Now Delonte West and Vince Carter have decided to step up. In a 122-99 win over the Suns, the Mavs had Vince Carter putting down threes, Delonte West driving, and people coming out of the woodwork to make this team go. As many times as the Mavs will have something happen (Dirk’s knee hurts, Jason Kidd is injured) they have people to step up and take charge. I was very concerned that without Tyson Chandler they wouldn’t have as much heart, but I think that winning that title last year made them into believers.
Think of the true-believerism that was made when they won a title and they said to each other, “We can do this no matter what.” Well, that sentiment is pervasive throughout the team and you can see it as they drain threes one night and play hardcore defense the next night.
When you’ve got Vince Carter bought in and just taking smart shots, you know you’ve done something right. When you have Delonte West coming off the trash heap (being labeled as a guy who was only worth talking about because he played with LeBron) playing as well as he did last night, you know that the coaching and team atmosphere is amazing.
So, if people are stepping up all night, how can anyone beat the Mavs? I don’t know. They could have a problem in the regular season, they could not be the top seed in the west, but when they get in the playoffs, I don’t think I would want to play them. Fans of other teams think to themselves, “I don’t want to have anything to do with them.” I’ve thought that before, and I know you have, too. Now, the Mavs fall into that category. Who knows who will bite you the next time you play Dallas?
