And so it ended. I can't really describe the emotions I'm feeling today. It's a mixture of shock, anger, disappointment, disillusionment and God know what else. It wasn't supposed to end this way. The Mavs Nation is searching for answers today. We were going to prove to the world that last year was an aberration and this team had character and talent to win it all. The regular season went a long way towards (we thought) proving that. I couldn't fathom why people didn't believe in the Mavs. Were they even watching the games? Because if they were, surely they would see the clinical way the Mavericks were defeating their opponents. Good defense and a great offense. In fact, the only team in the league to finish in the top 10 of both offense and defense. We had a deep bench, a young Coach of the Year at the bench, and a legitimate MVP candidate leading the team. So why would anyone doubt the Mavs? Today, I'm humbled and must give credit to everyone who attacked the team. Turns out they were right. The whole regular season was just a mirage. The Mavs got exposed when it mattered. They don't have the character needed to win. They are mentally and physically soft. Collectively, they are a failure. So I've come away with a few thoughts from this:
-Dirk will never lead the Mavs to a championship by himself. Dirk is a great player. It's time for me to accept that he's just not an ELITE player. A top 5 player. The kind of player who can will his team to victory by himself. Dirk disappears in the playoffs. Oh he's a great player so he will occasionally have good games (like Game 7 of the Spurs series last year, or the closing minutes of Game 5 this year). But overall, he will not make a defining impact to a series. So the Mavs must make a tough decision. Option one, they need to surround him with a player who is everything that Dirk is not: a leader, fierce competitor, unafraid of taking it to the basket, and a defensive presence. That means a player in the mold of Wade, Kobe, or Duncan. This is highly unlikely to occur. Those players are simply not available to be had. So that brings us to option 2: Trade Dirk. It has to be a realistic and practical trade. You can't trade Dirk for Wade, because Miami will simply laugh at such an offer. You have to find a player that is comparable to Dirk's talent, but also in a similar boat as Dirk. Someone like KG. He's never had success in the playoffs either. Perhaps a change of scenery would do BOTH of them good. I don't think Minnesota will trade KG to Dallas straight up for Dirk, so the Mavs will have to sweeten the deal.
-We need a real point guard. Jason Terry makes terrible decisions on the court. He can become too selfish, and can fall in love with the jump shot. Kidd can be had with the right trade offer. I'd go after him.
-Avery is too inexperienced. He got totally out coached by Nellie in this series. He was so afraid of Nellie-ball that in game 1 he started a small lineup. Right then and there the series was lost. The Warriors knew they were in Avery's head and that he was afraid. Instead of the number 1 seed dictating terms to the 8th seed, it was the other way around. Avery also imploded (along with his team) in last year's Finals. He didn't handle the downward spiral well. I think Avery will become a great coach in the league someday. He's simply not ready right now and needs more time being mentored. Dallas needs to let him go.
The whole city of Dallas is in a depression right now. Such a terrible feeling. Don't really look forward to next year at all.
)...they will have to do a whole lot better in the bay area if they want to push this to 7...dirk is slowly getting better although he is nowhere near the offensive force he is capable of being....
