The Dallas Mavericks will win the 2004-2005 championship. A bold statement from a patient fan. A laughable statement just three years ago. A realistic statement when the facts are known.
The Mavericks have lingered at the threshold of greatness for the last two years. The 2002-2003 season saw the most wins in franchise history. However, a 60-22 record could not win the Midwest division title (stinkin' Spurs). Dallas blew a 3-0 lead in the 1st round with Portland before winning an incredible Game 7 at the American Airlines Center. The 2nd round was revenge at its best as the Mavs advanced into the Conference Finals in 7 games over the hated Kings. In the Conference Finals, a resurgent Steve Kerr ruined a chance for the series to go the distance in Game 6. He hit four 3-pointers in the final quarter. Dallas lost 4-2. The home team came out on top in one of the six games. Dallas played 20 playoff games.
Last year the Mavericks won fewer games than they'd won since the 1988-89 season going 52-30. A dissapointing season capped off with a dissapointing playoff loss in round number-one to Sacramento. A series decided in five games, three of which were lost on last second Dallas shot-attempts.
So now it's 2005. Dallas is on the verge of having the second most wins in franchise history. With a win tonight against Memphis, the record would stand at 58-24. Even with the loss of Steve Nash, Dallas is a better team. Once again we're in the top 10 in fewest turnovers. Nash's absence opened up new scoring opportunities for future MVP Dirk Nowitzki (he scored a career high in points).
But here's the reason why the Mavericks are different from years past, why they'll beat the top teams in the league including Phoenix, San Antonio and Detroit: Avery Johnson. The Little General brings a defensive mindset to the clubhouse that Don Nelson could never bring. Since taking over, Dallas has won 15 games under Johnson. They've lost two.
The Mavericks are 7th in the league in opponents field goal percentage, 2nd in opponents 3-point percentage, 4th in steals and 7th in blocked shots. Dallas is 4th in the conference in rebounding, a stat incomprehensible to life-long Mavs fans.
Defense will win the championship, but the offense helps. Dallas is 1st in the league in free throws made, 5th in free throw percentage, 8th in field goal percentage, 7th in 3-point percentage and 3rd in points.
Avery Johnson's coaching and defense coupled with the offensive power, Dirk, Josh Howard, Marquis Daniels, Eric Dampier, Michael Finley and Jason Terry, Dallas will no longer linger on the threshold, they'll bring it all home.
The Dallas Mavericks will win the NBA championship. A bold statement from a patient fan. A laughable statement just three years ago. A realistic statement when the facts are known.
