The memories of losing were quickly cast aside, however, when I made my way through the center field entrance, and a stadium worker handed me one of these:
Oh yes. I had no idea, but Monday was Nelson Cruz bobblehead night at the ballpark. Talk about awesome.
Cruz responded by going 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, and the Rangers clobbered the Astros, 8-3.
My friend Drew Love from high school has season tickets for two seats in the home run porch in right field, and was generous enough to offer me his spare ticket for Monday. The view was pretty stellar. Third row, right field home run porch:
The highlight of the night was Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland devouring a solo home run 450+ feet in the eighth inning. The ball was hit so far that we watched it literally sail over our heads and into the second deck. I've seen live, second-deck shots before, but watching the ball sail over my head from my seat in a home-run area was pretty bizarre. Towering blast.
Derek Holland earned the victory, pitching 7 1/3 innings, surrendering six hits, three earned runs and three walks, with four strikeouts. I started him in my fantasy league that night, so double points. Craig Gentry impressed with three stolen bases in a spot start, and Adrian Beltre went 3-for-4 to lead the offense, which produced a solid 12 hits.
I enjoyed a Bud Light and an oversized bucket of popcorn. Even better, after the game, we went into the Rangers store, where they had a sale on last year's AL Championship gear. I picked up a red American League champions T-shirt for $6.99. Talk about a steal. Drew also had a coupon for a free weekly program, so I came away with quite the haul.
An overall awesome time at the ballpark. Hello win column.
Dallas — My friend Brett called me the other day and asked me a simple question as I picked up the call.
"So you still reflecting over there or what?" he asked.
Sounds about right. It's been six days since the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA title, and I'm still basking in the glory of championship euphoria.
I'm not even in full Texas Rangers mode yet, which is a rarity for me, considering spring training usually represents the time I'm in full baseball mode. But that's the power that this championship brings with it.
I'm heading to Dallas tomorrow for Father's day, and I'll be attending the Rangers game against the Houston Astros at 7:05 p.m. on Monday night. Maybe that will get me back into Rangers mode. Don't get me wrong. I'm still watching pretty much every game. It's been a while since I've blogged about DFW's pro baseball squad, though, because of the magical run by DFW's pro hoops squad.
I think Tuesday will be a good day to start blogging about the Rangers again. I'll have pictures from Monday night's game, along with a few thoughts from the matchup against the in-state rival Astros.
For now, though, it's still all about the reflecting.
This prophetic story, written by ESPN columnist Marc Stein on March 1, is fun to go back and read now. Another column from Stein, capturing the championship feeling from inside the locker room, and particularly from Dirk. My personal favorite of all the ones I read.
Dallas — In an attempt to predict how much of a chance the Dallas Mavericks have of repeating as NBA champions next season, I wanted to take a look at how the roster might look in 2011-12.
These players, from the primary rotation, are set to return: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Brendan Haywood, Rodrigue Beaubois.
These players, from the primary rotation, will be free agents in the summer of 2011: Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea, Caron Butler, Peja Stojakovic, Deshawn Stevenson, Brian Cardinal.
If I'm Mark Cuban, my first order of business this offseason, aside from continuing to enjoy the heck of out the NBA Championship, would be to start negotiating with Chandler. The 7-foot center is in the prime of his career at 28 years old, and was one of the most instrumental pieces to the championship puzzle. Chandler personifies coach Rick Carlisle's new philosophy of Mavs basketball, one that prides itself on lockdown defense. I expect Chandler to be back.
Barea's stock has flown through the roof after his incredible performances in the playoffs. It should be interesting to see how much money he will be offered this offseason, along with how many years. At age 26, the 6-foot speedster is just entering the prime of his career.
Butler's story carries some intrigue as well. How much money and how many years will the 31-year-old be offered after knee surgery? He should be ready to go to start next season, and the Mavs could be at an advantage to sign Butler if other teams shy away from the injury.
I think Cuban does what it takes to keep Chandler, but I'm not so sure about the rest. With Kidd due back to play out the last year of his contract, Barea would likely be a back-up next season in Dallas. He could certainly start somewhere else.
