First things first, I'm absolutely thrilled for Dirk, Mark Cuban, and the rest of the gang in Dallas. No longer will Dirk mentioned in the "best players of all-time without a championship". Eleven-straight 50-win seasons for the Mavs finally validated. Even though it just makes them the 90's Braves and 2000's Colts, so be it. Better that than the 90's Jazz or 90's Indians, in terms of great teams that never quite could seal the deal.
Historically, Dirk's Championship/Finals MVP likely push him into the top-25 of all-time, and with perhaps another three or four seasons playing at a high level, he could continue to climb even higher. Jason Kidd put the exclamation point on his Hall of Fame career, while America also learned who exactly Jason Terry is, that Shawn Marion doesn't need Steve Nash to be effective, and that being short is not a death sentence to one's basketball abilities (thank you, JJ Barea).
And I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I wish every owner was like Mark Cuban. That unbridled passion is unmatched by any other owner in the NBA, and possibly across all of sports. Funny how fellow Dallas owner Jerry Jones is really the only other legitimate argument when it comes to owners as fans.
Now onto the Heat side of things. HA! IN YO FACE! IN YO FACE! Everything I've been writing and saying about LeBron over the past year is now 100% fact and not just opinion. Not only did he quit in the waning minutes of the game tonight, when Miami definitely still had a chance, but the entire Heat team did. My buddy KC Murphy pointed it out to me with that under a minute left, LeBron had un-tucked, even though he was still in the game. Subtle detail, yet actions can speak louder than words as we all know.
Of course, I can still hear the phrase "This fall I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat" ringing in my ears. Those words will continue to dog LeBron for at least one more season, maybe even two minimum if there's a lockout. And don't think Miami is a shoo-in to win next year just because this loss will "make them stronger". Besides the fact LeFraud is bound to resort to another summer of finger pointing and whining, Chicago and Seattle Oklahoma City are teams quickly on the rise that will definitely be able to play with the Heat next spring. Dallas will defend their title with pride. You can't convince me the Lakers are done yet. And we'll have interesting situations brewing in New York and Orlando as well. So while Miami will undoubtedly be a contender for years to come, it's by no means guaranteed they'll ever win a title.
Having three great players is one thing; having three great players with a supporting cast that can actually, you know, support them, is another. And actually, let's just call it two great players, because I think tonight was the death kneel for Chris Bosh's legitimacy, as if he had any left in the first place. Because as the cameras followed him down the tunnel to the locker room, the whole world saw him break down and cry like a little spoiled brat. Game set and match, son. Shoulda stayed in Toronto, where even the hilariously hideous Leafs can cover up your shortcomings.
What a great way for the NBA to end its season. Do I wish it had been a certain green-uniformed team hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy? Sure. But The Dirk Show deserved it. That was quite the consolation prize.
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