Dallas Mavericks in L.A.: Tonight the Salad; Tomorrow the Steak

By Richie Whitt Wed., Mar. 30 2011 at 10:15 AM

If only that guy on the left was still a part of this team

Over the past decade the Dallas Mavericks have been the NBA's best team at winning games they were supposed to win. In building a legacy of 11 consecutive seasons with 50+ wins and playoff appearances, the Mavericks rarely lose against inferior opponents.

It's the toss-up games or underdog ventures in which they've failed miserably.

And, right on time, the Mavs have one of each the next two nights at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

Since humbling home losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs earlier this month, the Mavs have regrouped and beat up on the bad teams. They've quietly won their last four over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns.

Which causes us -- honestly, like spoiled, entitled brats -- to yawn.

Tonight the Mavs face another losing, non-playoff outfit in the Los Angeles Clippers. They should win. They will win.

Which will set up tomorrow night's showdown with the Lakers. At stake will likely be the No. 2 seed in the NBA's Western Conference playoffs and home-court advantage in the West semifinals if the Lakers and Mavs should meet after winning their first-round series.

In that game, of course, the Mavs will be underdogs. Dallas will playing the second of back-to-back nights; the Lakers will have been rested since Sunday. And, don't look now, but the Lakers are 15-1 since the All-Star break.

Oh yeah, and I know I should've gotten to Shawn Marion's disgustingly crooked pinky, but I've been a little swamped this week with more pressing issues like current criminals, past owners and future radio lineups. But, wow, it's amazing the guy can dribble.

It's the ugliest pinky this side of Roger Staubach.

Tags:

basketball, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Shawn Marion

Jess

how bout Kobe's mangled fingers that he's been playing with the last couple of years...Mav's will loose tonight and are no match in the playoffs for the Lakers

Judge_Softy

With that pinkie, I'll bet Shawn Marion can issue one HELLUVA shocker.

TheRealDirtyP1

I was going to say that must be the reason why he shoots a basketball like my 5 year old, but it's on his non shooting hand.

TheRealDirtyP1

I've enjoyed the gradual disintegration of this team ever since you and Barkley claimed this was the best team in baskeball back in February. Still a deep team and good, but can't wint he big one. Won't matter anyways, if LA stays on this tear noone is going to beat them. Not even my butthurting Spurs.

Judge_Softy

Bulls have by far the best defense in the entire league. It woudn't shock me in the least to see them beat the Lakers in The Finals.

As for my beloved Spurs, stick a fork in 'em. They had a nice season, but injuries and age are taking their toll at the worst possible time. They'll be lucky to get out of the first round. Tiago Splitter is the Spanish Darko Milicic. What an effing overrated stiff that guy turned out to be. Hopefully, Anderson will pan out next year.

TheRealDirtyP1

Oberto didn't come along until he was like, what, 30 or 31? Scola would fit into this puzzle well, but not much you can do about it now. I haven't been overly impressed with Anderson, and Jefferson still sucks. He was sitting at 4 points for the game Monday night until he hit a 3 pointer with under a minute left. What a fucking colossal disappointment.

Judge_Softy

Jefferson sucked ass last year, but he's been great most of this season.

TheRealDirtyP1

Dude, Tiago will be good. He won't be Tim Duncan good, but he was the ACB MVP, previous winners include Marc Gasol, Andres Nocioni, and Luis Scola. Give him some time, Softy. We should be worried that for some reason Pop has decided to stop starting Dejuan Blair, even with TD and Dice out. Head scratcher there. SA is just going to be fighting to hold LA off until the end.

Judge_Softy

My good pal and fellow Spurs die-hard, noted P-1 "Mexican Junior," has bemoaned the giving away of Scola for years. I personally think Scola is merely a more athletic version of Oberto, but even that would be nice to have right about now.

TheRealDirtyP1

if he turns out to be as good as any of those guys, I'll take it. I'm still bummed about Scola...sonofabitch...

Judge_Softy

He might end up being decent, but he has majorly underwhelmed - especially given all the hype and the fact that the Spurs have been trying like crazy for 3-4 years to bring him over to the NBA. He needs to take effort and hustle lessons from Blair, who if blessed with Splitter's body would likely be a perennial MVP candidate.

Rooster

I'm with Mishon. Wake me in a few weeks. I am officially one of the spoiled, entitled brats currently yawning.

Go Mavs!

In other news, the Dallas Stars are fighting for their playoff lives being 3pts behind Chicago for the final playoff spot with 7 games left. And yes, before everyone piles on I fully realize I am one of like, 6 people in this town who actually care.

TheRealDirtyP1

I think there are more people that care about UFC.Way more people care about Nascar, but RW only covers that on the radio(I don't care for it but what the what).

Herbert the pervert

I think its good that Richie covers Nascar on Rage. Afterall they only broadcast the races. I find the show to be a little more listenable now that they acknowledge its existance. It seemed strange that they would advertise the races on break and when they come back they would act like it didn't exist and broadcast from the speedway and continue to ignore it. In a way they are probably trying to appeal to more listeners which can only help in the long run. Thank you Richie for at least pretending to care about Nascar.