Dallas Mavericks 102 def. Atlanta Hawks 91

Check out our in-game conversation HERE

An unbiased side-by-side photo comparison

Something about facing Mike Bibby got me in a reminiscing mood.  After all in the early 2000's the Sacramento Kings featured him as our formidable playoff foes year in and year out.  Mavs basketball was exciting back then.  We had been bad for so long that success was new to us.  I think many of our fond memories of Steve Nash are directly related to his timing in Mavs history...
we like to forget that with him and Dirk in the lineup we had 2 out of 5 guys chillin' on defense.  The thing is, we're watching better basketball now.  That tandem at center were Raef Lafrentz and Shawn Bradley.  Thanks, but I'll take Tyson Chandler and Haywood.  The point is, the lower excitement level for the Mavs in this community isn't based on a lesser product, it's based on greater expectations.  There's nothing wrong with those expectations, I think every fan has the right to dream about championships and clamour for an all-star slasher that can create for himself and his teammates with And1 handles... even if we can't come up with the actual guy, or a trade that would work (since we don't want to give anybody good up)... but, as Mavs fans we have to appreciate what the rest of the league tries to ignore.  The guy that gave us the unprecedented Mavs success... The player that kept us relevant in the near decade time that the Kings faded into obscurity... The only reason we have any right to feel entitled of 50 wins and a playoff berth.  The greatest Mav ever is without a question Dirk Nowitzki, and we owe it to ourselves to soak up every minute he plays for our franchise. 

In this game the Mavs coasted to victory.  Sure, the score was tight through most of the first three quarters, but we have a steady diet of Dirk in the 4th quarter for games that get gritty down the stretch.  Seven guys in double figures is how we coast.  We need this right now.  Dirk needs to get some nights out from under the burden of carrying this team while he completely recovers from his knee injury.  Terry needs to continue to convince us, his teammates and himself that he is a clutch performer... He's been doing well so far this year. I like what deeming oneself a 4th quarter shooter can do for the psyche. I just hope that an equally small amount of failures can have the opposite affect.  However, tonight is a night to sing JET's praises as he provided a nice pts-assist double-double.  Kidd seems to always make a defensive play at the end of games and made a big 3 to ice the game in the 4th.  Haywood seems to be done sulking and have finally accepted his role as a back-up on a playoff team.  I love what Chandler does for us defensively... and none of us take for granted his value as a guy that can catch and finish down low after all of our Dampier years.  Stevenson and Marion contribute nicely with physical d and taking advantage of the scoring opportunities that come to them. 

A good win versus a legit, albeit Eastern Conference Team.  That's 5 of 6 and we're back on the right path with the unmentionable 6 game losing streak fading in the rear view mirror.