36 replies to this topic

[JBB]

Surely I'm not the only one around here that's fired up about this? The media exposure that Dallas is getting from all of this is phenomenal.

[vjackson]

You're not. The whole city is buzzing right now. Regarding the publicity....A friend of mine in Michigan was watching tv with his father and there was a story on the Mavs. He said there was footage being shown from Downtown, Uptown and Victory. His father hadn't been to Dallas in 15 years. He said his father said " Is that Dallas!!! My god, it looks like a different city!!! " I saw a similar feature about the Miami Heat on CNN, and I haven't been to Miami in several years, but after that story, I'm planning to visit soon. It made the city look awesome and exciting. Playoffs are definitely good PR for a city.

[jefffwd]

This was in the Miami Herald today... I kinda get the impression that Dave Barry doesn't care for D/FW

Posted on Thu, Jun. 08,
HEAT VS. MAVERICKS
Miami wins! Now we can go shopping
BY DAVE BARRY


So the NBA playoffs come down to this: Miami vs. Dallas. Tonight they begin a series that will determine which city is the winner and which city has many residents who are not cowboys but wear cowboy hats anyway, often in urban environments where they look ridiculous.

Only time will tell.

For now we should all salute both of these fine cities, which have so many reasons to be proud. Miami, of course, has its spectacular natural beauty, its exploding cultural scene, its vibrant nightlife, its sizzling Latin-Caribbean energy, its booming economy. Dallas, for its part, has a total of five Neiman Marcuses. Miami is the departure point for cruise ships sailing to some of the world's greatest great vacation ports; Dallas is often called the ``Gateway to Fort Worth.''

Both cities attract millions of visitors each year. They come to Miami to swim, dive, fish, boat, golf, shop, dine, enjoy the exciting club scene or simply ''kick back'' on the beach. They go to Dallas mainly to change planes, which at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport can also be very exciting, as you know if you've ever attempted to get from gate B-36 to gate C-39 (a distance of eight miles) in time to make your connecting flight, which leaves in 13 minutes.

I'm not saying that these two cities are unblemished paradises. Both have drawbacks: Miami is vulnerable to hurricanes, whereas Dallas is completely surrounded by Texas. But overall, they are fine places, and it's a shame that the NBA championship can't be awarded to both the Miami Heat and the Dallas Cows.

But it can't. One team (Miami) must win. So let's take an objective look at how the two teams match up for the championship series:

• Billionaire owners: Each team has one. The Heat's billionaire is Micky Arison, a quiet, dignified man who pretty much stays out of the limelight, preferring to let the actual basketball players get the attention. The Cows' billionaire is Mark Cuban, who takes a somewhat different approach, which is to do everything possible to make sure that nobody ever, for one second, forgets that he is a billionaire NBA owner. Here's what Mark's team's official website has to say about Mark:

``When Mark Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 14, 2000, the face of the organization began to change immediately. Cuban was not only successful at instilling a sense of pride and passion into Mavericks fans by presenting himself as the ultimate role model by cheering from the same seats he had in years past, but he also became the first owner in team sports to encourage fan interaction through e-mail on his personal computer. It was through this personal touch that fans throughout the Metroplex, and around the world, began to notice Cuban's energetic personality and take notice of the Mavericks. Cuban's whatever-it-takes attitude and commitment to winning has everyone's attention.''

That's right: Everyone pays attention to Mark, thanks to his energetic personality! Recently, in his capacity as ultimate role model, Mark went on to the court after a playoff game to berate the officials. He was fined $200,000, but that was no problem for Mark, because he's a billionaire! Who owns an NBA team! Did I mention that already? Well it's true! Whenever he wants, Mark can go on to the court or hang around with the players and enjoy the aroma wafting from their athletic supporters.

So I have to give the edge, in the owner department, to: Micky. Now let's move on to another important matchup:

• Players: Here I again have to, in all objectivity, give the edge to the Heat. Our players are a group of plucky fellows, led by the veteran Shaquille O'Neal, who, at age 52, is still going strong, despite the fact that many of his free-throw attempts wind up on other planets. Also he is constantly being whistled for fouls that are not his fault. They are the fault of gravity. Because of his large mass, Shaquille creates a powerful force field that causes smaller objects -- toasters, motorcycles, opposing centers -- to be sucked into his orbit and slam into his body, as Shaquille watches helplessly. Incredibly, the referees often blame Shaquille for this, which is an outrage, but Micky has far too much class to complain.

