I’ve tried writing this 4 times now, and I think I finally found an angle that hasn’t been beaten over the head (wait, it was just beaten over the head).

First, I wanted to talk about why I didn’t think the Mavs would win the Finals (who knew they wouldn’t even get out of the first round?!) – as seen HERE.

5. No set lineup – Well, as we’ve seen in Round 1, this remains true. Despite what happened with George Hill in Game 1, he was still their starter. On our side of things, Marion isn’t finishing games, Butler is being benched for entire halves and the rotation is a complete mess. You can’t win that way.

4. Jump shooting team – Yup, this has continued. I believe, and I’m going from memory here, that the Mavs had 4 shot clock violations in game 4. Does this happen if you’re driving to the hoop? We saw Dirk with 4 – 10, Butler 7 – 18 and Kidd 3 – 10 in Game 4. You cannot win on on midrange jumper after midrange jumper.

3. The Dreaded 3 Guard Set – Yep, JJ, Kidd and Terry. Otherwise known as the D-less 3. We didn’t even get a Roddy B sighting. Wow.

2. Hollinger is right. He was right! NUMBERS DON’T LIE, PEOPLE!!

1. The Dreaded Gauntlet. Well, the only one I was excited about was the Spurs. Boy, I was wrong.

Another year, another first round exit. We’ve moved back since last year, and it’s depressing. Do I think we can win the next 3? No. I think it’s over as soon as the Mavs return home. But, I’ll wait to start talking about next year till then.

As of right now, I’m too miserable.

I will say, though, I was texting throughout the game with a couple of friends, and before San Antonio had got to within 10, we all knew. I’ll share the messages between Kyle and I (Kyle, who had THIS to say about the game):

Me: Falling apart
And it’s broken
Kyle: Do we even want to win and deal with 2 more of these?
Me: Definitely
Kyle: I’ve never seen a team go on so many scoreless runs.
Me: It’s fucking crazy
Kyle: Well… Dez Bryant.

And that, my friends, sums up exactly what we all needed. Dez Bryant. See you soon, big guy.

I’ve mentioned more than a few times that this has been one of my favorite regular seasons as an NBA fan. I’ve seen my favorite team on TV more this year than any in the past. I’ve recognized their problems with every one else, I’ve seen the decline of the team and the uprising of a contender in one season.

Yet, I allowed myself to fall into the Mavs trap, like I also do. I sort of wish the trade with the Wizards that brought us Butler and Haywood had never happened. Well, not this year. Here’s my 5 reasons why we should just accept that this isn’t the year for the Mavs.

5. We’re about a week away from the playoffs and they still don’t have a set lineup. This was an issue we had with Avery when we lost to the Warriors in the 1st round. It makes no sense that we don’t have a set starting center. Will it be Damp, will it be Haywood, and how many minutes is Najera really going to get?

4. Mavs quickly become a jump shooting team, which is terrifying. In their last two loses to Orlando and OKC – Caron shot 3 – 15, Terry shot 8 – 26 and Dirk 19 – 41. Aren’t these supposed to be our top 3 scorers?

3. The 3 guard set. As much as I like seeing Kidd, JET (or Barea) and Roddy B on the court at the same time, they’re not stopping anyone.

2. Hollinger is actually right, when they win it’s close, when they lose it’s a blowout. They’ve been losing so ugly this year that it’s hard for me to buy into them turning it up a notch in the playoffs. As much as I’d like to believe they can pull a San Antonio, this team just doesn’t know each other well enough yet.

1. If things ended today the Mavs would get San Antonio in the playoffs. OK, I like that. What I don’t like is the possibility of playing Phoenix, Denver, Utah or Oklahoma City. Or playing one of them in the first round, and the second, then the Lakers, then the Cavs. Do you really see them winning 16 games against these teams? Really?

Yeah… me either. And that pisses me off.

By Toph…

So, if you’ve ever read any sports related article I’ve written (which, I hope you have, since this is The Sports Bizzo), you know that I might just be the strangest sports fan in the world. When things are going great, I panic and think the end is near. When things are at their bleakest, I get excited and think things are going to turn around.

