Soft? Soft? Not Carlisle's Mavericks

I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of a Dallas Mavericks team than I am right now. They convinced me and should have convinced the rest of the world that they were a far superior team than the San Antonio Spurs. And these Spurs, led by a Tim Duncan who has never -- ever -- lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs -- kept coming back during last night's series-deciding game. But Dallas's strength, determination and abilities in the first and third quarters last night -- when they outscored the Spurs by a total of 61-39 -- was just too much to overcome. You can take that "soft" label many have applied to the Mavericks and toss it into the dumpster.

What made it even more special was that it was a total team achievement and that's a credit to Rick Carlisle and his coaching staff. I have absolutely no doubt that Carlisle is the major difference between this Maverick team and the one that bowed out the last two years in the playoff and no where is that more evident than the way the Mavericks are playing right now.

This time the last two years, the Mavericks were a tired team. They looked haggard the last month of the last two seasons and that carried over to their playoff performances, first against Golden State then last year against New Orleans. This season the Mavericks were playing their best basketball at the end of the regular season and that, too, has carried over into the playoffs. Channel 21 showed an interesting graphic during last night's game telecast: Only the Los Angeles Lakers have a better winning percentage than the Mavericks since March 31.

Now it appears the Mavs get to rest a couple of days before taking on the Denver Nuggets (I can't see how New Orleans can take that series). Much has already been said and more will be written and said in the upcoming days about how the Nuggets swept the Mavs this season. But two of those losses were by two points and a third was only by three. All four games were played before the Mavs went on their 7-2 tear to end the season. I honestly think, if Carlisle can keep this team playing at this level, they can take the Nuggets in a best-of-seven matchup. Just look at the way the Mavs, when the Spurs twice cut double-digit Maverick leads to four points in last night's game, how Dallas put their collective foot to the Spur's collective throat and cut off all breathing.

The one thing I and most of Mavericks fandom feared the most was finishing the season as the eighth seed. Why? Because we didn't want to face the Los Angeles Lakers. But I'm betting no one will be complaining, especially yours truly, if we get a shot at the Lakers now.