Go Mavs

OK, like all sports fans who were not already Miami Heat fans or just total LeBron fanboys, I was rooting for the Mavs. Not that I followed them or was a Dirk fan or a Mark Cuban fan (ok, I did like him as an owner, but when did he get so classy?). I was rooting against the Heat, period.

Of course, as the series went on, the Mavs became a compelling story. A bunch of veterans with no rings. Responding to a very tough loss in the 2006 finals. A real team. Let me repeat that one since it’s important, a real team.

So LeBron chokes, Dwayne shows little class, Dirk rocks, Jet is crazy good, Carlisle is the new “it” coach, and Jason Kidd finally gets a ring. Seriously good stuff.

But you just can’t beat Bill Simmons writing about this kind of stuff. I started to highlight my favorite quotes but there were just too many. So I’ll close with this quote:

When Dirk briefly disappeared under the arena after the final buzzer, presumably to cry and collect himself, it was the most genuine sports moment of the year. He barely made it, you could see him choking up. LeBron would have done it at midcourt in front of everyone, partly for effect, and maybe that’s one of the biggest differences between them right now. You play basketball for you and your teammates, not for everyone else.

It’s a team game after all…