Posted by By Shawn Williams – Dallas South News Editor
I’ve watched more Mavericks games in the last two weeks than I have in the last two years. As a matter of fact, we even invited a few friends over to watch Saturday’s game vs. the Bulls. The last time that happened was the 2006-2007 season.
It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon of a team who has now won 12 straight games. But it’s more than that. The team that’s on the court now has sufficiently distanced itself from the 2005-2007 version of the Mavericks. So everytime I see them I’m not thinking of the heartache that those teams caused. As a matter of fact, one of my first blog posts ever was a lamentation over the Mavs collapse in the NBA Finals.
The trade for Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson has also made the team younger and more athletic. The Mavericks had gotten boring. Shawn Marion and Drew Gooden just didn’t do it. But now that you push Shawn Marion a little further down the depth chart (or need to take a shot chart) I like him a lot better. And I don’t think anyone believed (though some of us hoped) that Haywood would have the impact he has had. I can’t wait to see he and Dampier on the active roster at the same time.
Jason Kidd is playing a brand of basketball that many have never seen before. His court awareness has risen to ESP levels this season and his 3 point shot is something opposing teams have to account for. And Dirk is even more Dirkish than usual. JET Terry was just starting to find his shot when he took an elbow to the dome to put him out of commission for a little while. Even Rodrigue Beaubois has gotten a little extra playing time in recent weeks rewarding Coach Carlisle’s decision with more points and less turnovers.
As much as I wanted to see him get it back together here in Dallas, it was time for Josh Howard to go. The off the court problems that dogged he and the team have been the Horton in the room for far too long. I think we can all say that Josh gave us some great times on the court, but his unwillingness to drive to the basket more often made us all a little crazy.
Anyway, when I turn on the T.V. I want to see a team that competes on both ends of the court and displays energy and passion throughout the game. So this season, I’ve enjoyed watching Oklahoma City rise even though their defense (especially Kevein Durant’s) could use a little work.
So the Mavs are back on the short list of things I look forward to seeing on T.V. Spring is just a little bit better with and exciting Mavs team. Hopefully they can take the season into June.
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