It is rare in a world of so much pride, arrogance and immorality to see the old school characteristics of hard work, selflessness and determination rise to the top in the sports scene. Though there is no "I" in team, the last decade has many examples of stars trying desperately to do so.
Then in 2011 the Dallas Mavericks popped onto the scene.
After a heart breaking "choke" (and they did) in the 2006 NBA Finals followed by 4 more years of bitter playoff loses, owner Mark Cuban was determined to he could build a winning team with mature, veteran, proven players. He avoided the flash of the big free-agent signings and quietly assembled a team he believed in. Coach Rick Carlisle was brought in to establish a new culture of teamwork based on selfless play with one goal in mind - winning it all the old fashioned way.
At the same time, the Miami Heat were purchasing the rights to super stars like Chris Bosh and LeBron James to go along side Dwyane Wade and the arrogance quickly grew to unworldly proportions. On their own TV special, with pomp and circumstance, fireworks and smoke, they told everyone they were too good to be beat and would roll off the next 5,6,7, or even 8 titles in a row.
Meanwhile the Mavs faded into the background of the Western Conference behind the likes of the Spurs and the Lakers and few doubted the Mavs would do much.
But class, selflessness, determination and teamwork would soon prove the world wrong.
After beating the rough and physical Portland Trailblazers, they faced the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers and their stars of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Even I doubted it would last long. I was right...but in the wrong direction. The Mavs quickly destroyed them in a 4 game sweep.
Then came the Western Conference Finals against the upstarts from Oklahoma City with their new confident super star Kevin Durant, the leading scorer in the NBA. Everyone again knew this was the end of the road for the Mavs. Again, the Mavs prevailed in 6 games.
Finally, the Finals rematch was set against the arrogant Heat machine with home court going to Miami. Mavs were once again doomed and after losing badly in game one, it appeared as though history was going to repeat. Cocky, rich arrogance was looking to make fools of our beloved Mavs. We could barely watch and some of us (including myself) turned it off!
Final result - Mavs win their first title in 31 years 4 games to 2, completely dismantling the Heat in the 4th quarter of nearly every game. They outplayed them, outworked them, and outlasted them. The King and his men looked stunned, confused and dazed. Eventually they gave up and called it a series.
Goliath was slain and Dallas was about to parade around with his head.
Yes, it's true that many times good guys don't win. But in the case of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, JJ Barea, Tyson Chandler and the rest, the good guys DID win it all.
In the words of Dallas' game 6 star point guard Jason Terry, "God is good and He gave us a 2nd chance to come back and win it all again!"
Great job Mavs!
"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." Proverbs 16:5
© 2011, J. Brady
"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."
