Do the Mavs Have it for a Repeat?
July 25, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
In the wake of the Dallas Mavericks stunning victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA finals, more than a few kids might have traded in their soccer shoes and football cleats for basketball kicks. Mavs fever is in the air, and even the current NBA lockout can’t seem to cool down the dream of a city and a team to repeat their championship season. Assuming that there will be a season next year, the Dirk Nowitzki-sized question is, “Do the Mavs have what it takes to do it again?” Being that basketballs aren’t made of crystal, perhaps the future of the Mavericks can be found in the team’s recent past.
One of the great things about the NBA is that, given the grueling non-stop 84 game schedule—with 41 games at home and 41 away—on any given night pretty much any team, cellar or stellar, can beat or be beaten by any other team. We saw this scenario repeated last season, over and over again, and 2011 went down in the books as one of the best seasons in NBA history. As the season progressed into the playoffs, patterns emerged and paradigms shifted faster than Dwayne Wade’s pivot foot. In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, which marked the early exit of the #1 seeded San Antonio Spurs at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas put Portland on the postseason trail by taking the series 4-2. Then, in another stunning upset, the Mavericks swept the reigning champion Los Angeles Laker’s three-peat dreams from the floor in four.
Meanwhile the Heat beat the 7th ranked Sixers and 3rd ranked Celtics, each in a decisive 5 game series that showcased the formidable talents of Wade and LeBron and earned Miami some newfound respect as a team that had learned how to finish. And when they finished the favored Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals, featuring a dramatic 5th game that saw Miami come back with an 18-3 run to take the series (4-1), there was little doubt that Miami was destined for NBA greatness. Maybe “King James’s” pompous pre-season prediction that his arrival in Miami marked the dawn of a new basketball dynasty wasn’t so far-fetched after all. With Dallas closing out OKC (4-1) to win the Western Conference finals, the stage was set for what would prove to be one of the most exciting match-ups in NBA history. Trying not to think about that heartbreaking loss to the Heat in the 2006 playoffs, Dirk, Kidd, Terry and all of Dallas hoped that history was not about to repeat itself.
On May 31, the 5 game grind that would be the 2011 championship series began on Miami’s home court. Each game was a gritty back and forth battle, with most going right to the wire—decided by just 3 points or less. Although both teams had their moments, both brilliant and lackluster, a certain underlying pattern or strategy began to be revealed as the series wore on. For Dallas, it was a familiar strategy, the same source of inspiration and motivation that had gotten them to the playoffs in the first place—a strategy best summed up by three simple words, “never give up.” And it worked.
No matter how far down they got, no matter what the numbers on the scoreboard and the clock seemed to be saying, the Mavericks never gave in and they never gave up. And it’s in that strategy that we should look for the answer to the question, “Do the Mavs have what it takes to do it again?” With all the uncertainty of the 2012 NBA season, with the lockout, the labor disputes, and ambiguous rosters, one thing is certain for Maverick fans and NBA fans alike. When the new season begins, whether Dallas has what it takes to make history again or not, we’re in for another great ride.
About the Author: Alex Shelton is a freelance writer for Become.com. Become is a price comparison and product review site that helps consumers find the best product and great deals. From football cleats to Nike soccer shoes, you can find reviews and prices for pretty much anything.
Dallas Sports Fan – Mavericks Try To Get Rid Of Blazers, Rangers Still Top Of The West
April 28, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
There is still time to bet on the Kentucky Derby as the race is next weekend, but Dallas-area fans have plenty to keep them occupied as the Mavericks are locked in a tough first-round matchup in the NBA playoffs, Texas is staying in front of Los Angeles in the American League West, and the Cowboys are looking towards the defensive line for Thursday’s draft.
The Mavericks will be in Portland on Thursday night as they look to close out their series against Portland, but they’ll be the underdogs as the home team has won the first five games of the series. Portland’s home crowd may be the loudest in the league, and Dallas hasn’t been able to keep them quiet. The Mavericks have to bring the same energy on the road as they do at home, and they also have to be more aggressive going to the hoop, especially Dirk Nowitzki, who averages eight more trips to the foul line at home than he has been in Portland. If the Mavericks can’t end the series on Thursday, Game 7 will be in Dallas on Saturday, so it’s coming down to the wire for the Mavericks.