A sure-fire starting five next year would look like this:
1. Jason Kidd 2. Jason Terry 3. Shawn Marion 4. Dirk Nowitzki 5. Tyson Chandler
An optimal starting five next year would look like this:
1. Jason Kidd 2. Caron Butler 3. Shawn Marion 4. Dirk Nowitzki 5. Tyson Chandler
Check out a potential second unit:
1B: J.J. Barea 2B: Jason Terry (and Rodrigue Beaubois) 3B: Deshawn Stevenson (and Peja Stojakovic) 4B: Brian Cardinal 5B: Brendan Haywood
This could be a loaded roster if Beaubois, still only 23, matures into a regular rotation player, and if Butler re-signs and proves he's healthy. The Mavs obviously won the title without both players playing any minutes in the postseason.
The chances for repeating would likely be possible, but not probable. Oklahoma City isn't going anywhere, San Antonio probably has another one or two elite years left, and the Lakers will always be a factor as long as Kobe Bryant is around.
But if the Mavs bring back some players and look a bit into outside free agent signings, I like their chances just as much as anyone else next year in the West.
For now, next year's roster construction is pretty uncertain. I'll just go back to enjoying the title for now. Can't go wrong with that.
Dallas — A little more than two days have passed since the Dallas Mavericks hoisted their first NBA championship in franchise history, and the euphoric feeling hasn't started to fade away at all.
Much of the reason relates to how the Mavs took the title in the Game 6 clincher in Miami.
Nine Dallas players took the court Sunday night. And I can honestly look at each of those players and point to a critical contribution each of them made to the Mavs prevailing, 105-95, before a stunned crowd.
Think about that for a second. Nine players, all of whom made valuable contributions. The Heat also had nine players take the court. But Joel Anthony (0-for-2, 0 points), Juwan Howard (0-for-1, 0 points, turnover) and Mike Miller (0-for-1, 0 points) were largely ineffective, to the point that I don't even remember them on the floor.
I found it fitting that in consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had the ball behind the three-point line in the center of the floor. On both occasions, the Heat superstars dribbled around trying to juke Dallas defenders, with no intent to distribute. On both occasions, they pulled up for desperate three-pointers that clanked off the rim and missed.
The 2011 NBA finals can be summarized by this inexact study.
The Mavs don't try to single-handedly take over a game. They collectively take over a game. All nine of them. Here's what I mean:
Dirk Nowitzki: The finals MVP scored 21 points and grabbed 11 boards, after converting only one field goal in the first half.
Jason Terry: Arguably the best sixth man in the NBA, the Arizona product was the team MVP for Game 6, pouring in a game-high 27 points off 11-of-16 shooting. Terry doesn't slash to the net like he used to, but the 34-year-old's ability to stop on a dime and stroke the mid-range jump shot kept the Heat off balance.
J.J. Barea: Inserted into the starting lineup by coach Rick Carlisle in Game 3 to maximize playmakers on the floor, Barea responded with 15 points and five assists in the title-clinching contest.
Jason Kidd: The 38-year-old held steady with nine points and eight assists, and hit a mammoth three-point shot in the fourth quarter, as he's done for most of the playoffs.
Tyson Chandler: Plagued by foul trouble most of the game, Chandler still logged 30 minutes. He only had five points, but grabbed eight boards and was a crucial defensive presence inside.
Shawn Marion: The Matrix played stellar defense on LeBron James, who scored 21 points, but committed six turnovers. What more could you ask? Marion also put up 12 points and eight boards.
Deshawn Sevenson: Far from my favorite player, but the guy was incredibly clutch in the first half, draining three straight long-distance threes. The play where he stole the ball in the backcourt and pulled up for his second three was one of the most exciting plays of the finals. Stevenson shot 13-for-23 (56.5 percent) from long range in the finals and provided stellar defense against LeBron and Wade.
Brian Cardinal: Who doesn't love this guy? He played 12 minutes, drained a three from the corner and provided hustle and energy on both ends.
Ian Mahinmi: With Chandler in foul trouble and Brendan Haywood out with an injury, Mahinmi was pressed into action. The 25-year-old native of France contributed four points, including a momentum-swinging buzzer beater at the end of the third quarter that put the Mavs ahead by nine.
