DFW Sports MIX by Don Arnet
One word describes the Mavericks winning the series with San Antoino. “Breakthrough.” We were not sure how the Dallas Mavericks will play in this years NBA playoffs. The Mavs were lucky to get in, lucky to draw the San Antoino Spurs in the first round. In short, lucky. Buy it was not lucky play that got the Mavs advancing to the second round. The Mavs were a determined bunch, with the bench players contributing when either Dirk Nowitzki or Jason Terry were cold. And in game 5, Dirk had a breakthrough night with 31 points. If there is one player for the Mavericks who had a breakthrough series it is Josh Howard. The player who was awol in last years playoff debacale against New Orleans, and who was more concerned with birthday party plans rather than playing playoff hoops, had a breakthrough series. Making key baskets and grabbing for loose balls, he looked like the all star player from two years ago.
Coach Rick Carlsile is totally different from Avery Johnson. A bit quiet yes, but he has this Mavericks team going the way you want them in the playoffs. On a hot roll. It looks like the Mavs get Denver for the second round. No telling what we will get from this Mavericks club for the next round, but you like what you saw from this determined group who has done one thing. Put the bad playoff past behind.
Congratulations to Dallas Mavericks Jason Terry for getting the NBA’s Sixth Man Award. Coming off the bench and pumping in needed points. He makes the third Dallas Maverick player to win the sixth man award. Antwain Jamison, and Roy Tarpley were the other 2. Now Jason Terry joins them.
The Texas Rangers had a great start and a good finsh to the month of April. Lot of bad baseball between. But the Rangers bats have been going off. They lead the majors in home runs. Leading the hit parade is second base player Ian Kinsler, who in one game went 6 for 6, for the cycle. Not since 1890, had a player went for that historical feat. A part of Kinsler’s uniform will be sent to Cooperstown to commerate that day. Looks like Ian Kinsler is mapping out Hall of Fame greatness in his young career.
