marc Gasol with 6.7 seconds left, allowing him free throws to give the Grizzlies their go ahead points and seal the victory. Dallas was uncharacteristically awful at the charity stripe, shooting a meager 66.7% on 16-of-24 free throws. Two of those misses came off the hand of Dirk Nowitzki, whose regular season consecutive made free throw streak ended at 82, becoming the third longest in NBA history.

Aside from the two missed free throws, Dirk was again nearly perfect from the floor, racking up 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting to lead the way for the Mavs. Butler added 18 points and one helluva block early in the game that caused the arena to sound a collective “Oooh!” Jason Terry also finished in double digits with 13 points, five assists, and only one turnover. And while Jason Kidd was just shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 assists, he was also responsible for five turnovers, including his misstep on the final inbounds pass which could have set Dallas up for an easy shot and a chance to win the game. If only Kidd had been able to toss the ball in over Marc Gasol the way he did over Yao Ming in the Mavs’ one-point win over the Houston Rockets during their preseason finale, perhaps we would be lamenting the brilliance and veteran leadership and experience that Kidd brings to the hardwoods, rather than laying a large part of the blame for a pitiful Dallas loss at his sneakered feet.

The bottom line is that an injury depleted Memphis team (minus Zach Randolph and his bruised tailbone and playing with a less than 100% healthy Gasol brother) was able to come in to the Mavs’ house, where the Grizz had lost nine straight games, and eke out a one point win. Dallas was slack on defense (as evidenced by their zero steals in this game) and returned to its jumpshooting ways, allowing Memphis to hang around for too long, ultimately costing themselves what should have been an easy W.

And as much as that irritates me, especially when my Mavs come out on the losing side of things, it’s also a big part of why I love the NBA. Because on any given night, any perceived underdog can step on the court and compete with the reigning NBA champions. That’s reason #1341 why I love this game!

Kidd, Dirk Prove Ageless in Season Opener

2010-10-31T17:00:00.003-05:00

Mavs 101, Bobcats 86 -- Kidd and Dirk Seem Ageless in Season Opener

Being the rabid Mavs’ fan that I am, most people are surprised to learn that, in the 25 years I have followed this team, I’ve never once been to a season opener. Usually when I am able to get tickets to games, they come later on in the season, and for the past several years, Dad and I have made a habit of attending the Mavs’ final home game each season, using his birthday as our excuse for buying tickets. So while I’ve often been there for the ending, up until this past week, I’d never been there for the start of a new season. And after enjoying Dallas’ home opening win against the Bobcats, it looks like I picked the right time to come.

If Dallas has owned any team over the past several seasons, it has been the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats were 0-12 against the Mavericks heading into Wednesday night’s game, when history repeated itself as Dallas won handily, 101-86, at the AAC. Dallas remained the only team in the NBA that Charlotte has yet to beat since the Bobcats joined the league in 2004.

Dallas got off to a great start, opening up with a 16-0 run before Charlotte was able to get on the board. (By that point, I was calling for a shutout, however unrealistic it might have seemed). Charlotte began steadily chipping away at Dallas’ early lead, especially once the Mavs pulled their starters in favor of the bench. Dallas’ second unit was not nearly as effective, allowing Charlotte back in the game. With Dallas’ starters out, particularly Kidd and Nowitzki, the Bobcats managed to take a lead at 31-27 early in the second quarter before the Mavs righted the seemingly sinking ship. At the half, Dallas led 49-45, a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the night.

As usual, Dirk was his smooth-shooting self, finding the basket on 11-of-13 shots from the field, as well as shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. Dirk extended his consecutive made free throw streak to 78, dating back to last season. He led the team in scoring with 28, to go along with his team-high 13 rebounds.

Jason Kidd finished with a double-double of his own, racking up 13 points and 18 assists. His 18 assists set a franchise record for an opening night, and left him one short of tying John Stockton (19) for the all-time opening night assist record. Kidd also had three steals and a block, proving that age is nothing but a number to this 37-year-old future Hall of Famer.

Jason Terry also poured in 22 points on 10-of-15 shots, and his effort at improving his defense this off-season seemed to pay off, as he led the Mavs with four steals. J.J. Barea was one bright spot off the Dallas bench, helping to keep the Mavs from stumbling too far without their starters on the court. Barea finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Even though there was no shutout like I had hoped, both Dirk and Kidd proved they still got game, and I can’t wait to see more of it as the season goes along…

Fan Jam

2010-10-30T14:31:00.004-05:00

Every year for the past eight years, I've eagerly awaited the start of Mavs' training camp, not only because it signals the start of my favorite season of the year -- basketball season -- but because it means that Fan Jam, my favorite Mavericks' event of the year, is right around the corner. Although I missed the first four events, once I attended my first Fan Jam in 2002, I've made it a point to find a way to be there each year since. Because I love to share my passion for basketball with anyone who will allow it, I've been accompanied to Fan Jam by many different faces over the years as well: Chintamani; Holly and her son Jake; Joella and her family; Merenda; Dad and Trystan; last year's surprise guest, Mom; and I've even attended one solo. (No shame in going it alone when I'm supporting my Mavs!) This year, Fan Jam was an extra special event because I finally got to bring along Trystan, my little Mavs fan in the making, when she was old enough to enjoy and remember it.

Thanks to a little help from my friends with the Mavericks, I was able to score four passes to the exclusive VIP autograph session that began an hour or so before the doors opened to the public. While getting to be up close to my Mavericks is always a thrill for me, I already have enough autographed hats, shirts, jerseys, and other memorabilia to fill an entire room, so my main goal for Fan Jam was to make something good happen for Little T, by helping her meet her favorite Maverick, Dirk. So myself, Trystan, Merenda and her boyfriend Bubba all waited in line outside the AAC for the doors to open so we could make a run for Dirk's table, knowing his line would naturally be longer than anyone else's. Even though we had inside knowledge as to where his table was located, by the time we ran around there (yes, literally ran!) and made it to his table, there were already about 75 or 100 people ahead of us. But since our goal was for T to finally meet her hero, we waited patiently until it was our turn to approach the table where he sat.

Bubba walked up first, handing over his new Mavs basketball for Dirk to sign it. Before Bubba had a chance to say a word, Trystan threw her blue basketball up on the table and said, "Spurs suck!", which sent us into fits of laughter. Dirk, however, didn't hear her at first. After signing Bubba's ball, Dirk turned his attention to Little T, saying "How are you, Princess?" to which Trystan proudly and loudly replied, "SPURS SUCK!" This time, Dirk heard and understood her and he, too, got quite a kick out of it. Due to Dirk's overwhelming popularity, they wouldn't let us take a picture of T and Dirk together, but we got a few good ones of her at the table across from Dirk, courtesy of my good friend Chintamani and her excellent photographic skills. (Although I did actually remember my camera this year, and even switched to rechargeable batteries, I kinda forgot to charge the batteries before we left home. Oops, my bad...again!)

Being the HP Insider earlier this year definitely had its perks, one of them being that I am now a familiar face to several people affiliated with the Mavericks. It has given me some small sense of mini-celebrity when I'm at a game or Mavericks event and Fan Jam was no exception. As we waited in line to see Dirk, Kyle (works for the Mavs) and a photographer came by and stopped to snap a couple pics with me, which is always fun. And to a certain brown-eyed little girl, it makes me seem like I'm a superstar. (Ok, sometimes as a 34-year-old, it makes me feel like a superstar, too!)

Once we achieved our goal of helping Trystan meet Dirk, we wandered over to Jason Kidd's table, as he is my other favorite Maverick, and waited in his long line. The security guard was going to end the autograph session with the people directly in front of us, but something about Trystan and her cuteness (a lethal weapon at times) convinced him to let us through anyway. So in an hour's time, we got to meet Dirk, Dee Brown (who was at Kidd's table but didn't end up making the final team cut), and J-Kidd. Mission accomplished, plus we had fun in the process.

After the autographs, we made our way to some great seats behind the bench for the team's blue and white scrimmage, where they are split into two seemingly equally talented teams and play against themselves. The PA announcer suggested one half of the arena root for the blue team, and the other half for the white, but I love my Mavs so much I couldn't root for one bunch of guys over the other. It proved to be a close game though, with some quick moves and high flying showstopping highlight reel type dunks, providing an end to a great night's entertainment and leaving me longing for the start of the regular season yet again.

Offseason Offerings: Reviewing the Summer

2010-10-23T13:51:00.008-05:00

Hello friends, family, followers, and fellow Mavs fans! Although I've been silent the past several months, preoccupied with life away from basketball (imagine that!), I'm so excited that my favorite time of year is finally here! Three cheers for the start of another wonderful NBA season, and my return to my other love -- writing all about it.

****************************************

After the LeBron James fiasco, in which I completely misjudged the kid's character and integrity, I became temporarily disillusioned with the idea that once again, dollar signs meant more than loyalty. It disheartened me to think that LeBron could so easily turn his back on the team and the town that had loved and adored him for so long, deciding to join Wade and Bosh in Miami instead. There are SO many problems with that arrangement I don't even know where to begin. So I won't, except to say I hope Miami tanks it in the worst possible way. Nothing -- aside from a Mavs' championship, of course -- would make me happier than to see LeBron and D-Wade go down in flames this season.

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This summer, real life got in the way of my enjoyment of basketball and reminded me that even though I don't always acknowledge it, there IS life outside of basketball. The first night of our summer vacation in Houston, my husband Rickey had a heart attack, which pushed his one remaining kidney into failure, ultimately resulting in him having to go on dialysis. Dialysis has been a complete lifestyle change for the both of us, as it involves being up at 5am three days a week for treatments, as well as dietary changes that neither one of us have enjoyed much. On a positive note, however, Rickey's health is much improved and we are both beginning to adjust to our new healthier way of life. We had another surprise this off-season as our niece Merenda, who, along with her soon-to-be five-year-old daughter Trystan, is currently living with us, found out she would be having another baby. So as usual, things around our house have been a bit hectic, to put it mildly. I'm definitely excited that, with the start of basketball season, life can return to some degree of normalcy.

************

As eventful as my offseason was, I was initially disappointed in the lack of movement made by the Mavericks this summer. Once again, it seemed as if we missed out any and all of the big name free agents, and even the middle of the road veterans who might have been the final puzzle piece to put this ball club into true championship contention. Or at least lead them out of the first round of the playoffs. The most notable move the Mavs made this offseason, aside from resigning Dirk, was picking up Tyson Chandler.

I hadn't really followed Chandler's career prior to the Mavs signing him, but I clearly remembered how he had given Dallas grief several years ago in their first round playoff exit against the New Orleans Hornets. Watching him in preseason, and in the World Championships this summer (in which the USA won its first gold medal in many moons), I was quite impressed. Not only is Chandler long and athletic, but unlike former Mavs' center Erick Dampier (sorry, old friend), he can actually catch the ball when you throw it to him around the basket. He can slam it, he can jam it, he can block shots and play defense. And unlike Brendan Haywood, Chandler realizes he is a center and actually plays down low around the basket, rather than standing around the top of the key looking lost on defense.

So while we missed out on the LeBron sweepstakes (and thank God, all the drama that will surely come with it), and didn't sign Carlos Boozer (my personal favorite free agent target), I do think Chandler will have a noticeable impact on the Mavericks this year, giving them a true viable scoring option up under the basket.

************

As impressed as I am with Chandler, I still don't know if he is the final piece of the Mavericks' championship puzzle. With both Dirk and Kidd not getting any younger, the Mavs and their fans are all too aware that their window of opportunity is slowly sliding shut. Can the Mavericks finally finish what they started back in the 2005-2006 season and claim their championship? Only time will tell, and the clock has already begun ticking...

Free Agent Free-for-All

2010-07-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

The clock is slowly winding down on the largest free agent free for all the NBA has seen in quite some time. A huge crop of talent, headed by LeBron James, is or has been up for grabs over the past seven days, and things will really get interesting starting tonight, when King James will hold a press conference to announce to the universe his intention: to stay with Cleveland. Once the other 29 teams realize they are all losers in the LeBron sweepstakes, it’s anyone’s guess who will end up where in the star-studded scramble for the remaining big names -- D-Wade, Chris Bosh, and the like. One thing’s for certain though: it’s going to be a wild ride.

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Speaking of certainties, I was never more relieved than when I received the text message from ESPN that Marc Stein was reporting the Dallas Mavericks and my man Dirk Nowitzki had agreed, in principle, to a four-year, $80 million contract. Honestly, when Dirk opted out and chose to become a free agent, I felt in my heart he would remain Mr. Maverick. I hoped and prayed I would never have to see him sporting some other team’s colors and sitting on the opposing bench, but in reality, if Dirk had chosen to go to a championship contender, as heartbroken as I personally would have been, I really couldn’t blame him. For Dirk, having tasted a championship and ultimately lost it, winning that ever elusive title is all that really matters. It’s not about the money; it’s all about the ring.

That fact partially explains why Dirk has agreed to a less than max contract. Obviously, Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban and the Mavericks would have given Dirk whatever he wanted to keep him here in Dallas. And apparently, judging by his acceptance (at least verbally) of a less than maximum contract, Dirk has made it abundantly clear what he wants: a legitimate shot at winning a championship, here in Dallas, the only home he has known in his professional basketball life. Hopefully, the money that Dirk has given up will be used to lure the missing piece (or pieces) of the championship puzzle to the Mavericks.

At least, for Dirk’s sake, let’s hope so. There’s no one in the NBA (no, Cavs fans, not even LeBron) who deserves to win it all as much as Dirk does; no one has carried their team more, made more changes and sacrifices, nor been the loyal face of the franchise for longer, than the big German. If a championship could ever be awarded based on loyalty, longevity, desire, drive, determination, and a pure basketball heart, Dirk would be the undisputed winner. Here’s hoping Dirk did the right thing – not just for Mark Cuban and Mavericks’ fans, but for Dirk himself – by staying in Dallas and giving it another shot.

*****************

Reports from early this morning claim that both Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have verbally committed to play for the Miami Heat. D-Wade staying in southern Florida really came as no surprise, nor did Bosh’s reactionary decision to jump ship to the Heat. League sources, reporters, even the average NBA fan was fully aware of the proposed Bosh-James-Wade grouping that had been repeatedly mentioned in Miami. Although he’s a very talented player and a great second option, I’ve never really thought Bosh was the superstar type player that franchises build around, and therefore, was not surprised to see him opt for Miami, someplace with a proven superstar capable of winning (some might say stealing) an NBA title.

I was sad, however, to hear that Wade chose to stay in Miami. As much as I expected his decision, I really would have loved to see him playing here, in the blue and white, alongside Dirk. As much as it pains me to say this, and as much as it goes against every fiber of my being to even consider being a fan of Dwyane “Crybaby” Wade as one of my beloved Mavericks, I truly believe he could have been the key to Dallas, finally, winning that ever elusive championship. Unfortunately, now we’ll never have the chance to find out if it would really work.

***************

Personally, I believe at 9pm tonight, on ESPN, before a captive crowd, LeBron is going to announce that he is going…nowhere. I think he plans to stay in Cleveland and try yet again to be the hometown boy who made good, the hero who brought Cavs’ fans their championship, even if it took a little longer than everyone – including James himself – anticipated. Even if I’m wrong, and James does decide to jump ship, as much as I would love to see it happen, that ship won’t be setting sail for Dallas, either. Having said that, if I were Donnie Nelson, my number one free agent target this offseason would be….(drum roll, please)…Carlos Boozer.

