Let's Keep It Positive

Allright, as upsetting as the past month has been, let's try and put the Dallas Mavericks' recent plummet into some perspective.

Last season the Mavs won 19 of their last 21 games and nine in a row to close out the season...they lost in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semis (2nd round). The year before that? Dallas went 10-2 in the last 12, a good finish, but lost in Game 5 of the 1ST ROUND! So where does the positive come in? Right here.

In 2002-2003, arguably the greatest single season in Mavericks history, Dallas went 9-6 down the stretch but advanced to Game 6 of the Conference Finals. The only other time the Mavs have made it further? Game 7 of the 1987-88 Conference Finals, but that year they didn't win 60 games.

So, looking back over the past month: Dallas is a .500 team, 7-7 in the last 14 games, two losing streaks after having one all year before that and losses to Orlando and Golden State. Not only that, the San Antonio Spurs are slumping as well, but Dallas couldn't take advantage. Once again the "bad guys" will win the division by probably a single game.

Go back and change one game...1 STINKING GAME...in the last 79 and we'll win the division. 3 losses to Golden State, inexcusable. A 2-point overtime loss at Milwaukee, seriously? Two losses to the Lakers, the horrible, good-for-nothing Lakers in the span of a week, gimme a break. An overtime loss AT New York, quite possibly the worst team in the last decade (OK now I'm exagerrating).

But all is not lost. This fan is very encouraged by the fact the team plummeted in the season's waning moments of '02-03 only to advance within one game of the NBA championship series. We'll find a way. Avery always finds a way. And after this highly upsetting month, the Dallas Mavericks will prove all the naysayers wrong once and for all.
mr

NASCAR in Texas

Well, it's that time of year again. And thanks to the powers that be, "that time of year" happens twice in a 12-month span. NASCAR is in Texas. Now, to many of you, the idea of watching cars drive in circles just makes you frustrated and dizzy. But to those of us who know the history, prestige, strategy and wonder of stock cars traveling at high speeds at close range...there's nothing better. Once you go to a race, your ideas of the sport will never be the same. I've been to two races (both at TMS last year), and I can honestly say there's nothing like being in the infield, the pits, the grandstands and the garage. Granted, I have media passes and can go where the average Joe cannot, which probably makes it a lot cooler than watching from the 574th row in the upper deck next to some huge fat guy eating bratworst named "Bubba."

How's this for a weekend: Busch series race on Saturday afternoon, Mavericks game on Saturday night (media passes, locker room, post-game interviews, all that stuff) and the Cup race on Sunday afternoon. Never thought I'd hear myself say I couldn't wait for a NASCAR race. By the way, I know every Cup series champ since its inception in 1949. I'm a nerd. But I'm a nerd who will be rubbing shoulders with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Carl Edwards, Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and on and on and on. Have fun doing whatever it is you're going to do this weekend. Don't call me. I won't be able to hear my phone. Boo-yah.