Streaks

Last night was about streaks.


The run of seven Rangers/Mavericks identical outcomes ended. Rangers beat Seattle 6-4 but by that time, the freefall in Pheonix had already started.

Before last night, Dirk had scored 20 points or more in 42 consecutive games. That streak is over.

And then there's this kind of streaker. (Note: You Tube will warn you about nudity. Don't worry. It's not sexual. And it's all male.)

A few other notes from last night:

Apparently, Avery's wife is as much as fighter as he is.

I was so stunned I just sat there after the game and watched post-game interviews. Our guys did us proud in those interviews.

• D'Antoni said words like "special" and "precious." Avery uses words like "rebound" and "defense." One of those two guys sounds like a basketball coach.
• Both Avery and Dirk used the "next question" answer last night but both had good reason to do it and only did it once.
• When an FSN Phoenix reporter gave Jerry Stackhouse a question that amounted to multiple choice regarding why the Mavs lost, Stackhouse said, "We're not going to make excuses when we lose. They were a better team tonight. They beat us. We're going to accept that and get ready for the next game."
  
• Josh Howard said they let this one "slip away" and let Game 1 "slip away." I think that's this team's mentality. They're not thinking that they're up against this big giant who they can't stop. They all believe they can climb this mountain and it's up to them to do it. They act like the outcome is in their hands, not hinged on whether the Suns shoot better than 50 percent or something.

My prediction? The Suns have stirred up a hornet's nest. Mavs win the next two.

Catching Up

I've become such a blog addict that being out of town for three days has really thrown me off. Here are a few thoughts to catch me up:

1. 95-88! Whoda thunk we could hold the Suns to 88 points! Heck, I figure if we hold them under 100, we have a good chance to win.

2. There's lots of talk about the Suns being tired. Sure, I agree that they've had a long playoff run and a lot of injury and their bench is short. But let's not count on Stevie Wonder going quietly because he's tired. Please.

3. The Rangers/Mavs win/loss streak has extended to 7. Rangers play Seattle tonight in Arlington. First pitch at 7:05. Game 4 tips at 8:10.

4. I watched Game 3 at the bar in a Buffalo Wild Wings in Pearland, TX. Even though I don't like wings, I'm now a fan of Buffalo Wild Wings.

5. Got the coolest gadget from WalMart.com this week. It's a little stick that plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car and plays mp3s from a flash drive! It'll also play from an iPod or other mp3 player with a 3.5 mm jack. Unfortunately, my phone/PDA/mp3 player has a smaller jack which makes it hard to integrate with car stereos, home audio, etc. But that's the genius of this thing - I just drag and drop audio files onto the flash drive and plug it in. It plays them via FM radio frequencies over your radio (so you probably lose a little quality but it's really not that bad). It has limited features (no shuffle or track display) but it works for me. Check it out here.

Bethany's First Gallery

I interrupt this Mavs playoff coverage to bring you a photo collage by Bethany Sanders. My daughter took her first photos today. Some of them turned out pretty good, I would say. Good enough for me to proclaim her an art prodigy. Enjoy them now because soon you may have to pay $1,000 a piece for them.

My tie and fat belly.


Zach is worried. His foot is poised to attack.


Not sure how she did this.


Look at the way this is framed! Genius.


Feets!


Still life.


Um...she shoots what's eye-level.

There's a more flattering shot of Mom.


And Dad.

Laying Blame

I have a bad feeling that we're going to get really tired of seeing Nash hit big shots during this series. Did I not warn the team with my pre-game post about that? His two threes in the last two minutes of play looked exactly like the daggers he used last year. I love him but I want to hate him.

But the real blame for last night's loss can only be placed in two places: me and the Texas Rangers.

I did many things wrong: bet on the game, failed to wear Mavs gear, and worked during the game in an AAC suite. Not good. A real fan would have stuck with what brung us.

And the Rangers lost a day game yesterday. Thanks to Andy for discovering this trend: the last five times the Mavericks and Rangers have played the same day, the result has been the same.

Game Face

Getting serious about tonight's game. I'll be at the arena for this one and I've got some money on it so I'm way into it (as if I wasn't already.) A few thoughts:

• It occured to me today that our road to the Finals may very well run through Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, and Shaquile O'Neal.
• In the last 15 seasons, the team who won Game 1 of the Conference Finals won the conference 91 percent of the time.
• Four seven-game series makes for an awefully long playoff season. That's a possible 28 games - more than a third of a regular season.
• Let's not hate on Stevie like we did on Fin. Steve is a good guy. I wish we had him back.
• Not to be negative here, but what Mavs fan isn't still haunted by Stevie's three at the end of Game 6 last year? Let us not do that again.
  

A few more Mavs/Spurs photos before we move on...

He-man.

Josh got all growns up.


Now, tell me again, Spurs fan, how this wasn't a foul.