The final element in the Heat-Cows matchup is:

• Fans: Here the contest is closer. Both teams fill their arenas with enthusiastic fans from all walks of life, except of course those walks that can't afford to pay upward of $500 per seat to watch a basketball game. Usually Miami has the edge in the number of female fans sporting large and flagrantly artificial upthrusting bazoomage, but Dallas also is very strong in this department. The only real difference between the two crowds is that Dallas fans are led by the ultimate role model, cheering from the same seats. So I have no choice but to give the edge to: Miami.

In conclusion, Miami should win the series. I understand that my analysis could be faulty, and that I may get some criticism from Dallas fans. (''You moron! We have six Neiman Marcuses!'') I apologize in advance if I have offended anybody. I'm merely expressing my opinion; obviously, the question of which is the better team, and the winning city, will be decided on the court.

Unless the refs steal it from us.

[Yossarian]

Dallas is often called the ``Gateway to Fort Worth.''

Classic

[ashivone]

That's pretty funny.

Did anyone read the Star-T article about the Mavericks and Ft. Worth?

[ashivone]

If there is this much excitement for NBA finals, think how much exitement in the city there will be when the Super Bowl is here. Too bad for Dallas that it will be in Tarrant County.

[JBB]

I kinda get the impression that Dave Barry doesn't care for D/FW

Or maybe he's just having a little fun at the expense of his home team's opponent? I thought the article was pretty amusing.

[vjackson]

Dallas is often called the ``Gateway to Fort Worth.''

Classic

I've heard that before...by people in FW. Mr. Barry most know someone in Cowtown. I've also heard the "it's a cool city, but unfortunately it's surround by Texas", said about Austin many times. But that is a funny article.

BTW, I think Mr. Cuban adds a lot to the Mavs and Dallas. He's comes across as actually being fun and likable. A wealthy, self made guy who isn't phony and doesn't take himself too seriously...like a guy you wouldn't mind hanging out with. Unlike Jerry Jones , another well known owner, who frankly I can't stand. He's every bad Texas stereotype rolled into one. I feel a rant comin' on. I'll stop.

GO MAVS!!!!!!!

[JBB]

I can't help but like Cuban. He can be credited with doing two things that brought the team where they are now: 1. buying the team and pulling out all the stops when it comes to winning and 2. having the foresight to bring back Avery Johnson and retain him on the coaching staff when he decided to retire. I don't think this thread would have been possible with Perot Jr. in the owner's suite and Don Nelson coaching the team.

Don't you know the Victory folks are kicking themselves thinking that they would like to have the plaza and the W open just a tad earlier?

[lens314]

If people dont know...Dave Barry is a humor columnist for the Herald, and has been in Florida for awhile. So dont take anything too seriously from him, looks like he is just having some fun :)

Myself coming from Florida, dont know how far across the country Dave Barry's stuff spreads.

[Keller Pirate]

Don't you know the Victory folks are kicking themselves thinking that they would like to have the plaza and the W open just a tad earlier?

Well maybe they can have the finals again next year. NBA championships seem to run in streaks.

[JBB]

He had a column that appeared in the S-T at one time. Don't know if it still does since I only read what catches my eye on the website.

[Fort Worthology]

Well, I've always been a big fan of Dave Barry's, and he's not normally known for his serious critiques. It's all in fun, and besides, he's obviously just pumped for his team. Nothing wrong with that.

[DrkLts]

That's pretty funny.

Did anyone read the Star-T article about the Mavericks and Ft. Worth?

You mean this...

THE NELSON EFFECT
A Texas icon helped Mavs officials find common roots with local fans.
Now Cowtown is part of NBA Nation.

By JEFF CAPLAN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Dallas Mavericks' love affair with Fort Worth was rekindled by the Nelsons -- Don, Donnie and, of course, good old Willie.

