The Sports Bizzo

By Toph…

I generally make it a rule to never write on the weekends. I think I even mentioned that to some one yesterday, but Diabla is studying for the Series 66. When she studies, I’m not allowed to be anywhere near the same room as her. My sexiness, I suppose, is too intense. How can any women concentrate when I’m around, much less my future baby-maker. She hates when I call her my future baby-maker by the way. The fear that little Toph’s will be running around  terrorizing this city has her worried for herself, and for you guys. Let’s be honest, though, little Toph’s or little Diaba’s? You decide. Since I’m here, stuck in our room, not wanting to play a 3rd game of last year’s Madden, I decided to entertain you guys with some basketball talk.

The way I see it, this might be the last time I can talk Mavs Basketball until the offseason talks. Well, OK, I can talk Mavs basketball whenever I please, but you might stop visiting our little blog, and I don’t want that. Now, I’ve noticed a lot of Mavs fans, and fans of basketball in general pleading for a Lakers - Celtics finals. I have to ask, Why?! OK, from an entertainment standpoint I get you. I do. As a basketball purist (I love saying it, I have no clue what it really means), I want an entertaining series with 2 of the most storied franchises in the league. A chance to see all the NBA greats back in the same building makes me giddy with happiness. Aside from that, the chance to see the whole “what if” with Garnett is pretty exciting, as well. What if he weren’t stuck in a miserable situation in Minnesota? And, who’s not excited to see a 2 on 2 game with KG and Pierce against Gasol and Kobe? It’s going to be pretty damn riveting, isn’t it?

But, if you’re a Mavs fan, you must get over this dream match up, and pray the Pistons and the Spurs can get it done. Hell, you should at least pray the Pistons or the Spurs can get it done. Look, the days of Nash, Finley and Nowitzki are gone. Nelly is in Oakland, and the up tempo, free flowing offense is in the past. The Mavs are going to be run by Rick “Don’t Call Me Lloyd Christmas” Carlisle. Maybe you don’t remember, but this is the guy who made the Pistons, well, the Pistons. Granted, he has sworn he’s going to open the offense up for Jason Kidd, but that doesn’t mean that much. Just because the offense is supposedly going to be open for Kidd next year doesn’t mean the Mavs have people who can keep up. This is a team that features a lot of spot up shooters. Josh Howard was the one guy that would take the ball to the basket. As we saw in the playoffs, Howard would drive, then drive out and shoot a 13 footer. But, where it’s going to, if it succeeds, mimic the teams we hope are in the Finals is on the defensive end. Say what you will about the boring, fundamental style of the Pistons and Spurs, but it does work. Since the 02-03 season, you’ve seen either Detroit or San Antonio in the Finals every year, but one, and they faced each other in 04-05 in a 7 game series that was eventually won by San Antonio. The Mavs have had a bit of an identity problem since falling to Miami two years ago, but don’t think that they’re done. Sure, the window is closing on this team, but it’s not over yet.

As a Mavs fan, I am hoping and praying for a Spurs - Pistons Finals. This way, I know the league hasn’t passed them by, and they’re saying there’s a chance….