What will TNT do during dead balls if they can't show Eva?

Another pic of Dirk scoring over Manu. Familiar sight.


That's neat-o.

Happy.

Happy off-season, boys.

Game 7...OT...In-State Rivals....What Could Be Better?

In the annuls of NBA history, last night will rank among the most memorable.

• Only one other team has ever won a Game 7, on the road, in overtime.
• Before last night, the Mavericks had never beaten the Spurs in a playoff series.
• Only 15 percent of Game 7s in NBA history have been won by the visiting team.

A few observations about the Spurs:

• I was thrilled to see Manu Ginobili make the bone-headed move to cost SA the game. The only thing that Pop said in the huddle before that play that tied it at 104 was "don't foul." Manu hit the big 3 to take the lead but then he committed that foul. The only way that could have been sweeter is if Tony Parker had been the screw-up.
• I really feel sorry for Michael Finley. Let's remember, he is not the one who decided to leave Dallas. He also didn't ask to get punched in the crotch. He's always been a class act and, even though his new teammates have rubbed off on him a little, he whines less than most other Spurs. As a fan that watched Fin in the "green jersey years" when he was the only bright spot, I feel sorry for him that he went to play for the world champions and now gets beaten by his old team. Fin, I'll continue to wear your jersey with pride. (wiping away a tear....)
• I don't feel so sorry for Duncan. And I have a prediction: Looking back on his career in a few years, Duncan will realize that he never won an NBA title without David Robinson. With the Admiral gone and the Little General on the other bench, Timmy couldn't keep his boat afloat. (Yes, I wrote that.)

A few observations about the Mavs:

• Do free throws get any more clutch than the one Dirk hit to send it to overtime? Fire for brains, man. Fire for brains!
• I loves me some DeSegana "You're-not-se-gonna-back-me-down-Timmy" Diop. Everybody say "Diop! Diop!" (Also, Diop is hard to type.)

A family affair:

• All four members of my family were dressed for battle last night: I wore the Finley away jersey. Christine wore the Nash home jersey (yes, we specialize in jerseys of former Mavs). Bethany wore her Mavs cheerleader outfit. And Zach donned the Mavs onsie. It was fun but, in the light of day, I wonder if it was good family bonding or just pathetic. (Also, of the four outfits, I beleive Zach managed to spit up on three.)

Game 7

Get used to seeing Mavs celebrating. Tonight, a shift will occur in the NBA Western Conference. From now on, the road to the Finals goes through Texas a little further north than in years past.

Fine Me

Whatever favors the refs did for the Mavs in Game 4, they equaled with favors for the Spurs in Game 5. The officiating was detestable and if it didn't decide the game on the play pictured above (or any of a dozen others), it certainly decided the game in the final second when Dirk had a wide-open layup and Bruce Bowen grabbed his shirt and pulled him down. Does anyone think that, if he's not interfered with, Dirk doesn't make that shot? If Bowen doesn't touch him, Dirk gets the put-back and Mavs win by one. But the refs swallowed their whistles and decided the game.
Before anyone freaks out, just remember I went on record after Game 4 (see below) saying that the refs probably cost San Antonio that game. I'm not saying that the refs are biased. I'm just saying that they suck. They suck horrifically in favor of the home team in each game. There's the power of the regular season.

Get In Here

Thanks to Steve Hayes for this wonderful gem. Let's all keep a close eye on Get In Here Ministries, especially Chaci's triple-fake hair. Watch the videos and remember: Sing it, don't speak it.

Game 4 Notes

You know, I didn't intend for this blog to be all sports, all the time, but during the Mavs playoff run, it's shaping up that way. Those of you longing for insightful essays on faith, culture and geopolitical economics, you'll just have to wait.


I hate to bring the virtual room down after the big win last night but there are a few things that left a less than delightful taste in my mouth:

1. Man, did the calls go our way! That one blocking foul they called on Duncan in the final minutes of regulation was bogus. Then they tacked on a T. If I were a Spurs fan I would be seething about that right now. Maybe it's karma for all the whining San Antonio does. But if that call had been made against the Mavs, the NBA fines would be flying this morning!

2. Were our guards wearing neck braces? Apparently, they couldn't turn their head to see Manu Ginobili sneaking up to pick their pockets. He did it like five times and we're just lucky he got called for fouls on two or three of them. Jet, Quisy, Josh: listen to me. When you get a rebound in the lane, there's going to be traffic. Some of the guys running past you will be wearing different colored shirts and they might take swipe at the ball.

3. I thought we were supposed to be a big, bad defensive vice. All the Spurs were doing is what they normally do - get the ball to Duncan on the block and from there he either takes a mini-drive to the hoop, kicks out to an open shooter, or gets the ball to Parker who dives down the lane. Do they keep a stat on number of defensive stops per game? Because I bet we got way fewer stops than average last night. The score at the end of regulation was 111-111.