There you have it. All nine Mavs scored, but more importantly, all nine Mavs logged meaningful minutes. The Heat couldn't say the same.
That's what makes this title so special. It proves that three guys can't monopolize the league and make the NBA their personal puppet. Look, I have no problem with LeBron, Wade or Chris Bosh as players, but the way they were introduced in the preseason was one of the biggest disgraces in the history of sports. The over-the-top, pyrotechnic-like atmosphere at the Heat's arena, where fans were like 13-year-old girls, and the Big Three like Justin Bieber on stage performing, was laughable at best, especially now. Um, the season hasn't started yet. But we get the point. Arrogant, pompous, seven championships, yep, we got it.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, the Mavericks were working on constructing a championship-caliber team built around newly-signed Dirk Nowitzki, who didn't announce his new deal via an hour-long ESPN special. No, the Mavs were too busy working on defense, not which three of them would look best in a pointless preseason celebration.
Isn't it fitting, then, that the NBA season ended with the Mavs — all 15 on the roster, not just three of them — celebrating on the same stage in Miami where three overly-confident superstars acted like buffoons before a single game was even played? Only difference was this celebration was well-deserved, noble and inspirational.
It just goes to show, basketball is a team game. And just a suggestion: When you celebrate, don't make it a three-player, exclusive VIP party. The other players on the roster might feel left out. And don't make it before the season starts.
A better team from the Western Conference might come into your house, out-play you, out-coach you and show you the proper way to celebrate. At the end of the season, when it really counts.
Dallas — As a tribute to the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA championship, I'm dedicating this week in the Gametime in Arlington blog strictly to Mavs-related posts.
My typical observations about the Texas Rangers will have to take a back seat for now.
So yeah ... what a run. It's never felt this rewarding to put so much of my free time into one of my pro teams. I put 1,000 miles on the Accord in fewer than three days, just to be in Dallas when the Mavs clinched. Crazy? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely.
Everyone I've run into lately has asked about the trip. Friends at the gym. Co-workers. The guy behind the counter at Three Spoons when my co-worker Matt and I bought a celebratory, Mavs-inspired frozen yogurt. The guy who knocked on my door to deliver a package to my roommate (I've had the championship T-shirt on for two days ... it might need the washer by now).
I can honestly say driving in town for the series clincher was one of the most rewarding road trips of my life. Right up there with driving to Arizona with my college buddies for spring training in 2006, or booking it to New Orleans for the Final Four in 2003.
OK, everyone's talking about the poetic justice involved with the team-oriented Mavericks taking down the out-for-their-own Heat. And rightfully so. It's gratifying to know that the team whose superstar stayed loyal to his city and his teammates won an NBA championship over three superstars who thought they could win not one (or two, three, four, five or six) with teammates they found on the South Beach garbage pickup route. It proves basketball, like all of pro sports, rewards team unity over individual accomplishment, regardless of how pretty it looks. One nice dunk doesn't equate to hoisting a trophy. Five guys swinging the ball from side to side until the best shot presents itself proved to be a better formula.
All that said ... I haven't heard enough about the path the Mavs took to win this crown. Talk about one of the most legitimate championships in NBA history. Dallas defeated a rugged Portland squad that defended extremely well and fed off a raucous home crowd in the first round.
The Mavs shopped for brooms at Home Depot while pummeling the defending-champion Los Angeles Lakers, all while frustrating the hell out of several of their players (Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum in particular) and sending arguably the greatest NBA coach of all-time, Phil Jackson, into retirement.
Dallas then held off an up-and-coming Oklahoma City squad that should see plenty more appearances in the Western Conference finals, so long as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook play there.
And, finally, the Mavs iced the cake with taking down the prima donna, self-centered Heat.
Now that's what I call earning the ring.
Be back all week for more court-related title observations and what the future might look like for the Mavs after winning it all.
For now, I'm going to continue to enjoy this championship, and it may be a while until I finally hop off cloud nine. Oh, and I've always wanted to do this:
Dallas — So this is what it feels like for one of my teams to win a professional championship.
I can get used to this.
Never in my life had I witnessed one of my sports teams win a pro title until Sunday night, when the Dallas Mavericks took down the Miami Heat, 105-95, to hoist the NBA title trophy.
