Learning From The Dallas Mavericks
Seth Johnston | Monday, May 9, 2011 at 10:14AM 
The Mavericks walked into Jotunheim and slew the Frost Giants. On Sunday I took my Mom to see Thor instead of watching game four between the Mavericks and the Lakers. I don’t normally skip playoff games but it was Mother’s Day, and even though Mama Johnston is a fan of hoops neither of us felt compelled to watch. When I finally saw the outcome of the game, a blowout win for the Mavs, I experienced the thrill of commonly held basketball beliefs being violated. The Mavericks were not supposed to win that series. The Lakers were not supposed to lose, and certainly not supposed to get swept. There is a lot to chew on when we get reminded that our ideas are not natural laws. One lesson from the Mavericks’ sweep is an important one for fans of the Blazers: perennially good can become great without suffering through a rebuilding effort.
The Lakers are the defending champions, one of the most storied franchises in the NBA, are in a major (and perhaps more importantly, glamorous) market, and have famous people seated farther away from courtside than they would ever tolerate at any other NBA game. Things have gone the Lakers’ way for a while, and being confronted with failure so far from the title was a shock. Magic Johnson went on ESPN talking about the need to blow up the team for crying out loud, a sentiment that is not his alone.
The belief that the Lakers need to start all over strikes me as that initial emotional and irrational reaction we humans often have to a surprising and unwanted situation. The team has excellent and proven players, a less dramatic re-tooling seems like a better strategy at this point in time. I have a pet theory, incubating since watching so many Blazers’ fans declare the need to rebuild earlier this season, that people tend to forget what a rebuilding effort really feels like and too easily believe in the necessity of it. It is a very uncertain path that often involves a lot of losing. (Can we blame this on the same human component that throughout history has lead people to believe than an oncoming war will be more brief than it turns out to be?) A total rebuild is a tough path but justifiable when necessary. It is necessary less often than many seem to think it is.
Look at the Dallas Mavericks. In the minds of many, as recently as a week ago, they were destined to spend eternity being good enough to win fifty games a season without ever truly competing for a title. After making the Finals 2006, the Mavericks won over fifty games every season and never advanced beyond the semifinals of the playoffs. In three of those seasons they lost in the first round, including losing to the eighth seeded Warriors in 2007. The Mavericks did not blow it up. They made changes, they searched for the best formula, they tinkered and took risks, but there was no complete rebuild. Now it looks like patience is being rewarded. The Mavericks swept the Lakers and look every bit like a serious championship candidate.
The Lakers are NBA royalty and it follows that discussion of their defeat will focus more on what is wrong with them than what is right with Dallas. Lost somewhere in the Mavericks victory is an important lesson to basketball in general and the Blazers in particular; a team can leap from perennially good to great without having to endure the pain of being gutted first.
Reader Comments (15)
Seeing the Mavs sweep the Lakers took some of the sting away from the first round loss. I loved watching the Lakers take a dump in game 4.
Seth, did you create that graphic in Paint? Nice.
I use Paint.net but I strive to create that MS Paint feel in all my art.
It's a very moving piece. Almost as good as Brandon Roy guarding the Street Sharks. Almost.
In fashion, the Abercrombie Fitch Clothing perfect handbag is something that is essential, yet elusive. It should at once be a fashion statement, but not too gaudy or garish, and definitely not simply one of the season's passing trends. Prada handbags have become known for their high class elegance and quality, and for wholesale NFL Jerseys many years have been celebrated as the best handbag available. More than simply a sack to put your things into, these hand bags are portable, personal works of art.These beautiful handbags are products of the Prada Company itself, from start to finish.
Nice one, there is actually some good points on this blog some of my readers may find this useful, I must send a link, many thanks.
hollister clothing
hollister uk
abercrombie uk
abercrombie london
abercrombie milano
abercrombie deutschland
There is noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made sure nice points in features also.
As if we Louis vuitton outletneeded anotherLouis vuitton replica reason to Lv bagshave mid-winterReplica Louis Vuitton vacation dreamsLv uk Store
, the Louis Vuitton Spring louis vuitton replica outlet2011 lookbook louis vuitton replica handbagsis out louis vuitton outlet storeand it louis vuitton replica luggagereads like
replica louis vuitton onlinea 1960s Palm louis vuitton luggage replicaSprings roadlouis vuitton trip fantasy. Theloui vuitton outlet clothes arelouis vuitton speedy lovely andvuitton outlet wearable, louis vuitton handbagsthe bagslouis vuitton purses are covetablelouis vuitton bags, andloui vuitton the scenery louis vuitton handbaglooks much louis vuitton outletsmore invitinglouis vuitton online shop than what’s
louis vuitton shopgoing on louis vuitton onlineoutside my louis vuitton damierwindow right now. If you’re lv
in the moodlouis-vuitton-shirts-c-26.html to belouis-vuitton-tshirt-c-7.html>louis vuitton T-shirt jealous onlouis-vuitton-women-shirts-c-33.html>Louis Vuitton Women Shirts a whole variety of levels, we have many more pictures after the jump.
ed hardy , Opposition reflects the tension, contradiction reflects the perfect fusion of the two re-mix of simplicity with the elegance.