4. Dampier played hard but I think we could have used more minutes from Diop. When Damp fouled out, we only got better. Of course, then Diop fouled out...

5. Dirk had 28 points and was a big part but he wasn't THE man. I want Dirk to be THE man. I would feel way better about this game if our star had stepped up and hit the big shots to win the game last night rather than knowing that we stole it by Jason Terry hitting a rafter-bouncing, 20-footer over Duncan with the shot clock on his back.

6. The whole game I felt like we didn't have control and didn't win it on our own merits. We seemed to have a lot of help from God and Dick Bavetta.

7. From here on out, it's all about attitude. If the Mavs start to believe that there's no way SA can win three in a row, they'll lose the series. If the Spurs get so frustrated that they throw their hands up, they'll lose the series.

8. Finally, Barkley. I tend to like Barkley. I mean, I think he knows what he's talking about and he doesn't take himself too seriously. But the man has such an anti-Mavs bias, it's ridiculous. I believe it has been well-documented through the years. He doesn't like Dampier. He is only now starting to believe that Dirk isn't a flash in the pan. And he's not sold on the coaching skills of the NBA Coach of the Year. Last night at halftime, he said he thought that whoever wins the game would win the series. After the game, he said he thought San Antonio would come back and win the series. Maybe if the Mavs make it to the finals this year and beat Detroit in four games while wearing ankle weights and blindfolds, then he'll say Dallas is a good team.

Breaking News

Your winner here at the 2006 EDS Byron Nelson Championship is...Brett Wetterich. Those of you who took Brett and the 208-to-1 odds, congratulations. Hopefully, you got back some of the cash you lost on Brother Derek.

On another note, I have breaking news to pass on. If I thought there were more than four people in the universe who ever read this blog, I would consider it terribly irresponsible to publish this. In fact, I really can't publish all I know but here's a half-scoop: a University of Texas football player was arrested today in possession of five pounds of marijuana. As one reporter here said, "that's more than you would need for medicinal purposes if you had glaucoma for the rest of your life." For the guy's name and details, watch tomorrow's Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Oh, and one final thing: I'm pretty sure both Wetterich and Trevor Immalman were crying while playing 18. Also, Trevor wore makeup and a giant Nike beltbuckle today.

Late addition: In the interview room, Brett just said he believes in signs. Like he heard bagpipes on 18 last night. Wonder if he offered to spank the guy. (For more on kilt-spanking, visit Matt Mosley's column referenced below.)

Mother's Day Quick Hits

Believe it or not, shuttling between the greenside luxury villa and the snack-ridden, air-conditioned, plasma-screen-equipped media room at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship all week has worn me out. I know it's not ditch-digging but it's numbing. Plus, I had to spend a tremendous amount of emotional energy getting the Mavs a win last night. So here is some scattershooting from my weary sports brain this morning.

Mavs stole that one last night. I don't want to say we shouldn't have won (yes, I said "we") but we got some favorable calls at the right times.






Last night makes two games this series in which Jerry Stackhouse has committed serious brain-farts. I liked his attitude after the first flub and forgave him for it. If this one had cost us the game, I shall have been very put-out.

According to independent research, Terry Bradshaw is the most influential sportscaster in the U.S. This is an unsettling commentary on our culture.

Trevor Immelman opted for the all-white uniform during yesterday's third round at the Nelson. A bold young man.





The Dallas Morning News' Matt Mosely does a way better job of scattershooting than I do. Read his column here.

There's a Red Pant in the media room that looks just like President Gerald Ford. Also, Gerald Ford Stadium at SMU is not named for the former president.

Nelson staff announced late yesterday that tee times today would be delayed until 9:30 and players would go off on 1 and 10 in threesomes. I had breakfast on my patio this morning. Partly cloudy and mid-70s. Betcha they wish they had that one back.

Today's final pairing will be Immelman, Adam Scott, and Brett Wetterich...who?

Two of the three have funny accents.

A South African accent is harder to immitate than British or Australian, in my opinion.

I offered the great Chris Yates $10 if he would call Adam Scott "mate" during his post-round interview. I've got a feeling he might have done it but he's going to have to prove it with video to get the coin.







Speaking of accents, there's this: Somewhere during the second quarter of last night's game, I realized that at some point, we could have had Devin Harris (Wisconsin) guarding Michael Finley (Wisconsin); Josh Howard (Wake Forest) guarding Tim Duncan (Wake Forest); and Tony Parker (Europe) guarding Dirk Nowitzki (Europe). Coincidence?

Welcome to Awesometown!