"It's probably not hard to figure out that we're country music fans," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, whose attire, in or out of the office, rarely goes without cowboy boots and a John Deere ball cap.

"Every time old Willie would come to town -- you know we'd catch a lot of acts that would come through. We just felt comfortable with the people," he said. "That's how we first got to know folks. From Mayor Mike [Moncrief] all the way down to the barmen that work at Billy Bob's, it's just a great cross section of people that live in that city, and we feel very comfortable hanging out and having fun, sharing the bad times and the good times."

Times don't get much better. The 26-year-old franchise embarks on its first NBA Finals journey with Game 1 at American Airlines Center tonight against Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat.

One of the precious few things that the good folks of Fort Worth and the pretty people of Dallas should be able to agree on is that our professional sports teams belong to Dallas in name only.

It's certainly an approach the Mavericks have championed.

"I can tell you that Fort Worth is absolutely critical to the success of the Mavs," team owner Mark Cuban said. "We know a big part of our fan base comes from west of Dallas, and we try to do everything we can to return the favor of their support."

Cuban's not just flapping his billionaire lips to persuade you to buy his expensive seats. He's serious. Over the past few years, the Mavericks have consciously, and consistently, brought their basketball bandwagon into our back yard for rare up-close-and-personal glimpses of the team.

Events that could have been held in Dallas, the Mavs instead trucked over here. Before the 2004 Summer Olympics, about 6,000 fans packed TCU's Daniel-Meyer Coliseum to see 7-foot-6 Yao Ming and the Chinese national team play the Mavs' summer-league team, which included Josh Howard, Devin Harris and Marquis Daniels.

The Mavs returned a few months later with their full roster for Fan Jam, which included the end-of-training-camp Blue-White game. The crowd applauded as the Mavs debuted game jerseys that replaced Dallas on the front with the more appropriate DFW.

Fan Jam returns before the start of next season.

"The crowd was tremendously enthusiastic," said Mark Followill, the Mavericks' TV play-by-play man. "I know this doesn't seem like much, but I think they appreciated it that they wore the DFW jerseys."

Game-watching parties at Billy Bob's have been huge hits. In 2002, Don Nelson -- the former head coach turned team consultant -- and Donnie Nelson were suspended for the first two games of the season. So they dressed up as outlaws and downed cold ones with 1,500 fans.

Last March, the Mavs held a wildly successful party at 8.0 in Sundance Square to watch LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Mavs.

The team has offered several Basketball 101 clinics for women and recently invited Texas Wesleyan hero Ben Hunt to attend the Mavs' tryout camp this summer after Hunt hit the winning 3-pointer to deliver the Rams the NAIA Division I national title.

"The activities that the Mavericks have brought to Fort Worth only broaden their fan base," said Mayor Moncrief, a Mavs fan himself. "I think that Fort Worth, while we realize we don't have the Mavs here in our city, we consider the Mavs to be part of us."

This season's addition of the Fort Worth Flyers, a new entry in the NBA's developmental league, further entrenched the Fort Worth connection. The Flyers featured three players on the Mavs' roster: Pavel Podkolzin, Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell.

The Mavs' marketing efforts, which include Fort Worth Transportation Authority buses covered in Mavs advertisements, have helped fuel an already boisterous fan base. Local sports bars have been hopping throughout the playoffs.

"Standing-room-only every time the Mavs play," said Kimberly Shannon, manager of the Fox & Hound English Pub and Grille downtown. "It's been really exciting around here."

Tarrant County resident Juan-Paz Pena, 64, a fan since the Mavs' first season in 1980, purchased four $85 tickets for Game 1 and four more for Game 2. He said he appreciates the Mavs' overtures outside of Dallas.

"They want to be a Metroplex team instead of a Dallas team," Pena said. "I think they've pretty well succeeded in doing in that."

If the Mavs claim their first NBA title, there will be a victory parade in downtown Dallas. But what about a more intimate celebration here in Tarrant County? Perhaps held at a particular ballpark in Arlington?

"Oh, yeah, that would draw a lot of people," Pena said. "That would be a good marketing plan for them."