Even if Stoudemire hadn’t gone to the Knicks (I’ve always thought he was too injury prone and highly overrated), and Joe Johnson hadn’t received an unbelievably ridiculous offer to stay in Atlanta (sure, he’s tough, but do we really need another Jason Terry?), Boozer still would have been my first choice, aside from Wade. If you wanna talk tough, there’s not many tougher than Boozer the Bruiser. Boozer would give the Mavericks something they have been forever lacking: a physical presence in the post. Dallas has tried to substitute anyone and everyone in all sorts of strange combinations to fill this need over the years, but so far, nothing has worked well as a legitimate long-term option. Boozer is the physical post player Dallas needs to help them get over the hump.

*************************************

In just a few short hours, LeBron James will make his big announcement and officially end the suspense, as well as the hopes and dreams of 29 NBA franchises. Phones will light up and players, managers, and owners will hold conversations into the wee hours of the night, trying to make moves to put their teams over the top and not come away empty handed from the free agent free-for-all. When all is said and done, I’m just hoping my boys in blue will be on the winning side of the equation as we prepare for the upcoming season.

Shut Yer Yap, Phil (I Always Wanted to Say That!)

2010-05-16T11:06:00.004-05:00

I have never been a fan of Phil Jackson. I think he is overrated as a coach (let's see him take a team without a pair of future Hall of Famers and win a championship) and a pompous, arrogant jackass of a human being. He is a constant whiner when things don't go his (or his team's) way, and sometimes even when they do. But he has been playing his little mind games for many years now, so I don't know why it surprised me when he decided to talk trash about Steve Nash just days before his Lakers are scheduled to take on Nash's Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

Jackson accused Nash of carrying, or palming, the basketball when he pushes the ball downcourt. Jackson even went so far as to insinuate that referees give Nash the preferential "superstar" treatment, allowing him to consistently violate the palming rule without ever calling him for a violation. In the first place, I've seen many a player, including Phil's own golden boy, Kobe Bryant, frequently palm the ball when in transition. It's just one of those rules that is rarely enforced in the NBA, such as travelling. I don't know how many times I have seen players take three to four complete steps toward the basket without ever dribbling the ball and get away with it. Secondly, if Jackson wants to point fingers and talk about players receiving the "superstar" treatment, he need look no further than the end of his bench, at Kobe Bryant, whom officials favor like no other player in the league, with the possible exception of Dwyane "I singlehandedly shot more free throws than the opposing team in a game" Wade.

That being said, I should have expected nothing less from "Zen Master" Jackson, who will stop at nothing to give his team an advantage. I can only hope the league executives will see right through his charade and the all-too-convenient timing of his remarks, and not only fine him, but suspend him accordingly. NBA Commissioner David Stern issued an edict earlier in the playoffs which threatened to fine, and possibly take further recourse against, anyone else who made public comments about the officiating during the remainder of the postseason. Jackson has already been fined once in the playoffs, and it obviously had no effect on him, so I hope Commissioner Stern will seriously consider at least a one-game suspension for Coach Jackson. Although I know deep down, it will never happen, because Jackson and the league's beloved L.A. Lakers are untouchable and invincible when it comes to things of this nature.

Perhaps Phil Jackson's next book should be called Zen Master: Mastering the Art of Zebra Manipulation.

Misjudging the Matrix

2010-05-14T13:41:00.007-05:00

When I’m wrong, I’m not afraid to admit it, and it seems like I’ve been doing a lot of backtracking lately.

Here we go again…

Sometimes, I let my feelings cloud my judgment, especially when it comes to my beloved Mavericks. Personal and professional become a big blur when it comes to the basketball courts, and I have difficulty separating the two sides of every player. For instance, since the 2006 Finals when he was the primary force that stole our championship away from us, I have had an intense dislike and disdain for one Dwyane Wade. Off the court, he seems to be a pretty decent person, but I can’t past the fact that he was “that guy” who almost singlehandedly sent my Mavericks spiraling into the greatest collapse in NBA playoff history. Or that he later talked crap about how Dirk wasn’t a good enough leader. In my mind, even if he somehow managed to end up in a Dallas uniform after this summer, D-Wade would always be a villain to me.

I used to feel the same way about The Matrix, Shawn Marion. I couldn't stand him when he was with the Suns, mostly because he gave Dirk fits playing hellacious defense. So my dislike of him as a player caused me to just dislike him as a person as well. And then he came to Dallas, and everything (ok, maybe it was just my perception of things) began to change. I signed up to follow Matrix on Twitter, and quickly learned he is a very funny guy who likes to laugh, even at his own expense. In January, when I got to spend my week with the team as the HP Insider, that first day I was privileged enough to watch the team practice, he bounded out of the locker room and down to the court, but not without first stopping to shake my hand and introduce himself to me. At the time, he had no idea who I was or why I was there, he was just being friendly.

He ran a Mother's Day contest on his personal web site to honor and recognize single mothers and the important role they play in their children's lives. And this past Thursday, he came back to Dallas and held his own personal Fan Appreciation Day for his Twitter followers. Wednesday night, he posted a message telling everyone to meet him at a movie theater off Webb Chapel and he would send out a password the next day that would get everyone in free (at his expense). Sure enough, Marion showed up as promised and not only paid for all his fans who had arrived, but he also stayed at the theatre as they all enjoyed watching "Iron Man 2" together. Later, he posed for pictures with a few of his fans. Unfortunately, I had to work and could not attend, but I've never heard of any other athlete here in Dallas doing something that awesome for his fans. I've actually never heard of any athlete, period, who did something of that nature.

So, Shawn Marion, let me formally apologize for misjudging you completely. In your time here in Dallas, I have found you to be nothing, if not genuine. You have done much for the community, emphasized the importance of family in your own life, and even shown gratitude and appreciation for your loyal fans. I have really come to admire the person you are off the court, and I hope to see you on the court here in Dallas for a long time to come!

Wrong Again?

2010-05-14T13:29:00.002-05:00

Ok, so maybe I was wrong. (It was bound to happen sooner or later, right?)

Maybe Mark Cuban does owe Mavs’ fans an apology after all.

Not for failing to bring a championship to Dallas, despite all his efforts and all the money he has laid out over the past decade, but for letting little Stevie Nash walk away and receiving nothing in return. At the time, his decision seemed to make sense, because Nash was looking for an extended contract, meaning he would be five years older at its conclusion, and he was already starting to show signs of aging and wear and tear. Cuban just couldn’t see spending that kind of money on a point guard whom he believed would be unable to have a real impact on the team a few years down the road.

But Cuban was wrong, too.

Nash went on to become one of a very elite group of back-to-back league MVPs, and keep his Suns in the playoff picture on a regular basis. And just a few short seasons later, when it became evident the Mavericks’ needed some veteran leadership and a higher basketball IQ from the point guard position, Cuban shook things up again and brought in future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd – who is even older than Steve Nash. I love and adore Kidd, don’t get me wrong, and many of the magical moves he makes on the court are unparalleled, even by the likes of Nash, but where was the logic in that move?

Steve Nash -- Where Amazing Happens

2010-05-14T13:26:00.002-05:00

After watching my Mavericks suffer another first round exit, I had already made up my mind that 1) there was no way on God’s green Earth I would be rooting for the Spurs and 2) if I couldn’t watch Dirk get his long overdue championship ring, then the next best thing would be seeing Steve Nash in Phoenix get his. And as I watched the final twelve minutes of the Suns’ masterful elimination of the San Antonio Spurs, I wondered to myself, if the Mavericks would’ve won the series and faced Phoenix in the second round, would we have had a fighting chance? With the way Steve Nash has played so far, I really don’t think so.

Never have I seen anyone – not even my beloved Dirk – play with the passion and fire I saw in Steve Nash’s one good eye during that final fourth quarter against the Spurs. Even being half blind, Nash was the driving force that led the Suns to victory in the game, slashing to the basket, setting up his teammates, and even nailing a three pointer. The Suns won because Steve Nash refused to let them lose.

What Steve Nash did in Game 4 against the Spurs was unbelievable, even for a two-time MVP and future Hall of Famer. During that fourth quarter flurry by the Suns, the AT&T Center was truly “where amazing happens.”

Let’s hope the “aged” Nash can continue to carry the Suns past the lackluster looking LA Lakers and into the NBA Finals, where we’ll see the undersized Canadian one-eyed monster finally lead his crew to glory on the NBA’s biggest stage.

It’s just too bad he’ll be wearing the wrong team colors when he gets there.

No Big D in Big D?

2010-05-12T23:20:00.000-05:00

No sooner had the Mavericks’ season come to an end than my phone rang, and without even looking at the caller ID, I started ranting and raving, knowing full well it could only be one person on the other end of the line: my Dad. In between sentences as I grabbed a breath, Dad took over where I had left off, discussing Dirk and how no one could lay the blame for losing this series at his gigantic feet. And then Dad’s tone of voice shifted, and I knew what was coming. Tears formed in my eyes before I could stop them as I told Dad, "Don't even say it."

"Just hear me out," he said. "I love Dirk as much as anyone, but.."

"No, no, no NO NO!" I cut in.

"...Dirk deserves a ring. Even if it means going somewhere other than Dallas," Dad finished.

He's right, you know, I thought to myself. But the thought of Dirk wearing some other uniform was nothing short of soul crushing.

"He DOES deserve it," I agreed, when I finally found my voice again. "But Dallas without Dirk? And Dirk without Dallas? I can't even imagine it -- I don't want to."

What would the Mavericks be without the player who sometimes seemingly singlehandedly revived the franchise that was on life support through much of the 1990s? I would surely hate to find out, no doubt. And who, as a player and a person, would Dirk Nowitzki be without not only the Mavericks but the fans and the people of Dallas? If Dirk left or was traded or somehow moved to another team, would I still be a Mavs fan, or as fanatical as I am, or would that be the final straw that caused me to switch my NBA allegiance to some other team? I really didn’t have the answers, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way.

Bummed again with the early playoff exit and the prospect of my hero, Dirk, not remaining with the team, I vented my frustrations on my Facebook page, with a status that said something like, “Dirk without Dallas or Dallas without Dirk? It breaks my heart to even consider it,” which prompted several of my friends to chime in and start a discussion of whether or not Dirk would stay and why.

First, there was the money issue. Should Dirk choose to stay, his money (roughly $21 million) would be guaranteed. Secondly, aside from Germany, Dallas is the only home Dirk has known and he has said on numerous occasions that he loves it here and may even consider remaining in the area after his basketball career is over. Also, Dirk has stated in many interviews that he would really love to end his career as a Maverick, having never played with any other NBA franchise, all things that bode well for him staying.

However, Dirk has also mentioned that regardless of whatever individual accolades he receives, his basketball career would not be complete without a championship title, and if he didn’t think he could win one here in Dallas, he would have to consider other options. But where could he go that could guarantee him a legitimate shot at the ring he so desperately desires and definitely deserves?

As I was listening to sports talk radio the next day, the host was also pondering Dirk’s future in Dallas. He even went so far as to suggest that Dirk should take a pay cut and restructure his contract in order to help the Mavericks land a big name (think LeBron or D-Wade) during this summer’s free agency free-for-all. I was immediately incensed at the notion that it was somehow Dirk’s responsibility to sacrifice to bring in someone else. What more do the media, the city of Dallas, or the fans, for that matter, want from Dirk? Hasn’t he done enough already? Even though the Mavericks still remain title-less, Dirk is definitely not the cause, but more the symptom of a larger problem. It’s not that I think Dirk would necessarily object to a restructured contract if he thought it would bring him, and his team, the title. I just don’t think it’s fair to ask him to do it. Even Dirk himself has said before many times, it’s not about the money to him. Dirk doesn’t play for the fame, nor the fortune (he’s already a multimillionaire) nor the celebrity status that goes along with being a professional athlete. He doesn’t even worry about personal achievements and accomplishments. The only things that matter to him are playing for the love of the game, and the ultimate goal of winning a championship.

That ultimate goal is the only reason I could even fathom Dirk not being a Maverick when basketball season rolls back around in this part of the country. But it’s a big reason, one large enough that someone later in his career (see also Karl Malone) might be willing to leave town for, even if it’s the only NBA home he’s ever known.

In a perfect world, 2010-2011 really would be the Dallas Mavericks’ year. They would not only advance past the first round of the playoffs, but they would eventually win the NBA championship and be crowned the best in the basketball world. People here would celebrate Dirk Nowitzki in ways they had never done before, and he would be forever adored and mentioned alongside other legendary Dallas sports superstars such as Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, and Mike Modano (which should already be the case, in my opinion). Dirk and Jason Kidd would both finish their careers here, championship in hand, and eventually both of their jerseys would hang from the rafters of the AAC.

Here’s hoping for perfection, at least in the basketball sense…

That Old Familiar Feeling

2010-05-01T23:25:00.000-05:00

Here comes the hurt again....

"It's just a game, babe," Rickey said, trying to calm me, but having the exact opposite effect. How could I ever make him -- or anyone else for that matter -- understand that it would never be just a game to me? Mavs basketball was -- and is-- my heart and soul, my passion and poison, and above all, my obsession. It's what wakes me up in the morning and what I so often dream about at night.

So watching my team get ousted in the first round for the third time in four years sucked. It hurt, angered, and disappointed me yet again, but the funny thing is, it hurt a little less than it did last year. Or in 2007 against the Golden State Wienies, and way less than it did in 2006, when we were so close to the championship I was already planning on playing hooky from work to attend the parade. It seems the more times the Mavericks have fallen short of their ultimate goal of an NBA title, the easier it has become for me to accept the disappointment. And if it has become that much easier for me as a fan, I have to wonder, is it that easy for the players to accept defeat and start over again in October?

Failure should never be acceptable. Not to the fans, nor to the members of the Dallas Mavericks, nor to the coaching staff. I think that defeatist attitude could be a big part of the Mavericks’ problems. I’ve believed since 2006 that the Mavericks had the primary pieces in place, give or take role players here and there, to make a legitimate championship run. I don’t necessarily believe this team’s problems can be attributed to poor coaching decisions, inadequate talent on the roster, or a lack of the desire, drive, and dedication it takes to win. I do, however, believe for these Mavericks, the trouble is all in their heads – literally. As a whole, this team lacks mental toughness. And it starts at the top, with the foundation of the franchise, none other than our fearless leader, Dirk Nowitzki.

While I would never suggest that this team was anything but tough physically (we’ve seen Dirk, Jet, and Co. play through their pain and injuries many times), what goes on inside their heads is an entirely different story. The three players who remain from the 2006 team that went to the Finals – Dirk, Dampier, and Jet – have still been unable to get past the colossal collapse that cost them the championship. Nor have they overcome the psychological aspects of their first round upset to Golden State (at the hands of former friend and ally, Coach Don Nelson) the following season. And as much as they want to win it all, until they can leave their failures where they belong – in the past – and stop being haunted by opportunities lost, things for this team will never change.