MLB betting players have watched the Rangers race out to a great start at home, where they have won 11 of their first 15 games at the Ballpark. Texas is wrapping up a 10-game homestand on Thursday afternoon against Toronto, and a win would give them a split after they lost the first two games of the series. This follows a sweep of Kansas City last weekend, and the Rangers will head into Thursday’s game with a 1.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the West as they prepare to head out on the road for the week. On Friday, the Rangers will travel to Oakland to kick off a four-game set with the Athletics, then Texas will be in Seattle for three games against the Mariners. Both are division rivals, so a few wins over the week could give them some breathing room atop the division.
Teams will be getting ready to make their NFL picks on Thursday night in New York City, and a lot of mock drafts are saying that the Cowboys will lean towards a defensive lineman, particularly an end to fit into their 3-4 defense. The Cowboys could also end up going with an offensive tackle as they have to do a better job of protecting quarterback Tony Romo, but the position of defensive line is much deeper than their offensive counterparts. Either way, Dallas will be making a strong effort to improve their sports betting odds for next season (whenever it starts).
Dallas Sports Fan – Mavs Prepare For Playoffs, Stars Come Up Short, Rangers Lose MVP
April 15, 2011 by Guest Contributor · 1 Comment
Even those who are betting online for Kentucky Derby odds can respect how things are going for the three Dallas-area sports teams who are in action…well, at least two of them. The Mavericks are preparing for the Derby equivalent of the NBA season, or better yet, the Belmont Stakes as the playoffs are a grueling marathon. The Stars came up limp down the stretch and someone had to pay for it, and the Rangers suffered a big injury to their leading thoroughbred.
The Mavericks turned things around from a four-game skid to a four-game winning streak to end the regular season, beating the Clippers, Phoenix, at Houston in overtime, and a blowout at home over New Orleans in the finale to take the third spot in the Western Conference. The Mavericks will now face Portland in the first round of the playoffs, and the two have split four meetings during the regular season, with the home team winning each time, which bodes well for the Mavericks. Dallas has to slow down LaMarcus Aldridge, who averaged 27.8 points against the Mavericks. However, Dallas should still be considered sizable favorites to move onto the second round. Game 1 goes on Saturday night at American Airlines Center.
The Stars made one final push for the last spot in the NHL playoffs out West, winning four in a row at Anaheim, at home against Columbus and Colorado, and then they went to Colorado and won to set up a meeting with Minnesota, who were well out of the playoff picture. Chicago had lost to Detroit earlier in the day, and the Stars only had to win in Minnesota to punch their postseason ticket. But the Wild conjured up the spirit of the old North Stars and dropped Dallas 5-3 to send them packing, and Coach Marc Crawford was handed his pink slip as the Stars have now missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, two under Crawford, so now the hunt for a new leader in Dallas begins.
The Rangers have continued to light up the MLB early-season slate, winning two of three in Baltimore, then they dropped two of three in Detroit against the Tigers, losing both of their games by a single run. But that’s not the biggest story as reigning American League MVP Josh Hamilton is out for 6-8 weeks with a broken arm that he suffered while sliding into home plate as he was sent home by third-base coach Davey Anderson on a pop-up, a move Hamilton called “stupid”. Hamilton has since apologized to Anderson for his remarks, and now the Rangers will set out upon filling the void left by their slugger. This week’s schedule will see the Rangers in New York for an ALCS rematch against the Yankees, then they return home for a series against their AL West rivals from Los Angeles, so it’s a big week for their sports betting odds.
Dallas Round-Up – Mavs Prepare For Playoffs, Stars Still Hanging On, Rangers Off To Hot Start
April 7, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Kentucky Derby betting will be big in Texas, but it’s not for a month, and there is a lot to deal with leading up to the “Run For The Roses”, specifically in Dallas where the Mavericks are trying to hold onto the third spot in the West, while the Stars are just trying to reach the postseason. The Rangers are proving that their American League pennant was no fluke last year, and they’re ready to defend their title.
