ESPN’s Marc Stiend reports: Dirk Nowitzki has officially opted out of his last year with the Mavs, forfeiting $21.5 million dollars. (REAL FREAKING DOLLARS!) Does he know how much bratwurst that can buy him?
I was almost 100% sure Dirk wouldn’t go anywhere and I’m still riding that bus….
View high resolution
Down 3 - 1.
It all comes down to tonight. Carlisle has come back three down. Marion has done the same. We’ve rallied in the past to overcome the Spurs. We’re no strangers to being down. And we are certainly no strangers to doing what we need to do to get things done and win.
We held The Big Three in the last game, and now we need to keep George Hill at bay. Shake up their morale with a big game tonight and game six is ours for the taking. Then it comes down to game seven on our court.
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.
Light it up, Mavs. Light it up.
Game four tonight.
We’ve got this. We’ve got this. We’ve got this. We’ve got this.
(image via espn.com)
View high resolution
Take everything you know about this season and throw it out the window. Anyone can tell you, nothing will apply to this series. It won’t be a cake walk and both teams are going to fight hard to win it.
For me, this quote sums it up: Both teams have solid benches and if this series isn’t the one that most interests you, then go have your fucking head examined because you’re certifiably basketball retarded. - By My Count
While most people think it’ll go to seven, I believe the Mavs will claim this one in six.
Here’s the schedule, including the local and national TV listings:
Game 1 – Sun April 18 San Antonio at Dallas 7:00PM TXA21/ TNT
Game 2 – Wed April 21 San Antonio at Dallas 8:30PM TXA21/ TNT
Game 3 – Fri April 23 Dallas at San Antonio 8:30PM TXA21/ ESPN
Game 4 – Sun April 25 Dallas at San Antonio 6:00PM TXA21/ TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 27 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TXA21/ TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 29 Dallas at San Antonio TBD TXA21/ TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 1 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TXA21/ TNT
(image via)
I originally thought that Carlisle might sit our big guys out for this game, but alas, it was Pops who gave his guys a rest, further insuring our 96 -89 victory. And thanks to that victory, our first round of the playoffs is going to be a Texas Show Down. Games against the Spurs just do something to me - I get excited and so anxious I could cry.
Since I just know this is the year we make it to the finals again, I can’t help but remember the 2006 drama-rama, fight for the series win. The Jet got a fist full of Finley’s balls, Pops and Cuban fought over the River Walk (really?? reallllly!?!), Cuban’s wife was harassed, and we shouldn’t forget the best basketball moment of the series - Dirk forcing overtime in game seven. I almost didn’t make it through that game with my sanity, but the drunken senoritas down in San Antonio didn’t help that situation. I mean, there’s no way I almost tackled some chickadee who couldn’t keep her margarita in her cup and Nazi thoughts to herself. Clearly I stayed planted in my seat and was on my best behavior the whole time.
Texas Show Downs bring out my best. Next week ought to be fun.
(image via)
View high resolution
I feel like someone should start playing Fans by Kings Of Leon.
You know the rainy days, they ain’t so bad when you’re the king… The king they want to see.
(image via)
View high resolution
We should send a little thank you note to the Clippers for making the last game of our three game road trip a breeze. Most of our big guys only had to play three quarters, including Dirk, who had 25 points for the night.
A win tomorrow night back home in Dallas will lock up the number two spot in the West, and right now it looks like San Antonio will be our first round opponent, which should provide a pretty good preview for that series. Although, there is some room for change.
(image via)
He’s wearing our jersey in the video, so this is completely relevant, right?
Also, I still have my “Free Mbenga” shirt from the 2006 playoffs.
