NBA Finals: Big Disappointment for Big D

As I have been living in Dallas this summer, I have undoubtedly encountered many Mavs fans. Not only have I never liked the Mavs, I am a huge fan of Dwyane Wade and Shaq (at least in the second half of his career). Thus, my loyalty during the recent NBA Finals lied strictly with the Miami Heat. Since no one here in Dallas really wants to hear what I have to say regarding the series (mostly because they can't stop whining), I felt this was the perfect opportunity to release some of the excitement I have for the Heat victory as well as tell people the reasons that the Mavericks lost the series.

First I'd like to start off by congratulating every player on the Miami Heat, Pat Riley and the rest of the coaching staff for winning an NBA title and Wade for earning a well-deserved NBA Finals MVP. The player I am most happy for, however, is Alonzo Mourning. The man has been on a long journey which really began when he was diagnosed with kidney disease and culminated in Game 6 where he played the best he had all season, coming up with five momentum changing blocks and providing a bit of offense.

As much as I would enjoy going down the list of Miami Heat players who deserve credit for this championship, it is much more fun (considering my current situation) to point out all the reasons (or the one big reason) that the Dallas Mavericks did not win a championship.

The reason why the more highly touted Mavs did not win, and will never win, an NBA title is because of their seven foot all-star. For the past two years I have told everyone that is willing to listen that Dirk Nowitzki is unable to lead a team when it matters the most. Big Dirk helped prove my point now in back-to-back playoffs. Last year Dirk made it evident by criticizing and yelling at teammates when the Mavs were ousted int he second round of the playoffs, displaying how he felt it was the rest of the team's fault they lost and not his. A true leader and a true champion would never blame his team, rather take on the responsibility of being the best player and perform in crunch time.

Until the finals this year, I felt as if Dirk would make me eat my words. For every other series in the playoffs, Dirk showed that leadership, that poise, that determination to win that is necessary to escalate your status as a professional to being a champion. I had even admitted to most Mavs fans that I was impressed with this turnaround, and maybe even maturity, in Dirk. But once he got his opportunity to choke in the finals, the old Dirk, my favorite Dirk at that, showed his true self. Nothing showed it more than after his meltdown at the end of Game 5 by kicking the ball into the stands, molesting an exercise bike, kicking another chair and probably screaming German expletives on his way into the Mavs locker room. So although I was willing to give Dirk the benefit of the doubt that he had transformed as a player, I know revert back to my former stance on the matter, which is a Dirk Nowitzki-lead team will NEVER win a championship.

Although there is so much more to talk about just on this one topic, its late and I need to get to bed. But one more thing must be said before I go to sleep. Of all the sports I have watched and all the referees I have cursed, I've finally been able to accept the fact that referees don't, and will never, be the reason one team wins or loses. I have heard so much complaining about the poor officiating in the NBA finals, but in the end, those decisions did not create the outcome of the games. The most talked about finish here in Big D has been that of Game 5 and D-Wade's phantom foul. In my eyes, that probably should not have been called a foul, but here are a few points to make about that game and that play:

1. First of all, Wade still had to go to the line and sink those two shots to win the game. Regardless if he should have been on the line or not, he was there and calmly sank both.
2. Second, Josh Howard called a time out and proceeded to walk off the court. He called it, no questions asked, no argument against that. Quit trying to speculate and bend the rules in order to make it sound like the Mavs should not have been charged a time out when he called for it.
3. Third, if the Mavs were man enough to make their free throws (Dirk, Howard) at the end of the game, they would have never been in this situation. If the Mavs don't put themselves in the situation to have it be possible for the refs to blow a call, then the game is over and the series is probably over in six games with Mark Cuban hoisting the championship trophy.

A few things make this extremely hilarious for me. The first is that the mayor of Dallas, in which I have no idea the name, scheduled the victory parade for the team after they won Game 2 and then leaked it to the press. OOOOOOPS. I guess that was a mistake. The funniest part is that I received a death threat at work for supporting the Heat. On my "Go Heat" sign I kept on my desk, someone drew a man's face with a knife through it and blood dripping from the knife. The note attached with this cute little drawing was "DIE." Hopefully that person doesn't find me at work over the month and a half. As much as I like the Heat, I don't think I need to die because of them.

Look for more Wright Ideas in the coming days, and don't forget to cheer for U.S.A. over Ghana and Italy over the Czechs tomorrow in World Cup action. Until next time.... GO HEAT!