The Mavericks

It's my first time writing a blog on the net and I am honored to do my first about the defending champion Mavericks. I am a lifelong fan of the Mavericks and of Dirk Nowitzki and I was so glad that they have finally won the championship last June. I am a die hard NBA fan and I do well in my analysis of how the teams and players might fare with the ever-changing environment in the NBA.

As a start, I will be looking back at the title run of the Mavs and how they did it.

Last June, the Mavs won the championship with an elite NBA superstar in Dirk Nowitzki along with the deepest roster in the NBA that composed of former All-Stars and productive role players. It was the perfect team that bolstered a fine-tuned offense that promoted ball-sharing and effective execution down the stretch while playing gritty and tough defense on the other side of the court. With Tyson Chandler on board, the Mavericks rode shotgun with his defense and intensity. Role players like Deshawn Stevenson, J.J. Barea and Brian Cardinal brought toughness, quickness and shooting on the floor while improving the chemistry inside the locker room. Jason Terry provided consistent scoring for the Mavs who came off the bench but performed like a star in crunch time. Jason Kidd with his high IQ and crazy passing skills converted score after score. Shawn Marion was the Matrix again with his athletic versatile performance and high-octane defense which suffocated the offense of the opponent's best wing/post scorer.

These Mavs players were the most complete players assembled on one team. But none of these players could ever hoist the championship trophy without their decade-long superstar in future Hall-of-Famer Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk carried the Mavs throughout his career with his unstoppable array of offensive skills while smartly contributing on defense and on the boards through his positioning and length. He provided leadership and motivation to his teammates and he delivered when his team needed him the most. He was ultra clutch throughout the postseason and did not shy away from the pressure in the 4th quarter. As his endless determination moved him to perform best than any other player, he was rewarded with his first champtionship and his mark in NBA and basketball history

Analysts and critics before the start of the playoffs looked down on the Mavericks thinking they would again fall and compile those playoffs disappointments. They have their points. The loss to Miami 5 years ago, the epic loss the the Warriors in 2007 and the 1st-round exits despite the top seeds they won in the regular season. As a Mavericks fan myself I was disappointed on how successful regular season performances would end up in playoff demise.

Look at the path to the Mav's playoff run. The 6th seed Blazers that no one wanted to face because of their length and momentum at that time. Game 4 reminded us of how the Mavs were disappointments in them but Game 6 proved them worthy of winning the series. Next were the champion Lakers whom I know every human being in the world other than Dallas fans that the Lakers are an impregnable team, and they have of course you-know-who. But look at the Mavs. They burned every Laker defense will long-range precision while taking down the sides of the triangle offense led by the legendary Zen Master. In the West Finals, the upstart Thunder came roaring in game 2 with the offensive prowess of Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook along with the youth, athleticism and potential of a rising NBA power. The Mavs used their experience and depth to bring them down in 5 games. And in the biggest stage in the NBA Finals, no one knew how to challenge the Miami Heat with its Big Three in Bosh, Wade and the game's best player, James. But with roster depth, experience and clutch by the Mavs, no one saw it coming. But the Big Three was taken over by Big D. After that Game 6 buzzer, you know who's hoisting that Larry O'Brien trophy.

Looking back at these players and how they performed along with how the management, the fans and the whole Mavs organization who did everything to win it all, you and I know they deserve this all along.