Winners don’t dwell on their mistakes, they focus on their futures. They don’t accept failure, and they realize that finishing in second place simply means you’re the first loser. Until the front office, the ownership, the fans, and especially the Mavericks themselves refuse to settle for anything less than a championship, Dallas will remain (and be remembered as) a really good, not great, team that never could quite get over the hump.

No Apologies Needed

2010-04-30T23:17:00.005-05:00

“I'm not proud of my inability over the last 10 years to have the impact like I want to have, so I kind of feel like I owe fans an apology,’’ said Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban, on the heels of the Mavericks’ third first round playoff elimination in the past four seasons.

Mark Cuban doesn't owe anyone an apology, least of all the fans.

If it wasn't for Mark Cuban, Dallas would still be basketball hell and Mavs fans would still be wearing bags rather than ball caps on their heads. Granted, it hurts like hell to watch our guys play their asses off for 82 games a season, only to wind up going nowhere in the postseason, but Cuban has given us something to cling to: hope. Every season starts the same way, as I tell myself, This could really be our year. And nine out of ten times, I truly believe it.

Surely I’m not the only one who remembers the dark days of the 1990s, when the Mavs were not only the worst franchise in the NBA, but in professional sports altogether. Draft picks didn’t want to come here (anyone recall the Jim Jackson debacle?), traded players avoided reporting to Dallas as long as possible (Adrian Dantley), and we came within just a few games of claiming the worst NBA record of all time. About the only highlight of the ‘90s for the Mavericks was drafting Jason Kidd, who, along with Grant Hill, went on to become Co-Rookie of the Year.

And then, on January 4, 2000, the unthinkable happened: Mark Cuban rescued the franchise, as well as its fans, from basketball oblivion, by becoming the majority owner of the team. Cuban brought in Don Nelson, one of the winningest coaches in NBA history. He changed the attitude and atmosphere of the locker room, and by signing Michael Finley to a contract extension, Cuban proved that he was willing to spend money to keep key players here in town. He changed the uniforms and revamped the logo and moved the team into the 21st century. He remarketed the team to the public and helped bring in a new fan base, as well as renew old fans who had all but given up on the Mavericks ever being relevant again.

So what, exactly, should Mark Cuban apologize for? Reviving a franchise that was on life support before his arrival? Lowering ticket prices so that the common everyday fan could even afford to go? Making Dallas a premier destination for draftees and free agents alike? A decade of 50+ win seasons, two Southwest division titles, and a Western conference title? Being a passionate, hands-on owner who loves his team just as much, if not more so, than Mavs fans do? Trying to change an obviously flawed officiating system that is consistently inconsistent?

No, Mark, you’ve got absolutely no reason to apologize. You’ve done nothing but singlehandedly rescue the Dallas Mavericks and their loyal fans from basketball irrelevance. We, the fans, should be thanking you for all you have done, not blaming you for circumstances beyond your control. I’d rather have a crazed superfan of an owner, who feels the passion and pain right along with the team, than a stuffed shirt just looking to turn a profit any day of the week.

God Bless the Little Guys

2010-04-29T13:11:00.012-05:00

I have always been one to root for the underdog. For example, in the days when Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson ruled the league, I rooted for their opponent on any given night. In the NCAA tournament, I root for the Butlers of the world, not the Dukes and North Carolinas and Kentuckys. And when it comes to basketball players, (aside from my undying adoration and admiration of the Big German), I have always loved the little guys. I don't just mean small in stature, like J.J. Barea, although for the smallest man on the roster, he probably has the biggest heart. I mean the scrappers, the hustlers, the men who aren't afraid to sacrifice their bodies, be it diving for loose balls, drawing charges, or playing pesky get-under-the-skin defense on the opponent.

I must confess, when I first started watching basketball back in the mid-80's, one of my all time favorite players was actually a Laker. But it wasn't Kareem, or Magic, or even James Worthy. Nope, those guys were not for me. Kurt Rambis was the one I loved. He may not have been the fastest, or the strongest, or had the sweetest shot, but one thing was certain every time he stepped on the court: he always gave 110% effort. Regardless of what was asked of him, he would get on the court and perform to the best of his abilities. And since that time, my love and respect for those kind of guys, the ones I like to refer to as "the scrappers," has grown considerably.

The Mavericks are fortunate enough to have several scrappers on this team, particularly J.J. Barea and Eddie Najera. What I love about Barea is that he never lets his size limit anything he does on the court. For instance, when the Mavs played Orlando at home a few weeks ago, Dwight Howard was dominating the paint, blocking (or at least altering) shots from every angle, and nine out of ten Mavericks shied away from the basket and began jacking up jump shots. The lone man who was willing to penetrate the paint and take the ball to the bucket was none other than J.J. Barea. And how many times this season (I wonder if this is an official NBA statistic?) have we seen J.J. throw his body in front of the defender and hit the floor or take an elbow or shoulder or forearm to the gut while drawing the offensive foul? Who else on this team is willing to continually sacrifice themselves in such a manner? Not many, especially not with such regularity.

And then we have Eddie Najera, one of my all-time favorite Mavericks. While Eddie is not a little guy, even by NBA standards, he has admitted that his teammates sometimes tease him about "being a 6'8" center" and thus, undersized. Even in his initial stint with Dallas, he was a scrapper, a loose ball chasing, hustling kind of player, not afraid to throw himself in harm's way to try and help out his team. I was sad to see him traded away and thrilled earlier this year when I heard he was returning to Dallas. I busted out my old Najera jersey, with the silver numbers nearly faded off from years of overuse (what can I say, it's one of my favorites!), and proudly wore it to the very next game.

In Game 4, I was reminded again of why I love Eddie so much. He's a tough guy, not one to back down from a challenge…or even a fight. After watching our guys get beaten up and no whistles blowing, Eddie came into the game and straightaway sent a message to the Spurs: We’re not gonna take it anymore! He basically horse-collared Manu Ginobili, who was already suffering from a broken nose, knocking him facedown on the floor, just seconds after subbing into the game. Najera was charged with a flagrant-2 foul and automatically ejected, but he had clearly gotten his point across. And amazingly, after reviewing the play, league officials decided against any further action against Najera, declining his suspension, as has often happened in similar situations. (Maybe there is one lone Mavericks’ fan in the league offices after all!) Najera, who proved he has his teammates’ backs, and spoke openly about the foul:

It was kind of frustrating to watch some of them hit Dirk in the face.
It was the same (type) foul. I just came in and tried to prove a point
that we’re going to fight back.

And in Game 5, Najera again escalated his level of physical play with another hard foul, this time on the Spurs’ Tony Parker. Najera was charged with a flagrant-1 foul, which does not result in an ejection. Sitting on my couch, I whooped and hollered as it happened, knowing that Eddie wasn’t going to back down. It’s that mental (and often physical) toughness that Dallas has so often lacked that really takes this team to the next level.

Listening to ESPN radio earlier, I heard it mentioned that Spurs fans are primarily only concerned with the play of one Maverick tonight – and his name isn’t Nowitzki. No, the Spurs fans are worried about Eduardo Najera, a simple role player, a guy who doesn’t even make it into every game this team plays. The fact that they’re worried shows that Najera’s message came across loud and clear. The Spurs are going to have a fight on their hands come 7:00 tonight, because neither Najera nor the Mavs will be backing down.

As I sit here typing this blog, wearing my original Najera jersey and counting the minutes 'til tipoff, I’m really lovin’ me some Eddie Najera and J.J. Barea.

God bless the little guys!

GO MAVS!

One Down, Two to Go: Mavs Stomp Spurs in Game 5

2010-04-29T12:48:00.003-05:00

WE DID IT!!

Well, ok, they did it. My beloved Mavericks bounced back to life with one of their best performances of the season, pounding the Spurs, 103-81, in a critical Game 5, to keep their playoff hopes alive. Coach Carlisle moved Brendan Haywood into the starting lineup over Erick Dampier, and Caron Butler played like a man on a mission -- because he was. There was more than just a playoff series on the line for the Mavs; these guys, particularly Haywood and Butler, were playing for personal pride. Having not been with the Mavs but roughly half a season, neither of them was really enveloped in the Mavs-Spurs rivalry. Of course they were aware of it, but being thrown right into the middle of such mutual respect and complete and utter hatred between two top tier teams was something different entirely.

Dad and I were talking early on in the game and we decided that for Dallas to have any chance at all of pulling out the all-odds-are-against-them comeback to win this series, they would have to not just beat the Spurs, but beat the snot out of them. And lo and behold, that is EXACTLY what the Mavs did. On defense, they did it with 14 steals, 7 blocked shots, and by forcing 18 turnovers. Offensively, led by Butler's 35 points and 11 rebounds, Dallas had a +12 advantage (42-30) on points in the paint (proving how aggressive they were attacking the basket) and 23 fast break points, compared to just eight for the Spurs.

The tone was set very early on in the game, and although the Spurs did make a run to close the first half and cut the Mavs' lead to seven, when the Mavs hit the court to start the third, they kept the pedal to the metal and never looked back. They played with confidence, poise, and pride -- and they played together, as a unit. Those few minor adjustments made all the difference in the world.

Some might say the Mavs captured lightning in a bottle on Tuesday night, but I don't think so. My Mavs played like the team I know they are, the beasts I know they can be. They didn't whine about calls or non-calls from the officials, and they didn't let San Antonio dictate the pace of the game. They got out there and played their game at their speed and proved to all their naysayers, as well as Coach Popovich and his Spurs, that they aren't out of this series yet.

As Shawn Marion said, "I ain't seen no fat lady yet."

Here's hoping she doesn't rear her ugly head tonight in San Antonio.

I STILL BELIEVE!!

Don't Go Breaking My Heart (Again)

2010-04-26T14:06:00.014-05:00

From the time I was ten years old, basketball has been "my thing." I loved playing it, watching it, reading about it. For nearly 25 years now, the Dallas Mavericks have been my team. No, I wasn't the owner, but the self-proclaimed #1 fan -- even in the lean years in the 1990s, when the team was made up of a bunch of players who have since faded into oblivion. (Who else remembers Terry Tyler, George McCloud, Donald Hodge and Randy White??) And earlier this year, I was even formally recognized as the Mavericks' biggest fan by HP when I was named the HP Insider and spent a week with the team, behind the scenes -- something very few ordinary people like myself ever have the opportunity to experience. It was the most amazing week of my life, a more awesome adventure than I ever would have imagined.

That being said, as I watched the Mavs file off the court in San Antonio last night, down 3-1 in their opening round playoff series, I couldn't help but feel the pain and anguish that I saw on the face of each and every Maverick as they headed to the locker room, and ultimately back to Dallas. A wide range of emotions coursed through my veins: anger, frustration, disappointment, sorrow, sadness, and ultimately, defeat. How could this be happening again?

Being a Mavs fan is like an endless nightmare. Every time you think you're waking up and things are getting better, you realize you're still asleep and the boogey man is breathing down your neck. In 2006, when I watched the opening ceremonies for the NBA Finals taking place on our home court and saw my Mavericks being introduced, there were literally tears in my eyes, as I honestly never thought that day would come. As much as I loved Dirk, and Avery, and the whole damn team, I never seriously thought we would be contenders. But there we were, and I was overjoyed and so proud of what the Mavericks had accomplished. And as we headed to Miami, up 2-0 in the series, I just knew a championship was right around the corner. I could see it, smell it, taste it. I felt it with every ounce of my being. But as first Game 3, then Games 4, 5, and 6 slipped away, my heart broke. Everything that had seemed right with the world was suddenly wrong. I cried again, but this time there were no tears of joy, only misery. For nearly two weeks after the Heat claimed the championship on our floor, I was nothing more than a functioning zombie, still unable to accept the loss. But as summer progressed into fall and the preseason rolled around, I again found myself believing that this could be our year.

And my gosh, the 2006-2007 was utterly unbelievable for Mavericks' fans, and even sweeter if, like myself, you had suffered through the bad times while holding out hope that their winning ways would soon return. It seemed like we won every game that season (at 67 wins, we nearly did), we were Southwest Division champions and the #1 seed in the West, guaranteed home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Dirk was on fire all season long and was rumored to be in the running for the NBA's most prestigious individual award, the league MVP. And then along came Don Nelson, Baron Davis, and the Golden State Warriors, a team that barely slid into the final playoff spot out west, but somehow managed to pull off the biggest upset in NBA history, as for the first time ever, a #8 seed beat the #1 seed in a seven game series. Two weeks later, Dirk Nowitzki was named MVP, and an occasion which should have been full of joy and excitement seemed hollow, almost tainted, since the Mavs had already been eliminated from championship contention. Again, I cried, and sunk into a funk, and felt the pain as intensely as if I, too, had worn the blue and white and been out there on the hardwoods -- because in my heart and soul, I had been.

The next season was a struggle, it seemed, to even reach the playoffs. Although the Mavs were actually tied for first place in the West just prior to the midpoint of the season, Mark Cuban and the management felt like something had to change, so they pulled off one of the most controversial trades in team history: they sent the young, up and coming point guard Devin Harris to New Jersey in exchange for the legendary, although much older, future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd. Although it seemed that having a veteran point guard like Kidd would take the Mavs to the next level, things never quite panned out, as the Little General (aka Avery Johnson) never seemed comfortable with turning the reigns over to Kidd on the offensive end of the floor. The team slid steadily downhill from the time of the trade. Had it not been for an unbelievable (I'm talking Willis Reed-esque) comeback by Dirk from a double whammy (ankle and knee) injury, we probably wouldn't have even made the postseason. But we did, and aside from Dirk, we pretty much stank it up as we lost to Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets in the first round. Another early exit, another disappointing end to the season -- one that would cost then Coach Avery Johnson his job.

Another offseason summer came way too quickly, but hope again spread through MavsNation as Dallas introduced Rick Carlisle as their new head coach. Suddenly, there seemed to be a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and once again, fans began to believe. A new coach, who would be more willing to work with and trust in Jason Kidd and his phenomenal court vision and the thought of having Kidd with the team from training camp on provided enthusiasm and excitement to the loyal Mavs fans once again. Last season was a good, not great, season, and when the Mavs drew the Spurs as their first round matchup, there were very few naysayers in and around the Metroplex; we all had a feeling we would win the series, and possibly even a second rounder, to face off with the Lakers for the conference title. As it turned out, we were half right; we did finally manage to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, which was a big step for this team, in and of itself. In the second round, however, we ran into a much more physical Denver Nuggets team, full of guys (such as Dallas' own Kenyon Martin) who weren't the least bit reluctant to "thug it up" and take cheap shots at our guys. A hotly contested non-call at the end of a game gave Denver the lead, and ultimately, the series. Mavs fans received a hollow "victory" when the NBA, in a statement after that game, came out and said, "Oops, our bad -- there was a foul and we missed it. So sorry, but you guys are just S.O.L." -- or something to that effect anyway.

