And the NBA crowns a deserving champion

As a dedicated anti-fan of the Dallas Cowboys and as a fan of the outclassed and vanquished LA Lakers, it was not easy to cheer for the Mavericks in the NBA finals. Or was it? The Mavs do represent an annoying portion of an annoying state after all. But, they have a roster made up of likeable players including familiar veterans and are owned by a crazy billionaire who has the passion of a fan. Also, they are anchored by a 13 year veteran of the league, a fun loving 7 footer who plays like a 2 guard. And, in the finals they were pitted against a team that defined arrogance and premature celebration. Sure, Jason Terry of the Mavs tattooed the NBA trophy on his arm last post season, but that was mere silly exuberance from a role player when compared with “The Decision” and braggadocios statements about not 6. OK, maybe it wouldn’t be too hard to root for the Mavs after all.

It wasn’t that hard to admit that the Lakers deserved to lose. They were blown out and fell apart in the process. Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players of his generation (and we happen to share a birth year) but he too often resorts to being a ball hog, making Lakers’ games difficult to watch. The Mavericks beat the Lakers in four straight in this year’s Western Conference Semifinals and it wasn’t even close.

Twice recently, the Mavericks lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs seeded first in the Western Conference, last year to the Spurs and in 2007 to the Golden State Warriors. In 2006, they made the finals and won the first two games, only to lose to the Miami Heat. These playoff failures branded the Mavs as chokers. Even with that reputation the Mavs have become playoff regulars, making it to the NBA’s playoffs every season since 2000, the year that Mark Cuban bought the team. Before that, the Mavs made the playoffs six times in twenty seasons. Eleven in a row is quite a feat.

In addition to finals MVP and 13 year veteran Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs also feature Jason Kidd, a hall of fame point guard who was drafted by the Mavs in 1994 before leaving 1996 and spending 12 years between the Suns and Nets before returning. They also feature Shawn Marion and Caron Butler, two excellent players who have been on many different teams. They also feature JJ Barea, a 5 foot 9 point guard who seems to be able to score on anyone and even guarded 6 foot 9 LeBron James for appreciable stretches.

What the Mavs are is a great team, one that deserved to win the NBA championship. They proved it by winning four series against top competition. They beat the defending NBA champion Lakers in four straight games. They beat two up and coming teams in the Trailblazers and the Thunder. And, as a finale they beat the Miami Heat, a team with three of the league’s best players put together by a person with five rings as a coach and one as a player. The Mavericks were easy to root for and they deserved to win.