When I see the Mavs down 10 on the road heading into the 4th quarter against the Warriors, I look at Diabla and say, “Honey… they got this!” And, they did.

When I see the Mavs down 16 at home to the Nets in the 1st half, I look at Diabla and say, “Honey… they got this!” And they did.

But, when I see them beating the Lakers, I panic. When I see them beating the Magic, I panic. When I see them beating the Hawks, I panic. And, when I see the Mavs sitting on their 13th straight victory, I take it as an omen that shits about to come crumbling down.

Take a walk with me, will you? I don’t usually point my faithful readers (hello you two) away from the Biz, but today is different. Let’s look at what some of our friends are saying about us. Tim Legler says this is the best shot the Mavs have to win a championship (link). Matt Moore calls the Mavs, “The pizza of the NBA (link).” Hell, even Charles Barkley wants to root for the Mavs. Please, don’t Chuck, it’s not as funny (link).

What does this all mean? DOOM! FUCKING DOOM! Run for cover because the empire is coming down. (Until, of course, it does come down, then all will be right with the world.)

The truth is, if you look at the remaining schedule (and every other Mavs blogger has addressed this), it looks relatively easy. The only games I wouldn’t be too upset with them losing is against Denver and the end. Seriously, have a look (link). Really, I don’t even think they should lose to Denver, since it’s at home after an off night. They’ve proven they can beat the Magic, Grizzles and Blazers. The Zombies give them trouble, but again, it’s at home after an off night (which is following the at home against the Magic).

Sure, they won’t go 16 – 0 to finish the year, but there’s no reason they can’t go 14 – 2.

And this absolutely terrifies me. Why? Because this kind of season leads to a first round playoff exit. Why? Because this kind of season leads to a dumb ass Dallas mayor planning the Finals victory parade, only to see them completely unravel. Why? Because we’re just not allowed to be happy!

So, don’t get too excited, Mavs fans. Afterall, Hollinger ranks the Mavs the #15 team in the league (link). While most Mavs fans are pissed at this, I’m saying, “Thank you.”

Final note: This was seriously the best year ever to buy NBA League Pass.

By Toph…

Now that the Cleveland Cavaliers have been unsurprisingly knocked out of the NBA playoffs again, you have to wonder what LeBron is going to do now. Despite the onslaught of Nike campaigns (How quickly do you think they’re going to build a Dwight Howard Superman puppet?), the Cavs didn’t have a very favorable match up against the Magic. If you watched the series, then you saw why. If you didn’t, then why are you reading a story about it?

If you read everything on ESPN, SI and other sports blogs that are just trying to emulate us (seriously…) then you’ll likely read that Cleveland has a lot to do to get LeBron a supporting cast. But, come on, who else are they going to bring in? Wasn’t Mo Williams supposed to be that number 2 savior? He was an All-Star, right? They had everything that a team is supposed to have. They had 2 solid 3-point shooters, a decent center, an All-Star point guard and a dirty work forward. Ideally, that team is supposed to win. The issue is, in my opinion, that when a player goes to, or plays in, Cleveland they know it’s LeBron’s team. So, they’ll back away from the ball to let him work. Of course, this leaves the whole 1 on 5 scenario, which never works.

The obvious solution, which is really only obvious because I crafted this article to be that way, is for Cleveland to send LeBron elsewhere. Dallas? You think so, too? Well, I think that’s a brilliant idea, and I’ve gotta ask, why not?Is there a more perfect scenario for everyone involved?

Why not Dallas? In Dallas, it is not LeBron’s responsibility to win for the whole state. In fact, he wouldn’t even be the city’s most visible star, leaving that still to Tony Romo. He’d have more TV appearances than with the Cavs, and he’d have guys around him who are so close to an NBA Title. He’d have an owner who would not only pay him incredible amounts of money, but also have enough money left over to keep the team intact. He’d play with another MVP in Dirk, and have a guy like Jason Terry as the 3rd scorer. Sure, they’d likely have to lose Howard, Stackhouse, Kidd and probably the entire bench, but, um, so what? I’d even be more than willing to wait till 2010, and lure him away from New York.

