Oh what fun it is to wtach these Mavs
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 May 2011
He doesn't have the rock star appeal of a Kobe Bryant. And he doesn't play for the Los Angeles Lakers, a glitzy franchise jaded with 17 NBA championships.
But I like Dirk Nowitzki just the way he is. A Dallas Maverick.
And so should you. I mean, what's not to like?
Dirk has the folksy charm of a country singer --- kinda cute, a little bit shy, but devastatingly talented. He makes the 3-point shot look easy like a lay-up. He shoots jumpers on one foot, fading away.
How many 7-foot forwards out there can do what the 32-year old Dirk has done, which is shoot lights out and consistently lead his team in scoring for 11 straight years?
Don't even bother counting, dude. There's nobody else.
The 245-pound Nowitzki is averaging 26.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in this postseason. In 10 playoffs games thus far, he hit 12 of 20 3-pointers, a stunning 60 percent. And he sinks free throws with his eyes closed, 89.9 percent.
Dallas, as a whole, is a pretty good-looking team. And if you think the Mavs are still soft, a label they got based on previous failures, think again.
THEY SWEPT LA, 4-0, in the West Semis, They took the bluster out of those Lakers, dulled their so-called Triangle offense, and embarassed the Zen out of Phil Jackson, whose last game as a coach was the indignity of a 122-86 defeat.
Besides Nowtzki, the other Mavs are just as fun to watch.
Like Tyson Chandler, a 7-foot-1, 235-pound center, who epitomizes the Mavs new-found toughness on defense. Chandler hauls rebounds by the buckets, he blocks and alters shots with his quickness, and his glare seems to tell opposing players -- "drive the lane at your own peril."
Still playing relatively heavy minutes, 33.6 per game, Jason Kidd is playing like a guy with a time machine in his garage. At 38, he is averaging 10.1 points and 7.2 assists per in these playoffs.
As if one Jason is hard enough to deal with, Dallas has two. The other one being Jason Terry. After the Mavs eliminated the Lakers last Sunday, Terry lavishly labeled himself as one the "three most prolific shooters in the game."
But who could argue? He scored 32 in that Game 4 and he sank 9 of 10 3-point baskets. For the math-impaired, that means Terry made 90 percent of the shots that he fired at least 23.8 feet away from the hoop. If that doesn't blow you away, you must be made of cement.
SHAWN Marion, DeShawn Stevenson, Brendan Haywood and ex-Sacramento King Peja Stojakovic make up the deadly explosive 9-man rotation of coach Ric Carlisle.
Like Terry, Stojakovic went wild in that fateful Game 4 versus the Lakers. He went perfect from the 3-point line, 6-forf-6 before ending up with a total of 21 points. You think he's done, eh?
And then there's JJ Barea, less than 6-feet tall but moves faster than the speed of a text message. He's like an apparition, disappearing on pick-and-rolls and pick-and pops. So fun to watch,
Yes, the Lakers are out of these playoffs, but these Mavs are a thrill to behold.
Catch them play. It will be worth your while. (HDS)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 21 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025