By Demand...

In 2006 the Dallas Mavericks made a trip to San Antonio for the Western Conference Semi Finals. Series tied 3-3, filled with drama and rivalry, the Spurs had yet to be eliminated at home. I remember that the day before game 7 was the day I developed my strong distaste for Tony Parker.

In his pregame interview he mentioned that he couldn't wait to beat "this team" in front of his home crowd. He was ready to "make them cry." Now to be fair to the Frenchman, Cuban recently gave his own interview where he went on to talk smack on the beloved River Walk and San Antonio pride. Still, this put a bad taste in my mouth for the tool.

The following night i watched as the Mavs played through game 7, barely holding on. As the few seconds that were left in the game ticked away, I thought hope was lost when Dirk drove to the rack for the basket... and the foul. Dirk completed the 3 point play and sent the mavs into overtime. Here they went on to eliminate the Spurs at home, for the first time in history.

Lets fast forward to 2009. Seasons have passed where the Mavs have been through first-round chokes. Embarassing defeats and sickening preformances are riding on the first-round appearance of 2009. After a year of rocky starts, dissapointing losses and close calls, the Mavs found their way into the 6 seed of the Western Conference. This first round they meet who else but the San Antonio Spurs. And can I just say, I have been blown away with the way they have played this series.

Espn asked the question last night, "Which is bigger, The Mavs pass the 1st round or the Spurs eliminated 1st round?" It kills me to say it, but I think it's the first. 2 months ago, I wasn't even sure if the Mavs would make the playoffs. But the last 20 games they really stepped up their play. They have started clicking at the exact perfect time. Dirk is playing like he did in 2007 and Kidd is starting to hit his shots. JET has had the best season since his second year in the NBA and Josh Howard is finally growing up and finding his roll. JJ (or Jebron as Lisa calls him) does a wonderful job of draing just enough attention in to dish out to the shooters outside, and I saw Erica Dampier block a shot last game!

Things are rolling for the Mavs and I feel like if they play like they did in game 3 or even in game 5, the will be strong contendors to Denver. My hopes for the Western Conference Finals are minimal but I feel like they will atleast hang with Denver for 5 or 6 games.

Fingers crossed.