By: Luke Johnson

Luke Johnson — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:40:30 +0000

I don’t fully agree with this. First, nicely written article. But I think Chuck Barkley is right, in that we have to give the Dallas Mavericks credit, and stop discrediting them for tremendous play, simply because they are beating up on the champs. Is L.A. playing poorly? I don’t know. They had a sixteen point lead in the 3rd quarter game one, then squandered it to a deep, experienced, poised, and veteran club in Dallas. This Mavs team is no mid-echalon beast. This is a team who has been through the ringer and earned their stripes. Guys like Marion, Barea, Kidd, and Chandler have brought something that this team has lacked the last eight years: balls. Defensively they are better than the Lakers, and offensively, seem better too. I know this sounds odd and crazy, because L.A. on paper and ideologically should be better offensively. But, like the big four failure in 04′, maybe that is all this team is…on paper.

Do not misread my stance on this. Do I think the champs have the firepower to win two in Dallas? Absolutely and with not hesitation. Kobe is still Kobe, and the Lakers are the champs with a certain fight to survive that other teams who’ve never won one, have yet to embody.

But, Dirk Nowitski is not going off like this because he is not tired. Dirk is one of the greatest closers this league has ever seen. He’s the greatest shooting big man in league history, and is an incredible alt-athlete, with the ability to cause defensive breakdowns. Dirk is simply put…f-ing great. It just took us all a really long time to take him serious. Maybe it’s that awkward wrong foot, leaning, two inch vertical jumpshot? I don’t know. But..give the guy credit. As Marshawn Lynch would say, “Dirk is going into beas’ mo’.”

Comments on: Showtime’s Last Stand

By: Luke Johnson