Perhaps Willie could get things started.

[safly]

Willie YES!

Stones NO!

And the Ballpark at ARRRRlington would just GO NUTZ!

I say a police escorted I-30 motorcade to ARRRlington should be in the works.

The SA CELEBRATION last year was HUGE!

GO MAVS! Get this one done and you will be seeing a DYNASTY.
And I don't mean in the Joan Collins sense.

[cjyoung]

That's pretty funny.

Did anyone read the Star-T article about the Mavericks and Ft. Worth?

You mean this...

THE NELSON EFFECT
A Texas icon helped Mavs officials find common roots with local fans.
Now Cowtown is part of NBA Nation.

By JEFF CAPLAN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Dallas Mavericks' love affair with Fort Worth was rekindled by the Nelsons -- Don, Donnie and, of course, good old Willie.

"It's probably not hard to figure out that we're country music fans," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, whose attire, in or out of the office, rarely goes without cowboy boots and a John Deere ball cap.

"Every time old Willie would come to town -- you know we'd catch a lot of acts that would come through. We just felt comfortable with the people," he said. "That's how we first got to know folks. From Mayor Mike [Moncrief] all the way down to the barmen that work at Billy Bob's, it's just a great cross section of people that live in that city, and we feel very comfortable hanging out and having fun, sharing the bad times and the good times."

Times don't get much better. The 26-year-old franchise embarks on its first NBA Finals journey with Game 1 at American Airlines Center tonight against Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat.

One of the precious few things that the good folks of Fort Worth and the pretty people of Dallas should be able to agree on is that our professional sports teams belong to Dallas in name only.

It's certainly an approach the Mavericks have championed.

"I can tell you that Fort Worth is absolutely critical to the success of the Mavs," team owner Mark Cuban said. "We know a big part of our fan base comes from west of Dallas, and we try to do everything we can to return the favor of their support."

Cuban's not just flapping his billionaire lips to persuade you to buy his expensive seats. He's serious. Over the past few years, the Mavericks have consciously, and consistently, brought their basketball bandwagon into our back yard for rare up-close-and-personal glimpses of the team.

Events that could have been held in Dallas, the Mavs instead trucked over here. Before the 2004 Summer Olympics, about 6,000 fans packed TCU's Daniel-Meyer Coliseum to see 7-foot-6 Yao Ming and the Chinese national team play the Mavs' summer-league team, which included Josh Howard, Devin Harris and Marquis Daniels.

The Mavs returned a few months later with their full roster for Fan Jam, which included the end-of-training-camp Blue-White game. The crowd applauded as the Mavs debuted game jerseys that replaced Dallas on the front with the more appropriate DFW.

Fan Jam returns before the start of next season.

"The crowd was tremendously enthusiastic," said Mark Followill, the Mavericks' TV play-by-play man. "I know this doesn't seem like much, but I think they appreciated it that they wore the DFW jerseys."

Game-watching parties at Billy Bob's have been huge hits. In 2002, Don Nelson -- the former head coach turned team consultant -- and Donnie Nelson were suspended for the first two games of the season. So they dressed up as outlaws and downed cold ones with 1,500 fans.

Last March, the Mavs held a wildly successful party at 8.0 in Sundance Square to watch LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Mavs.

The team has offered several Basketball 101 clinics for women and recently invited Texas Wesleyan hero Ben Hunt to attend the Mavs' tryout camp this summer after Hunt hit the winning 3-pointer to deliver the Rams the NAIA Division I national title.

"The activities that the Mavericks have brought to Fort Worth only broaden their fan base," said Mayor Moncrief, a Mavs fan himself. "I think that Fort Worth, while we realize we don't have the Mavs here in our city, we consider the Mavs to be part of us."

This season's addition of the Fort Worth Flyers, a new entry in the NBA's developmental league, further entrenched the Fort Worth connection. The Flyers featured three players on the Mavs' roster: Pavel Podkolzin, Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell.

The Mavs' marketing efforts, which include Fort Worth Transportation Authority buses covered in Mavs advertisements, have helped fuel an already boisterous fan base. Local sports bars have been hopping throughout the playoffs.

