SBNation.com: Why you should root for the Mavericks in the playoffs

I make the case for rooting for Dallas in the playoffs this year, and it's more than just because they have Caron, Brendan and DeShawn.

If you're not convinced, my wonderful girlfriend, who is not a basketball fan, is also pulling for the Mavs. Here are her thoughts.

I don't know anything about basketball. Who knows what the difference is between a charge and a block anyways? But after doing some research to determine which team I should provide my undying support to this postseason, I have thrown my support behind the Dallas Mavericks and you should too. Here's my main reasons why:

1. Strong Supporting Cast:
Dirk is the same great Dirk, but this year he's surrounded by a more athletic and talented cast. The additions of Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood provide the Mavs with weapons that they have previously lacked in their earlier playoff runs. Butler appears to be healthy after suffering a hip injury but posted 20 points in a win over the Spurs. The bench of Haywood, Deshawn Stevenson, and Jason Terry provides great depth and solid threats.

2. Jason Kidd as an offensive threat:
In addition to his ability to find the open man, Jason Kidd has become a much more prolific scoring threat. In the final thirty games after the All Star Break, in which Kidd played 29, he posted 21 double-figure games and hit for at least 12 points nine times. Not coincidentally, the Mavs went 23-7 after the break, including a 13-game winning streak. Kidd has also nailed threes at a greater than 42% clip - burning teams for double teaming Dirk.

3. Mark Cuban says so

GO MAVS

(Oh, and if you want to read the cases for every other team, go here).

about 2 years ago Mike Prada 11 comments 0 recs |

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Read More: nba playoffs, Dallas Mavericks

Comments

No thank you

Butler was terrible (and extremely frustrating) for the Wizards this year, and I’ve always disliked Stevenson. Meanwhlie, when I watch Brendan, I sense that he feels about basketball the way I felt about an accounting clerk job I once had (I didn’t like doing it, but it was the best money I could get at the time). I love playing basketball — I used to spend every free moment I had playing (and lots of moments that weren’t supposed to be free). So watching a guy approach the game like it’s drudgery really turns me off. Not his fault, I guess — being 7 feet tall doesn’t mean you have to love basketball, but it doesn’t mean I have to like watching him play either. Dirk is great, but just doesn’t seem to have the will required to lead a team to the championship. One guy I really like watching play basketball is Kidd, but I haven’t really felt the desire to root for him since his good-guy facade was lifted (cheating & beating). For these reasons and more, the Mavs are in a three-way tie for my least favorite team in the playoffs.

by steadyhand on Apr 16, 2010 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

I look at it this way

-Butler was terrible this year, but gave me and everyone three great years and was one of my favorites then.

-Haywood’s my all-time favorite and I could not feel more differently about him that you do.

-Stevenson, well, he’s Stevenson.

-Dirk’s inability to get over the top thus far is exactly what makes him compelling to me. It’d be so great to see him silence his critics that lose track of how consistently brilliant he has been.

-Kidd’s fun to watch, even if he’s kind of a dick.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 16, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets see

I love Dirk and I like Brendan. Rick Carlisle is ok with me too.

I don’t like Stevenson and I positively loathe Cuban (mostly non-basketball reasons) and Jason Kidd.

Sorry can’t do it. Go Jazz or Nuggets in the West, And go Magic (yuck) or Hawks in the East.

"I say he does have to shoot me now! So shoot me now!" --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Apr 17, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Will posts by The Pradette be a common occurrence going forward?

If so, let’s not make them b-ball related. Follow the example of the Sports Gal and have her rant about her passions.

by disgrunted on Apr 16, 2010 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

She's in law school, so I don't know

But I’ll talk to her about it.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 16, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's how its gonna happen...

Game 7, in Cleveland. Dallas down 2 with 35 seconds to go. Deshawn is on Lebron, and straps him up forcing him to make an outlet pass to Jamison, Caron Butler cuts off the pass, steals the ball. Jason Kidd comes and gets the ball, slows it up (Dallas doesn’t have anymore timeouts). High screen and roll with Kidd coming off the screen from Haywood, Kidd drives and kicks to Stevenson who hits an open three with 2.3 seconds left. Dallas now up 1. (Stevenson now can’t feel his face and shows all of Cleveland). Cavs call a timeout and Jamison in bounds the ball to Lebron, who drives immediately after getting the ball, Caron cuts him off but Lebron gets by him with a few extra steps (no way the refs call it) but Haywood comes from the backside to make the Finals clinching block and finishes off Lebrons career in Cleveland. Lebron storms off and blames Jamison in his post game interview and gives the middle finger to the Cleveland crowd.

Wouldn’t that just be a beautiful scenario?? But seriously I hope the Cavs don’t get that far, so Lets Go MAGIC!!

by SkinsWizStangs on Apr 16, 2010 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

I'm rooting for the Mavs.

Haywood was my favorite Wizards player. Jason Kidd is a living legend (on the court, anyway), who deserves a ring. Caron is Tuff Juice, for crying out loud. And Stevenson annoys Cavs fans.

Speaking of the Cavs, as I was watching their last game against Orlando, I found myself pulling for them, perverse as that may be. I couldn’t help it, I want to see Antawn succeed.

by satchmore on Apr 16, 2010 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

Um

OKC. My other team. We have a legitimate chance to beat the Lakers. Not a huge one, but it’s there. And, btw, assuming a miracle happens and we get John Wall: 2015 NBA Finals OKC vs WAS. I’m allowed to dream, right?

by JoCro on Apr 16, 2010 11:51 PM EDT reply actions