What a game. What a series. And, on a personal note, what a trip.
I decided Friday afternoon that I was going to drive to Plano on Saturday morning so I could be in Dallas for Game 6. I slept maybe three to four hours Friday night, woke up at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, and booked it 7.5 hours down I-35 to Texas.
Best idea? Maybe not, especially considering Game 6 was played in Miami, not Dallas. Maybe not, considering I wouldn't have been able to stay in Dallas to watch Game 7, had it been necessary, because of work obligations.
It's funny, though, what you'd do when pressed to make a quick decision with your favorite sports team on the brink of a historic moment. I had Saturday and Sunday off from work, and it ended up being the most rewarding road trip in my history of being a sports fan.
The Dallas Mavericks are NBA champions.
And I was in Dallas, at Lakewood's First and 10, with friends to witness the purest form of sports nirvana.
This is a story I will tell for the rest of my life. I'll reflect on how incredible it was to be a part of the atmosphere in Big D. I'll share the story, as I did on the phone with my good friend Brian, of how excited I was to glance out the window of my car at the intersection of 75 and 635, look at the Dallas city lights and know we clinched a title. I'll tell tales of my choice of attire, which was a newly-minted black 2011 Western Conference Champs T-shirt.
I'll speak of watching and enjoying the dominance of finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, who deserves a championship ring more than anyone else in basketball.
As my friend Drew and I practically shut down the bar, we sat there speechless at times until he broke the silence with a fact: "Dude, the Mavs just won the NBA title," he kept repeating. All I could do was shake my head in disbelief. It hadn't sunk in yet, and I'm still not sure it's sunk in quite yet. It's past 3 a.m. on Sunday night/Monday morning, and it's amazing I'm not more tired. Maybe it has sunk in a little bit.
I'll be proudly sporting my Mavs NBA champions T-shirt tomorrow on the drive back home. Don't ask how I already have one, a mere few hours after Dallas won. My mom has a friend who dropped them off after the victory as a gift. I'm rather glad she stopped by.
What does this mean?
First, it means Dallas won its first NBA championship in team history.
Second, it means Dirk elevated himself out of the category of best players to never win a ring, a category previously shared with the likes of Charles Barkley and Karl Malone.
Dirk is approaching monument-type stardom in Dallas. If you constructed a Mount Rushmore of Dallas sports athletes, it would have the faces of Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Dirk and Nolan Ryan. One could make the argument Dirk is the greatest Dallas sports athlete ever.
In terms of Dirk's all-time rank among NBA greats, I'd have to think he's approaching top 10-15 status after capturing a ring.
Dirk's a guy who's so easy to root for, especially in these finals with the competition being the Heat. I'm quite certain every city outside of Miami/Florida rooted for the Mavs. Dirk is easy to root for because he's a superstar who's been loyal to his team for the past 13 years. Plus, he didn't use an hour-long television special on ESPN to announce he was taking his talents to South Beach. No, he actually accepted less money than the open market would have demanded since he was an unrestricted free agent, and stayed with Dallas this summer.
Dirk deserves this. The city of Dallas deserves this. And I'm pretty sure the score reads as follows after my road trip: My decision 1, LeBron's decision 0.
Be back on soon for more thoughts on Dallas winning its first-ever NBA crown. Go Mavs.
At 7 tonight in Miami, the Dallas Mavericks have a chance to win the team's first NBA championship in franchise history.
I drove in this weekend from Lawrence so I could be in Texas in the event that title-clinching chaos ensues in Dallas. I'll be watching at a bar in Dallas with some of my high school friends.
One more victory is all that's required of the Mavs, who own a 3-2 series lead over the Miami Heat in what has to be considered one of the most thrilling finals in NBA history.
Tonight is going to be tough. The Heat are 9-1 at home this postseason, with the one defeat coming in Game 2 against the Mavs. Furthermore, Miami has lost two consecutive games, and you'd think that on the brink of elimination, we're going to get the Heat's best shot. The crowd is going to be jacked and primed to force a Game 7.
I think the best chance for the Mavs is to clinch tonight. A Game 7 would clearly favor Miami, playing at home again in the 2-3-2 format with momentum on its side.
