[Wizard of Os]

All right, folks, so heading into the final few laps of the NBA season, questions loom over Texas: How good are the Mavericks? Are they for real? And, despite indications to the contrary, why do we continue to doubt them?

The NBA's professional critics and armchair quarterbacks(?) alike generally continue to be, as standup comedians say, a rough room. Having proved nothing, their championship chances are, in the public's eye, essentially next to nothing.

Yet they win on and on, even in a crazy new way called "the comeback." They extended their home winning streak to thirteen by coming back from nineteen to beat the Grizzlies 97-87, and onto fourteen by coming back from twenty-four in the third to beat Toronto 115-113. Dirk Nowitski, suddenly clutch, scored eight in overtime.

Avery Johnson had a great quote: "There's something unique about this team." Yeah, Coach, and you're a big part of the specialness. The appearance of clutch play, team play, defense is due to you...Avery Johnson for Coach of the Year!

Allow me to be the first to declare the following:

The Mavericks WILL be in the NBA Finals this year.

And then the only question will be, "Can they stop the Pistons?" Think they'll be doubted again?

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by Wizard of Os

Avery Johnson had a great quote: "There's something unique about this team." Yeah, Coach, and you're a big part of the specialness. The appearance of clutch play, team play, defense is due to you...Avery Johnson for Coach of the Year!

Allow me to be the first to declare the following:

The Mavericks WILL be in the NBA Finals this year.

And then the only question will be, "Can they stop the Pistons?" Think they'll be doubted again?

Well, if Avery doesn't win Coach of the Year, I'll cry foul. Remember, this is the same Mavs team everyone wrote off as middle of the pack at the beginning of the season. Avery has done a phenomenal job.

Let's not forget that the Mavs and Spurs are currently slated to meet up in the second round of the playoffs. I am not convinced the Mavs are for real until they can get past the Spurs in the playoffs. Some may argue the Spurs are beat up. They are, but they are still right there with the Mavs and the Spurs know how to win in the playoffs. The Mavs are somewhat insecure when it comes to the Spurs.

[cjg11582]

I think the doubt comes from people's skepticism towards Eric Dampier's ability to stop Tim Duncan in the post. And Avery Johnson coach of the year? He has done a great job resturcturing the teams defense, but over Byron Scott? Really?

[jasonk005]

I think the Mavs will be in the finals, unfortunately they will loose to the Pistons. The Piston still run things in the NBA. Big Ben is a very mobile center, which is important for shutting down the perimeter play of the Dallas big guys.

[Nitch]

Originally Posted by jasonk005

I think the Mavs will be in the finals, unfortunately they will loose to the Pistons. The Piston still run things in the NBA. Big Ben is a very mobile center, which is important for shutting down the perimeter play of the Dallas big guys.

Yeah but his isn't starting center Desanga Diop is. Besides who will stop Dirk. Also the Pistons? The mavs beat them in by at least 30 this season and they beat them by ten in the preseason, Diop was killin it.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, Nitch

[Rick Robey]

once amare is assimilated, i like the suns.

and, to that point, d'antoni should be coach of the year.

[ThePundit]

Welcome Rick Robey. You're not the ex-celtic Rick Robey are you?

I would like to see the Suns win. They sure are fun to watch. Gun to my head though - I would still pick the Spurs. I don't know if the Suns can stop Tim Duncan in a big spot - but we'll see.

But I have to go with Mike Dunleavey as Coach of the Year. The Clippers are the biggest surprise in the NBA right now.

[jabbey]

I think that the Suns will have a pretty good shot in the playoffs once Amare comes back, if he is healthy. The Spurs are just lacking something, but they do have that heart of a champion. Should be interesting to watch.

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by jabbey

The Spurs are just lacking something, but they do have that heart of a champion. Should be interesting to watch.

That's exactly what scares me. Everyone says the Spurs aren't quite the same and are lacking something. The Mavs have won 19 out of their last 20 and the Spurs are still only one game back.

That's insane.

[Wizard of Os]

Now how can you convince a big mouth who talked smack about Dallas making the NBA Finals not to panic?

"We can't panic," said Marquis Daniels. "We still feel confident of where we are. All good things must come to an end."

Thanks, Marquis.

It's not just that the Mavericks have lost two in a row, including the end to their 16-game home winning streak.

It's not just that Boris Diaw (Boris Diaw? D'Antoni is a miracle worker) went for a triple double and helped shut down Dirk in the fourth on Sunday.

It's that the Dallas Mavericks are once again losing the games they need to win down the stretch. San Antonio and Phoenix. Need i say more? Maybe i'm pushing the panic button way ahead of time, but Dallas fans know.

Well, at least they beat the Lakers this year...

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by Wizard of Os

Need i say more? Maybe i'm pushing the panic button way ahead of time, but Dallas fans know.

Well, at least they beat the Lakers this year...

Easy to push the panic button when the Mavs are essentially repeating the last 4 seasons. At this point it's just mental. I'm telling ya.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Wizard of Os

Allow me to be the first to declare the following:

The Mavericks WILL be in the NBA Finals this year.

Wow... good call, Os. Back in FEBRUARY, no less! I take my hat off to you, my friend!