"Standing-room-only every time the Mavs play," said Kimberly Shannon, manager of the Fox & Hound English Pub and Grille downtown. "It's been really exciting around here."

Tarrant County resident Juan-Paz Pena, 64, a fan since the Mavs' first season in 1980, purchased four $85 tickets for Game 1 and four more for Game 2. He said he appreciates the Mavs' overtures outside of Dallas.

"They want to be a Metroplex team instead of a Dallas team," Pena said. "I think they've pretty well succeeded in doing in that."

If the Mavs claim their first NBA title, there will be a victory parade in downtown Dallas. But what about a more intimate celebration here in Tarrant County? Perhaps held at a particular ballpark in Arlington?

"Oh, yeah, that would draw a lot of people," Pena said. "That would be a good marketing plan for them."

Perhaps Willie could get things started.

If we mean so much, then change the team name to DFW or Metroplex Mavericks.

Go Tim Duncan! Go Lebron James!

[ghughes]

R Style did the best National Anthem I've heard in a long time tonight. Trust the game will be as good!

[JBB]

I hate generic sports cliches, but tonight's game couldn't possibly be any more "must-win" for both teams.

[safly]

Not really.

Red Sox v. Yankees.

IT'S been done before.

[JBB]

Huh? I was specifically referring to the two teams in this series. I realize that this isn't the first time we've seen must-win situations.

[safly]

Like they say, name one game that isn't a "MUST WIN".

I'll pass on tonights matchup. Sucks that HomeBoy got a 1 game suspension for PUNKIN SHAQ.

Are you serious!

He should have gotten the NBA DEFENSIVE PLAY of the YEAR!

I meant that the RED SOX came back from a 3-0 series defecit against them Yankees, back in 2004 I wanna say. Then of course their "storied" World Series win v. THE Cards.

Hee hee. I just though of another word you can spell out of "storied".

GET IT?

[JBB]

Okay then. I'll rephrase. I think tonight's winner wins the series. That's what I was getting at.

[safly]

Okay then. I'll rephrase. I think tonight's winner wins the series. That's what I was getting at.

I meant that the RED SOX came back from a 3-0 series defecit against them Yankees, back in 2004 I wanna say. Then of course their "storied" World Series win v. THE Cards.

Hee hee. I just though of another word you can spell out of "storied".

GET IT?

[hooked]

Editors? I love Word Jumble.

That was way too easy. Here's one that's a little bit more difficult. There is at least one nine-letter word in the English language that remains a word as you remove each letter, all the way down to the last one.

Example: sing, sin, in, I

Any takers?

Forgive us, John, as we stray ever so slightly off topic.

[cjyoung]

I'll pass on tonights matchup. Sucks that HomeBoy got a 1 game suspension for PUNKIN SHAQ.

Are you serious!

He should have gotten the NBA DEFENSIVE PLAY of the YEAR!

Stack and Josh are both dummies and Nowitski sucks!

Go Spurs!

Go Heat! (or any team that plays the Dallas Mavericks)

[safly]

MAV'S got hoooooooosed with that PHANTOM call against DIRK in the final seconds.

DIRK took the challenge and ACED it in his last possession. THAT was the game winner, but the HEAT got a lil help there with WADE'S uncontested foul draw.

REF'S SUCK!

Of course, none of these cats could ever MANup against those "AND1" PLAYAAAASSSSSS! Whuuup whuuuup!

[cjyoung]

MAV'S got hoooooooosed with that PHANTOM call against DIRK in the final seconds.

DIRK took the challenge and ACED it in his last possession. THAT was the game winner, but the HEAT got a lil help there with WADE'S uncontested foul draw.

REF'S SUCK!

Of course, none of these cats could ever MANup against those "AND1" PLAYAAAASSSSSS! Whuuup whuuuup!

That was a phantom call FOR Dirk against Manu in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs should be celebrating right now!

Go Heat!

[youngalum]

The myth started by SA that the foul on Dirk was not really a foul. Pictures don't lie, but people do. Proof in the pudding. STOP THE LIES SAN ANTONIO FANS.