But that's the kicker. In the scope of the series, Miami doesn't have much momentum at the moment. After losing Game 1, the Mavs have taken three of the past four games.
So what's the key for Dallas in Game 6? Here's a few that are on my mind:
• Continue to maintain a fourth-quarter edge. Dallas has outscored Miami, 118-104, in the fourth quarter of the series. Doesn't sound like much when you add up the five games, but three of the contests have come down to the final possession. That's been a clear advantage for Dallas.
• Win the superstar showdown. Dirk Nowitzki has performed considerably better than LeBron James in the finals, particularly in the fourth quarter. Dirk's fourth-quarter points this series: 52. LeBron's fourth-quarter points this series: 11. Shawn Marion has done a terrific job in using his length and athleticism to contain James to 17.2 points per game for the series.
• Provide scoring help for Dirk. In Game 5, the Mavs had five players score at least 13 points. Dirk had his normal-looking line, which is to say he played sensational: 29 points, six boards, 10-of-10 from the foul line, 9-of-18 from the field. But J.J. Barea, now in a starting role, scored 17 points and shot 4-of-5 from three-point land. Jason Terry poured in 21 points, including two vital three-pointers, one of which sealed the victory. Jason Kidd scored 13 points and was 3-of-5 from long-distance. It's going to be extremely difficult to replicate a 13-of-19 (68.4 percent) team effort from three, but if Dirk has help resembling Game 5 again, I like our chances.
• Keep it close. Sure, it sounds simple, but the last thing we want is Miami winning by a sizable margin. As the road team in a hostile environment, Dallas just needs to keep it close. The Mavs are 2-1 in games decided by three points or less in this series.
• Establish Tyson Chandler. We know the Mavs center will bring a defensive and rebounding presence rivaled by few. But his offensive production cannot be overlooked. The Mavs are 3-0 in these finals when Chandler scores in double figures. Conversely, they are 0-2 when Chandler scores in single digits. It would behoove Dallas to keep looking for Chandler for high-percentage buckets around the rim.
I can't wait for this game to start. In a recent blog post, I said win or lose, I wouldn't regret this trip. I stand by that statement. I have no problem doing crazy stuff in support of the Rangers and Mavs. But man ... just thinking about what a victory would mean for this franchise and for the city of Dallas is exciting in itself. And for this one night, I will get to witness the madness first-hand in the event of a victory.
Plano, Texas — That actually wasn't too bad a drive.
Roughly seven-and-a-half hours after leaving my house in Lawrence, I arrived at my parents' place in Plano at 2:15 p.m. Didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night, but I'm operating on pure adrenaline at the moment.
This was waiting for me as I arrived home. Thanks, mom.
I haven't made the Lawrence-to-Plano drive in years, probably my college days. Straight shot down I-35. As simple as one can imagine. I probably won't be complaining too much in the near future about paying tolls in Kansas. The highways in Kansas versus Oklahoma are night and day. The Kansas portion of I-35 was smooth and nicely-paved. Oklahoma, not so much.
I only made one stop, at Subway just outside of Oklahoma City. Really powered through the drive, thanks to a few phone conversations and switching up the CD's.
Should be meeting up with people for Game 6 tomorrow. It should be a heck of a time.
About to head out to Eddy V's downtown with mom and dad for a seafood dinner. I'm already glad I made the trip. Be back on later for game-specific thoughts.
With Saturday and Sunday off, I made a rather crazy decision on Friday afternoon: I'm heading down I-35 shortly to Plano so I can be in Dallas when the Mavericks take on the Heat in Game 6 on Sunday.
This is pretty crazy, with it being a seven-plus-hour drive and all, but what the hell? You only live once. Plus, this will surely be a story I tell for a long time, regardless of the outcome. Just like I did for the World Series. Sure, the Rangers lost to the Giants, but I don't for a second regret my trip back to Arlington to attend.
Game 6, of course, is in Miami, but Dallas is going to be absolutely insane if the Mavs pull this one off. I want to be there to witness it.
I don't know what it feels like to have one of my teams win it all. Kansas in 2008 doesn't count because of my unbiased position in writing about the Big 12. I've been close, though:
2002: Raiders lose in Super Bowl. 2006: Mavs lose in NBA finals. 2010: Rangers lose in World Series.