In the offseason, Dallas again made moves, most notably bringing in Shawn Marion, who in his days with Phoenix, had repeatedly given Dirk fits on the defensive end of the floor. Marion was also known for his high-flying acrobatic abilities above the rim and seemed like a perfect fit to play alongside Dirk and Jason Kidd. As the season started, Dallas looked good in spurts, bad in others, plagued by inconsistency above all else. Still, I was excited as always and unbelievably thrilled to learn I was the HP Insider and would get to spend a week behind the scenes with the team. During the few practices and shootarounds I was privy to, even I could notice something just wasn't right with this team. It was almost like a dark cloud hung over the entryway to the locker room. And although I can't and won't blame that atmosphere on any one individual, one thing that quickly became clear to me is that Josh Howard no longer belonged here in Dallas. He seemed to lack focus, seemed disinterested in much of anything really, kind of lost in his own world. (For the record, I always have been and still AM a fan of Josh Howard; the guy has issues, true, but at heart I truly believe he is a good, albeit a bit misguided, person). When All-Star weekend came to Dallas, Mark Cuban again made a splash, trading Josh Howard and a few other role players for the likes of Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and DeShawn Stevenson.

After losing their first game together as a new team, the Mavs went on to win thirteen games in a row, and found themselves closing in on the Lakers for the #1 seed in the West. Dallas was the talk of the town -- of nearly every NBA town -- and hope again sprang eternal in the DFW area. And just when it looked like then Mavs' ship had finally come in, they laid an ungodly egg against the lowly New York Knicks, basically getting their butts handed to them as they had their 13 game win streak snapped in horrible fashion, suffering their third largest loss of the season, 128-94, on their home court. In the next ten games, Dallas was mediocre -- literally -- going 5-5. They ended the season, however, on a high note, by winning their final five games, marking the 10th straight season with 50 or more victories; retaining the #2 seed heading into the playoffs; and claiming the Southwest Division title. They even drew what seemed, on paper, to be the ideal first round matchup: their much respected and much hated arch rival, the San Antonio Spurs. And even though I knew it wouldn't be easy, I still believed the Mavs would win the series, and I really believed this could be our year. I say that at the start of every season, but something about the way these guys were playing and how they ended the season truly made me believe it was a possibility.

Game One, things didn't exactly go as planned, but the end result was all that really mattered: Mavs won, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Game Two, the Mavs came out flat, looking like they had to start out so many other home games this season, and paid the ultimate price for it, letting the Spurs steal the victory and head back to San Antonio all tied up. I know it sounds crazy, but the second I heard that Dan Crawford was assigned to be lead referee for Game Three, my heart sank, and I felt the impending defeat, long before the Mavs lost the game. But it's a seven game series, so there was still plenty of hope that my boys in blue would put the pedal to the metal and claim victory in Game 4. And when I looked up and realized we had a double digit lead, it again seemed all was right with the world..until the lead, slowly but surely, slipped away, as did any hope the Mavs had of tying up the series and reclaiming their home court advantage.

As I flipped off the TV, before I could stop it, that old familiar feeling -- gloom, doom, perennial disappointment -- began creeping up on me again. No, no, no, no! the screams echoed inside my mind. I am not -- cannot -- WILL NOT go on this emotional roller coaster ride one more year. It's so agonizing and frustrating, constantly feeling like the tides will finally turn in your favor (or in this case, the Mavs' favor) just to find yourself drowning as you end up the victim of a tidal wave of perceived injustice once more. My love of the Mavericks, though it has brought me much joy many times in my life, has also brought me much pain over the past few years. I love and adore these guys so much, both on and off the court, that it kills me when I see them end another season without the one thing that they want most, that I, as a fan, wish for them to have: a championship.

I was talking to my friend Jeremy (who unfortunately, happens to be a Spurs fan), about how hard it is to watch the Mavs come so close, yet still seem so far away from ever achieving their ultimate goal of winning it all. Jokingly, I threatened to jump ship and move my allegiance to Oklahoma City. "Don't do it," Jeremy, a lifelong Longhorns fan advised me. "I stuck with the 'Horns through the bad years, and when they finally won everything, it was that much sweeter, because I'd been there all along." Thanks, J, for talking some sense into me.

Not that I, Mandi Smith, formerly the HP Insider and currently still the Mavs' biggest fan, could ever give up on my team. As much as it kills me to see our championship dreams crushed one year after another, my heart could never belong to another team. That being said, I just have one tiny request for my beloved boys in blue: kick some serious Spurs a$$ tonight. Don't let them take the series, especially not here on our home court. We've seen too much of that in recent years. Play like your basketball lives depended on it.

Because tonight, they actually do.

Call Me Crazy, But I Smell a Conspiracy

2010-04-24T16:45:00.008-05:00

Mark Cuban is one of the most polarizing owners (and figures) in professional sports; people either love him or hate him and there seems to be no in between. (Can you guess which camp I fall into?) Among fans, athletes, and media, intense dislike or disdain for Cuban and, by association, his basketball team, the Dallas Mavericks, is perfectly understandable, even acceptable. But when that distaste for Cuban spills over into the NBA hierarchy, from officials (Dan Crawford and Bennett Salvatore) to the seemingly untouchable NBA Commissioner David Stern himself, something is inherently wrong with the system and it definitely warrants review. And unlike NBA coaches and players, the almighty David Stern's threats of fines and suspension don't extend to fans like me -- at least not yet-- so let's examine a few factors that have led me to believe that both Dan Crawford and Commissioner Stern have it out for Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks.

1. Since Mark Cuban purchased the Mavericks in 2000, Dallas has won approximately 60% of their playoff games. However, during that same time frame, in games which Dan Crawford has officiated, the Mavericks are 1-17. While I realize there could be room for some discrepancy (for instance, if Crawford only officiated games where Dallas played superior teams, such as the Lakers, Celtics, etc.), there is no excuse nor reasonable explanation for Dallas winning only 5.8% of its playoff games when Dan Crawford was a member of the officiating team.

2. I find it more than a little coincidental that once it was announced that Dan Crawford, who is publicly known as Mark Cuban's least favorite official, for obvious reasons, would be officiating Game 3 between the Mavs and Spurs, that is when Commissioner Stern decided to speak out against players and coaches criticizing officials. Stern declared that now, rather than just fining players and coaches, he would consider suspensions as well if the criticisms continued. (Read the full story here: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/04/22/stern.refs.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2).

While it's true that refereeing an NBA game is the most difficult of all pro sports, and there will always be some degree of human error as a result of the quick pace of the game, players and coaches have been complaining about calls and non-calls for years now. Some of them, such as Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, just know how to play the game in the media. For instance, after Game 1, in which the Mavs attempted 34 free throws to the Spurs 20, Popovich made it a point in his post-game comments to draw attention to the number of free throws attempted by Dirk Nowitzki in particular. Since Game 1, the Spurs have attempted 46 free throws, the Mavs just 35. It's all too convenient that Popovich was able to get his point across prior to Stern's edict, but now that Dallas has a legitimate gripe, they are prohibited from speaking publicly about it.

3. When Dan Crawford, who has been officiating NBA games for roughly 25 years, is on the floor with Dick Bavetta, the all-time leader in NBA games officiated, how is it that Crawford is chosen to be the "lead official"? Shouldn't that job go to the man with the most experience, the most seniority, and most importantly, no known bias against either team playing in a particular game? Bavetta has been an NBA referee for 32 seasons and has never missed an assigned game, Yet, somehow, Crawford was named lead official, giving him the right to overturn any calls made by the other two on-court officials.

4. Crawford exercised his right to overturn calls on several crucial plays that actually helped turn the tide in Game 3 to favor the Spurs. Early in the second quarter, Dick Bavetta declared that Eddie Najera had drawn an offensive foul against the Spurs, which meant the Mavs would regain possession of the basketball. However, Crawford, who was near midcourt and not at an angle to properly judge the play, like Bavetta, the nearest official to the action, had been when he made the initial call, Crawford reversed the call, giving the Spurs the ball back and charging Najera with a blocking foul, claiming his heel was on the circle of the restricted area. Regardless of whether or not Crawford was the lead official, how should he be allowed to overturn a call by a referee who has more experience and basketball knowledge and clearly had a better angle on the play?

A few minutes later, Dirk was driving to the basket and was fouled. The whistle blew as Dirk released the ball in a shooting motion, and the ball proceeded to bounce around the basket before finally falling through -- at which time Crawford ruled that the foul had been on the floor, prior to Dirk going into his shooting motion, which it clearly was not. The Mavs were given the ball side out of bounds and no score resulted from the possession, which should have been at minimum a two point gain, most likely a three point turnaround for Dallas, as Dirk surely would have nailed the resulting free throw had the foul been called in the act of shooting.

5. The most telling pair of plays came late in the game, when Crawford again proved how inconsistent he can be with his whistle. When the Mavs had the ball and Dirk drove the lane, Matt Bonner moved over in front of him, never completely getting his feet set on the floor, and the call was an offensive foul on Dirk. The very next play, down at the Spurs end of the floor, the same exact scenario played out, except it was Ginobili with the ball, and the Mavs were called for the blocking foul! It was an identical situation, yet the outcome -- a five point turnaround, considering Ginobili nailed the basket and the foul shot as well -- would have been enough to change the final score to read Mavericks 95, Spurs 94. But it just didn't happen that way.

Apparently, Mavs' center Erick Dampier was unaware of the Stern edict handed down prior to Game 3, and Dampier, usually a quiet soul, had a few choice words when it came to the officiating of the game. (Read the full story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=5132345). Although he didn't single out any one official, he did say that all the Mavericks were wanting was a fair shake; call it the same way on both ends of the floor. At the end of the article, it's mentioned that the league and "NBA officials" will be reviewing Dampier's comments to decide what action, if any, will be taken against him.

And if, somehow, the league finds a way to suspend Dampier over his comments, count me among the fans who won't be the least bit surprised. Is there a conspiracy against Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks? Do David Stern and his cronies really have it out for the boys in blue? I believe I've made my position perfectly clear. You've read the stories and seen the evidence; YOU DECIDE.

Spurs Steal One at Home, Lead 2-1 over Mavs

2010-04-24T16:01:00.008-05:00

The first two minutes were pure basketball gold, from the Dallas Mavericks' perspective. Two quick baskets and two unsuccessful possessions by the Spurs, and the Mavs broke out to a 4-0 lead at the AT&T Center on Friday night. And then the Spurs came to life, as did the crowd, and things started to head south for the Mavericks. Although they never got in a hole as large as the one they faced on Wednesday night, the Mavs were down by as many as nine points at one time. And even though at times it seemed they were playing 5 on 6 (lead official Dan Crawford may as well have been wearing silver and black rather than black and white), the boys in blue never gave up.

In the second quarter, the Mavs began chipping away at the Spurs' lead, a piece at a time, led by the most unlikely of heroes, the smallest man on the court: JJ Barea. But don't underestimate his impact because of his size; the possession immediately after Barea subbed into the game, he was able to get the ball to Dirk, who scored straightaway. With the additional attention the Spurs were paying to Jason Kidd, trying to take the ball out of his hands before he could make anything happen, having Barea on the floor gave the Mavs' an extra playmaker, not to mention an active scorer. With mere seconds left in the first half, Barea knocked down a deep three pointer which trimmed the Spurs lead to three, 47-44, at the half. Barea had eight first half points off the bench for Dallas and made a huge impact in the ebb and flow of the game, turning the tide in Dallas' favor.

Barea wasn't the only hero of the game for Dallas; former MVP and future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki again came up huge for his team. In the third quarter, Dallas went on a 19-2 run, fueled primarily by Nowitzki and Barea, to claim the lead from the Spurs. Barea drew a charge on the Spurs, followed by a Nowitzki block and a Barea dribble drive to the basket to cut the lead to one. The Mavs forced the Spurs into a three second call on the next trip down the court, and then Dirk came back and nailed a three to give the Mavs their first lead of the game, 61-59, with just over four minutes remaining in the third period. Nowitzki scored 16 of his team high 35 points in the third quarter, and Jason Kidd stole the ball on the final possession of the third to end the period with the Mavs in front, 70-66.

Nowitzki finished the game with 35 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Barea had 14 points and four assists, and Jason Terry added 17 points off the bench (including shooting 4-of-8 from behind the arc), but in the end, it was all for naught. Even a broken nose for Manu Ginobili, who caught an unintentional elbow to the face from Nowitzki, couldn't stop the Spurs. Dallas' last lead of the game was at 81-80, after Dirk hit a jumper, but the Mavs allowed Tony Parker to come back and score six straight points for the Spurs. In the end, the Mavs made too many mistakes, which the Spurs capitalized on, winning the game, 94-90, and taking the series lead, 2-1, moving into Sunday night's critical (at least from Dallas' standpoint) Game 4 matchup.

Or, if you're a conspiracy theorist like myself, Dan Crawford might have had a little something-something to do with the final outcome of Game 3. Just check out my next post and decide for yourself.

Either way, the Spurs are going to have one helluva fight on their hands come Sunday night. If there's one thing I can say about my Mavs, it's that they don't go down without a fight.

Spurs Tie Series, 1-1, After Dallas Does Diddlysquat

2010-04-22T17:56:00.000-05:00

Panicked, I raced to the hat rack behind the front door and placed them on my head. One, two, three different Mavs hats. Trystan threw her Dirk jersey on over her clothes, and I tossed Merenda one of my other Mavs' hats to wear.

"You really should put your shoes on," Merenda said, referring to my special edition Mavericks adidas sneakers I bought for just over $100 two years ago. (It pained me to spend that kind of money on one pair of shoes; I'm a Wal-Mart shopper at heart). “They worked the last time,” she added.

I shrugged and flopped back down on the couch, unpaused the DVR, and held tight to the Dirty 41 necklace around my neck as I prayed my Mavs would complete yet another amazing comeback from a double digit deficit. But every time they shaved a few points off the 20 point lead the Spurs had amassed, the Spurs would counter with a few baskets of their own. Just when it seemed like the Mavs had closed the gap, San Antonio would tear it wide open again. Close, but no cigar, I thought grimly.

“Did we win?” my favorite wide-eyed MFFL-to-be asked excitedly as I flipped the TV off, unable (or unwilling) to watch the postgame comments.

“No, baby, it was too little, too late,” I sighed as I headed dejectedly to the bedroom, knowing my dear loving (although misguided) husband Rickey, a lifelong Spurs fan, would be much happier with the final outcome: Spurs 102, Mavs 88. Maybe Merenda was right, I thought. I should have worn my shoes!

Not that I would be the least bit superstitious or anything.

In the end, nothing I could have done, whether at home on the couch or live at the AAC, could have won Game 2 for the Mavs. After losing the series opener in what they felt was an unfair matchup (notice how Popovich drew attention to the officiating, particularly when it came to Dirk, without actually criticizing the refs?), the Spurs came out with their foot on the gas pedal from the opening tip on Wednesday night and never let up. Unfortunately, the Mavs fell victim to yet another slow start at home, and try as they might, they never could fully recover.

It was a real shame, too. Not only did the victory give the Spurs some much needed momentum headed back to their house for a pair of all-important games, but just imagine how crushing it would have been had the Mavericks been able to pull off the comeback upset. The Spurs would be forced to take a good look at themselves and ask many questions – the same ones the Mavericks are no doubt asking themselves right now.

As the Mavs pack up and head down I-35 for the next few days, one phrase keeps echoing through my mind: it’s not really a series until one team wins on the road. That’s when the excitement begins.

Recording at Red Car: Film at 11(ish)

2010-04-21T18:10:00.009-05:00

Wow.