Contour lines of upper and sole design, showing a trend of diversification, the full expression of the romantic, casual, relaxed, lively and emotional jump mbt shoes
Affliction shirts
Sale Christian Louboutin shoes
Wholesale Golf balls
Adidas Originals shoes
nike dunk high heels
The theme is really attractive. Congratulations to the author of the blog!designer bags buy designer bags designer handbags outlet cheap designer handbags cheap Air Max 95 Nike Air Max shoes
Great post with many different useful details. My fitness routine is made up mainly of high intense interval training.
You got a really useful blog I have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbie and your success is very much an inspiration for me.Replica Louis Vuitton handbags Louis Vuitton Replica Monster Beats headphones Monster Beats tour cheap ASICS shoes ASICS gel nimbus
エルメス バッグ Chinese Valentine's Day エルメス 財布 (or "Qi Qiao Jie") falls on the エルメス バッグ 通販 seventh day エルメス バッグ 激安 of the seventh エルメス 店鋪 month of the エルメス人気 lunar calendar エルメス新作 (August according to the エルメス 激安 Gregorian calendar). エルメス 通販 As is the UGG店舗 custom elsewhere アグ 店舗 in the world, ブランドUGG this is a day devoted UGG 靴 to romance. UGG オーストラリア In China, UGG 新作 this day is UGG 人気 also known as ブランド 靴 "The Begging Festival" or ブランド靴 新作 "The Daughter's Festival." ブランド靴 激安 It is an important ブランド靴 通販 day for girls. ブランド靴 取扱店 In the evening, abercrombie uk girls prepare melons abercrombie uk online and fruit before abercrombie and fitch uk worship and prayers abercrombie uk shop for a good marriage. abercrombie There are many stories abercrombie men as to the origins abercrombie women of Chinese Valentine's Day, replica bags and one of them involves replica bags outlet the Emperor of Heaven and his seven daughters bag store online. They were only アグ ブーツ allowed to meet UGG ブーツ once a year UGG 通販 on the day of UGG 通販 seventh day of UGG激安 seventh lunar アグ month - Chinese Valentine's Day UGG.
Located in Louis Vuitton Outlet portman square flagship store snare the LV almost Louis Vuitton Bag all sold in the paragraph, and the reporter discovery, its price mainly by two factors: series and pattern. This brand is different series of price difference is very big, Louis Vuitton Epi Leather from 5000 multivariate to tens of thousands of dollars
In this modern and fashionable society, people are pursuing for ugg australia boots cool, unique, stylish and innovative. Whether it is uggs australia uk or fashion accessories all means a lot for modern society of today. Same is the case with trendy looking australia ugg boots. When these are cheap Ugg Boots, the excitement just gets doubled. Most chic looking UGG Classic Cardy Boots are in fashion now. These are one of the favorite fashion accessories for men and women long time ago. If you have not yet tried UGG Ultra Tall Boots, it's time to own one and feel the difference it can make to your personality. These are just brilliant and fabulous uk ugg boots sale. They are most iconic and can provide you with a new feeling and enhance confidence. The quality of discount uggs is just superior to what you have dreamt of. Today owning a new and trendy looking ugg boots sale are not only meant for the wealthy people. These are now made luxurious and affordable Cheap ugg Boots to reach out to every budget and range. You can just enjoy them by ordering cheap Ugg Boots online where you get the complete satisfaction and genuine quality at best possible rates. The finish, quality and designs you get from ugg boot sale are really astonishing and you will love them all. Different styles and designs of uk ugg boots sale are now available to make your wrist beautiful. You can choose from the wide variety of ugg boots on sale by comparing lots of perfect and stunning pieces. These UGG Ultra Short Boots would be nice investments for you in long term. These UGG Classic Mini Boots are brilliant and prove to be wonderful for you while it makes you stand out of the crowd. The dashing and extraordinary cheap boots you get will attract every eye in a crowd and makes you feel more confident. If you are not having ugg boots cheap yet, check them out and own them now as were not so affordable ever before. You will not miss them out. Be it Christmas or Valentine's Day or any other special day that you would like to celebrate, a Ugg Boots sale gift would be just perfect for any occasion. Many people think of the perfect discount uggs to purchase for their loved ones. Even if you shop for your special occasion at the last moment, you are sure to find something nice at ugg nightfall boots. UGG Sundance II Boots gifts are not restricted to just your lover, you could also pick perfect for almost everyone, including your family and friends.