MANU HAND ON DIRK'S SHOOT

Thank you and good nite.

[JBB]

Phantom calls or bad calls or whatever you want to call them happen because the refs are human beings. If a team takes care of business, they won't have to worry about that.

[Keller Pirate]

Does anybody else have the feeling that some of the losses in Miami could be attributed to coaching? I'm not saying Avery is a bad coach or anything but, just like players are nervous in their first finals it is reasonable to assume that a rookie coach would be too.

To me it seemed like they tried to sit on their lead in game 3 for the last 5 or 6 minutes and run the clock down and that is when the tide changed. Avery also seems to get real worked up on the sidelines compared to coach Riley, not to mention the press conferences.

[cjyoung]

Phantom calls or bad calls or whatever you want to call them happen because the refs are human beings. If a team takes care of business, they won't have to worry about that.

True. The Mavs broke down on Sunday. If they take of business they win easily. In fact, if Dirk would quit letting Haslem punk him and Avery would stop over coaching, the series would already be over.

[cjyoung]

Does anybody else have the feeling that some of the losses in Miami could be attributed to coaching? I'm not saying Avery is a bad coach or anything but, just like players are nervous in their first finals it is reasonable to assume that a rookie coach would be too.

To me it seemed like they tried to sit on their lead in game 3 for the last 5 or 6 minutes and run the clock down and that is when the tide changed. Avery also seems to get real worked up on the sidelines compared to coach Riley, not to mention the press conferences.

He's over coaching. He needs to let his guys play. Terry could have scored 50 points and Marquis Daniels could've contributed much more than he was allowed to, especially in the 4th. Going to the hack-a-Shaq that early was flat silly.

[safly]

Maybe it comes down to EXPERIENCE.

The MAV'S NOW have EXPERIENCE. They should take it all in and REMEMBER what FOUL TASTE is in their mouth after defeat. It will only make them stronger.

EXPERIENCE:
MAV'S:
AVERY:2 Championship series under his belt?
Van Horn: 1 Championship series

Heat:
Rielly: no introduction needed. CHAMP.
O'Neill: no introduction needed. CHAMP.
Mourning: 1 series?
THA GLOVE: 1 series?

The INexperience and Experience showed in this series.

Mav's didn't ATTACK when the big guys were on the bench. And the HEAT shut down those lanes from game 3 on. They knew what the Mav's had in Games 1 and 2, then they ended it. Forced them to shoot and shoot FRUSTRATED.

BTW, DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!

[cjyoung]

Maybe it comes down to EXPERIENCE.

The MAV'S NOW have EXPERIENCE. They should take it all in and REMEMBER what FOUL TASTE is in their mouth after defeat. It will only make them stronger.

EXPERIENCE:
MAV'S:
AVERY:2 Championship series under his belt?
Van Horn: 1 Championship series

Heat:
Rielly: no introduction needed. CHAMP.
O'Neill: no introduction needed. CHAMP.
Mourning: 1 series?
THA GLOVE: 1 series?

The INexperience and Experience showed in this series.

Mav's didn't ATTACK when the big guys were on the bench. And the HEAT shut down those lanes from game 3 on. They knew what the Mav's had in Games 1 and 2, then they ended it. Forced them to shoot and shoot FRUSTRATED.

BTW, DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Don't tell me you were actually rooting for the Mavs.

Hey, our Spurs will be back on top in 07.

[tamtagon]

Hey, our Spurs will be back on top in 07.

I know that's right.

[safly]

As a NATIVE "TEXANTONIAN", it would have been the ultimate compliment for the SPURS to have come up short against an eventual CHAMPION.

With that being said, I DID ROOT FOR THE MAV'S and the "Lil General". BIG FAN of his style, OK.

Truth is that THE MAV'S got "POPPED" in the mouth and FROZE MOTIONLESS.

It happens and the sun still rises.

AND...








GO SPURS!

[ghughes]

it would have been the ultimate compliment for the SPURS to have come up short against an eventual CHAMPION.

Exactly.
I have never understood hating the team that beats you and hoping for their defeat. Better to beaten by the champ than some guys that are eliminated in the next round.