Being the HP Insider really is the gift that just keeps on giving. Already, the whole experience had been so much more than I asked for, than I ever could have imagined. But somehow, it just keeps getting better. And better.

Take today, for example. I had been asked to record the voice narration for an in-house promotional video about the HP Insider program. I arrived shortly before 10am (thanks, Kathleen, for remembering I am not an early morning person!) at Red Car studio in Dallas, totally unsure of what to expect. I had the script and had looked over and even practiced reading it several times, but still couldn't shake my nervous stomach. I even skipped breakfast for fear it might "revisit" me if my nerves got too shot.

But everyone I met at Red Car was so friendly. The atmosphere there was so relaxed and laidback it was hard not to feel at ease. Once everyone arrived, we headed back towards the recording studio and mixing room. Blindly following those in front of me, I was the last to file into the mixing room -- until one of the guys kindly redirected me to the studio, where the actual recording would take place. You know, the little room with the microphone. Woops, my bad!

Gabriel, a handsome man with a lovely Spanish accent (he is actually FROM Spain!), walked in behind me and snapped a few pictures, which, dressed in my Mavs T-shirt and jeans with my freshly showered wet hair thrown up in a clip, I had totally NOT been expecting. But, hey, at least I was still showing my true blue Mavs' spirit! Collier, who I think was the producer (and had performed with Starship on “We Built This City” many moons ago) walked me through everything that would happen and told me not to worry about nerves or being perfect, to just have fun with it. As I put the big headphones over my ears, he walked out, shutting the glass door behind him and leaving me all alone in the recording room.

Shortly thereafter, I heard his voice in the headphones telling me we were about to start, and to begin with, they would like me to read through the entire script nonstop once to get more comfortable and familiar with it.

“Let’s call this Take One,“ he said, and sucking in a deep breath, I began reading the script. I was so nervous I could hear the shakiness in my own voice, and I was nearly breathless by the time I finished the last line.

“Good job,” came Collier’s voice through the headset, mostly humoring me, I think. Because the voice inside my head said, What the heck was THAT?!? Too fast, too shaky, too blecch. “How do you feel?” asked the voice in the headset.

“I don’t know why but I’m still so nervous,” I said, wringing my hands and staring absentmindedly at the script on the podium before me. “I can hear my voice shaking,” I sighed.
“Just relax a little, nothing to be nervous about,” he said. “Let’s do this: let’s take it a little section at a time, and go from there.”

So I bounced around, trying to shake off nervous energy, grabbed a drink of water, and started again. I thought this time was a little better than the last, and the voice in the headset agreed, before offering a few pointers and suggestions as to words I should emphasize. So we tried again, and again, there were minor adjustments, but improvement nonetheless. Not bad for a beginner, I thought to myself.

And so it went, for approximately 30 takes and two bottles of water. When we got to the point in the script where I talked about being the HP Insider, I couldn’t seem to bring the enthusiasm into my voice. Although my face was smiling, I was concentrating so hard on saying the words right that my focus was blocking my emotion.

“Is that how you felt when you won?” asked the voice in my headset. “Were you excited when you found out?” he teased.

“Excited? You have no idea,” I retorted. “I was so happy I literally had tears in my eyes. It was the best week of my life, hands down!”

“Bring that excitement with you,” he advised, “and let us hear the smile in your voice!” So we tried it again, and this time, when they played it back so I could hear it, I finally got it right! Two more total read-throughs, and, in just over an hour, we were done. Or so I thought.

Just as I was about to step out of the solitude of the studio and into the mixing room, Gabriel and John, another of the guys I was working with, came in and started snapping pictures. Of me. Again. Then John even videotaped me reading through the whole thing before leading me to the mixing room, where the other guys, as well as Kathleen and my friend Jay were waiting. We took several more group pictures and just when I thought we were through, John and Gabriel led me to another room, so they could videotape me reciting the opening and closing lines of the video a few times. Maybe they would use the footage, maybe they wouldn’t, but they wanted to have it just in case. All I could think the whole time was, Geez, I hope my hair doesn’t look like I forgot to brush it!

Once we wrapped up at Red Car, Jay, Kathleen and I went out for lunch. We walked over to Baker Bros. deli, where we just managed to beat the lunch rush. Over two salads and a sandwich, we talked about everything from playoff basketball to cat allergies to our favorite movies. It was a wonderful lunch and, as expected, I had a great time just catching up and hanging out with Jay and Kathleen. (Thanks for lunch, Jay!)

As we said our goodbyes and I walked to my car, I couldn’t help but think how this had been such an awesome ending to the amazing experience that was being the HP Insider. Every time I think this roller coaster ride of a lifetime is over, we reach another turn and the track just keeps on going. As I looked in my rearview mirror, I grinned slyly at my reflection, wondering, was this really the end?

Somehow, I kinda doubt it…

Dallas Downs Spurs, 100-94, to Open Playoffs

2010-04-21T16:50:00.004-05:00

When it comes to the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, throw seeding out the window. Home court advantage doesn't necessarily factor into the equation, either. Because when it comes to these two teams, who have squared off in the playoffs more times than not over the past decade, nothing is as simple as it seems -- on the surface. So many factors make this series playoff gold. History. Rivalry. Familiarity. Similarity. Regardless of the final outcome, this series is going to be a good one.

And it started off on the right foot in game one. Dirk Nowitzki was unstoppable, his shooting unbelievable, as he went 12-of-14 on field goals and a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line, for a team high 36 points. Rather than double teaming Dirk, the Spurs decided to try and run a series of individual defenders at him, all to no avail. Jason Kidd was, in the words of Spurs' Coach Popovich, "a gnat." He was, as expected, all over the court, making things happen at both ends of the floor. Kidd, who played 41 minutes, more than even Dirk Nowitzki, had another near triple-double, with 13 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and four steals. Caron Butler was a big help on the offensive end, scoring 22 points, and grabbing three steals on defense. Although he played some decent defense (five rebounds and two blocked shots), Shawn Marion was nearly a nonfactor on offense, with just nine points and three assists. Even less of a factor was Jason Terry, who scored only five points.

In the third quarter, once it was painfully obvious that the Spurs were defenseless against Dirk, Popovich decided to switch things up a bit by stealing another move from Nellie's old playbook: the Hack-a-Shaq technique, where a player purposefully fouls a poor free throw shooting opponent, sending them to the stripe in hopes they will miss. Only this time around, it was Hack-a-Damp (Erick Dampier). After three straight fouls which resulted in six free throw attempts, four of which Dampier nailed, it was back to business as the Spurs again tried to squash the Mavs. Dampier finished the game with five points and 12 rebounds to go along with one steal and one block.

But the biggest factor in this particular game was the free throw shooting. Dallas was aggressive from the get go, earning them far more trips to the charity stripe than their opponent. Dallas shot an incredible 34 free throws, making 25, while the Spurs only attempted 14, hitting 12 free throws. Who knew Bennett Salvatore could actually call fouls in the Mavs' favor?

Game 1 was a tight one, a hard fought victory for the good guys. Game 2 promises to be a thriller as well, so tune in tonight on TXA 21 as the Mavs again take on the Spurs at the AAC.

Congrats to Coach Carlisle

2010-04-17T16:38:00.000-05:00

Nine times out of 10, when I hear Coach Rick Carlisle's name mentioned on local radio or television, it's only to note how stoic and unanimated he can be on the sidelines. Rarely do I heard Coach Carlisle get the kind of praise he deserves for leading this season's Mavericks to another winning year. Fans and media alike too often tend to take Carlisle and his coaching abilities for granted. (Have people already forgotten what he was able to do with the ragtag team he had left in Indy after the Ron Artest debacle in Detroit? Who else could have taken that group of guys and made something out of essentially nothing the way that he did?) So I was thrilled to hear that the NBA named Coach Carlisle the Western Conference Coach of the Month for April.

During the month of April, the Mavericks went 5-2, with their only losses coming at home to the Orlando Magic and the (at the time) red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder. Dallas ended their year by winning eight of their last ten games, including a five game winning streak to close out the season. They posted the league's best road record at 27-14, to go along with a 28-13 home record. For the 10th consecutive season, the Mavs (55-27) posted 50 or more victories. Congratulations to Coach Carlisle and the Mavericks on another great season!

Pop Plays Games as Mavs Win Season Finale, 96-89, Over Second String Spurs

2010-04-16T14:42:00.001-05:00

The Spurs had nothing to lose, and their fate was essentially out of their own hands. Come this weekend, they’d be playing either Utah or Dallas, and their choice was clear: bring on the Mavs. Which is exactly the same way the Mavs felt about the Spurs. But Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich took matters a step further, resting Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan and playing Tony Parker sparingly. According to most basketball geniuses, Popovich was simply trying to spare his key players from injury in a “meaningless” game, as far as the Spurs were concerned. But being the conspiracy theorist I can sometimes be, I disagreed.

To me, by playing primarily only his second string players, Popovich had decided before the game ever tipped off to “forfeit” the victory. It was a slap in the face not only to the Mavericks as a team, but to their fans as well. Basically, Popovich wanted to throw his B team on the court, so that if the Mavs should struggle at all to win the game, a seed of doubt would be planted in their collective mind moving into the opening round of the playoffs. It was reminiscent of the mind games and maneuvers that often took place when Nellie was at the Mavericks’ helm, and he and Popovich would continually toy with lineups, compliment their opponent, and pretend their team was the underdog in any matchup.

But this time, mind games be damned, Popovich's plan didn't work. The Mavs came out ready to play from the opening tip, because to them at least, this game still meant something. The Mavs were still playing for pride, playing to win, and playing to ensure their position as the #2 seed out West heading into the playoffs. No one wanted to finish the season on a losing note, especially not this group of guys, who had already seen their share of ups and downs over the last half of the season, with a 13 game winning streak followed by a string of poor performances and inconsistency. On this, the final night of the regular season, the Dallas Mavericks definitely came to play.

And play they did, from early on. Jason Kidd was phenomenal in the first half, scoring 16 of his 18 points while knocking down multiple shots from behind the arc. Unlike the Mavs, the Spurs were godawful from three point territory. They were so bad, in fact, that when I caught a glimpse of their three point shooting percentage late in the game, I did a double take: it was at 5%!! The Spurs finished the game just 2-of-22 on threes, for 9.1%.

One positive for the Spurs, however, was the play of rookie DaJuan Blair, whom the Mavericks couldn't seem to stop from anywhere at either end of the court. Blair was a beast on the boards, pulling down 23 rebounds, to go along with his 27 points. Blair was the biggest factor in the rebounding race, which the Spurs won, 52-47, despite a 15 rebound performance by Mavs' backup center Brendan Haywood. Haywood also scored eight points and was credited with five blocked shots, where the Spurs as a team had only three blocks.

It was an interesting...albeit strange..game all around. The team leader in assists? Automatically, one would assume J-Kidd. But no, it was the Big German, Dirk, who had a team high five assists. Dirk also hit two more free throws, to extend his current streak of consecutive made free throws to 74 to end the regular season. (The record does not carry over into the playoffs, but it will pick back up where he left off at the start of the 2010-2011 regular season). Caron Butler led the team with 20 points, Dirk added 19, Kidd finished with 18, and the Jet added 10 points to help push the Mavs to their eventual 96-89 victory. Butler and Jet also garnered team-high honors with three steals apiece.

"We took care of business and now we'll see Duncan and Ginobili for sure," said Jason Kidd, alluding to the fact that Spurs' Coach Popovich chose not to play his starters. Former Mavs' head coach Avery Johnson once employed a similar strategy to end the 2006-2007 season against the Golden State Warriors, choosing to rest some of his star players and start his bench. The Warriors won that game, thereby moving into the 8th seed in the Western conference playoff picture and matching up with the Mavericks in the opening round. I'm sure we can remember what happened next as the Mavs made the worst kind of history, becoming the first ever #1 seed to lose to an #8 seed in a seven game playoff series. Here's hoping history repeats itself, and Popovich's decision to rest his key players comes back to bite him in the butt!

With this victory, the Mavericks regular season record finished at 55-27, marking the 10th consecutive season of 50 or more Mavs' wins. Dallas was 28-13 here at the AAC and ended the year with the league's best road record, an unbelievable 27-14. Dallas clinched the #2 seed and will face the Spurs in the opening round of the playoffs, beginning on Sunday night at 8:30. Once again, this will be a series for the ages, so be sure and tune in to TXA 21 for all your Mavs needs!

Mavs Sink Clippers, 117-94

2010-04-13T16:30:00.000-05:00

It’s not a championship – not yet – but the Mavericks accomplished a new feat on Monday night: Dallas ended the travelling portion of their schedule by sailing to a 117-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers to claim the best road record in the NBA with 27 wins and only 14 losses.

The Mavericks headed into this game in control of their own fate as they held onto the second seed in the playoff race. A win would put them one step closer to locking in the second seed, meaning that should they go deep into the playoffs, the conference finals would be the earliest the Mavs would have to cross paths with the Lakers. And the Mavs did everything right on Monday night to secure yet another win, their fourth straight.

The Clippers initially led the Mavs, 4-2, before the Mavs went on a 12-0 run, topped off with an alley-oop pass from Kidd to Roddy Beaubois for a dunk that left Roddy swinging on the rim with the Mavs up 14-4. Two possessions later, Kidd again found Beaubois with another alley-oop pass for an easy layup. At the midpoint of the first quarter, Dallas had nine assists on nine made field goals. From that point on, Dallas never let off the gas pedal as they pushed the ball and scored seemingly at will the remainder of the night.

Beaubois, who saw extended playing time with 18 minutes, was literally everywhere in the opening frame, finishing the first quarter with nine points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Shawn Marion, who had missed several games to a strained oblique, returned with a stellar shooting night as he went 9-of-12 for 21 points. Dirk had 25 points in just 22 minutes and shot a perfect 100% (3-of-3) on three pointers. He also made four more free throws to extend his franchise record streak of consecutive made free throws to 72 and counting. Jason Kidd posted yet another double-double (he leads the team in double-doubles this season) with 12 points and 12 assists.

An off the glass bounce pass to Marion for an easy basket, setup by a Jason Kidd steal, sealed an amazing first half by the Mavericks as they headed to the locker room up, 64-43. And the Mavericks just continued to expand on their lead in the second half, allowing their bench some extended playing time while providing the starters a bit of a respite. Neither Kidd nor Dirk set foot on the court in the fourth quarter as the Mavs opened the final frame up by 30 points, 99-69. Their lead grew as large as 37 at one point. DeShawn Stevenson even got in on the scoring act by nailing a three pointer.

With only one regular season game remaining, the Mavericks cruised to a much needed easy victory and moved one step closer to their goal of securing the #2 spot heading into the playoffs next weekend. Only one more team, the hated San Antonio Spurs, the Mavericks’ arch rivals, stands in their way. Wednesday night’s game is going to be a great one as the Mavs close out their season at home against the Spurs, who they will most likely face again in the opening round of playoff action, essentially making this an eight game series between the two Texas teams.