Maybe this year will be different. If it is, I want to be sure I'm in Dallas to take it all in.
Time to hit the road. I'll be back on the blog throughout the weekend. Go Mavs.
Here's an easy question to begin this blog entry: What is the main reason the Dallas Mavericks made it to the NBA finals, where they're deadlocked in a 2-2 tie with the Miami Heat in one of the most thrilling championships of all-time?
Answer: Clearly, it's the elite/clutch/other-worldly play of superstar Dirk Nowitzki, who's proven critics wrong throughout these playoffs in the most impressive two-month stretch of his brilliant 13-year Hall of Fame career.
Dirk's averaged 28 points and 8.1 rebounds in 19 playoff games, to go along with an insane mark of 163-of-174 (93.7 percent) from the foul line. He's shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.
He's been sensational. In both Dallas victories in the finals, Dirk has converted the game-winning layup. In Game 2 in Miami, he took Chris Bosh from the top of the key to the hole and muscled his way to a left-handed layup that cradled around the rim and dropped in the closing seconds. The fact that he had a broken tendon in his left middle finger didn't seem to matter at that moment. Then, in Game 4 in Dallas, Dirk took Udonis Haslem, noted for his lockdown defense, to the other side for a game-winning, right-handed layup. Same starting location. Triple-threat position at the top of the key. The fact that Dirk had a 101-degree fever didn't seem to matter at that moment either.
Dirk's been the Mavs' clear-cut MVP. Easy answer.
How about a more difficult question: What's the second-biggest reason the Mavs are playing in the NBA finals?
My answer: The inside presence, on both ends of the floor, of Tyson Chandler.
OK, so my Chandler man-crush in the Gametime in Arlington archives is obvious. I've praised the guy as the best Mavericks center ever, and also stated that the trade Mark Cuban made for him in July 2010 was the best trade in team history (need a refresher? Charlotte sent Chandler and Alexis Ajinca to Dallas for Matt Carroll, Erick Dampier and Eduardo Nájera...come on!).
Chandler deserves these bold claims, though. His impact extends beyond basic stats, which aren't too bad as it stands (in playoffs, 7.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, almost 2 blocks, 57.5 percent shooting from field per game).
Chandler's impact comes more from his ability to defend elite big men. His impact comes more from high-flying, alley-oop dunks that energize the team and the crowd.
Let's briefly look back at who the Mavs beat on their path to the NBA finals. Portland with LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby. Los Angeles with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Oklahoma City with Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka. These are mammoth front lines, particularly the latter two.
As a Mavs fan, I never really felt secure in the team's interior defense. Dallas hasn't really ever had a legitimate center to man up against elite post men (sorry, Erick Dampier, Shawn Bradley, Raef Lafrentz, etc.) Not until now, of course.
Fans frequently rip the NBA for its lack of defense, and part of those claims are fair, especially in the regular season. But you better be able to defend in the NBA playoffs. The Mavs, for the first time in years or maybe ever, possess one of the better defenses in basketball. The main reason is Chandler in the paint.
Dirk's performance against the Heat in Game 4 was nothing short of inspirational: 101-degree fever, 21 points, 11 boards, game-winning shot. But don't forget about the importance of Chandler, who scored 13 points and grabbed 16 boards, including nine on the offensive end. When Chandler has been on the floor this postseason, the Mavs are +80.
Now that Dirk is locked up for another two years, the first order of business after the postseason should be to lock up Chandler, only 28. If that happens, and defensive-minded Caron Butler returns from injury, the Mavs, despite their old age, could have another year or two left in the Dirk era to compete for the Western Conference title.
One of my friends shared a link on my Facebook wall that captured the Dallas Mavericks' epic comeback against the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Dallas, down 15 points with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, went on an incredible 20-2 run to win the game, 95-93, in Miami.
The improbable and incredible comeback by the Dallas Mavericks in their 95-93 stunner over the Miami Heat on Thursday had to be one of the most exciting finishes to a basketball game I've ever seen.
