Last year around this time I was writing a euology for the Dallas Mavericks. They had just been knocked out of the second round of the playoffs by the Suns, and another slightly-above-average season was in the books for the Mavs. Throughout the Mark Cuban era, we've been perennial 50 game winners, but never really broke through to elite status.
Ohhhhhhh what a difference a year makes. Cuban and the Donnie Nelson stopped tinkering with the roster, and even though we lost Nash (who went on to win two straight MVPs in Phoenix, at least one of them questionable) and did not pursue Shaq, the Mavs actually ended up with one of the most versatile and athletic rosters in the league. It's a roster that is good enough to beat both Phoenix and Miami and ironically those are the two teams standing between Dallas and the title.
My list of good and bad signs were heeded quite well it seems. A full year of Avery Johnson (who turned out to be a brilliant coach) at the helm did indeed whip the Mavs into shape. While we probably won't ever be known as defensive stalwarts, we can get stops and rebound with some consistency. Most importantly, Dirk did not lie when he pledged to get right and work his ass off in the offseason. Not only is he having an absolutely unconscious playoff run (capped off by a 50 point explosion last night, more on that later) you can tell he's really matured as a player and as a leader. He's figured out how to affect the game without scoring (passing, rebounding, defense), and he knows what to say to his teammates and when to say it. The Diggler even has a sneering, tongue-baring new attitude that the team, especially the younger guys, feeds off of.
*****
In January 1994, the Dallas Cowboys of Aikman, Smith and Irvin met the Giants at the Meadowlands for all the regular season marbles. A division title, a first week bye and home field throughout the playoffs were all on the line. In the second quarter, Smith suffered a separated shoulder, but after missing only two snaps continued to play the game. By the end, Emmitt had rushed for 168 yards on 32 carries and added 10 receptions for 61 yards. During the game winning drive in overtime, he accounted for 41 of the Cowboys' 52 yards. All of this despite excruciating pain and with one arm hanging limp by his side. This article by Ed Werder of the Dallas Morning News is a great recap.
(Some of my favorite quotes: '"He told us in the huddle to make sure we ran behind him so someone could pick him up," offensive lineman Nate Newton said.' and '"Jimmy told me to go in," [backup running back]Coleman said, "but Emmitt told me to get out"')
Emmitt's performance that day left an indelible mark on me. For years it defined guts and will and athletic excellence. Whenever someone would bring up other great performances, like the Jordan flu game, I would always counter with Emmitt's game that day against the Giants. He (literally) singlehandedly willed the Cowboys to victory, and we would go on to win a second straight Super Bowl.
There hasn't been too many moments in Dallas sports since to challenge Emmitt in 94, but I do believe we finally have a contender. Dirk's playoff run this year has been just as inspiring, just as amazing, and hopefully will end in the same way with a title. I could've picked game 7 against the Spurs as Dirk's moment, but then he went and decided to destroy the Suns by himself last night, so I'm gonna have to fudge a bit and give him the entire playoffs as his moment. During the game itself, it was easy to get lost in the ebb and flow and miss the enormity of what Dirk was achieving. All I cared about was that we come back, build a lead and get some stops. It wasn't until we had a comfortable lead and Dirk reared up for that last 3 to hit 50, that I realized I was witnessing (sorry Lebron) something truly great. In perfect refuse-to-lose, carry-my-team-and-the-fans-to-a-higher-place fashion, Dirk has at last affirmed his and the Mavs' place among the NBA's elite.
*****
The ride has been amazing so far. The Mavs have given us a little bit of everything. We've totally dominated (4-0 sweep of the Grizzlies), we've been up (fighting to a 3-1 lead against the defending champ Spurs), down (losing that 3-1 lead, then losing a 20-point lead in game 7), and fought back with our backs against the wall (winning game 7 in OT, Dirk last night). We've also had a dose of unintentional comedy with the whole Hasselhoff subplot. Our hope is genuine, and our chances are real, here's to the ride and to seeing it to through the end.
Go Mavs.
*****
"Jimmy told me to go in, but Emmitt told me to get out."
--Lincoln Coleman (I couldn't resist)
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