I can’t wait for Wednesday, as Dad and I will be there, in the rafters, watching every second…

No Let Down Here: Mavs Crush Kings in Cali

2010-04-13T14:29:00.001-05:00

If Friday night was Eastern conference basketball, then Saturday night was definitely Western conference hoops. It was the run and gun, much more fun style of basketball that reminded me of the old rivalry series between Dallas and Sacramento in the earlier part of this decade. Only this time, the Kings really never stood much of a chance as the Mavericks led from wire to wire, claiming an eventual 126-108 victory at Arco Arena. Dirk Nowitzki again shined, leading the Mavericks with 39 points, including another perfect showing (13-of-13) from the free throw line. With those free throws, Dirk set a new franchise record of 68 straight made free throws (dating back to the Nuggets game on March 29), eclipsing his existing record (60) from the 2005-2006 season.

Dirk wasn’t the only Maverick to shine on offense, however. Jason Terry had a good shooting night, dropping in 25 points on 8-of-14 shots, including 3-of-4 from behind the arc. And Jason Kidd racked up his second triple double of the year, the 105th of his career, finishing with 11 points to go along with his 10 rebounds and 13 assists (both team highs). Erick Dampier was a big factor on the defensive end, leading the Mavericks with three blocked shots. One odd stat o’ the night, something I have never in all my years of basketball watching seen before: neither team had a single steal. Very strange, indeed.

On a night when the Mavericks could have chosen one of a variety of excuses (second night of a back to back, had an emotional win the night before, etc.) to justify a loss to the cellar dwelling Kings, the Mavs did just the opposite: they came out ready to play from the opening tip. Again. Just like they had done in Portland only 24 hours prior. And just like in the win at Portland, which allowed the Mavs to clinch the Southwest Division title, the Mavs were able to maintain focus and intensity and keep their collective eyes on the ball – and their ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.

Icy Shooting Mavs Still Scorch Blazers, 83-77

2010-04-12T17:57:00.002-05:00

Stellar defense may make for a very physical and closely fought basketball game, but it certainly doesn’t make it entertaining. Sitting on the sofa watching the Mavs take on the Portland Trailblazers in the Rose Garden last night was a bit difficult at times. As much of a Mavs fan as I am, I struggled to keep my eyes open during the game last night. The defensive effort was so great on both ends of the floor that the game had no real offensive flow, something I have become quite used to after watching the Mavericks over the past decade. What little bit of flow there was to the game was stripped away in the first half by the whistle happy officiating crew. Fortunately for Dallas, the majority of those whistles seemed to go our way on this particular night. Defense may win championships, but it definitely doesn’t make for an action-packed, edge of your seat type ball game. When the TV analyst has to inform the viewing audience, “Don’t fall asleep at home, folks, not tonight,” (thank you, Bob Ortegel) you know you’re in for a long – and late—night.

The basketball I saw on Friday night was more the Eastern conference style of play – great defense, nonexistent offense (Dirkand his 40 points not withstanding). But as ugly as it was, the Mavs played a complete game and really united on the defensive end of things, which is what allowed them to pull out the eventual 83-77 victory over the Blazers, who had been a thorn in the Mavericks’ side all season long. The Mavs’ defense was, aside from their free throw shooting (30-of-35, including a perfect 17-of-17 by Nowitzki), the only thing that kept them in the game; they couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a basketball for much of the night. They shot only 34% for the game but still managed to win.

Another factor that played a big role in the Mavericks’ win in Portland was their age and veteran experience. Knowing the playoffs were close at hand and recalling how physically intensely Portland had played them all season long, the Mavs knew they had to get the jump on Portland from the opening tip – which they did. The Mavericks were the more aggressive team, both on offense and defense. And during the second half, when the game became more physical and hotly contested, the Blazers began to lose their cool when whistles went the Mavs’ way. Untimely technical fouls (four of them, including one on Blazers’ Coach Nate McMillan) and terrible turnovers helped the Mavs secure the lead and close out the game in the final few minutes. Even the Blazer fans couldn’t keep their cool, as one man got tossed for throwing debris onto the playing court while the game was in action. The Mavs, on the other hand, kept their cool, even when the ball wasn’t bouncing their way, and managed to maintain focus, allowing them to do what they had failed to do in three previous attempts: beat the Blazers.

Prior to this game, the Blazers had an incredible streak of 72 games this season where they had gone undefeated when holding their opponents under 88 points. But Friday night, that streak came to an end in an ugly fashion as the Mavs literally fought their way to victory in the Rose Garden. Not only could this game have an impact on the final playoff pairings out west, but it also sent an important message to Portland, who could very well be Dallas’ opponent in the opening round: You may have beaten us before, but don’t expect to beat us again.

Dirk Gets What He Deserves: Another Award

2010-04-12T15:56:00.000-05:00

Dirk Nowitzki was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. In three games during the week of April 4-April 10, he averaged 33.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. In roughly 24 hours, Dirk managed to score 79 points as he led the Mavs to victory in back to back road games at Portland and then at Sacramento. In those two games alone, Dirk attempted 30 free throws – and made every single one of them. In fact, Dirk eclipsed the previous franchise record (which he himself had set) of hitting 60 consecutive free throws without a miss. Currently (as of Monday morning), his streak, which began on March 29 against the Denver Nuggets, sits at 68 made free throws in a row. Congratulations to Dirk on not just a great week full of fantastic performances but another phenomenal season as well!

Sometimes, It's Okay to Bend the Rules Just A Little

2010-04-10T16:10:00.001-05:00

Another reason I was excited about the Memphis game on Wednesday is because one of my dear friends, who is almost as big a Mavs fan as I am, had scored a pair of postgame passes for us. For anyone who doesn’t know, a postgame pass does not guarantee access to the tunnel or the locker room. It does, however, get you down on the court after the game, where you can wait for players from either or both teams to come out in hopes of obtaining autographs or taking advantage of possible photo opportunities, etc. The one other time I was fortunate enough o have a postgame pass, over two years ago, I was also blessed enough to have a friend who was able to pull strings for me and get me back in the tunnel, where I was able to meet Dirk for a second time. However, Wednesday night was a totally different story.

When we first made it down to the designated waiting area for people with postgame passes, my friend and I were primarily concerned with whether or not we would be able to meet and greet any of the Mavericks ourselves. Since it was the next to last home game, we knew it would likely be our last chance, because once the playoffs start, fan access to the players is denied to keep the team focused and ready to play ball. We spoke with one of the security guards, who informed us that Dirk was supposed to be meeting with roughly 50 students and their families, so there was no possible way any of us could get back there to see him on this night. My friend and I were disappointed, but not too surprised. However, as we began talking to the couple sitting next to us, our whole attitudes changed.

The couple next to us, the Herreras, were here on leave from the military. Mr. Herrera was currently stationed in, and about to return to, Germany (I think he said Manheim?) and his wife was going to be deployed back to Iraq on Friday. They had a home in Fort Worth and had decided to spend the end of their R & R time taking in a Mavericks game. Mr. Herrera even had a 50 Euro note he had brought with him in hopes of getting Dirk to autograph it. They were so excited about having the opportunity to meet Dirk, only to have their dream snatched away from them. My friend and I decided to do anything and everything we could and pull what few strings we knew to try and get the Herreras back into the tunnel.

Apparently, during the game, Mrs. Herrera had mentioned to the female security guard working the area where they were seated that she and her husband were US soldiers and had hoped to get to meet Dirk while at the game. The security guard then offered to try and get them postgame passes and special access. The guard DID obtain and give them the postgame passes, and said she had spoken with Lesley Berry, the Mavs’ player relations manager, about the couple being able to gain access to the tunnel. But when my friend asked the security guard outside the tunnel to call and ask Lesley about it, Lesley had no idea what or who he was talking about, so the Herreras’ request was again denied. Another member of the security team came over to help out and eventually came back with someone who was a Director of some sort at the AAC, maybe something to do with events. The woman was very polite, although not particularly helpful, and said there was really nothing she could do under the circumstances. Mr. Herrera asked if she could at least take the Euro note back and have Dirk sign it, but she said she was prohibited from that as well. So even after trying to go through proper channels, the Herreras were going to be sent back to their separate corners of the world, Germany and Iraq, empty handed. My friend and I couldn’t stand to see that happen, so I came up with another idea...

One of our friends can on occasion get access to the players and get things signed and return them to us, so my friend asked the Herreras to leave their Euro note with her and she would find a way to get it signed for them and mail it back to them. She took down their contact information and promised to have it signed and send it back to them, and they were very happy that they might at least have something to show for all of their efforts. And my friend and I were just happy to help. We both have the utmost respect for any and everyone who serves in our military and were just glad we could do a little something to show some small token of gratitude. Sometimes, it’s not what you know, but who you know that makes all the difference.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mr. and Mrs. Herrera, and we hope to see you again at another Mavs game in the near future. May God keep you two, as well as all of our troops, safe and sound until you return home again. God bless you both!

No Grrrr in These Grizzlies

2010-04-08T15:33:00.001-05:00

As soon as I learned that April 7th was the Dirk Nowitzki bobblehead giveaway, I knew I had to get a ticket to the game. I already own one Dirk bobblehead, but the spring in the neck is broken to the point that if you tap Dirk lightly on the head, you’ve essentially decapitated him and his head will bounce completely off the body. I was actually off work on Wednesday (my schedule is very odd, a result of being at the low end of the seniority totem pole, even though I have ten years of service) and planned to leave early to make it to the AAC in plenty of time to get my bobblehead, which were only being given out to the first 5,000 fans. Alas, real life had other plans. My little MFFL in training, Trystan, had been running fever for a few days when we noticed a nasty rash on her hip, about 30 minutes before I had planned to leave home for the game. Since I have the only vehicle in the household, I dropped Trystan and her mom Merenda at the emergency room on my way to the game, which set me back about half an hour or so. Even then, I still made it to the AAC about 6:30, a full hour before the Mavs vs. Grizzlies game was set to tip off. But when I walked in the north entrance, there were no bobbleheads to be found. What a bummer!

Since I was flying solo for this particular game, I had plenty of time to wander the concourse before finally making my way to my seat, again in the upper deck. But again, for the relatively reasonable price ($15), it was a great seat. Sure, it was a little high up, but the angle was perfect, to where I could see anything and everything that would take place on the court beneath me. By the time the game tipped off, I was the only one sitting in my row, which made it even more comfortable. That way, I could be as loud as I wanted without fear of annoying anyone sitting too close to me. The game was great, as the Mavericks led from start to finish, clobbering the Grizzlies, 110-84, much the way they had done in previous seasons. Memphis continually turned the ball over (20 times, to be exact) which resulted in 30 points for Dallas. The Mavs shot an amazing 57% (8-of-14) from three point range, led by Jason Kidd (4-of-5) from behind the arc. But they were just as deadly inside the paint, where they scored 50 points. The Mavericks’ bench, led by Jason Terry with 16, outscored the Grizzlies’ reserves 49-7 as well. Every Maverick who stepped on the floor, including rookie Roddy Beaubois, who played only three minutes, scored at least two points.

This kind of blowout was the easy win the Mavericks needed to propel themselves into the playoffs. On Friday, they will face the Portland Trailblazers, their toughest remaining opponent and quite possibly their potential playoff opponent in the opening round. The Blazers have owned Dallas this season, winning the season series by claiming all three matches thus far. If Dallas really wants to show themselves, as well as the rest of the league, that they are serious about playing for nothing short of a championship, then they need to prove it on Friday night at the Rose Garden. Send a message, not just to Portland, but to any team out there who thinks that going through Dallas will be a cakewalk: think again! If they can somehow pull out a victory in Portland, it will help build momentum as they head into the final week of the regular season and let them control their own playoff destiny. Right now, Dallas is in the driver’s seat, clinging to the #2 seed, but anything can happen over the course of the next seven days. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a wild ride.

(By the way, in case anyone was wondering -- I did get a new Dirk bobblehead. My friend with the Mavs came through for me yet again. Dirk will soon be sitting on my shelf alongside Shawn Marion and the old occasionally headless Dirk, the one shown above.)

A Cuban, a German, and a Decade of Relevance

2010-04-06T00:37:00.000-05:00

Mark Cuban is the Fairy Godfather, and ten years ago (on January 4, which just so happened to be my birthday), he granted three wishes to Mavericks fans across the Metroplex:

1. Make the Mavericks relevant in the NBA again

2. Make basketball enjoyable, exciting, and entertaining fun for the fans

3. Bring an NBA championship to Dallas.

Ok, so maybe he hasn't quite granted wish #3 yet. But it's certainly not for any lack of effort (or lack of funding) on Cuban's part. From day one, Mark Cuban has done anything and everything within his power to make the Mavericks a championship team. He has helped shape the Dallas Mavericks into a perennial contender, one of only two teams (the other being the San Antonio Spurs) who have won a minimum of 50 games for at least ten consecutive seasons. Since Cuban came to town, no matter how bad the Mavericks might have been at any given time, there was always an underlying feeling that this team could still win it all at any given time.

Although the Mavs have yet to win an NBA title in their 30 year history, they have come close enough to taste it, and the bittersweet disappointment that goes along with letting the title slip through your hands and watching your window of opportunity slowly come to a close. But just when local media and Mavs fans alike thought the Mavs reign of goodness might come to an end, Cuban again did what he had to do: he pulled the strings on a deal that sent the talented but troubled Josh Howard (along with bit part players Drew Gooden, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross) to Washington in exchange for Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, and Brendan Haywood. On the heels of that trade, the Mavericks went on a thirteen game winning streak. Although Dallas has struggled a bit over their last dozen games, fans are really starting to believe in the group of guys we have here and the possibility – or probability – that they really could win the title this season…if they can just get by those pesky Lakers.

Over the past decade, few teams have enjoyed the routine regular season successes of the Dallas Mavericks. “That’s still something special,“ Dirk Nowitzki noted, speaking of the ten straight season with 50 wins. “I’m glad I was a part of this last decade. We’ve won a lot of games and had a lot of fun. But..I’d rather trade that for a championship ring any day.”

Whether or not the Mavs will finally walk away with a title this June, one thing remains certain: Mark Cuban is the best thing that ever happened to the Dallas Mavericks.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Car

2010-04-01T23:39:00.014-05:00

So there we were, Dad and me, sifting through the clearance items at the Fan Shop kiosk just inside the front doors of the arena. The Mavs had just dropped a stinker of a game to the Orlando Magic and we were hoping to find some good deals on some new Mavs gear. As we pawed and perused our way through the offerings of the table, I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see the smiling face of an older woman I'd never met.

"Excuse me," she said politely, "are you Mandi?"

Baffled, I answered, "Yes, ma'am, I am," now curious as to how a total stranger knew my identity. She must have sensed my intrigue as she smiled over at her son, standing just a few feet away.

"I read your blog, on the web site," she said. "You were the Insider."

"Really? That's so cool! Thank you," I replied, uncertain of what else I should say. "It's nice to know people were actually reading it." I wanted to say more but I was so surprised at being read (and subsequently recognized) by someone who wasn't either related to me or a friend of a friend that I just stood there. About that time, she and her son started to walk away and I noticed Dad was at the far end of the counter, paying for his new bargain bin duds.

I walked down to meet Dad and tell him what had just happened and see what he had bought. For just $15, he managed to snag a Dirk MVP T-shirt as well as a Jason Terry 6th Man of the Year shirt. Too bad I was already broke for the night. On the walk to the car, I relayed my story to him -- even though he had been standing beside me most of the time, he had somehow been oblivious to my interaction with the woman. As I finished up, he just looked at me incredulously.

