The Dallas Mavericks never wore the championship belt. They
were just happy to win it all in 2011.
And they’re damn right for doing that.
There was never any intention of defending their title. The
truth is, they didn’t have to.
Winning the 2011 NBA Finals was good enough for them…and
good enough for me and every other Mavericks fan.
In the last 10 months, there have been innumerable times
where I could have dog-cussed the organization for leaving a shot at the 2012
NBA title on the table. Mark Cuban let Tyson Chandler walk. Him signing with
New York was the white flag.
Hey guys, we could
re-sign the backbone of our defense and possibly repeat. No, let’s fade into
the abyss.
They did – turning into mish-mash of mediocrity.
This is where I’m supposed to say the lack of front office
leadership culminated in Dallas being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the
first round.
Not happening.
I’d delve into my disdain for the Mavericks’ 2011-2012
season but I can’t.
Because I can’t forget the run to the 2011 title. It’s all
singed into my memory. Yes, I’m still smiling.
I can’t forget Dirk Nowitzki leaving the floor before the
buzzer of the Game 6 clincher in Miami.
He ran up the tunnel, completely overwhelmed. Nowitzki didn’t know how to act – and
neither did I.
So here’s me imploring you to not let the 2011 championship ever
stray from your memory. Don’t forget it.
Jason Terry said he sees himself playing for the Heat next
season. Don’t forget about his inexplicable dagger 3-pointer over LeBron James
in Game 5 of The Finals.
DeShawn Stevenson now plays for the Nets. Don’t forget about
his first-half 3-pointers and unwavering defense or that he was picked up
for public intoxication only days after the championship.
In his defense, he was ecstatic – euphoric, even. We all
were.
When the buzzer sounded and the Mavericks were crowned World
Champions, no one knew how to react. I was standing on my front porch drinking
$5 champagne and listening to the shouting from down the street.
A guy came sprinting up, his shirt had about three buttons
latched, and said he’d been running around the neighborhood screaming for the
past 15 minutes. I should have gone along.
Sports matter and the Mavericks taking the 2011 title can’t
be defined. What did it all mean? I still don’t know.
That’s why when I received a text after the Mavs were
knocked off their “proverbial high horse” in the first round of the 2012
playoffs, I didn’t bat an eye.
“The Mavs just weren’t meant to be.”
Not this year. But do me a favor: wipe the smile off my
face.
