Why do Mavs continue to get no respect?
Over the course of the past decade, the Dallas Mavericks have posted some pretty impressive stats: 9 consecutive 50 win seasons, 9 consecutive playoff appearances, 2 trips to the Western Confernce finals, 2 NBA 6-Man of the Year award winners, one Coach of the Year, one MVP and one trip to the NBA Finals. Led by an outspoken owner, perhaps no mascot fits its team better than the Mavericks.
In spite of all of this success, the NBA stills looks upon the Dallas Mavericks as some freak sideshow, not worthy to share the same stage with the Lakers, Celtics, Spurs or even with pretenders like the Nuggets, Cavs, Hornets, and Rockets. Only the Spurs can match the Mavericks consistency over this time period, yet all of the aforementioned teams and even some non-playoff teams (Suns) get more love than my beloved Mavs. Why?
Sure, we’ve had our share of hiccups. Our 67 win season ended with one of the biggest upsets in professional sports history and no one in Dallas will soon forget the two game lead we blew in the 2006 Finals, but that’s no reason to turn your back on a franchise. The Houston Rockets have, since the late 90′s, consistently choked down the stretch and in the post season. However, the NBA talking heads shower the Rockets with praise every chance they get.
The Nuggests, Lakers, Celtics, Cavs and Hornets have all been lottery teams with losing records this decade–the Mavs have not. Yet still no love for the mighty Mavs.
More than any other league, the NBA is a fraternal organization comprised of players inside and outside the circle. Kobe, LeBron, Tim Duncan, etc. compose the inner core and these mix and mingle with the greats from the past. The Mavs roster, over the past decade, has consisted of outcasts from this fraternal organization. Those inside the circle keep with their own kind and praise those who they know best. The Mavericks roster is filled with maverick individuals. The establishment reject this attitude and attempts to demonize this organization any attempt they get.