"Did you point her to your new blog?" he asked.

Internally, I heard Homer Simpson yelling, "D'oh!" and saw him smacking himself in the head as I sheepishly shook my head no. "I just didn't have enough time and I didn't think about it."

"You really should have," he noted, always full of fatherly advice after the fact.

Yeah, I thought to myself, he's probably right.

And when I made it home and retold the story to my dear Rickey, he, too, questioned why I hadn't referred the woman to my blog. "Maybe," he added, "you should print up business cards with your name and the address of your blog and get people interested. Then, once you're up to about 1000 followers, maybe bigger people -- like Cuban even -- will start to take notice."

I love the idea, even though it wasn't mine. Currently, I have nine --count 'em, nine -- followers. Most of them have been with me from the start. It's a long way from 1000.

But we all have to start somewhere, I guess....

Mavs Get Win #50 in Memphis OT Thriller

2010-04-01T00:47:00.005-05:00

I hate that I had to work tonight. But the bills still have to be paid, so there I was, sitting in my cubicle at 7:13pm with my headphones on when the Mavs tipped off versus the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. Don't get me wrong; Chuck Cooperstein, the radio voice of the Mavs, is an excellent play by play announcer and explains the game clearly enough that I can visualize the court when I close my eyes. But nothing compares to actually being able to watch the game, be it live and in person or from the comfort of the sofa with my little MFFL Trystan cheerleading by my side. But alas, I was cursed with a work schedule that had me not making it home until 9:30, which was just about the time the game should have ended.

I listened intently all night long as the Mavericks made one sloppy play after another. We were down, we’d catch up, we’d fall back behind due to lack of energy, effort, focus or intensity – whatever you want to call it. So as I pulled into the driveway with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Mavs down by only six, I still held out hope that we could win. (I’m one of those rare true blue fans who always thinks we can win, no matter how hopeless the situation.) Afraid of missing a crucial play if I tried to run inside and turn on the TV, I killed the engine and reclined in the seat, listening as Dirk nailed first one and then a second three to tie the game. I screamed and cheered and bumped the roof of the car with my fist in excitement. My niece heard me inside the house and quickly flipped the game on, so as soon as Memphis called timeout, I raced up the ramp and inside, not even stopping long enough for a “Hi, honey, I’m home” before flopping onto the edge of the sofa. This was definitely a game where the Mavericks, particularly Dirk, saved the best for last. Luckily, I was able to watch the final few minutes…the only part that really mattered, in the end.

Trystan sat on my lap and we yelled at the TV as the game headed into overtime. She was excited because it meant her bedtime was just extended by at least five more minutes; I was just excited that the Mavs still had a chance to pull out a victory they could definitely need down the stretch to better position themselves come playoff time. And for the final five minutes, the Mavericks didn’t disappoint. The game was too close for my comfort for the better part of the extra period, but in the end, my guys managed to steal one in Memphis. Sometimes, you just get lucky, and that’s essentially what happened for Dallas last night.

While the Mavs played respectable defense for the majority of the game, they were slow to start offensively in nearly every quarter. 1-of-8, 1-of-9, etc. Shooting that poorly, it’s amazing the Mavs were able to keep themselves in the game, especially coupled with the abnormally high number of turnovers (18) they suffered. They held the Grizzlies shooting to just 41%, and only 32% on three pointers. Dirk, Butler, and Kidd all had two steals apiece, and Jason Terry led the charge with a game high four steals. Caron Butler (11 points, 13 rebounds) and Jason Kidd (12 points, 10 rebounds) both posted double-doubles, but it was Jason Terry, who finished with a team high 29 points, that really helped the Mavericks remain within striking distance.

During the final eleven minutes of the game (including OT), it was again Dirk Nowitzki who came to the rescue, however. He started the charge by scoring back to back three pointers to tie the game and continued his suddenly stellar shooting into the extra period. After shooting only 3-of-16 by the midpoint of the fourth quarter, Dirk finished the game on fire, shooting 6-of-7, with 18 of his 28 total points coming during the last half of the fourth quarter and the overtime period. The Mavs held on to win it, 106-102, in overtime, their first win at Memphis in the last four tries.

As much as the Mavs might like to revel in their come from behind victory, there’s no time for celebration as they return home tonight to face the Orlando Magic and look to extend their win streak to four games. Although the Mavs remained in second place in the Western Conference with their victory, both Utah (1/2 GB) and Phoenix (1GB) won as well, keeping the pressure on Dallas to continue their winning ways.

Dad and I will again be in attendance at the AAC tonight. We’re planning on watching everything from the upper deck, but who knows what the night holds in store. I brought my camera and recharged the batteries…just in case.

GO MAVS!

There Oughtta Be a Test

2010-03-31T20:51:00.002-05:00

I couldn’t believe my eyes as I read and then reread the text message that ESPN had just sent to my phone. I must have misunderstood something, because surely the NBA wasn’t one to repeat its mistakes. But there it was, in black and white: Fans can make pick for NBA MVP, with combined fans’ choice counting for one vote on official ballot. Did we not learn anything from the Allen Iverson as All-Star starter debacle earlier this year? As much as I love the game and love the concept that my opinion matters and my vote counts, giving the fans a voice in awards as important and prestigious as the league MVP is a bad idea.

Every year when I see some highly popular but undeserving player receiving a ridiculously high number of fan votes for a spot on the NBA All-Star team, I have the same internal argument with myself. Which is worth more: a fan’s chance to have their vote count, or actually having players of superstar caliber on the All-Star team? And every year, I lean more and more towards removing the fan vote altogether. How in the world can fans justify voting Allen Iverson in as a starter when he barely played ten games this season? Or even Tracy McGrady, for that matter, who was (is) always a fan favorite, but has been injured several times while STILL leading in fan voting? What kind of nonsense is that?

My solution is simple. If you’re going to keep allowing the fans to actively participate through All-Star (and now MVP) voting, then have them undergo testing first. No physical fitness test, no eyeballing inkblots, no battery of psychological testing. What I propose is nothing more than a simple ten to twenty question covering current NBA players, events, and trends. Maybe they could even throw in a few NBA trivia questions concerning legends like Jordan and Bird and Magic. We just need some way to prove that those fans who were voting actually knew a little something about basketball. After all, it’s not supposed to be a popularity contest, but an award based on achievement. How can you possibly know who would be deserving of pro basketball’s highest individual honor if you don’t even follow the game?

I’m sure the NBA powers that be feel they’re evolving and being more proactive by trying to involve their fans in every way possible. In theory, I appreciate what they’re attempting to accomplish by giving the fans a vote. In reality, I fear we’ll see fans voting for Yao Ming or Greg Oden for MVP. Thankfully, no matter how crazily the NBA fandom votes, they’re only going to get just that: one vote.

Dirk, the Matrix, and the Blonde Behind Me

2010-03-31T18:55:00.003-05:00

As Dad and I climbed the steps to our seats Monday night, I sighed, realizing just how spoiled I have become to the good seats. I never thought it would happen to me, as I was born and bred in the nosebleed section, so to speak. Be it Reunion Arena or the AAC, the upper deck has been my home away from home more often than not. Until the fall of 2007, when my incredible winning streak regarding all things Mavs first began. After 20-plus years of loyal fanship, and entering every Mavericks contest I could find, I finally started winning. It started simply enough, with a Blue Rhino grill and a BBQ dinner with Josh Howard, myself and 20 friends and culminated with my spending a week (the most amazingly awesome week of my life thus far) behind the scenes with my beloved Mavericks as the HP Insider.

Let’s face it: Dad and I are not now, nor will we ever be, the beautiful people of North Texas. Unlike a few people I know, we can’t just waltz our way down into the lower level, acting as if we belong there, and settle into any two empty seats. We’re the average, everyday fans who sometimes look lost and out of place among the upper class lower level elite folks. If we’re sitting in the good seats, believe me, you’ll find the ticket stubs for our seats in our pockets. As much as we might like to pretend we belong, we both know that, in the words of Miller, we’re “living the high life.” And we relish every minute of it.

I think that’s why it’s been a bit of a transition for me to try and make my way back where I came from: the upper deck. Thankfully, though, due to the fact that I now have a few friends in high places, I haven’t actually had to watch a game from the cheap seats yet this season. Right after the singing of the National Anthem on Monday, a friend showed up and waved me and Dad down with two tickets to the good seats. And I mean really good. We ended up on the end by the Mavericks bench, maybe four of five rows in back of the goal. I was so happy, I even asked my friend to adopt me! At which time my Dad kinda got a look on his face like, Hey, Kiddo, I’m standing right here before he, too, asked to be adopted by my buddy. Good thing Dad has a sense of humor!

We settled into our seats right as the game tipped off and I had a perfect sight line to the Mavs’ bench. It would have been great for taking pictures, but I did as I usually do and got so caught up in the game that I forgot all about it and didn’t even pull my camera out until nearly halftime. I’d really love to be able to get some great shots, especially in the moment action packed photos, but I’m always afraid that through my limited field of vision I’ll miss part of the game – which is SO not worth it. Usually when we’re in the good seats like that, we’re surrounded by nothing but Mavs fans; however, Monday night was a rare exception.

A blonde woman behind me sporting a Denver Nuggets T-shirt kept talking smack about my Mavs and cheering for Denver. Having been a fan of the visiting team in a hostile environment before myself (see also Mavs @ Spurs, January 8, 2010), I can totally appreciate someone who is passionate about their team and bold enough to be rowdy, proud, and loud when they’re surrounded by fans of “the enemy”. But what I cannot stand is people being rude and obnoxious and badmouthing the home team – in this case, my beloved Mavericks. At one point early in the game, Dirk was shooting free throws at the basket just a few feet in front of us. Quite uncharacteristically, he missed the first free throw, and said blonde Nuggets fan behind me shouted out, “You suck, Dirk!” Which, of course, did not sit well with me. It took all the self-control I could muster to keep from jumping over my chair to the aisle behind me and promptly removing the blonde from her high dollar seat. Alas, I had to settle for just turning and glaring at her every time there was a break in the action. Dirk, unfazed by her heckling, proceeded to swish through the next free throw…and every other one of his 17 attempts. As for the blonde behind me? Our unspoken feud continued throughout the night.

But I digress…back to the game at hand. The Mavs played like their lives depended on it, and took an early lead which they would not relinquish, not matter how many runs the Nuggets tried to make. And with this being the Nuggets’ first game at the AAC after the uberphysical hotly controversial playoff series last spring, the Mavericks were ready for Denver’s dirty style of play. Rather than spend the whole night whining to the officials about it (maybe because they saw their old buddy Joey Crawford in the black and whites), they played their way through it. Jason Terry even picked up a technical foul for a retaliatory shove, which I was glad to see because it meant the Mavs weren’t backing down, period.

As expected, the crowd went crazy when Roddy Beaubois entered the game. And although he didn’t have another 40 point showing, he did play some meaningful minutes in a critical game, more proof that Coach Carlisle is starting to believe in Roddy’s abilities and realize what an impact he can have on this team, regardless of the fact that he’s “just a rookie.” In the limited minutes Beaubois has seen this season, it’s quickly become clear that he is not an average rookie, but something special, a block around which the Mavs can begin to build their future without having to give up their championship aspirations in the process.

Shawn Marion played some hella defense on Carmelo Anthony, holding him in check the majority of the night. Anthony finished the game with just 10 points on 3-of-16 shooting. At one point in the game, the blonde behind me leaned over to her friend and complained about ‘Melo’s lack of scoring, blaming him for the fact that Denver was in a double digit deficit at the time. She questioned why ‘Melo wasn’t scoring more…at which point I couldn’t help myself. I turned to Dad and said (loudly enough that anyone in earshot could have heard me), “Maybe the reason ‘Melo’s not scoring is because Marion is in his jersey playing some killer defense.” After that, it was suddenly quiet behind me again for awhile. (Hey, at least it wasn’t anything that would get me thrown out of the arena or thrown in jail – Rickey already warned me that he wouldn’t bail me out when I updated my Facebook status about wanting to kick the chick behind me.)

J-Kidd had a good all-around game with 10 assists, eight points, six boards, and only one turnover. Kidd and Beaubois tied for team high honors with three steals apiece, and Brendan Haywood held his own, blocking four shots to go along with his 10 points. But the man of the hour, the man of the night, was without a doubt my hero, Dirk Nowitzki. Not only did Dirk fight his way through some physical play and dirty defenders, but he managed to post his second career triple-double – and this time, I was there to see it, live and in person. Some days it’s good to be me! Dirk was so aggressive on the offensive end, he made it to the charity stripe 17 times during the game, well above his season average. And while some, including myself, have question Dirk’s decreased production over the past several games, on Monday night, he again reminded us just how special and unique a player he is, scoring 34 points (including 4-of-5 from behind the arc), pulling down 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, as well as recording one blocked shot. When the final seconds ticked off the clock and the Mavericks walked off the court with the tiebreaker (vs. Denver), the victory (109-93), and their heads held high, I once again let my mouth start running. As I high-fived my Dad, I half-turned in the direction of the blonde behind me and said as loudly as I could, “Doesn’t look like Dirk sucks now, does it?”

Victory is sweet…

GO MAVS!!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a...Flying Frenchman?!?

2010-03-29T17:54:00.001-05:00

One thing was clear on Saturday night in San Francisco as the Mavs walloped the Golden State Wienies, 111-90: Brandon Jennings isn’t the only rookie who can put points on the board. Roddy Beaubois exploded during the second quarter, scoring 26 of his team-high 40 points in only 15 minutes and becoming only the third rookie in Dallas Mavericks’ 30 year history to have a 40 point game. Not even former MVP Dirk Nowitzki or future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd share Roddy’s claim to fame. Only Jay Vincent and Mark Aguirre ever had 40 point games as Mavericks’ rookies, leaving Roddy B in some superstar scoring territory. What we saw Saturday night as the Oracle Arena truly was history in the making.

Beaubois was nothing short of amazing as he nailed shots near and far, but particularly behind the three point line, where he shot 9-of-11 for a whopping 82%! He finished the night with 40 points (15-of-22 shots), eight rebounds, and three blocks, all of which were new career highs. But as amazing as he was shooting the ball, he was still passing the ball to open teammates and playing great defense as well. For instance, Roddy B nailed another of his nine three pointers before dishing out assists on the Mavericks’ final two possessions of the third quarter. He ended the night by blocking Golden State’s final shot attempt in a game that was truly decided once he set foot on the court late in the first quarter and provided the Mavericks with some much needed energy and enthusiasm. Beaubois finished with three assists and only one turnover in 29 minutes.

Fans aren’t the only ones loving it when Roddy B is inserted into the lineup. Word has it that after the game Saturday night, when Roddy, who was the last one on the first bus, climbed aboard, the entire bus 9including players, coaches, assistants, and staff) gave the young phenom a rousing ovation for his remarkable performance. It seems that everyone wants to play with Roddy B and they genuinely enjoy watching him on the court. While the coaching staff finally seems to be realizing they have a diamond in the not-so-rough with Beaubois, his teammates seem to genuinely like him and appreciate all the effort he has put in trying to improve himself and his game this year. He has been patient and has been a willing and eager student under the tutelage of the legendary Jason Kidd, which has been a great benefit to both Beaubois and the team alike. But the one reason I think so many of his teammates want to see Beaubois get more playing time is simple: he puts the fun back in the game of basketball. Roddy makes the game more entertaining and maybe he helps remind a few of the more veteran players how much fun it can be to push aside everything else in life and just get out on the court and play basketball.