Wow. The Spurs heads must still be spinning this morning. What the heck happened? The Mavs didn't pour in a ton of threes. No Spurs fouled out. There weren't an inordinate amount of turnovers. Maybe the box score will reveal more but it just seemed like the Mavs gradually, methodically built a lead by getting good shots and allowing only so-so shots. Hmmm. Sounds like good basketball. Last night reminded me of one of the first games of the season against the Pistons - a game I attended - in which the Mavs built a 20 point lead at halftime and shallacked the Eastern Conference leaders by almost 40 by the time the night was over. Goes to show what this team is capable of when they put it all together. Now comes another test of their mental toughness. Will there be a let-down when they come home after that whipping?

One that got away

I am a Jerry Stackhouse fan. I've always thought he's a good talent and a great teammate. And I still think that. He blew it on the final play of yesterday's game, but he kept the Mavs in it throughout the game. I'm forgiving him for that flub. I also can't blame Avery for going to him. He had been so hot the whole game. I'm all about staying with the hot hand. From what I've heard, that play was set up to go through Dirk to Stack. Sounds perfect to me. So we choked on that one in San Antone. An opportunity missed. We can't afford to many more of those. Let's hope the team improves because of it.

One note about fouls. Even without the legendary say-nothing Bill Walton telling us, anyone could see that the Spurs are floppers and whiners. Every time they were whistled they complained. And every time there was contact with a Mav (and sometimes when there wasn't), they flopped. They got some of those calls but at least once I saw the ref refuse to call a push that probably should have been called as if to say, "Manu, ever heard the one about the chico crying lobo?" And of course, he whined about not getting that call. By contrast, the Mavs don't whine. You can see their frustration with the officiating at times, but I don't remember any run-to-the-ref-with-outstretched-arms-and-puppy-dog-eyes whining. More often, the Mavs slap the ball in disgust, bite their tongues, and get back on defense. I'm sure Avery has coached them not to whine. I heard the Musers this morning talking about how both teams complained about the refs - saying the Spurs whined on court and Avery complained in the post-game. Actually, I like that. I'm betting Avery has told the team, "You don't complain about the refs. If there are complaints to be made about officiating, I'll make them." There were. And he did. He didn't blame the loss on the officials. But he did point out some mistakes. And it came from the coach after the game, not the players during the game. Again, I'm impressed with his leadership.

If we lose this series, it'll be because of execution, not coaching. Pop is good and his team has a lot of poise because they've been in tight playoff games before. But Pop's team doesn't show the discipline that the Mavs do. That final play might be a microcosm of the series - good game plan poorly executed because the Mavs players weren't bigger than the moment. Let's hope it doesn't play out that way.
Enough rambling. Bring on Game 2!

First team done with the first round. Good times in Dallas. But here's my worry:
It seems like right now everything is going the Mavs' way. Phoenix and SA are struggling. Even if they get past round one (which the Suns probably won't), they'll be tired and beat up and we'll be rested. Plus, our team is peaking and we're getting most everyone back from injury. Dirk is stepping up and being a leader. And the new coach's considerable cred has been emphasized by his Coach of the Year award. I heard someon on the radio this morning call it "the perfect storm". Everything is coming together to make this the year that the Mavs win it all - or at least get a relatively easy path to the finals against a scary Detriot team. All that is awesome and I'm so very jazzed about our chances. But let me be the first to say that, in my opinion, it's now or never for the Mavs.
If we don't win it all this year, this incredible wave we're riding is going to die out over the summer. If Dirk doesn't get it done this year then there will start to be more questions about whether he's capable of getting it done at all, and some of the role players will start to get a little big for their britches. And most importantly, the coach's mystique will suffer. Avery is very intense which is a big reason we're as good as we are. But I fear that over time, the effectiveness of his intensity will wane - either because he can't keep it up or because the players start to tune him out. And it will be a lot easier to tune him out after a dissapointing end to the season.
Right now, we're riding this incredible upswing in momentum. We've been improving, making better playoff appearances, for a few years. It's working out just like it's supposed to. Things couldn't be better.
It won't stay that way. We won't sweep through 12 more games to the championship. Things will get rocky and I just hope we can maintain the momentum through the uphill grinds long enough to reach the top.
So my point is this: I think this is the Mavs' golden opportunity. It's the perfect storm. It's the chance of a lifetime (or a franchise). We've got to take advantage of it because we may not ever have this kind of momentum again.

I should write more

I'm such a snob. I was reading some fairly obscure stuff on CNNMoney.com today - a series of short interviews with rich/famous people, each with its own byline. Likewise, since I've taken a new job, I've been introduced to several publications - mostly trade and travel magazines - that I didn't know existed. As I'm reading this kind of stuff, I'm thinking "I could write this" but I never really persued freelance assignments like those because it takes a lot of time to market your writing to all those places, and because, well, I think I figured I would rather spend my time writing something "bigger", like the novel which still isn't published. Anyway, I realize now that I might have "bigger"-ed myself out of some good writing gigs.