Dallas, trailing 0-1 in the NBA Finals, was down by 15 points with 7:15 remaining. Had the Mavs dropped Game 2, the next two home games would have been must-wins. Instead, they rallied and tied the series at 1-1. And it was one of the more astonishing comebacks I've seen in NBA playoff history.
I worked on Thursday night, so I didn't get to see the whole game. I listened throughout the telecast, followed it online and caught most of the final seven minutes on TV. I was mesmerized by what I saw.
Dirk Nowitzki continued to light up the court with dazzling shots. His three-pointer with just less than 30 seconds left gave Dallas a 93-90 lead. After Mario Chalmers tied the game with a three, the Mavs had the ball with 24 seconds left. Clearly, we were holding for one.
Dirk received the ball at the top of the key. With Chris Bosh defending, Dirk made a move to his right before spinning back to his left, and converted a left-handed layup with 3.6 seconds left. Pretty fitting, considering the tall German was playing with a torn tendon in the middle finger of his left hand. Didn't seem to matter on the final possession. In fact, Dirk made two layups left-handed in the final few minutes of Thursday's game.
There's something about this Mavs team that's different than previous editions. Something we saw in Game 4 of the Oklahoma City series, when the Mavs found themselves down 15 in the fourth quarter before forcing overtime and winning in OKC. Something we saw when Dallas swept the Lakers. Something we saw when Dallas recovered from blowing a late lead in Portland and closed out the series. With previous Mavericks teams, perhaps blowing that big lead against the Trail Blazers would have discouraged them.
Not this team.
This team doesn't let anything faze it; not rowdy fans, not the talent of Kevin Durant and the Thunder, or LeBron James and the Heat. I'm convinced it starts with defense. Credit coach Rick Carlisle for preaching and instilling quality defensive instincts with this group. It's given them a swagger and the necessary confidence to walk into a visitor's building and actually welcome the jeering from rowdy opposing fans. It seems like when the Mavs play on the road, they feed off every fan who tells them they're terrible, old and/or washed up. That's the difference with this Mavericks team.
Now, admittedly, when we were down 15 on Thursday in Miami, I didn't foresee a mammoth comeback on the horizon. But if there was a Mavericks team that could pull off such a comeback, this was the one.
On Tuesday, after the Mavs lost Game 1, they were slammed on talk radio. I listened to it on the way home and agreed with none of it. Now you see why. How can you be so sure of a series after one game?
I tweeted on Tuesday night after Game 1: "If we take game 2, it's a whole new series heading back to dallas. #mffl #gomavs."
Within minutes of the Dallas Mavericks dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, 92-84 in Miami, I was driving home when a late-night host on ESPN radio started analyzing the series.
If you're the Dallas Mavericks, the host said, tell me one positive thing you took away from Game 1. Tell me anything the Mavs did that would suggest they have hope the rest of the series.
I wish I was live in the studio so I could have put that guy in his place. One positive thing?
• The Mavs, for one, held a 44-43 lead at halftime and jumped out to a 51-43 lead to start the second half. This was a close game, despite Dallas shooting a chilly 37.3 percent from the field. Can't expect the Mavs to win every game, especially in Miami. The Heat haven't lost in their home building since April 6. That's nearly two months.
• Dallas, for two, played sound defense for the most part, especially for a road game. Holding Miami to 92 points, including 16 in the first quarter and 43 at halftime, is not too shabby.
It's amazing the snap judgment some of these talk-show personalities immediately formulate. It's one game. Chicago beat Miami in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, only for the Heat to storm back and take the next four games. Now, the Mavs won't do that, but calling for a fallen sky after the first game is ridiculous.
Of course, the Mavs remain the heavy underdogs. Teams that have won Game 1 of the Finals proceeded to claim the title 73.4 percent of the time, including 10 of the past 12 seasons. Dallas needs to rebound better, particularly on the offensive glass, where Miami held a 16-6 edge. Dirk Nowitzki revealed after the game he played part of the fourth quarter with a torn tendon in the middle finger of his left hand. He'll play going forward, but you have to wonder how much that will affect him, even though it's his non-shooting hand.
Yes, the Mavs have a lot of work to do if they want to hoist the trophy, but instantly dismissing them after one game is absurd. Let the series play out.
We'll see what happens in Game 2 on Thursday night in Miami.