The win over Golden State on Saturday was wonderful (as it always is when we whip the Wienies), but it’s time for the Mavericks to really crack down tonight as they face the Denver Nuggets in a game that could very well determine where the teams will wind up in the Western Conference playoff picture when all is said and done. Denver and Dallas have split the season series thus far, meaning tonight’s game will be the tiebreaker. Denver is coming in on the second night of a back to back, having lost in Orlando last night and dropping three of their last four games. The last time the Nuggets set foot in the AAC was during the much heated playoff series last year, so the atmosphere at the arena tonight should be a great one. The Mavericks need to play like their playoff lives depend on it….because in a sense, they very well might.

Less than two hours to tipoff and I can’t wait for the game to start.

Tick, tock, tick tock.

A Wild and Crazy Week

2010-03-27T14:01:00.007-05:00

It's been awhile since my last blog, but it as been a wild and crazy week around the house, even at work. I've barely had time to watch my beloved Mavericks over the last eight days, but that is definitely going to change next week as Dad and I are attending not one but two games. Monday night we will be watching the Mavs take on the Denver Nuggets in a crucial must win game for Dallas if they hope to have any chance of claiming the 2nd seed (and the potential matchup against the aged and all-too-familiar Spurs) in the Western Conference playoff picture. On Thursday, we'll be in attendance as the Mavs return from Memphis on the second night of a back to back to face the Orlando Magic for the final time this season. Thursday's game will also be the Mavs' final regular season game against the Eastern Conference.

I missed last Saturday night's loss to the Celtics as we were out of town visiting family way out in West Texas, where UPN's signal doesn't dare to roam. I did have dad set the DVR and record it for me, but as the final few minutes unfolded and I received message after message (might as well have been a play by play) via Twitter and my cell phone, I learned that all was for naught, and my Mavs had fallen apart in the final few minutes. Shoot. So Sunday night when we returned home, I skimmed through the game and the post game show, somewhat disinterested as I already knew the end result.

Since I was off work on Monday, I had full intentions of sitting my booty on the couch with Little T, my MFFL in waiting, and enjoying the Mavs @ New Orleans in its entirety. But in the words of a country song, "If you wanna hear God laugh, tell him your plans." My appointment at the ear doctor was short and sweet (paid $20 for a 5 minute test to determine what I already knew -- I'm deafer than a doornail in my left ear), but then I had to run my niece to an appointment (we only have one car for the four of us) and in the meantime, pick up my sister from work, run her to the bank, and then go back and get my niece and her daughter before we all headed out to Rowlett to pick up my sister's new car. By the time all was said and done, it was too late for me to set the DVR, so I had to settle for listening to the first half of the game in the background while my sister and I chatted all the way back home. I'm still not sure what exactly happened; at one point, we were up by double digits early in the first quarter, but by the half, we were down, 52-45. Huh?!? What happened? I didn't get to see it, but judging by the rest of the games the Mavs have lost (or nearly lost) lately, I'm 99% sure it had to do with either silly turnovers (love you, JJ, but you got to hold on to the ball a little better) or a lack of focus and intensity on the defensive end -- my guess would be the latter. By the time we grabbed dinner and headed home, all I really saw was the fourth quarter, nothing very remarkable. Although I was glad to see Jet's offense pick up, as he lead the team with 24 points.

Tuesday night, I was supposed to be attending a meeting of the newly formed Social Services Committee for the city, but fortunately, it was rescheduled, which allowed me to watch the majority of the Clippers vs. Mavericks. Now that was a much more exciting and fun game to watch. Granted, we should have been able to beat a team such as the Clippers by a larger margin, but overall, it was a good game. And as far as Jason Kidd was concerned, it was phenomenal. Celebrating his 37th (are you freaking kidding me??) birthday, the seemingly ageless Kidd imposed his will upon the team at both ends of the floor, again leading the charge for Dallas in every way imaginable. Dirk may be our MVP, but without Jason Kidd, there would be no oil in our engine, no caffeine in our coffee. Kidd is the grease that makes the Mavericks' wheels go round and round, and no matter how much praise I may heap on him, I still can't fully explain just how important he is to this team. Don't get me wrong, I still love Devin Harris, but the midseason trade that brought Kidd and his veteran leadership and experience to Dallas in exchange for Devin Harris and his quickness, athleticism, and future potential is still one of the smartest moves this front office has ever made. The only thing that would make me happier than seeing Kidd win a title here and end his legendary career as a Dallas Maverick would be to see Dirk Nowitzki do the same thing. You just gotta love a guy that, at age 37, still dives for loose balls and makes unbelievable passes and can STILL score the ball. After Dirk, who was fire hot in the first half, was ejected for picking up two quick technical fouls (truth be told, the ref in question might have been a little thin skinned as quickly as he rung Dirk up and tossed him) early in the third quarter, Kidd stepped up his game as he has so many times this season and brought the 106-96 victory home to Dallas. He led the team with 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three point range, to go along with his 12 assists.

If Tuesday was greatness, Thursday was sloppiness. The Mavs faced Portland, and lost to them, for the third time this year. I keep hearing local radio personalities and other talking head types saying that Portland presents the best potential playoff matchup for the Mavs in the first round, but I couldn't disagree more. In all three games this season, Portland has had the upper hand. They have been better defensively, offensively, on the boards, and all-around. Their length and athleticism have hounded and harassed the Mavs at every turn, and until Dallas can be consistent on both ends of the court, but particularly on defense, Portland -- and other teams like them-- (see also Denver Nuggets) will continue to give the Mavericks trouble. Dallas really needs to step up their game, not only because they have to face the Blazers in Portland again in two weeks, but because the playoff picture in the West is so shaky, they have just as great a likelihood of an opening round matchup with the Blazers as they do with any other team.

Prior obligations will again keep me from watching tonight's matchup with the Golden State Wienies (from San Fran) -- live, anyway. But rest assured, either late this evening or sometime tomorrow, I will make time to sit down and watch my boys in blue do their thing -- which will hopefully include stomping all over the Warriors and getting back on the winning track. With only ten games left, now more than ever, every game counts.

Game on!

JJ and the Jet Lead Mavs over Bulls, 113-106

2010-03-19T13:36:00.005-05:00

Two themes were at play in the AAC on Wednesday night when the Mavericks hosted the Chicago Bulls: desperation and aggression. Chicago, who came in losers of eight straight games, was desperate to pick up a win against Dallas. The Mavericks, on the other hand, with Jason Terry having returned to the lineup for the first time since fracturing his orbital bone two weeks ago, were all about aggression. After having their season-high 13 game winning streak snuffed by a brutal beatdown at the hands of the New York Knicks, the Mavs were fired up and ready to get back on the winning track themselves.

From the opening tip, the Mavs played like they were the ones in desperate need of a win. Rather than standing around hoping their jump shots would rain through, as they spent much of Saturday night's blowout loss doing, these Mavericks were running, jumping, passing, penetrating and taking the ball to the basket early on. Caron Butler, who led the team in scoring with 27 points, set the tone by earning his way to the charity stripe time after time. Butler alone had nearly half (16) of the Mavs' 33 free throw attempts throughout the game.

The Mavs' were aggressive on defense as well, both individually and as a team, particularly in the first half. Erick Dampier was blocking shots with his left hand, rather than his right, due to recovering from a middle finger dislocation. And Jason Terry, who subbed in the game late in the first quarter, even got in on the act with a block of his own. It was great to see the fire and passion that Jet brings to this team evident on the court once again. His excitement, enjoyment, and sense of urgency seemed to filter to his teammates as the Mavericks played one of their best halves of basketball all year.

Their offensive prowess was highlighted by several beautiful plays early on, including a behind the back pass in transition from Jason Kidd to Erick Dampier, who was fouled in the process and completed the three point play. Jason Terry started the game by hitting all four of his first shots. With about a minute left before the half, Brendan Haywood missed an easy shot beneath the basket and Roddy Beaubois and his spring-loaded legs jumped up and tipped in the ball for an easy basket. The Mavericks shot 66% in the first 24 minutes and their bench outscored the Bulls, 30-17.

However, in the second half, the Mavs began to slack up, particularly on the defensive end, and the Bulls began playing like their (playoff) lives depended on it, which they very well might in the long run. Acie Law, who led the Bulls with 22 points, seemed to have his way with Dallas, connecting on 7-of-8 shots and going a perfect 7-of-7 from the line. Law even had a remarkable three point play that began with a wicked spin move near the middle of the fourth quarter. The Mavs lead had been cut to 98-90 halfway through the final frame when Chicago rookie James Johnson missed a layup which cut have shrunk the lead to six. His miss was quickly followed by a shot from JJ Barea to put the Mavs lead back to double digits at 100-90. Barea then proceeded to rattle off eight more points, for a total of 10 straight, for Dallas, highlighted by an open three pointer on a cross-court pass from Dirk out of the double team. In the midst of his double-digit solo scoring run, Barea managed to draw a charge on the Bulls with 3:49 remaining. 90 seconds later, Dirk proved he was no pushover as he lunged at the Bulls' Kirk Heinrich, who shoved Nowitzki in the back after the play had ended, resulting in a technical foul on Heinrich. With just over a minute left and the Mavs' victory relatively secure, Barea again drew an offensive foul on Chicago.

"JJ was the one that really saved us the game," Dirk said. That's some pretty high praise coming from the team leader, former MVP, and future Hall of Famer.

JJ Barea finished the game with 15 points, 10 of them coming during a critical push by the Mavs, and a team-high tying five assists. Dirk also had five assists to go along with his 26 points and team-high three steals. Shawn Marion, with 12, and Beaubois, with 11, were the other Mavericks with double digit scoring totals. Jason Kidd had an extremely rare off night, finishing with zero points (that counted), two rebounds, four assists, and three turnovers. I say points that counted because in the final seconds of the third quarter, he heaved a long ball from well behind the arc that would have kept his string of 31 consecutive games with at least one three point shot made alive had it come off his fingertips just a fraction of a second earlier. Due to some soreness and stiffness in his knees, which Mavs coaching staff has assured is not anything unusual or cause to worry, Kidd's minutes were limited. He played the entire first and third quarters, but did not play during either the second or the fourth periods. Kidd was on the bench, icing his knees down, early on in the fourth quarter, but should be available for Saturday night's matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Could Saturday night possibly be a preview of things to come, perhaps an NBA Finals matchup? I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but the Mavericks I've seen since the trade, excusing the debacle against the Knicks last weekend --which I technically didn't see -- have proven to me, if not the league, that they can run with the big boys. I can't wait for the playoffs to start.

Is it April yet??

Life Outside of Basketball?

2010-03-17T17:53:00.002-05:00

For years now, my family and friends have been trying to convince me, rather unsuccessfully, that there is life outside of basketball, specifically aside from my beloved Mavericks. Try as they might, though, they have not been able to persuade me to believe them…until last Saturday night, when I finally “saw the light” and couldn’t have been happier.

Since my time in the spotlight ended in January (although I have yet to change the month on my calendar – it’s my way of clinging to my ‘stardom’) and I had to return to life in the real world, I have been trying to work my daily routines around the Mavericks’ schedule whenever possible so that I never miss a game. Thanks to the modern miracle of the DVR, I might be a few hours late watching it, but I don’t skip one entirely. On Saturday night, however, a night when I had originally hoped to be at the AAC taking in the Mavs vs. Knicks alongside my Dad, (the only available tickets were more than we were willing to pay to see the Knicks), I was instead reduced to the mundane task of grocery shopping. Joy, joy! I programmed the DVR as always, with plans of watching the game once we got home and had everything put away.

However, as we made our way through the aisles of Wal-Mart, my cell phone kept buzzing in my pocket. (I never turn the ringer or sounds on as I’m usually too deaf to hear them and they just annoy me when I do). I recently updated several text message subscriptions, including one to ESPN to be notified of games scores and starts for the Mavs and the Spurs, and started following multiple Mavs-related people on Twitter, such as Ben & Skin, Mark Followill, and Shawn Marion. So every time I opened my phone, there was another message from either Skin or Followill via Twitter, talking about how the Mavs were off to a stinky start and New York was opening a can of whoop-ass on them. At halftime, which coincided with the midpoint of our grocery seeking adventure, I was becoming discouraged and wondering if I even wanted to watch the game after all. Let me pause for a moment and fill you in -- over the past six years, the only game I have completely missed was the one where my husband had a stroke, and we were actually at that game when it happened. Even during the playoffs last year, when the Mavs played on Saturday and I was forced to work, I borrowed my Dad’s TV and snuck it upstairs so I wouldn’t miss a minute of the action.

So when the text message came through near the end of the third quarter that said we were down by 25 points, I cringed internally and wondered if I could get away with just pretending there hadn’t been a game at all by the time we got home. I was hoping that, being only four years old and easily distracted, my little MFFL in training, Trystan, would forget about the game. But she didn’t. On the way home, she asked again if we could watch Mavs when we got to the house. I told her she could watch it, but I was going to bed, as by that time, I had already received the text message with the god-awful final score – Knicks 128, Mavs 94 – and knew there was no way possible I was going to sit through 48 minutes of ugly ball, knowing in advance there was essentially no hope for my Mavs and their wonderful winning ways had come to a screeching halt at the hands of the Knicks.

Sometimes, even a superfan like me has limits as to what she can endure. So when we got home and got the groceries put away and all was said and done, I deleted the game without Trystan realizing it. I figured, if she still wanted to watch Mavs, I had several other games on the DVR, Mavs victories at that, which would be much more entertaining, even to a four year old who was still trying to figure everything out.

Every day and nearly every night before bedtime, Trystan will ask when the next Mavs game is on TV, and she is always disappointed when we have to wait a day or two between games. But tonight she is more excited than normal, because she gets to wear her ‘new’ Dirk jersey that her auntie Mandi bought her yesterday. I was on my lunch break and wandering through a local thrift store when I found a Dirk jersey, albeit at least two sizes too big, for just $3. Knowing how much little T loves Dirk, I figured she could just grow into it and couldn’t pass it up. So after supper tonight, we will be plopping ourselves down in front of the TV to see if Dirk and the Mavs can start another super streak as they head into the home stretch of the season. Hopefully, taking on a much depleted Chicago Bulls team who has lost eight straight games will work in our favor, especially coming off the embarrassment that was Saturday night. My boys in blue…or they’ll probably be wearing the green tonight in honor of St. Patty’s Day…have had several days to stew over what happened this weekend, and hopefully they will come out fired up, guns a blazing, ready to kick it into another gear. Plus, Jason Terry is supposed to be back tonight, which can only help us as he provides an offensive punch off the bench. I think maybe tonight, I’ll see if I can get Trystan to recognize the Jet by his face, not just the back of his head. The mask should probably help.

Is it game time yet?

LET’S GO MAVS!