Tell me you wouldn’t shit your pants when the opening roster of the 2010 Dallas Mavericks is J.J. Berea, Jason Terry, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki and Erik Dampier. Then, seeing Bass, Singleton, Green and Hollins off the bench. Pick up a couple of other bench guys in the draft and you have an amazing fucking team. No way anyone beats them. Ever.

Make this happen… I’m such a fucking homer.

The Sports Bizzo Podcast 05.26.09

This week the Bizzers have their first ever Live Biz Video Stream, and you probably missed it. They also discuss the NBA Playoffs, baseball and fucking monkeys. (Fucking monkeys may not be discussed.)

And as usual

Download The Bizzo podcast on iTunes – HERE (Write a review!)

Email The Bizzo at TheSportsBizzo@gmail.com

The Bizzo on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TheSportsBizzo

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By Jon…

I have a confession to make.

Until last night, I had yet to see a Mavs game in its entirety. I didn’t have the time. The games were played during my work hours or prime sleeping hours. I always caught the highlights. Sometimes I caught the first quarter or two, sometimes the last 30 seconds of a game.

I caught the last 30 seconds of game 3. Basically, the worst 30 seconds of the season. If I were to liken my reaction to that play to a Maverick on the floor at the time, I would’ve been Dirk.

I just walked away with my head down, leaving only a tweet in my wake, “No way that just happened…”

Then I took a shower and went to work.

And thank God, so did Dirk.

I’m glad that last night was the first game I got to see start to finish. That’s the Dirk I remember, or rather, that’s the Dirk I love to watch. He always does solid work, but it’s rare that he actually takes a game over these days. When he does, it really is something special to watch, seeing him call for the ball every time down the court. In the last 2 minutes of the game, there wasn’t a question in my mind who they were going to. The Mavs didn’t even try to hide it. Dirk walked into the post, turned around, Kidd passed him the ball. And Dirk went to work.

And the shitty thing is, it’s probably all for naught, because of the non-call on Saturday. That call took this series from winnable to saving face.

Imagine if that call was made correctly, and the Mavs pulled that game out. The series is tied at 2 apiece. Do you think the Nuggets would still have the same swagger? Maybe, but they’d be a little scared.

Now, they can take comfort in the fact that no team in NBA history has ever lost after building a 3-0 lead.

I have another confession to make.

I think the Nuggets are going to be the first.

The Sports Bizzo Podcast 05.11.09

This week Jon and Toph discuss the Mavs getting hosed, Major League Baseball, Manny on ‘roids and some other fun shit.

And as usual

Download The Bizzo podcast on iTunes – HERE (Write a review!)

Email The Bizzo at TheSportsBizzo@gmail.com

The Bizzo on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TheSportsBizzo

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The Sports Bizzo Podcast 04.26.09

This week Toph and Jon welcome back… themselves, as they talk about the Mavs, NBA Playoffs and… I forget what else. But, I can tell you this, it’s good.

And as usual

Download The Bizzo podcast on iTunes – HERE (Write a review!)

Email The Bizzo at TheSportsBizzo@gmail.com

The Bizzo on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TheSportsBizzo

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Wow, it has been a while.

Let me give you the breakdown of what has happened.

Well, while we were in DreamHost, our site was hacked.

Basically, everything was fucked.

Ray got us moved over to MediaTemple, and it looks like all is well.

Here’s the official welcome back message.

Jon and I will officially be back with a podcast for Friday about Mavs basketball.

I’ve missed you.

The Sports Bizzo Podcast 05.25.08

TheSportsBizzo on Twitter

Email us at TheSportsBizzo@gmail.com

Vince Young VS Matt Leinart

Young…

Leinart…

NBA All Toke Team

1st Team

PG – Steve Nash

SG – Tracy McGrady

SF – Josh Howard

PF – Joakim Noah

C – Chris “Birdman” Anderson

2nd Team

PG – Stephon Marbury, Baron Davis, Damon Stoudamire

SG – Stephen Jackson (Playing 2 guard for Tokesakes)

SF – Carmelo Anthony

PF – Rasheed Wallace, Darius Miles, Calvin Booth

C – Francisco Elson, Marcus Camby

Honorable Mention – Onterrio Smith