This just in. The Dallas Mavericks have exited the NBA Playoffs in the first round despite mortgaging part of their future to get Jason Kidd out of New Jersey. You know a certain Mr. Cuban isn’t happy right now. Change is gonna come…
Soon enough, the Phoenix Suns will be bounced out of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs. Shaq and Dirk will make a very large twosome on America’s golf courses. Not sure if either actually does play golf, but even if they don’t, after first round exits each will have plenty of time to learn.
The rumors are flying that the Suns may let head coach Mike D’Antoni go if (or I should say when) his team loses to the Spurs. The Knicks already have him on their short list of potential coaches.
No matter what happens with D’Antoni. It’s clear the window is shutting on both franchises. Sports is all about windows of opportunity.
Growing up in the 70s, I hated the Pittsburgh Steelers. I loved Bum Phillips and enjoyed seeing the rise of the Houston Oilers as a legitimate threat to the Steelers’ AFC dominance.
I remember after one year, in which the Oilers came close but couldn’t overcome the Steelers, Phillips had a great quote about what he expected going into the next season. Bum said something like “last year we knocked on the door. This year we’re going to break it down”.
To me, Bum’s quote is what it’s all about. To win a championship, you’ve got to build a team of complementary players, give them time to jell and hope for a heck of a lot of luck. In Houston’s case, the window closed without a championship for either Phillips or Earl Campbell, the most exciting runner I ever saw as a kid. That doesn’t mean Bum wasn’t right. It takes time to win championships.
Looking at Dallas and Phoenix, I’m struck by the same thing. Churn. Dallas is certainly more guilty. But, each NBA franchise has continued to tweak their roster downward. Both the Suns and Mavericks have been good for a while, yet neither has had a enough to break through.
Neither franchise has been able to resist the temptation to try to improve their roster. Yet, it seems to me, each team keeps weakening their squad with each successive trade. Dallas is now stuck with a very old looking Jason Kidd (especially in comparison to Chris Paul) at the point, while Dirk’s not getting any younger.
As for Phoenix, I absolutely never understood the Sean Marion trade. He was such a big part of that team and still so young. How do you give him up for an old Shaq? Now, Phoenix is stuck with two aging superstars in Shaq and the still very effective Steve Nash.
The sun is setting in Phoenix and the window is closing in Dallas.
Too bad. I would have liked to see either franchise finally break through. I’m pretty sure Bum Phillip agrees.
2 Comments
April 30, 2008 at 5:19 am
It’s the small guys time!!!! I’m talking aboutthe guards of the NBA that make an impact these times.
Sorry Shaq, sorry Dirk, …. Things have changed.
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April 30, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I don’t know about that. Seem to remember Tim Duncan winning a ring recently. Who do you think was more important to the Spurs? Duncan or Parker?
Love a great small guy, but the big fellas still can make a difference.
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