Those watching NBA scores have seen the Mavericks start to slide at the wrong time of year as they’ve lost four in a row ahead of their Friday night meeting with the Clippers, falling on the road to the Lakers, in Golden State and in Portland, and then they lost at home to Denver. The Mavericks are a game ahead of Oklahoma City for the third spot in the West, but they have to get their game together because they only have four games left in the regular season, beginning with their Friday game against the Clippers. On Sunday, Phoenix comes to town, then the Mavericks visit Houston the next night. Finally, Dallas ends the regular season at home against New Orleans.
The Stars were blanked 6-0 in San Jose last Thursday, and then went on to lose in Los Angeles before ending their West Coast swing with a win in Anaheim. Dallas returned home to beat Columbus and are now four points behind Chicago for the final playoff spot in the West, and you don’t need a 5dimes review to tell you that the Stars have their work cut out for them because they need the Blackhawks to drop points, and then they need to take advantage of their last three games, a home-and-home against Colorado, then the Stars finish the season in Minnesota. It’s possible, but a lot of things need to bounce Dallas’ way for the postseason to happen.
The Rangers got off to a great start in 2011 with their six-game homestand by sweeping Boston and Seattle at the Ballpark, belting 13 homers, and four of those were by Nelson Cruz. The Red Sox is a big feather in their cap as many people are picking Boston to win the American League and the World Series, and even though it’s only early in the season, it has to be a boost to the Rangers’ confidence. Now, the Rangers will head out on the road beginning on Friday for a three-game set in Baltimore, where the Orioles are also off to a good start, and then Texas is in Detroit for three games. Be sure to check out their odds at your favorite sports betting sites.
Dallas Round-Up – Mavs, Stars Shaky Down The Stretch; Rangers Have Questions
March 17, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
While most will be betting on March Madness over the next few weeks, the stretch run is here for the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, and they’ve both had an up-and-down week. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers have a couple of big questions to answer as they progress deeper into spring training.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks began their week with a shootout win over New York, followed up by a defensive struggle which ended in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, before they headed out west for a loss in Portland and another high-scoring win at Golden State. The Mavericks move into the next week tied with the Lakers at 6.5 games behind San Antonio in the Western Conference, and they will try to dig into the Spurs’ lead when they host San Antonio on Friday night. On Sunday, the Mavericks will welcome the Warriors back to town, and then Minnesota visits on Thursday. This is a good week for the Mavericks to get back into the swing of things in the NBA.
Dallas Stars
The Stars continue to be tough to nail down for NHL betting players, as they began with a shutout win at home against Minnesota, followed by losses to Los Angeles and San Jose, both at home as well. Dallas in the midst of a seven-game homestand that was a great chance to make up some ground in the West, but they lost three of the first four heading into this week. It gets really tough now as the Stars will get visits from Chicago on Thursday, Philadelphia on Saturday and Anaheim on Wednesday, and they may have to do it without forwards Loui Eriksson and Steve Ott, who were injured with hits to the head against the Sharks.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers are still trying to figure out what to do with Neftali Feliz, who said he wanted to return to the bullpen, where he had 40 saves as the American League Rookie of the Year last season. Now, reports have surfaced that Feliz does want to move to the starting rotation, which would be a huge blow to the bullpen and specifically Feliz’s closer role. The Rangers have to be careful with how they handle this, as they can look at how New York handled Joba Chamberlain as how not to do this. The Rangers also have to figure out what to do with Chris Davis, who was drafted in 2006 by the Rangers but hasn’t been able to crack the big-league team. Davis says he thinks it would be fair if the Rangers traded him to a team where he has a chance, and Texas could be in the market for a reliever to boost their sports betting odds.
Dallas Sports Fans – It’s A Busy Time In The Dallas Area
March 10, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
March Madness betting players don’t have a team to ride in the Dallas area, but there is plenty of action in the pros where the Mavericks face a big week, the Stars are getting back on track, the Rangers have some pitching questions to answer, and who will the Cowboys draft?
The Mavericks have dropped two of their last three games, falling by a point at Memphis and at New Orleans, along with a three-point win at Minnesota. Dallas is still second in the West, but the Los Angeles Lakers are surging and could overtake them on Thursday night as both teams are involved in the NBA doubleheader on TNT. The Mavericks will host another hot team as New York comes to town on Thursday, then the Lakers will visit Dallas on Saturday night, while the Mavericks then head to Portland and Golden State on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
The Stars had a busy week, splitting their four games with three of them going to overtime or the shootout as they fell in Anaheim (overtime), won at San Jose and Los Angeles (overtime), and finally a home loss to Calgary (shootout). The Stars got Brad Richards back from a concussion for the Calgary game, and it’s not a moment too soon as the NHL gets ready for the stretch run. A seven-game homestand continues on Friday as Minnesota comes to Dallas, followed by Los Angeles on Sunday, San Jose on Tuesday and Chicago on Thursday.
The Rangers’ big question this season comes in their rotation, where they have to find a way to make up for the loss of Cliff Lee, who returned to Philadelphia. Brandon Webb threw to live batters for the first time on Wednesday, and the Rangers will be keeping a close eye on him after pitching four innings in the last two seasons because of an elbow injury. The Rangers have also been tinkering with the idea of moving Neftali Feliz to the rotation, but then you’re toying with a guy who had 40 saves and was the AL Rookie of the Year. That will be the main question for MLB betting players looking at the Rangers’ odds.
The Cowboys will pick ninth in the draft on April 28th, and while many say they’ll move up to try and get Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, Dallas’ major need is in the secondary, where they got lit up last season. LSU’s Patrick Peterson will likely go in the top five, but Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara should be available when the Cowboys are ready to pick. Amukamara may not be as athletically gifted as Peterson, but he’s not far behind, and he may be more sound technically. Either way, the Cowboys have to improve their secondary to boost next year’s sports betting odds.
Busy Offseasons For Texas NBA Teams
June 25, 2009 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
The NBA season has been finished for about and you would think people would be more interested in Wimbledon odds, since tennis’ preeminent Grand Slam is underway or Super Bowl odds, since the season is rapidly approaching, but all of the water cooler chatter has been regarding the NBA offseason.
The Texas teams are right in the thick of things, including the San Antonio Spurs, who pulled off a blockbuster trade on Tuesday.
The San Antonio Spurs shipped off some spare parts in the form of Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas and Bruce Bowen to the Milwaukee Bucks to get Richard Jefferson.
Jefferson fills a huge void for the Spurs in so many ways, which should make them a real threat once again in the Western Conference. I’m betting management was thrilled with the deal considering they didn’t have to trade away any of their core.
For starters, the Spurs do get a starter in return for three bench players. Jefferson will add a legit 20-point scorer to go with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who is off a career year.
While the Spurs first moves have made their Southwest Division cohorts kind of nervous, the other teams don’t figure to stand pat.
The Dallas Mavericks have been linked to Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Anderson Varejao, are in the thick of a lot of rumors. Reports indicate that they tried to ship out Josh Howard for the fifth pick overall but the Washington Wizards were not interested. The Mavs have also been linked to Shaquille O’Neal, although he isn’t exactly a team priority. A player the Mavericks are more likely to move is Jerry Stackhouse.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks have already made before the start of the draft, shipping off the 22nd pick in the draft to Portland. The Trail Blazers traded three picks to move up two spots and now own the Mavs 22nd pick. Meanwhile, the Mavs moved back two spots to No. 24 and received Portland No. 56 pick and another second-rounder in 2010.
Apparently the Trail Blazers are interesting in international player Omri Casspi and were worried that the Sacramento Kings might take him with the 23rd pick in the draft.
As sports wagering experts know, the draft is a hectic time when teams reshape themselves. Keep an eye on Thursday to see what else the three Texas teams pull off.
